Many people ask themselves: What Is the Difference between Hemp and Marijuana? There are many differences in terms of the composition, legality, and use of cannabinoids. Knowing these differences is essential if you want to understand the effects and benefits of cannabinoid products.

Cannabis: the difference between marijuana and hemp

The terms hemp and marijuana are not scientific terms. When we talk about hemp, we are talking about the cannabis plant used industrially. It is usually grown outdoors to maximize stem size and production. It does not require the same rigor as marijuana in terms of lighting, temperature, and humidity since flowering is not the primary purpose.

On the other hand, the term marijuana is slang used to refer to the cannabis plant used for medical or recreational purposes. It is important to remember that in cases, hemp and marijuana, we are talking about the plant Cannabis Sativa L.

In the 18th century, scientist described Cannabis sativa as a single species of hemp. Later, history proposed three species of Cannabis: C. Sativa, C. Indica, and C. ruderalis. However, in recent times studies to classify C. Sativa have been conducted using genomic DNA from various geographic origins in Cannabis. The results described Cannabis sativa L. (Linnaeus) with different subspecies such as Indica and Sativa.

What are Indica, Sativa, and Ruderalis species?

While some claim that C. Sativa L. (Linnaeus) has three subspecies, others disagree due to the plant's ability to turn into a hybrid.

Indica: which means “India” in Latin, was found mainly in India and other neighboring countries such as Nepal, Tibet, and Pakistan. In relatively cold and dry mountainous regions. The plant is between 60 and 120 cm high. Due to the harsher climate, its many leaves are more expansive than those of C. Sativa, with many larger buds, making the plant very dense and compact.

Sativa: was primarily found in warm and western regions. It is a fairly tall plant, measuring between 1.5 and 2.5 meters or more, and the leaves are fragile. The flowering period begins when darkness is greater than 11 hours per day. In the past, Sativa was thought to have high concentrations of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol while Indica in cannabidiol (CBD), but this is not true.

Ruderalis: is probably the least known. The plant is relatively small (max. 60 cm high), unbranched, and well adapted to low temperatures. It contains low levels of THC. This cannabis subspecies have an auto-flowering ability. This means that the flowers appear due to the age of the plant rather than the light conditions. It is mainly used in crossbreeds to allow hybrids to have the same auto-flowering property.

What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?

Marijuana contains an abundant number of cannabinoids. As mentioned earlier, they are used for medical or recreational purposes. Marijuana has a higher THC content than hemp seeds or hemp oil. Finally, it also contains many terpenes and flavonoids.

The differences between Hemp Vs Marijuanas are based on several factors such as appearance, cannabinoid profile, legislation, and their uses.