What is the Difference Between Hemp and CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in marijuana that does not cause a “high”. It can be derived from hemp or from plants that are not hemp. Learn more about the difference between hemp and cannabis.

What is the Difference Between Hemp and CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in marijuana that does not cause a “high”. It can be derived from hemp or from plants that are not hemp. Hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering substance in marijuana. In other words, hemp has high concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, but contains almost no THC (below 0.3%).Full-spectrum CBD hemp oils are labeled as dietary supplements and can be found in pharmacies, health supply stores and specialty stores across the country.

Hemp-derived CBD products, such as oils and tinctures, are federally legal, provided they comply with other applicable laws. If you want to buy CBD and stay on the right side of the law, check the legal status of hemp-derived CBD and cannabis-derived CBD in your state to find out what you can or can't buy. Hemp also contains some cannabinoids and terpenes, but not the range or concentration of the compounds found in cannabis. However, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD products may not have the potency of cannabis-derived CBD because small amounts of THC appear to be less effective in treating certain symptoms. This states that the growing conditions meet official USDA organic standards and also ensures that the hemp extraction process was free of synthetic chemical additives.

A hemp-derived CBD product that has been tested by third parties also guarantees that you'll get what you paid for. Under the new law, hemp can be grown commercially and manufactured into CBD products for sale to the public. Since there is more CBD in cannabis than in hemp, more hemp is needed in dry weight to produce the same amount of isolated CBD. If you're looking for a federally legal product that still contains full-spectrum cannabinoids with negligible amounts of THC, then CBD hemp oil will be your best bet.