Hemp CBD vs. Cannabis CBD: Is There a Difference, and Which Is Safer?

The ever-increasing interest in Cannabidiol, more commonly referred to as CBD, stems from the various health benefits that it offers. Several products are being introduced and sold based around this compound as a result. With legal regulations constantly changing and this chemical becoming more and more accessible, it’s important to educate oneself about its various aspects. One question that largely remains in many people’s minds is which type of CBD they should be using.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the prominent phytochemicals that are part of the Cannabis Sativa plant. This is a non-intoxicating chemical that has been connected with alleviating various medical issues like chronic pain, depression, addiction, and nausea. While this much is usually clear to consumers, the confusion arises with the fact that Cannabidiol can be derived from both hemp and cannabis plants.

Even though at the molecular level, Cannabidiol from both sources may be the same, there are still some differences to be considered. Both kinds work with the human body’s endocannabinoid system, as research suggests, but the effects can be different. But how do they differ, and what are the ramifications of these differences? Below, you will find information about hemp CBD vs cannabis CBD to help you make an informed decision about which of the two may be right for your needs.

What Is Cannabis?

Before moving on to compare hemp vs cannabis CBD, it is important to know what cannabis and hemp both are. Cannabis is a plant that comes in three main varieties. These are C. Indica, C. Sativa, and C. Ruderalis. This plant is generally used for medicinal or recreational purposes as it can contain higher amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. It has a bushy appearance and often has large and dense foliage. Over time, the potency of the cannabis plant has risen, as found in a research analysis done in 2016. Also, the average levels of CBD in this plant have decreased.

What Is Hemp?

The hemp plant is a specific type of C. Sativa. The plant has been grown for centuries as it is a great option for a variety of things. It can be used to make rope, food, clothes, and a lot more. Within the United States, hemp plants that have less than 0.3% of THC are labeled as industrial hemp.

This is a primary difference between hemp and weed, as weed plants usually contain more than 0.3% of THC. As a result of the low THC content, it is legal to grow across pretty much the whole country. While hemp-derived CBD oil can still lead to a sense of relaxation, the fact that the plant has a lower THC amount is what makes it a good choice for farmers as they can legally grow it with ease.

The Differences Between Hemp-Derived CBD and Cannabis-Derived CBD

Here is a quick summary of the main differences in CBD from hemp vs CBD from cannabis:

• Cannabis is richer in cannabinoids, and it is, therefore, easier to extract the compound in larger quantities from cannabis as opposed to hemp.
• The difference in THC content in both plants leads to some legal differences when it comes to planting them, which then leads to differences in the amount of Cannabidiol you can extract.
• As long as the extract from a hemp plant meets the applicable laws, it is federally a legal substance.
• Hemp-derived CBD oil can be less safe than that extracted from cannabis because hemp absorbs toxins from the soil.

Read Also: Does CBD Affect the Brain and Memory?

Legal Regulations

Generally speaking, when it comes to deciding between CBD oil from hemp vs cannabis, it is safer to buy the one that is derived from the former. This is because industrial hemp is not a controlled drug as per Schedule 1. This means that products that are derived from the plant are deemed legal as long as they follow all applicable laws, like the plant containing less than 0.3% of THC content. As opposed to that, the products derived from cannabis plants that have more than 0.3% of THC in them are considered illegal at a federal level. This includes CBD products, even if the products themselves have 0% of THC in them.

Keep in mind that this is as per federal law. On a state level, things are different, as many states allow the use of cannabis CBD for eligible medical patients.

Safety

An important aspect to consider when talking about hemp and cannabis CBD is which one is safer. This may come as a surprise, but hemp CBD may not be as pure as that from cannabis. The reason for this is that the hemp plant goes through the process of bioaccumulation. This allows the plant to absorb whatever it can find in the soil where it is planted. Unfortunately, this can lead to the absorption of harmful chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, and more. This can cause the Cannabidiol to become less pure unless the hemp is consciously grown in very clean and healthy conditions. On the other hand, to grow a cannabis plant, you need to meet more requirements and take more laboratory tests.

CBD and THC Concentration in the Plant

We have already gone over the different THC value in both plants, with cannabis having more of it. Similarly, cannabis plants also have a higher concentration of other compounds and terpenes. A cannabis plant usually has a lot more resin when compared to hemp.

This resin that is located on the plant’s flowers and leaves is where the extract comes from. Hemp has resin too, but it is much less in quantity. Therefore, a much larger field of hemp needs to be grown to get the same amount of CBD that could be extracted from a significantly lesser quantity of cannabis.

CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum

CBD Isolate is basically a pure form of the compound. This does not contain any other compounds. It usually comes from the hemp plant as it contains very little THC. Whether from hemp or cannabis, though, CBD Isolate should be the same as it is purely just Cannabidiol. It has been found to have certain health benefits in an animal study, even though the benefits may not be as notable as those achieved with Full Spectrum.

On the other hand, Full Spectrum CBD has all of the compounds that are found in the source plant. It is stronger than Isolate and also has THC, the amount of which depends on whether it is derived from hemp or cannabis.

Effectiveness

Full-Spectrum CBD is thought to have better health benefits, thanks to this study that suggests that the presence of multiple compounds derived from cannabis increase CBD’s health benefits. This is what makes the compound extracted from cannabis to be more potent than that gotten from hemp. Cannabis plants have a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes as compared to hemp. All of these work together to produce what is known as the Entourage Effect to provide a good range of benefits. So, as far as effectiveness from a medical standpoint goes, Full-Spectrum CBD oil from cannabis may provide you more benefits than hemp-derived CBD oil.

Other Differences Between Hemp and Cannabis

Some other salient differences between hemp and cannabis are:

• Hemp can be used in many other ways, like creating textiles, paper, body care products, and even building materials, while pot is used mainly for recreational and/or medicinal purposes.
• The hemp plant is tall and not very dense in terms of foliage and looks a little like bamboo. On the other hand, cannabis has fuller foliage and looks bushier.
• Hemp can be easily grown outside as it doesn’t require a lot of care in terms of lighting, temperature, and humidity. It can be grown in various kinds of climates. Cannabis does require more controlled conditions to thrive and needs careful light exposure to produce the buds.

Which to Choose?

When it comes to choosing between hemp CBD vs cannabis CBD, the decision depends on multiple factors. First and foremost, you must realize and understand why you want to use such a product in the first place. Is it for recreational purposes or for medical reasons? In some cases, you might need to take CBD Isolate, which is pretty much the same for both plants. But when it comes to Full-Spectrum Cannabidiol, that is where things change. Cannabis CBD has a wider range of compounds that you might benefit from medically, but it may not be legal where you are. Hemp CBD, on the other hand, may be largely legal but may not provide you with all the benefits that cannabis does.

Read Also: What Is the Best Time of Day to Take CBD Oil?

For medical issues, it is always advised to consult your doctor for an opinion. Cannabidiol can interact with other medications that you may be taking, so involving a doctor in the decision-making process is crucial. In many states, even if cannabis is federally illegal, you still can become part of medical marijuana programs if your doctor asserts that you need to use cannabis CBD for your ailments. Therefore, when you have to decide between hemp vs cannabis CBD, make sure to take the advice from your doctor.

References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165614716300165

https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(16)00045-7/fulltext

https://file.scirp.org/pdf/PP_2015021016351567.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334252/