Cannabis is a plant of many varieties and terms that we must painstakingly connect to the right one. In the world of CBD, it can seem like words are tossed around all the time, such as CBD oil, hemp oil, THC oil, cannabis oil, and marijuana oil.
With the vast amount of information being introduced, it’s easy to confuse one term for the next. We have received many questions regarding the difference between these terms.
Reasonably so, many individuals research their information on the internet; however, some of the information found online can be misleading. CBD isn’t new, but it’s new to many people right now, and it’s easy to find misconceptions presented as facts.
CBD oil, hemp oil, THC oil, cannabis oil, and marijuana oil all refer to oils coming from the cannabis plant. While these terms are very similar, they differ in how they’re grown and extracted, as well as their effects.
In this article, we’ll discuss all these terms to help give you a beneficial understanding of how they are different.
The first important thing to understand with CBD oil, hemp oil, THC oil, cannabis oil, and marijuana oil is that while they all come from the cannabis plant, there are 2 main distinct varieties of cannabis which are a reason for the difference in effects you will notice with these oils.
The Difference Between
Hemp and Marijuana
A few of the main varieties of cannabis: CBD oil, hemp oil, THC oil, cannabis oil, and marijuana oil can be derived from are hemp and marijuana. In our 5+ years in business, we have found this alone to be one of the main confusions around the various types of cannabis oils.
The terms hemp and marijuana are considered by most to mean the same thing. However, hemp and marijuana are two distinct cultivars of the cannabis plant. They are cultivated for different purposes and cause different effects on the body.
Hemp
Hemp pertains to a strain of Cannabis Sativa that is (most commonly) grown outdoors, reaching 6-14 feet tall. It was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber more than 10,000 years ago.
A dead giveaway that you’re looking at hemp, not marijuana, is that the stalks are typically thicker. The leaves are also typically longer and thinner.
Hemp fibers are used to craft the most durable, eco-friendly materials for clothing and construction. The seeds can be eaten as a protein-rich snack, or cold pressed to create healthy cooking oils and skin care products.
Lastly, oil extracts from the stalks and flowers of hemp are used to make CBD-rich supplements. Hemp is different from marijuana in that it contains high CBD content and low THC content, therefore, hemp does not have the same intoxicating or “psychoactive” effects marijuana does.
Hemp or “industrial hemp” is also different from marijuana in that it is no longer on the list of scheduled drugs and is now considered an agricultural commodity. This happened with the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
Overall, hemp is a broad and thriving variety of cannabis that serves more purposes than any other plant in the world. We are excited to see more research and innovation with hemp products in the next few years due to its new legal state.
Marijuana
Marijuana is a slang term used to characterize strains of Cannabis Sativa specifically bred for resinous glands, which are very potent in THC and grow on the flowers and some leaves.
Typically, marijuana is grown indoors under strategic lighting setups. Consuming the marijuana variety of cannabis causes intoxicating effects, which gives it its recreational value. These intoxicating effects come from the type of cannabinoids abundant in the marijuana plant and mark the main difference between hemp and marijuana.
Marijuana is high in THC content and low in CBD content, the opposite of hemp, therefore the difference between CBD oil, hemp oil, THC oil, cannabis oil, and marijuana oil not only starts with what plants they are derived from but also the type of cannabinoids they contain.
CBD vs THC: The Major Difference
Scientifically, the difference between what we refer to as hemp and marijuana comes from the type (and amount) of cannabinoids found within it.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. As a result, they support important functions all throughout the body by mimicking the endo-cannabinoid compounds that are produced within the body.
Fun fact: Cannabinoids were named after “cannabis” because they were discovered in these plants before scientists found that they’re also naturally occurring in the human body.
The main difference between hemp and marijuana is the level of THC in the plant. Hemp has high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana is recognized for having high levels of THC and lower in CBD.
In order to be considered hemp, the plant must have less than 0.3 percent THC. High levels of THC are responsible for the intoxicating feeling that marijuana is known for.
Now that we know the difference between the two plants CBD oil, hemp oil, THC oil, cannabis oil, and marijuana oil can be derived from and what gives each plant its effects, let’s dive into the differences between these various oils.
What Is THC Oil?
With the increasing popularity of vape culture, many people are choosing to vape THC oil in favor of smoking a joint. Vaping THC oil allows you to enjoy different flavors and take part in the vaping community. Vape pens are also easier to use and transport than cannabis joints. Still, vaping THC oil has its risks.
CBD Oil
With that being said, let’s discuss the wonderful thing we call CBD oil. CBD, cannabidiol, is one of over 85 active cannabinoids identified in hemp and other cannabis plants. CBD oil is derived from hemp, due to its abundance naturally occurring in the plant. CBD oil is extracted using the whole plant, stalks, or flowers. Since hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, CBD oil products are non-intoxicating.
Effects of CBD Oil
Cannabidiol is non-psychoactive. As mentioned previously, CBD extracted from industrial hemp contains less than 0.3 percent THC, which is a trace amount. In fact, CBD has been shown to negate the effects of THC.
CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. CBD does not react directly with these receptors, rather it inhibits other enzymes from activating with it. This includes THC. For that reason, you do not get high with CBD.
The benefits of cannabidiol are being studied thoroughly. As of now, we know that CBD works positively with our endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for keeping our body in homeostasis (balance). Cannabidiol reacts with the cannabinoid receptors to maintain that balance. CBD oil products are used for their effects ranging from soothing sore muscles and joints, inflammation, calming, promoting more restful sleep, and more.
CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil vs Hemp Seed Oil
A lot of times people call CBD oil “hemp oil”. This is accurate because both oils are derived from hemp. Although, there can be some differences between CBD oil and hemp oil which can be confusing.
Hemp oil vs Hemp seed oil
It causes much confusion when hemp seed oil is called hemp oil. Hemp seed oil is much different than CBD oil. Cold pressed, unrefined hemp oil is dark to light green in color, with a nutty flavor. Refined hemp seed oil is clear and colorless, with little flavor and is depleted in natural vitamins and antioxidants.
You may notice hemp seed oil as an ingredient in some of your beauty products or while shopping at the grocery store. Although hemp seed oil is very beneficial, it is not the same as CBD oil products.
Hemp seed oil does not contain CBD. Hemp seed oil is acquired by pressing only the hemp seeds. It is important when you are buying CBD oil to know this because you do not want to buy hemp seed oil and think you are buying CBD hemp oil.
CBD Isolate vs Full Spectrum CBD
Where CBD oil and hemp oil can differ pertains to the type of CBD oil or hemp oil product one is taking and whether it is CBD isolate or a full spectrum CBD. Some CBD products are made from what is known as CBD isolate. CBD isolate is just that, the isolated form of CBD… and nothing else.
A full spectrum CBD product or full spectrum hemp oil doesn’t just contain CBD. They also contain all the other beneficial compounds in the hemp plant ranging from 80+ other cannabinoids, phytonutrients, omega fatty acids, and much more.
So, while CBD oil can also mean the same thing as hemp oil, they are different when the CBD oil product only contains CBD oil vs containing CBD oil along with all the other compounds found naturally occurring in the hemp plant
THC Oil, Marijuana Oil, and Cannabis Oil
THC oil, marijuana oil, and cannabis oil are generally associated with the same product. Essentially, they all mean the same thing. With the help of alcohol or CO2 extraction, this oil is made by extracting the resin of the female marijuana plant.
Remember, the marijuana plant is the high-THC strain. The resin dissolves in alcohol and then the alcohol evaporates. The residue will consist of a thick syrup abundant in THC. This type of oil is only legal in states which have medical marijuana laws or have implemented recreational laws.
What’s the Difference in a Nutshell?
CBD oil can be interchanged with hemp oil. CBD oil comes from high-CBD, low-THC hemp and is legal in the United States. THC oil, marijuana oil, and cannabis oil can be interchanged as well. These oils come from high-THC, low-CBD marijuana and are illegal in any state which does not have medical marijuana or recreational laws.
When you are ready to purchase CBD products it is important to not only know the difference between hemp and marijuana, but also to purchase from a reputable company that sources their hemp legally and lists COAs (Certificate of Analysis) for their products.
Any questions we missed? Ask your questions below!
If you are new to CBD and interested to see how it can benefit you, be sure to shop Made By Hemp.
