Why is Hemp confused with Marijuana? Learn about its main differences from Cannabis and its derivatives
At Hurcann, we want to ask you a simple question: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read or hear the word Cannabis? Learn about its main differences from Cannabis and its derivatives…
If your answer was: “Smoking” and you think that it is only good for that, then you should read this post so that you have an idea of the infinity of things that can be done with Cannabis.
During the last decades, Cannabis has gained prominence. However, it also remains a great unknown for many people and others who are afraid to use it in their daily lives.
This is due to many years of misinformation worldwide. You may already know this information, but maybe you do not know some other details that we can give you.
For many people, it is still confusing, and this begs the question: how is Hemp different from Marijuana? For this reason, at Hurcann, we decided to dedicate our time to explaining its terms in detail.
It is according to our mission to provide quality to our beloved public. A specific, detailed section dedicated to the dissemination of articles and news could not be missing from our Hurcann website. This is where our Blog was born and is maintained, to offer information of interest related to Cannabis.
In this post, we explain the differences between Cannabis and its derivatives, and what they influence. We are going to define and clarify what Cannabis and its two species are, Marijuana and Hemp.
What is Cannabis Sativa
It is popularly known as Marijuana. This plant is usually referred to for its dried flowers. It is important for many farmers to harvest their leaves and stems from female specimens.
The plant is an organism belonging to the Cannabaceae family. It is a dioecious plant and has medicinal and psychoactive properties. It is very complete and contains relevant copies.
Among its variety, it offers male specimens with flowers and male reproductive organs. As well as female specimens with flowers and female reproductive organs.
Contains more than 500 chemical compounds, some are exclusive to the plant, others are cannabinoids. Besides, there is also a lot of presence among them in the plant kingdom, such as terpenes and flavonoids.
Considered one of the first plants cultivated by man, it can bring concrete solutions to the three main pillars of progress in humanity. These pillars are
- Health
- Industry
- Agriculture
Referring to the industrial term. Thousands of industries depend on Hemp, such as textiles, food, cosmetics, fuel, and many others.
Chemical composition of Cannabis
It has abundant Cannabidiol, which is what we know as CBD. It is a natural compound found in the resinous flower of Cannabis. Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and many others. Although the best known is Tetrahydrocannabinol, famous as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
This is a chemical element compared to Marijuana and which is the compound that causes the psychoactive effect. Which means it creates altered perception and mood in a good way. The main psychoactive substance in Marijuana alters the mind. It is responsible for most of the intoxicating effects.
Its consumption usually provides a series of prototypical symptoms, after an initial phase of stimulation in which the person experiences euphoria, well-being, and increased perception, followed by a phase in which sedation, relaxation, and drowsiness predominate.
The one that captivates people and has even started wars in our world is the delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol. Known as THC and this substance is consumed in different ways, it is especially common to smoke it. It contains narcotic or therapeutic properties.
And… What is Marijuana?
Speaking on a bit of its history, don't worry, just a one-paragraph summary. Marijuana in earlier times was used in the preparation of most of the medicines prescribed in pharmacies. Mainly in the United States and Spain for hundreds of years, to treat general ailments.
So far, this story is short. Well, Marijuana is extracted from the tops of dried Cannabis flowers and currently, it is genetically cultivated to enhance its THC. This element is its main psychoactive component, and its strains can contain more than 20% more compounds than the most powerful Cannabis today.
What is Hemp and why is it so confused with Marijuana? Differences from Cannabis and its derivatives
Hemp and Marijuana are obtained from the same species of plant, Cannabis Sativa. The difference between the two lies in their cultivation habits, growth, and development of each.
One of the oldest domesticated crops is Hemp, and it is a strain of Cannabis Sativa. It is grown on a commercial scale in many countries and its reputation is much better, as it is used in factories for different useful products.
Surely you are wondering why they confuse it with Marijuana? It is because of the simple similarities. In the eyes of a good connoisseur, farmer, or expert on the subject, Hemp is not usually confused with Cannabis. Both plants belong to the same plant species, if that is correct, also their appearance and chemical composition are similar, not the same!
Hashish known as “Hash” or “Chocolate”
Is a natural product made by separating and compressing the resin, pollen, and crystals stored on the outer edges of the female Cannabis Sativa plant and it also acts somewhat as a sedative, causing a smooth and relaxed feeling.
With its characteristic brown color and shape of paste, the block makes it look like a chocolate bar, hence its popular name “chocolate”.
Be careful! Its THC levels are high. Very high doses may not be recommended. Why? Read carefully. Marijuana has a maximum THC level of 25-30% and hashish 60-70%.
Know the difference from Cannabis and its derivatives
Although these two plants have distinguishing features that differentiate them as two varieties. Hemp and Marijuana may be very similar, but they are not at all the same. You don't have to have a master's degree, be a scientist or a botanist to understand the main differences between Cannabis and its derivatives.
They are two plants that can be confused because they are similar since they belong to the same Cannabis Sativa species. They can even be crossed by increasing their levels of THC and CBD or Cannabidiol. Therefore, they have also increased their effects and enhanced the concentration of their active ingredients.
The structure and morphology
It can be differentiated through a simple analysis of the percentage of cannabinoids present. This way it is easier to differentiate them.
The Anatomy of Hemp can be male or female. The male plant generally has stiffer stems and fewer leaves. While the female is recognized by the production of white flowers and faster growth.
Both belong to the same Cannabis Sativa family, and the main difference between the two plants is the use that is given to them. We'll show you a quick and easy formula to remember, and it can't fail you: If you can smoke it and get high, it's Marijuana. If not, it's Hemp.
Components
Marijuana has high levels of THC and a low percentage of CBD, in the case of Hemp, it is the opposite. When comparing Marijuana and Hemp, there is a big difference in the field of composition, but both varieties have strong arguments in their favor.
Yet, Hemp contains very low concentrations of THC, thus producing higher levels of CBD at around 0.3%. Its use is limited to the extraction of raw materials for industrial use. While in Marijuana, it makes the presence of this Cannabinoid most generous.
It has concentrations of a powerful flowering, since it is in the flowers where the psychoactive substances are concentrated. For this reason, it is limited to extraction for recreational purposes, while Cannabis has potential in the medical aspect.
However, it is confusing for the novice to the subject now because of all the mixing between different genetics. Thanks to them, we can obtain medicinal Marijuana varieties with high levels of CBD.
If there is something that should never be confused about, it is that Marijuana is a plant with a high THC production phenotype. While Hemp produces an extremely low content of this Cannabinoid.
Main characteristics of Cannabis crops
Hemp cultivation
Unlike Marijuana, Hemp is not planted based on flower size or THC levels. They are selected from their genetic lines and crosses. In general, these are tall and less branched. They are thick and woody, with a much more massive stem.
This is cultivated, leaving little intermediate space of long modals between stock and stock. It has few branches and interior and is not very woody. In this way, you can see a great result. Large crops with a very dense and thick presence.
This type of harvest usually reaches a maximum of five meters (~15 feet) in height. They are ideal for producing Hemp because the vines do not need to have wide spaces and abundant sun. Nor is it necessary that they should produce flowers. If not cultivated only for one purpose, the extraction of oil, fibers, and cellulose.
Marijuana cultivation
Marijuana strains should be planted in a spaced out pattern to allow room for the plants to grow and thrive. This farming technique allows leaving half a meter and two meters of distance between each of the female plants.
To achieve this with excellent results, the feminized plants must be completely covered with the right amount of sun and shade. In this way, it can grow and develop properly to produce large seedless flowers of exceptional quality.
By keeping the male plants away from the females and not being pollinated, they continue to produce large flower clusters. The males must be moved or discarded far away from the females. If this process is not carried out, the pollen they generate will end up pollinated and producing seed. This process is important for the future generations of Hemp, but is not ideal when growing the perfect buds.
Are there differences when growing Hemp and Marijuana?
Of course! Hemp and Marijuana can be very similar, but they have very clear distinctions. Among its characteristic differences when cultivating these two sister plants.
However, when the two different anatomical profiles are compared, the plants can identify their differences due to their chemical composition.
Let us know below how you like to grow your Hemp or Marijuana!
Difference of harvest and crops, according to its anatomy, morphology
Marijuana and Hemp can be virtually identical to the naked eye. Both plants can be grown as tall, thin branched Sativas.
They can also be grown as short, bushy Indica plants. Harvest times can be almost identical as well depending on the strain.
The colors of the leaves, branches, stalks, and buds might look the same too.
The real difference is in the morphology, or chemical composition of the plants.
Hemp plants are made up of very low THC amounts. Today they are being grown at between virtually 0% THC and the federally legal limit of <.3% of the dry weight.
However, Hemp strains are being grown and bred to maximize some of the other compounds of the Cannabis plant, like CBD and CBG.
Marijuana on the other hand is being grown to maximize the amount of THC in each bud. Today’s Marijuana plants can reach upwards of 30% THC.
These are very concentrated and well-bred plants that are much higher in THC concentration than the strains that were first discovered in the wild.
This is one of the main reasons it is important to research the product you want to buy before you buy it. It’s easy to mistake a product that contains Hemp with one that contains Marijuana.
Conclusion
We hope that with this information you no longer have confusion with differences between Cannabis and its derivatives, It is because of its simple similarity. In the eyes of a good connoisseur, farmer, or expert on the subject, Hemp is not often confused with Cannabis. Both plants belong to the same plant species, if that is correct, also their appearance and chemical composition are similar, not the same!
Remember that Marijuana and Hemp are two plants that are similar, since they belong to the same Cannabis Sativa species. They can even be crossed by increasing their levels of THC and CBD or Cannabidiol. Therefore, they have also increased their effects and enhanced the concentration of their active ingredients.
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