What is the Difference Between Marijuana and Hemp?

Marijuana and hemp are merely different varieties of the cannabis plant. Hemp otherwise known as industrial hemp is commonly used to produce textiles, clothing and rope and has a very high CBD content combined with a low THC content of typically less than 1%. These days, most manufacturers produce their CBD products using industrial hemp as this significantly reduces the cost of extraction and production.

What is the Difference Between CBD and THC?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over a hundred active cannabinoid substances within the cannabis plant. However, Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is probably the most well known of these cannabinoids because of its psychotropic activity or psychoactive effect, which causes a sensation of intoxication in users. 

Cannabidiol ( CBD ) is not psychoactive and can dampen the psychoactive action of THC.

Cannabinoids vs Cannabis

You may well be confused by the terminology, so what is meant by cannabinoids and how do they differ from cannabis? Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds contained within the cannabis plant. Cannabis, on the other hand, is the type of plant, of which marijuana and hemp are varieties.

The Endocannabinoid System

Cannabinoids manifest their effects in your body by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is generally speaking is a collection of cannabinoid receptors present on the surface of cells in various parts of the central nervous system, that respond to cannabinoid ‘agonists’, or chemical messengers. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for the psychological and physiological effects of cannabinoids, of which there are two types: endocannabinoids, which originate inside the body, 2-AG and anandamide are the two most significant endocannabinoids and exogenous cannabinoids which arise outside of the body, such as the THC and CBD in cannabis.

Cannabinoid Receptors & CBD

There are two main types of receptors that make up the endocannabinoid system (ECS) – CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are mainly found in the brain and nervous system, plus in peripheral organs and tissues. CB2 receptors are a part of the immune system. 

CBD does not directly stimulate CB1 but mostly CB2 receptors, plus  it activates others including adenosine and serotonin receptors. This interaction and resulting release of neurotransmitters is alleged to have positive effects relating to anxiety, inflammation, cognition, motor control, pain perception, nausea and appetite.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is an extract of the cannabis plant characterised by high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike medical marijuana, which is usually made from marijuana plants that have a high level of THC, CBD oil is typically made from industrial hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant that has a minimal level of THC, making it non-psychoactive.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of more than 110 natural compounds occurring in fibrous-class (industrial) hemp plants (Cannabis Sativa L) that belong to the cannabinoid group. CBD is also the most common cannabinoid. But unlike another cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD isn’t psychoactive and nor is it classified as an illegal drug.

CBD oil is a natural food supplement obtained from fibrous or “industrial” hemp, grown according to stringent standards. It consists of Cannabis Sativa L extract containing naturally occurring phytocannabinoids (including CBD) and vegetable oil (the most commonly used one is hemp seed oil).

Unlike the ordinary hemp oil, more often used for cooking, the CBD hemp oil is a food supplement which contains unsaturated OMEGA-3 and OMEGA-6 fatty acids, as well as the full-spectrum of phytocannabinoids including Cannabidiol (CBD), terpenoids and flavonoids, which give it its unique properties.

Hemp Oil or hemp seed oil, is extracted from the seeds of industrial hemp and has very low CBD levels. It’s often used in food products and food supplements, in personal care products, paints and biofuel. However, CBD oil is made from the flowers, leaves and stalks of industrial hemp..

What is CBD Hemp Oil?

CBD hemp oil is simply CBD oil that has been produced from industrial hemp. Most CBD oil tends to be CBD hemp oil because it is vastly more cost-effective to produce CBD oil from the hemp plant. The reason for this is that hemp naturally has a high CBD content and a negligible THC content while producing CBD oil from the marijuana plant would necessitate removal of the THC content, which would be a costly process.

What is Hemp Seed Oil?

Many experts consider hemp seed oil to be one of the most balanced nutritional oils found in nature. Manufacturers produce hemp seed oil by cold-pressing industrial hemp seeds and extracting the oil. It is a natural source of essential amino acids and omega-3 & 6 essential fatty acids but is virtually free of cannabinoids.

CBD Oil Usage

CBD has a vast range of healing properties. Studies show that it has significant effects on various neurological and physiological disorders. Such disorders include anxiety, ADHD and ADD, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, bipolar,  depression, diabetes, epilepsy, fibromyalgia and hypertension. These in addition to inflammation, insomnia, migraines and headaches, multiple sclerosis, nausea, OCD. Furthermore, many use CBD to overcome osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, PTSD, schizophrenia, seizures, spasticity, spinal injury and even stress.

Full Spectrum vs Isolate

In addition to the cannabinoid content of cannabis, are the related terpenes or isoprenoids. These are the fragrant oils that give the various strains their diverse range of aromas. Terpenes also bind to receptors in the brain to produce multiple beneficial effects. The relationship between cannabinoids and terpenes is sometimes called the ‘entourage effect’, and is one of the factors that differentiate the various strains. Many brands of CBD oil advertise a full terpene spectrum, which indicates that they have not extracted the terpenes from the product. Strictly speaking, full-spectrum in the context of CBD oil products refer to an extraction and processing method that has preserved the entire spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids in the original plant matter. 

CBD isolate, on the other hand, is manufactured using a process whereby the manufacturers refine the raw hemp oil until only the CBD is left, leaving a highly pure single cannabinoid CBD, usually in a crystalline form, that is around 99.9% pure. Medical practitioners use isolates where they require only pure CBD, and the benefits of the rest of the spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are of no consequence.

How to use CBD GOLD oils?

Daily use of CBD sublingually (taken orally under the tongue) is normal and recommended as part of an increase in the rate of action and absorption of natural phytocannabinoids.

A very mild flavour and a smooth texture make it easy to ingest CBD oil.
Due to the individual characteristics of each user, such as age, weight or metabolism, it is recommended that users’ intake starts from 2 mg daily in 2-4 doses, preferably after a meal. Then the user can gradually increase the daily dose or adjust the dosage of CBD oil according to body weight or individual preferences.

Does Hemp have a medical use?

Hemp also called Cannabis does have lots of medical applications where some Cannabis strains could be low in CBD but high in Tetrahedralcannabidiol (THC), the latter also being well known for its psychoactive properties, and mostly used for recreational reasons, but also medical in USA.

CBD GOLD products on the other hand, have no relevance to any recreational usage, as they are solely based on CBD extracted from industrial hemp flowers low in THC. CBD GOLD products have NO THC, therefore nobody can get high from CBD GOLD oils and creams, but everybody can enjoy the health benefits of the amazing cannabinoids  hemp has.