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Hemp vs. Marijuana: What’s the Difference?
Both hemp and marijuana plants are the same species.
The main difference lies in how much of a certain cannabinoid each contains. It’s a common misconception that hemp and marijuana are two different species of plant. In fact, they’re not distinct species at all. They’re just two different names for cannabis, a type of flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family.
While science doesn’t differentiate between “hemp” and “marijuana,” the law does. Legally, the key difference between the two is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. THC is one of many cannabinoids, or chemicals found in the cannabis plant. It’s the one that’s primarily responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis.
Do not be misled by the term 'Hemp'. Just because an authority labels something to categorize it within their legal framework does not render it an inferior or unnatural product.
What is hemp?
What is Marijuana?
Legality
Let's explore the cannabis plant in greater detail
How Do Cannabinoids Work?
THCa
THCa is an acronym for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It is a non-intoxicating chemical present in cannabis, and is the precursor of the well-known hallucinogenic chemical present in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis plants generate THCa rather than THC in their natural state. THCa concentrations are often greater in fresh, undried cannabis plants. THCa undergoes a chemical change and turns into THC when cannabis is heated or decarboxylated (for example, by smoking, vaping, or cooking). This conversion happens when a carboxyl group (COOH) is removed from THCa, resulting in the formation of THC. When THC forms, it gets inhaled or smoked and quickly absorbed through the lungs. It then goes to the brain and other regions of the body where it binds to cannabinoid receptors, especially CB1 receptors, causing a variety of effects. Effects differ from person to person and are impacted by factors such as dose, individual sensitivity, and strain potency.
THCP
A recently discovered natural counterpart of THC is called THCP. THCP is the most potent cannabinoid on the market by a wide margin. Early studies claim it is up to 33 times as strong as Delta 9 THC, but after testing it for ourselves, we’d put its potency closer to 10X.There are stronger cannabinoids, but they aren’t found in nature and usually carry a lot of hazards. Small amounts of THCP are naturally present in both hemp and marijuana. The molecular structure of THCP has two more carbons added to it, which is the only distinction between it and THC. THC, for example, has five carbons in its alkyl side chain. THCP, however, has seven carbons in its alkyl side chain.The potency of THCP is higher than that of regular THC. With a lesser amount, you might feel noticeably more elevated.Although this cannabinoid was only discovered by the UNIHEMP research group in 2019, many believe it has been present for some time. Additionally, despite having the same or lower THC concentrations as other cannabis strains, many contend that this is the reason why some cannabis strains are far more psychotropic than others.Only accidentally did the UNIHEMP research effort discover THCP. They initially discovered THCP and CBDP while looking at the chemical composition of a strain called FM2. There is minimal interest in the future study because, in their opinion, CDBP hardly interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
Delta 9 THC (tetrahydracannabinol)
Often called Delta-9 THC stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. It is a cannabinoid molecule that has long been acknowledged as marijuana’s primary psychoactive component, or the element that gives users of the drug a high. The most well-known and well-liked cannabinoid is Delta 9 THC. Marijuana plants produce the most psychoactive cannabinoid, which is compared to it. We use this as a starting point to evaluate the relative strength of each cannabinoid on this list.Five carbon atoms make up the alkyl side chain of Delta 9 THC, which, together with a hydroxy group, give it a significant affinity for CB1 receptors.
Delta 10 THC
Delta-10 cannabinoid is found in traces in the cannabis plant. It can make you elevated like conventional THC (Delta-9); however, it is less strong than Delta-9. Due to its lower potency than typical THC, it’s comparable to Delta-8. As its name suggests, Delta 9 THC and Delta-10 are structurally quite similar. The primary distinction between Delta 10 and Delta 9 THC is the location of the double bond in the carbon chain, which is moved to position ten in this cannabinoid. Most users note increased energy and mood as well as better focus and attention.
THCV
It is believed that THCV, a cannabinoid molecule found in cannabis has certain effects. According to Jordan Tishler, MD, a cannabis therapeutics expert and professor at Harvard Medical School, the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists president, and CEO/CMO of As per InhaleMD, THCV has two major effects: similar to THC. Varied structural components of THCV contribute to its different effects.There are three carbon atoms in the alkyl side chain of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), which makes it identical to Delta 9 THC. THCV is roughly 25% as powerful as Delta 9 THC, with the least amount of carbon atoms required on the side chain to still have a psychoactive effect.While the molecular structures of THC and THCV are quite similar, and they may share some psychoactive properties in the right quantities, THCv is a distinct cannabinoid present in marijuana and hemp. In fact, because it’s so uncommon and only occasionally found in cannabis, we’ve only recently begun making serious efforts to learn about THCv, market it, and create strains that include it.
CBN
In the alkyl side chain of cannabinol (CBN), there are five carbon atoms similar to that of Delta 9 THC. The carbon ring has two more double bonds and two fewer hydrogen atoms. As THC degrades, CBN is created, maintaining some of THC’s high qualities. Although the variations in CBN’s molecular structure may not seem significant, they greatly reduce its likelihood of binding to CB1 receptors. CBN is roughly 10% more powerful than Delta 9 THC.
CBD & Other Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids
Since the remaining cannabinoids have no psychoactive effects whatsoever, they can all be grouped together in the same category. Cannabinoids such as CBD, CBC, CBDV, CBCV, and THCC don’t directly activate CB1 receptors, so users won’t get high from them. These cannabinoids don’t even have psychoactive effects in very high dosages.
CBG
When compared to CBN, CBG is in a class by itself because it is not only non-psychoactive but also has been shown in research to counteract some of the psychoactive effects of other cannabinoids, such as THC.As a result, this cannabinoid is occasionally combined with THC to lessen the “load” of these products’ psychoactive effects. This is advantageous for those who want to benefit from THC’s desired effects without necessarily wanting to become stoned.