What is CBD?

What distinguishes CBD?

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Cannabis plants contain 60+, naturally occurring, active compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of these compounds found in all cannabis plants. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most well-known cannabinoid and is associated with marijuana’s psychoactive properties. 

Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high” effect and can offer relief and benefits without the disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria. Cannabis plants are separated into two different types of crops, known as hemp and marijuana. These two plants differ in their cannabinoid ratios, but come from the same plant species Cannabis Sativa L. Both hemp and marijuana can be used to produce cannabidiol products. Dating back to the ancient civilizations,  it was some of the first people of earth who discovered and identified the differences between hemp and marijuana and began using cannabidiol for various purposes. The CBD molecule when isolated is the same whether it was derived from marijuana or hemp. Thus, the argument of the CBD molecule being different in marijuana and hemp is a misconception. Franjo Grotenhermen of the International Association of Cannabinoid Medicines famously declared, “CBD is CBD. The human body does not care where the molecule comes from.”

Hemp and marijuana come from the same cannabis species, but are grown for different purposes. Hemp – also called industrial hemp- is one of the oldest plants known to man, dating back to 8000 BC. The plant itself is typically tall and thin and cultivated to produce food, oils, paper, other textiles, and CBD extractions. Marijuana plants, on the other hand, are bred for their psychotropic properties.

The cannabis plant species, which includes industrial hemp, contains 60 known cannabinoid compounds. The levels of THC9 in cannabis are what legally distinguish which plants are considered industrial hemp and which are considered marijuana. High levels of THC9 (3 -15%) the cannabinoid commonly associated with the plant’s psychoactive properties.

Similarly, hemp is a cannabis strain with typically higher concentrations of CBD, CBG, CBC and sometimes THCV but will always have low levels of THC9.