Many people are confused when it comes to the difference between what is, hemp vs. what is, cannabis. Cannabis contains five to ten percent THC (Tetrahydrocannabinoids) whereas, hemp only contains 0.3 to 1.5 percent. Cannabis uses only the leaves and it is used for smoking or medical use. Hemp uses the stalk and seeds to make soap, paper, food, building material, and even plastics. The fibers in marijuana is not strong and breaks very easily it cannot be used. Hemp fiber is the strongest natural fiber used today. Since the 1950s hemp has been long confused with marijuana. It has long been a myth that hemp can get you high, which is not true. It would take a dozen hemp cigarettes smoked very quickly to come close to getting you high. Hemp also provides as much as four times as much fiber as just one tree.
Also, with hemp you do not have to use pesticides, chemicals, or herbicides. If hemp is grown in rotation with crops like corn it can be completely self-sustainable on its own. Hemp paper can be recycled seven times unlike pine paper which can only be recycled three times. The seed and seed oil are high in amino acids, proteins, and essential fatty acids. Also, for those who support going green the hemp ethanol burns very clean. Growing hemp has been linked as far back as 10,000 years ago. Places like China, Ukraine, India, England and more still grow hemp today. Until this past century hemp was the largest crop in the world. Cannabis’ first recorded use of medicine was is 2,737 B.C. in China. Cannabis use was also recorded in 300 B.C. Jerusalem that a woman during child labor used it for medical purposes.
Another interesting fact is the first Bible was printed on hemp. It was even used in the building of the pyramids in Egypt. Most people do not know that the first drafts of the American Independence was written on hemp paper. Hemp fiber lost its value around the 20th century as hemp is harder to get off of the stalk and cotton was easier. Hemp is also used to make clothes it is not only more breathable, but three times stronger than cotton. From 1850 to 1915 cannabis was used in the U.S. and, could be purchased in the pharmacies and local general stores. In 1910 is when the Harrison Act was put into affect. This law states that marijuana among other drugs are a crime. Most people assume hemp and marijuana is the same thing when in fact it is not. Remember, hemp uses the stalks and cannabis uses the flowery part of the plant only.
Hemp is grown different from cannabis. Hemp is grown up because its focus is on the stalks, whereas marijuana is grown out because its focus is on the leaves. Although hemp is legal to grow, it requires a special license from the DEA, which is rarely given. Not only is the special license required, but it has to be heavily guarded. This does not seem to make sense since hemp has little to no THC. Cannabis versus hemp is sure to be a controversial topic for years to come.
Opinion by Heather Tillman
Sources:
hempethics
advancedholistichealth
drugwarfacts
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10 Responses
Very nice. In Canada, it is legal as well for Industrial Hemp. You name the DEA for licenses? I was under the understanding that Hemp and Cannabis was illegal in the USA federally. No licenses for anyone. Here in Canada, Health Canada gives licenses for Hemp and Cannabis production. Locally in some states, USA is experimenting (like here in British Columbia and other provinces; some with Medical Marijuana too) with industrial Hemp, communities make the decision in those states that decide the Federal restrictions are not valid. At least your successes are being published publicly!
President Obama did sign the US Hemp Farm Bill in 2014, allowing ten states to research grow & hemp.
Yes there is a different in “Cannabis&Hemp” read some books then grow your own
I do agree that HEMP is a sustainable product, great for the environment and planet!
This article is diabolical. The author either needs to do more research or leave the discussion of this subject to those who know what they are talking about.
quoted for truth.
With best wishes but ‘Cannabis vs Hemp’ is a silly, misleading headline.
Cannabis is hemp is cannabis. They are the same plant.
Industrial hemp is low THC cannabis, in the UK <0.2% THC but this figure varies slightly country to country.
This article does not accurately educate the reader on the etymology of language and the words as they were applied over history. Hemp is a slang term and comes from Old English. Kannabis, Kannabosom, and many other variations come from Latin, which came from Greek, which came from Scythian, and you can choose where to stop. Cannabis is a term that accurately describes industrial-oriented plant strains. Cannabis Sativa L. specifically.
Also, an article like this does not include the context of sensimilla, the definition or why it is important for medicinal cannabis cultivation, only further’s peoples confusion around how Hemp + Cannabis + Marijuana relate to other. Cannabis farming IS HEMP FARMING and sensimilla farming – what you called cannabis farming does not focus on the leaves, but on the reproductive organs. Also, cotton was not adopted over cannabis because it was easier to process – this is a much more complex issue that has to do with slavery and industrial nepotism. The author attempted to disjoint “Hemp” from cannabis and point out several major differences, but in the end, this is not a well written article and could possibly add to the reader’s existing confusion.
Hemp is a type of cannabis species and marijuana, which actually was a name taken from mexican spanish to make the plant sound foreign, is another type of cannabis. Why hemp lost it’s value is still up for debate and could have happened for a variety of other reasons including the hemp plant was a competitor to corn, oil, and soy which (especially oil) was easier to deal with if trying to meter and monopolized.
Hemp is an old english term that was used specifically by occidental races. It has little to no meaning or value outside of these circles. If someone were to say, “I’m growing hemp! Not Cannabis!”, they should be taken out and flogged with their “Hemp Reed”. If you had typed “Sativa is a type of cannabis species” this would have been an accurate statement.
This article would have valued from the author dilineating between “Broad Farming Cannabis” and Sensi Farming Cannabis”. Same plant, different technique and goals.