Hemp, Cannabis, and CBD: What You Need to Know
The words “hemp,” “CBD,” and “cannabis” are often used interchangeably, and many people don’t realize that there is a difference. All are plants and plant derivatives that can be used for various purposes, but let’s take a deeper look at each one to get a better understanding of these plants and how they’re used.
What is Hemp?
Hemp is a truly unique plant that is used mainly for industrial purposes. It’s technical name is Cannabis Sativa L. Hemp cannot get you high! It is the non-psychoactive cousin to marijuana that looks similar in appearance. The earliest encounter of humans using hemp that we know of, was approximately 10,000 years ago, and “the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC.” Since that time, the hemp plant has been used throughout history in various ways due to its diversity. It is an incredibly easy to grow crop that is highly durable. It has been used to make clothing, paper, building materials, and as a nutrient dense and sustainable food source.
Hemp was actually legal in the United States until the prohibition of all cannabis related plants in 1937. Funny enough, right before that, the hemp industry was slated to be a billion dollar industry (more on that in our previous post: “The History of Hemp and Why it was Banned”). Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, we are now able to grow this super plant without fear of breaking the law. Unfortunately, we have a lot of education to do in order to place this plant on the pedestal that it deserves. Hemp can help us to farm in a regenerative way that helps replenish the soil and cool the earth. It can also replace most cotton, paper and plastic products, and is also biodegradable. Hemp has so much potential yet so much to prove to a society that has vilified it.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis technically refers to the genus of the plant, which is also shared by hemp. They both share the genus Cannabis, but are a different species of plant. Cannabis has become a general term used to describe what is also known as: marijuana or weed. It is a psychoactive plant, containing THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). The flowers are usually cultivated and dried in order to be turned into an oil or used in its dried form: to smoke, make tea or cook with. Cannabis is currently medically legal in 37 states, with more on the horizon. It has been approved to help symptoms of all kinds of conditions such as Epilepsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), Depression, and Parkinson’s Disease to start.
CBD - What is that?
CBD is seemingly popping up everywhere, in almost every industry, and for very good reason. CBD is a cannabinoid that can be extracted from the marijuana or hemp plant, and is non-psychoactive, containing less than .3% of THC (the psychoactive that gets you high). CBD is extremely abundant in the hemp plant. It can be used in various forms with the most popular being an oil. CBD is also sold as an ingredient in cosmetics, drinks, food, and as a vaporizable or smokeable flower. There is no lack of variety here, however, quality is definitely something to consider (You should probably avoid purchasing random CBD products from the gas station!). When looking to purchase CBD directly or as an additive in a product, look for a COA (Certificate of Analysis). This will tell you exactly what is in the CBD product, and how it is tested before making its way to you. CBD is often marketed to help alleviate symptoms from conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, PTSD, and sleep disorders to name a few.
Why is there a stigma around hemp and cannabis?
There are a few reasons why this plant has been stigmatized, so let’s dive deeper on this one. For starters, after the prohibition, both hemp and marijuana were lumped together as being the same, even though they are not. This has contributed to some of the confusion even today. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, which places it in the same category as hard man-made narcotics like ecstasy, heroin and LSD. And even though both alcohol and cannabis experienced prohibition, alcohol was legalized after thirteen years, whereas cannabis has been considered illegal in all forms until the 2018 Farm Bill, lasting over a half century.
Over the last 70 years, we as a nation have seen the stigma of marijuana equated with criminality and gangster culture. This portrayal is simply untrue. During the push of the D.A.R.E program in the 80’s and 90’s, cannabis was always labeled as a gateway drug - remember “This is your brain on drugs?” Meanwhile marijuana was being pumped into the black and brown communities in the United States in order to truly make criminals of the men in those communities, and enter them into the “system.”
With all of the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis at the state level in recent years, many courts have started the process of righting their wrongs by releasing those who were placed into the prison system on marijuana related charges. However, on a Federal level, this incredible plant is still held under antiquated law that criminalizes it and keeps it illegal.
Hemp, cannabis and CBD can all be beneficial to our society on an individual, communal and industrial basis. GÜDPHORIA aims to make the world a better place, and we’re starting by working to normalize the many uses of the hemp plant.