Cannabis vs Hemp
Cannabis Versus Hemp
Cannabis and hemp both originate from the same species of flowering plant from the Cannabaceae family. While they come from the same plant species, cannabis and hemp are not the same and the terms should not be used interchangeably. They each have a distinct cannabinoid profile. Most significantly, hemp contains different levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to other forms of cannabis, which is the active compound associated with psychoactive effects from medicinal cannabis.
What is cannabis?
Cannabis is a broad term that encapsulates various species of the cannabis plant. Colloquially, the term refers to flower buds of the cannabis plant.
In Australia, cannabis should refer to medicinal cannabis alone. While there are many different types of cannabis, its individual strains can be broadly categorised into three main species: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica and hybrids of the two. Each of these varieties has different qualities and characteristics and are therefore known to have different effects on patients.
Each strain of cannabis contains cannabinoids, of which the two most studied are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
What is hemp?
Hemp is a strain of the cannabis plant that originates from the Cannabis Sativa strain. Hemp is grown for its industrial and textile uses and is known to be one of the oldest plants utilised for textiles, with evidence that it was used to create textiles in Central Asia, as early as 2800 BCE. It is even believed to have been on the First Fleet to Australia, for its uses in making sails, rigging and clothing.
What is hemp used for?
Hemp has a broad list of uses across a number of industries. Its fibres are strong and durable, so it is used to make rope, twine and other textiles. Hemp is breathable, which means it’s often used as clothing. It can be used industrially to make building materials, or used to produce biofuels as a renewable energy source.
It is also commonly found in soaps, lotions and other personal care products. As hemp is a fast-growing crop, which requires little in the way of water or soil quality, its sustainability means it has a number of different environmental benefits.
Are hemp and cannabis the same thing?
Although hemp is from the cannabis plant, hemp and cannabis are not the same thing, due to their specific cannabinoid profiles. Typically, hemp contains higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC.
While hemp may contain THC, the levels it contains will be significantly lower than other strains of cannabis. These levels will vary depending on the country or state. In Australia, the stipulated levels of THC that are permitted within hemp are specific to the different parts of the cannabis plant, foe example the leaves, flowering heads or seeds.
They also have distinct uses. As discussed, hemp has an important industrial role to play, due to its sustainability and low impact on its surroundings.
What does the cannabis plant look like?
Different strains of the cannabis plant have different physical characteristics. Cannabis Sativa plants are commonly tall and thin, while Cannabis Indica is shorter and chunkier. Its leaves are low and broad and its flower buds are denser than those produced by the cannabis sativa cultivar.
The leaves of all strains are most commonly dark green in colour. In addition to different strains having a different appearance, the sex of the cannabis plant will affect its appearance, with male plants typically producing fewer leaves and pollen sacs rather than flowers.
Is hemp legal in Australia?
Another key difference between hemp and cannabis is their legal status. While medicinal cannabis was legalised in Australia in 2016, hemp was legalised in 2017. Previously, hemp had suffered from its association with cannabis and following the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act in America, had been prohibited in many countries across the world. Now, hemp with a THC level of lower than 1% is legal in Australia, though that level varies state by state.
Some hemp seed and fibre products can also be imported without a licence or permit, as they are considered a foodstuff. The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code has strict rules on the permissible levels of THC and CBD in hemp seeds or hemp oil.
The ability to grow or cultivate hemp varies state by state. It is important to be aware that only the seeds of the hemp plant can be legally used for human consumption - extracts from the remainder of the plant are considered a drug.
What’s the relation between hemp and CBD?
While the Cannabis Sativa plant that hemp is derived from does contain CBD, the hemp that is cultivated for industrial uses, or as a food stuff, does not contain CBD. Hemp seed oil, which is one of the most common forms of hemp as a food stuff, is obtained by cold pressing the ripened fruits (seeds) so it does not contain prohibited levels of cannabinoids, such as CBD or THC.
If you are a healthcare professional who is curious to learn more about medicinal cannabis, browse some of our educational articles. Alternatively, feel free to contact us today for more information.
