Many people immediately think of marijuana when they see hemp products, and while the word “hemp” frequently pops up in marijuana-related debates, hemp and marijuana are not the same thing. One of the most important differences is that marijuana can get a person high and hemp cannot. Let´s look at some of their other characteristics.
What do hemp and marijuana have in common?
Hemp and marijuana are varieties of the Cannabis Sativa L. plant.
It is illegal to grow marijuana, but in most countries the production of hemp is legal (and it is legal to sell, purchase or travel with hemp products around the world.
The two plants have similar aromas when in bloom- however, only one will get you high.
How are hemp and marijuana different?
Smoking marijuana will make the user high, and smoking hemp will not. Hemp contains less than 1 percent of the active ingredient THC, the substance that gives pot smokers a high. Marijuana plants, on the other hand, contain 10 to 20 percent THC.
Marijuana plants and hemp plants have different appearances and are harvested differently. Marijuana plants tend to be short and bushy, while hemp plants can have stalks that are 25 feet high!
Unlike marijuana, hemp has many uses. Over 25,000 products can be manufactured from hemp, including hair conditioner, diapers, insulation, carpets, paper and perfume.
The hemp debate and the marijuana debate are often confused with each other. Proponents of legalizing hemp cultivation focus on the plant´s many uses and the fact that it requires no pesticides in order to flourish. However, opponents express concern that permitting hemp cultivation would result in the legalization of marijuana cultivation because both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant. Opponents also say that other raw materials are more economical than industrial hemp. Cultivating hemp is currently illegal in the United States, although hemp items are imported.
Marijuana, on the other hand, is illegal because of its health risks. Proponents of legalizing marijuana point to recent studies that show the medical benefits associated with marijuana use.
During debates about the legal status of marijuana, the environmental and economic benefits of hemp may be used in arguments for the legalization of marijuana.