What are the differences between hemp and CBD?

If CBD is simply cannabis without THC, then what is hemp, which belongs to the same family and has no recreational effect either? Can we say that CBD and hemp are one and the same? Not quite, in fact. Here are the differences between these two plants.

What is hemp?

Hemp was the first plant to be domesticated by human beings. It is still grown today, notably to make clothing, cosmetics and oils. It grows quickly, and cultivating it simply requires a licence. It is entirely legal.

The plant itself is identical to ordinary cannabis, which is banned. Hemp, however, contains no psychoactive substance (its THC content is below 0.3%). That is precisely why growing it is legal.

What is CBD?

CBD is not in fact a plant. It is simply a molecule contained in cannabis, in the same way as THC. CBD has no recreational effect, but it is commonly described as calming and relaxing.

CBD is extracted in the form of flower and oils, which are sometimes used in skincare, balms, sweets and other by-products. Unlike hemp oil, which contains no CBD, CBD oil contains terpenes and flavonoids.

So what are the differences between the two?

Both substances come from the same plant and can be turned into almost the same products. But hemp oil is pressed from the seeds, whereas CBD comes from the plant itself, and it is far more expensive than hemp oil. The effects expected of them also differ. CBD further contains cannabinoids, which hemp lacks.

Hemp is credited with a range of effects on health, but it has little of the relaxing, calming character attributed to CBD. Hemp does, on the other hand, contain arginine, an amino acid presented as helping to lower blood pressure.