The Difference Between Hemp and Cannabis

As hemp and cannabis becomes legal for medicinal and sometimes recreational use in countries around the world, it’s never been a better time to educate yourself on the difference between hemp and cannabis.

Distinguishing Hemp from Cannabis

It’s important to note that hemp and marijuana are two different species of the same plant. Oftentimes when people refer to “cannabis,” they actually mean a marijuana strain of the cannabis plant, as opposed to a hemp strain. From a biological classification standpoint, they are the same thing, but from a legal perspective, they are very distinct.

The major distinguishing factor between hemp and marijuana in the eyes of the legal system is the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content found in the plant. THC is only one of many types of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but it’s the one that causes inebriation in consumers (click here to learn about the Top 10 Cannabinoids and Their Uses). This is why the differentiation is important – any cannabis with a lower THC content is considered a “harmless plant”, whereas cannabis with a higher THC content is considered a “drug”.

Many countries use THC percentage as the metric for distinguishing hemp from cannabis.

THC Percentages Tolerated Globally

The THC content tolerated before the cannabis plant is classified as marijuana differs by region. In the table below, we see some examples of the THC percentage tolerated by different countries.

*may differ by state. Refer to this document for further information on cannabis policy.

The metric for percentage of THC tolerated by region has become an incredibly important number for hemp cultivators and CBD product brands, as well as the companies trying to support them. Businesses and individuals in the biotechnology, legal, financial, manufacturing, agricultural, extraction, and retail industries are pivoting their business models or starting new ventures to enter and assist this rapidly booming market.

Creating High-Quality THC and CBD Distillate

As the demand for THC and CBD distillate products steadily increases on a global scale, the demand for quality hemp and cannabis biomass has reached an all-time high. Expert cultivators have found ways to breed and grow cannabis strains with optimal concentrations of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, and are partnering with innovators in the extraction and product formulation industries to create some truly remarkable pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and recreational products.

Creating high-quality THC and CBD distillate requires the best hemp and cannabis biomass and a great extraction partner like extractX.

extractX Mobile Labs

If you’re a hemp or cannabis cultivator, processor, or formulator creating CBD or THC products, and want to penetrate markets faster with no lab CapEx, then a mobile extraction lab may be right for you. If you are processing more than 75,000 lbs of biomass per year and are interested in a turnkey extraction lab for $0 lab CapEx and 4 months to installation, we want to talk to you today! Please contact us to learn about becoming an extractX partner.