Many people really don't know the difference between hemp and marijuana or the difference between hemp and cannabis. As far as everyone is concerned (except you use cannabis) marijuana is illegal and that's it! Whether it's hemp, cannabis or marijuana by name, it makes no difference to a lot of folks. The government and their agencies have worked hard in this respect, they have worked really hard to bastardise the herb that many people don't even do some good old fashioned research to solve the riddle of the hemp vs cannabis debate once and for all.


From what is known about cannabis, marijuana or hemp they have being around for a very, very long time. First of all at this point it would be sensible to set the record straight in the hemp vs cannabis debate. If you thought that cannabis, marijuana and hemp are one and the same thing, well you thought wrong. On the other hand if you thought that cannabis, marijuana and hemp are three different plants, well you also thought wrong. Cannabis is also referred to as marijuana, so they can be used interchangeably in this article.



The fundamental thing in the hemp vs cannabis debate is that they are actually two different plants, but from the same specie. They are both from the specie of cannabis known as "Cannabis sativa L. While someone could easily argue that they are one and the same plant. There is actually a clear difference between hemp and weed (another name for marijuana) as seen in their physical appearance, function/use, cultivation and even in their degree of regulation.



Hemp Vs Weed



Hemp vs marijuana - what are the differences between the two plants? To answer this question you would have to look at the following physical, functional, cultivational and regulatory differences.



1. Physical Differences



You will be surprised to learn that a major factor in resolving the hemp vs cannabis debate lies in the very clear differences in their physical appearance and actually anyone can differentiate the two with consummate ease. Here are the glaring difference between hemp and cannabis that you should be aware of.



Height



Hemp is quite tall and can grow up to a height of 4 meters.

Cannabis is a shorter plant specie that grows up to a maximum of 2 meters.



Leaves And Buds



Cannabis or marijuana has more buds and leaves.

Hemp has less buds and leaves compared to cannabis.



Manner Of Growth



Hemp grows straight up.

Cannabis has the tendency to be broad as it grows outwards.



Stem And Stalk



The stalk of hemp is long and thick.

Cannabis has a short and thinner stem.



Growth Preference



Hemp can grow in clusters.

The cannabis plant needs room to grow, they don't do too well in clusters.



2. The Function/Use Of Cannabis And Hemp



Cannabis is a variety of Cannabis sativa L. that are known for their psychoactive properties. On the other hand hemp belongs to the non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa L. strain. Hemp has been grown for more than 30,000 years as a viable source of food, fuel and fiber. As you now know the stalk of hemp is quite long and thick, the stalk is also rich in fiber which can be used in the manufacture of building materials, canvas, lace, paper and rope.



The seeds of hemp are known to be highly nutritious and rich in protein. The seeds can also be used to produce very healthy vegetable oil that can be used for cooking. Hemp is not grown for medicinal purposes even though it can be used as such for the treatment of certain ailments as it also has low levels of cannabinoids.



Cannabis as stated earlier, belongs to the psychoactive specie of Cannabis sativa L. and it's buds/flowers have as many as 100 cannabinoids. Cannabis or marijuana can be used for medicine, recreation or to produce hallucinogenic effects. Cannabis can be smoked or vaporized to give users a "high (an altered state of consciousness).



3. Cultivation



One other major factor in resolving the hemp vs cannabis debate has to do with their manner of cultivation. Hemp can be grown in numerous areas as it is a fully adaptable crop. However, the best place to cultivate hemp is out on a field, particularly on one where corn is successfully grown. On the other hand cannabis has to be grown in warm and humid climates or environments. This is necessary if you want to cultivate high quality cannabis plants which will produce THC rich buds.



4. Regulations



Another point in the hemp vs cannabis argument has to do with how both crops are regulated. What most people don't realise is that hemp is currently legally grown in more than 30 countries from around the world and this includes countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and North America. A lot of people don't realise this because of their misconception that hemp and cannabis are one and the same.



However, cannabis is still outlawed in many countries around the world. In the U.S many states have decriminalised the use of cannabis with regulated quantities allowed for both recreational and medicinal use. There are also states in the U.S like Alaska where cannabis use has been legalised.



In Closing



As you can see from this article the hemp vs cannabis debate is really not one that should have been debated in the first place as they are clearly two different plants and it would be wrong to put them in the same bracket. The ignorance works in favor of governments, their agencies and large pharmaceutical companies who would rather have everyone kept in the dark and continue to look down on a herb that has more use than most. Hemp can be used for a great number of things and cannabis as well. Now that you know the difference and you are a bit wiser, you will appreciate hemp or cannabis a little better.Article from: https://www.buyescart.com/blog/post/the-great-debate-hemp-vs-cannabis-vs-marijuana-what-exactly-is-the-difference/https://www.buyescart.com/blog/post/the-great-debate-hemp-vs-cannabis-vs-marijuana-what-exactly-is-the-difference/