Hemp And Marijuana—the Same, But Different

Have you often wondered if there was any difference between hemp and marijuana? How does medical marijuana fit into the picture? When you add hemp seeds to your smoothie, will that give you the some of the “high” that people get from smoking/eating marijuana? Why do people eat hemp seeds anyway? Chances are, you’re not alone in asking these questions. Read on to find out…

Hemp and marijuana—what’s the difference?

Okay, hemp and marijuana both come from the same species of plant—Cannabis sativa. However, they’re two different strains of that species. Alternet explains that hemp is a strain that’s bred for three different reasons. None of these have much to do with getting “high.” It’s bred to produce fibers that are used to make clothing and rope and for use sin ointments and topical oil applications. It’s also used for the nutritional value of its hemp seeds.

In contrast, marijuana is typically bred for the intoxicating effect. Because they actually come from the very same plant, Livescience states that the scientifically distinguishing factors between the two strains of Cannabis are the levels of THC and CBD, chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical that’s responsible for Cannabis’s intoxicating effects. The more THC in the strain of Cannabis, the more the intoxicating effects you would experience should you ingest or smoke it. In comparison, Project CBD notes that CBD, or cannabidiol, actually counteracts the effect of THC. So it makes sense, marijuana has higher the levels of THC and the lower the levels of CBD, while hemp would be just the reverse.

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana, compared to recreational marijuana, is specifically used to treat a medical condition. Patients can administer it in any number of ways, according to UnitedPatientsGroup. This can include drinking it in a beverage, using it in a topical ointment, or taking it in sublingual sprays or via tinctures. Leaf Science notes that marijuana has historically been used to treat arthritis and for pain management. Many in today’s medical community recognize that it can be helpful for treating certain conditions.

A WebMD/Medscape survey of 1500 doctors in 48 states found that two-thirds of those who responded support use of Cannabis as medicine. Project CBD goes on to explain that because CBD is non-psychoactive. In other words, it doesn’t make you high. It’s an attractive form of medical marijuana for people experiencing anxiety, inflammation, pain, and lots of other medical conditions. Many people do not enjoy the feeling of tiredness or the altered state of mind that high levels of THC causes. Currently, there is ongoing clinical studies & scientific research trying to more determine if indeed CBD can serve as an effective source of medical marijuana instead of the high-in-THC strains that have been used.

Hemp as a source of nutrition, not THC

Besides producing some of the strongest rope known to mankind, hemp has seeds, often called hemp hearts. They have become a darling of the health food world for their high nutritional content. Healthy Eating SFGate reveals that a single tablespoon of shelled hemp seeds has just 40 calories, 5.3 grams of protein, and about 13% of your required daily amount of iron. Plus, it’s packed with essential omega fatty acids that can help reduce the discomfort and itchiness of skin conditions.

But do the hemp seeds, hemp seed milk, or the hemp seed oil that you consume contain THC? The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, that organization that tests athletes to ensure they’re not using performance-enhancing or other drugs, says that trace amounts may be detected in urine samples. WebMD assures you that they have no THC, but that may be slightly overconfident. The stem and seeds should have no THC, but that depends on if the THC was eliminated during production. By getting your hemp seeds from a reputable supplier, you should have no issues. Manitoba Harvest, for example, states that their hemp seeds have 0.001% THC and won’t cause a positive drug test result. At those levels, you should experience zero psychoactive effect.

Hemp seeds for health

While using marijuana for recreational purposes has its supporters and detractors, one thing has become increasingly clear. The use of marijuana in the developing brain of a teenager or young adult can have long-lasting consequences. Science Daily cites research by the Center for BrainHealth that backs up this assertion, as do numerous other studies and sources. Hemp seeds on the other hand you can serve to the whole family, teenagers included. There’s nothing but goodness in them. So here’s a recipe to get you started! Try making this Berry Hemp Heart Salad! You’ll have prepared a treat that anyone can enjoy and feel all the better for having eaten it.