CBD is harvested from the cannabis plant and used to produce a variety of CBD oils and other products. However, this can come from two different species subsets of cannabis – hemp or marijuana plants. This is where a lot of confusion comes in about CBD products, their effects, and their legality.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between hemp and marijuana, and understanding where your CBD products come from.

What is hemp?

Hemp is a cannabis plant that is harvested for a number of uses, including the manufacture of clothing and construction materials. When the flowers of hemp are harvested, they contain a high cannabidiol (CBD) concentration but a low concentration of THC. This is the main difference between hemp and marijuana, and between the substances extracted from them.

As a result, CBD products from hemp will not give you the stereotypical “high” caused by THC in marijuana. This also means that CBD oil from hemp is more widely accepted. The production and sale of hemp-derived CBD products were legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as the CBD contains no more than 0.3% THC.

What is marijuana?

Marijuana is also a cannabis plant classified as either Indica or Sativa species. The flowers harvested from marijuana plants have a much higher THC content, as much as 30%. At a federal level, this is still a controlled substance classified as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. However, at a state level, laws and regulations differ greatly.

So, the CBD to THC ratio of marijuana is much lower than that of hemp. But growers who cultivate the marijuana plant for CBD typically selectively breed high-CBD strains of the plant. As a result, CBD oil derived from marijuana will have high levels of both CBD and THC.

Use of THC can have both physical and psychological side effects that are not present when taking hemp-derived CBD oil. There is also the fact that marijuana-derived CBD oil is not legal at a federal level and can lead to prosecution. But you can find these products in official dispensaries in states where marijuana use has been legalized either recreationally and/or medically.

Full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD products

At Yadkin Valley Organics, we have a range of full-spectrum CBD products designed to improve your health and wellbeing. All of our products are high-quality and contain no more than 0.3% THC, granting you the benefits of cannabidiol without the potential side effects of THC.

Browse the different CBD oils and other products we have available to buy in our online store.