In mainstream media, misunderstandings about terms weed and hemp often occur.
Sometimes, for example, cannabis growers are named hemp growers and hemp is being confused with cannabis. Although these two plant species share a common ancestor, they have two different crops. This is the main difference between hemp and weed.
One plant for two crops
Hemp and weed are different crops but are derived from the same plant, namely Cannabis Sativa L. The letter L stands for Linnaeus, the surname of the person who first named the plant species. Linnaeus assumed that it was only one species, and did not distinguish between hemp, sativa, indica or ruderalis. The difference between weed and hemp is mainly about the purpose for which they are used. You can easily find cannabis seeds online to grow plant types depending on what effects you’re looking for.
The value of hemp and weed
The name hemp usually indicates long thin plants that are primarily grown because of their long and strong fibres. The fibres are used for textiles, paper, care products, in construction and for plastics while the seeds are a good and healthy source of food. Cannabis, weed and marijuana are all the same thing and are grown mainly because of the psychoactive flowers of the female specimens.
Industrial hemp contains only 0.3 to a maximum of 1.5 % of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the most essential psychoactive substance from cannabis. Cannabis, on the other hand, contains between 5 and 28 % of THC, which is the main reason for growing it.
Outstanding crops
The fibres from the hemp plants are the longest, most durable and most sustainable fibres in the world. The cultivation of the crop hemp does not require chemicals, pesticides or herbicides, and can make the soil on which it grows clean and fertile for future crops. Hemp is, therefore, an excellent crop for our planet!
Weed is also a great crop, but more for planet dwellers. There are, for example, 2000 different types of cannabis that all have medicinal and/or recreational properties. However, not all weed species have the same effect. This is due to varying amounts of THC and other active substances (cannabinoids).
Some types of weed, are bred purely because of their medicinal properties. These weed species contain a lot of CBD (Cannabidiol) but so little THC that you can’t get stoned or high. This kind of weed is ideal for children and adults who can’t or do not want to be stoned or high, but who can benefit from the medicinal properties. For example, take a look at this CBD brand in the UK: Blessed CBD. They offer UK residents effective CBD oil that is full-spectrum and may help with pain management, anxiety and stress.
Psychoactive cannabis varieties are always cannabis indica, cannabis Sativa, cannabis ruderalis, or crosses between those types of weed.
Hemp – a multifunctional plant
Hemp is an incredibly adaptable plant. Hemp produces four times as many fibres per area of agricultural land as trees. Hemp paper which is free of wood fibres can be recycled seven times, while plain paper can’t be recycled after three times. The seeds of the hemp plant are delicious. Oil from these seeds contains many healthy proteins, amino acids and vitamins. Hemp is also an ideal source of biomass for the production of biofuel, because of the super-fast growth of the crop. Hemp ethanol also burns very clean.
Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis
Psychoactive cannabis varieties are Indica, Sativa, Ruderalis, or crosses between these types of weed. Cannabis indica is a small bush-like type of cannabis that generally gives a high and heavy effect. Sativa’s last longer, the flowers often have delicious exotic flavours and usually provide a slightly active high.
Cannabis ruderalis is a subspecies that does not contain much THC but is often used to cross. This is because of the unique property that ensures that these plants have a fixed life cycle, and thus will bloom independently of the season. This is useful because weed plants with this property are already available for harvest in the middle of the summer (and thus earlier and without suffering from damp autumn weather).
Primary crop
Mankind has been living in symbiosis with hemp and weed for at least 10,000 years. Hemp was our first agricultural crop and remained the most cultivated crop until the end of the 19th century. Most of the non-western world has never stopped growing hemp and hemp also makes a big comeback in the western world. More and more farmers grow hemp as a source of animal feed and to prepare the soil for other crops.
Where can you smoke weed legally?
Presently, more and more countries legalise the recreational and medical use of marijuana.
For example, you can buy weed in Canada and enjoy it whenever you want. People are becoming aware of the beneficial factors that marijuana offers and start using it as a common remedy for diverse problems.
Conclusion
Hemp and weed have different purposes, however, both are derived from the same plant and both bring multiple benefits. Marijuana then can be used in many different ways and it’s becoming increasingly popular among people from all over the world. Have you ever tried to smoke it?
