Is CBD the Same Thing as Marijuana? | Danu Apothecary

August 12

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Is CBD the Same Thing as Marijuana?

By Libby Murphy

August 12, 2020


While CBD is becoming more recognized with every passing day, a lot of mystery still surrounds this compound. And to make things even more confusing, a variety of different products are on the market that come from the cannabis plant. It’s no wonder people have so many misconceptions!

In this article, we’re going to look at some of the most common cannabis products in the marketplace so you can be a more informed consumer. Read on to learn more about the differences between hemp, CBD, and marijuana!

The Cannabis Plant

Let’s start with the cannabis plant. Four types of cannabis plants exist, including hemp, hybrid, indica, and sativa varieties. Each of these varieties branches out into numerous other strains, each of which can have different effects on the body, aromas, terpenes, and THC content. Visit a dispensary, and you’ll see dozens and dozens of different strains. Marijuana comes from the hybrid, indica, and sativa plants, but not from the hemp plant. CBD and other cannabinoids are extracted from all types of cannabis plants. Marijuana is not legal on the federal level, but each state has its own laws.

The Hemp Plant

As you know, the hemp plant is just one of the types of cannabis plants, and it’s the only type of cannabis plant that is federally legal. In 2018, the United States Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp, allowing plants and seeds to be transported across state lines. While it cannot be traded internationally, this bill has built the foundation for that to happen in the future. Hemp can be used for numerous industries, including paper, building supplies, healthcare, nutrition, fuel, and so much more. It’s hardy and easy to grow in many climates all over the world, which makes it even more appealing. Legal hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC, or the crop will have to be destroyed.

Recreational and Medical Marijuana

California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, and Colorado was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. Marijuana is illegal under federal law, even though each state has the power to determine its legality individually. Marijuana contains varying amounts of THC depending on the individual strain, and can be used orally, topically, smoked, or vaped. THC is the cannabinoid that produces a psychoactive effect, and it’s believed that it does this by overwhelming the body’s cannabinoid receptors. In addition to THC, marijuana can contain other cannabinoids, including CBD, which can act as a buffer to the effects of THC.

CBD Products

Now we get to CBD products, which is likely why you’re on our website in the first place! CBD can be extracted from all types of cannabis plants. It can be added to a carrier oil such as MCT to create CBD oils and tinctures. It can be dehydrated and smoked, much like marijuana. It can be applied to the skin as a moisturizer, even. You can cook with it, add it to drinks, or massage it into sore muscles. So many different CBD products exist, and our website alone features several categories and strengths. While CBD is available at dispensaries and might be available in your local pharmacy, be sure to check on the laws in your state before you make a purchase or travel with it.

Hemp Seed Products

Finally, we come to hemp seed products, which are widely available. Hemp seeds are legal in all 50 states, and can be traded on the international commodities market. Hemp seeds are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, making them a nutritional powerhouse. They can be manufactured into oils to apply to the skin, used as a cooking ingredient, or consumed sublingually. While hemp seed products contain nutrients that can be beneficial, they do not contain any of the cannabinoids or terpenes that are sought after in CBD products.

Hopefully, this helps to clear up any prior misconceptions regarding CBD, marijuana, and hemp that you might have had. Each of these plants and products share quite a few similarities, as well as many differences! 
When shopping for CBD products, we recommend taking a look at third-party lab testing to fully understand the ingredients included in a product and the concentrations. Each of our products is lab tested, and you can find the reports here: Danu’s Lab Results. Shop our full line of CBD products today!

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