Differences between hemp and cannabis: morphology, use and chemical composition

Despite actually having different names, hemp and cannabis belong to the same group: Cannabis Sativa. The differences have grown deep due to the use made of each. While hemp has for centuries been subject to a wide variety of breeding and shaping processes aimed at creating industrial hemp, cannabis has served and still serves a recreational or therapeutic purpose. Think about it. If you want to obtain fibers with which to make fabrics, paper or even plastic, you may need to get thicker and longer stems to extract them from, instead of flowers. However, if your aim is to get high on delicious cannabis buds, what you'll need is a plant with high levels of cannabinoids, of THC in this case, which are capable of delivering large and smelly terpene-packed flowers. That's why, depending on the scope, breeders will have to focus on very different aspects.

But, how exactly do hemp and cannabis differ?

Here's the quick answer: you cannot get stoned on hemp but cannabis makes you high. This answer could have been valid until some decades ago, when breeders were obsessed with developing cannabis strain with the highest possible THC content. But, as you can imagine, the differences between hemp and cannabis go far beyond their THC levels.

Morphology:

The main and most obvious difference is their shape. As previously mentioned, hemp is only used for industrial production and so its chemical composition or the quality of its flowers is absolutely irrelevant. Therefore, its morphology is clearly conditioned by its scope which is no other than serving like raw material for the elaboration of oils, fibers and cellulose; very useful materials for industrial use. Hemp is, in fact, a very interesting environmentally-friendly alternative for manufacturing paper, fabrics or plastic. Nowadays, it's starting to be used as a soil regenerator in polluted areas as well. In order to serve these goals, and, despite there being different types of hemp according to their specific purpose (oil extraction, seed production...), hemp's main features are:

• Taller than cannabis plants. Hemp plants could reach heights of 5 meters.
• Thicker stems.
• Fewer branches.
• Few flowers.

Chemical composition and quality of the buds

Another distinguishing feature worth bearing in mind is the chemical composition. It's logical that knowing the cannabinoids or terpenes in the plant is of little use for a producer of industrial hemp. However, the chemical composition and the quality of the flowers mean everything to the breeder who wishes to release a super-potent strain for recreational use or for alleviating a certain ailment. So far, the psychoactive effect has been a priority. Hemp doesn't make you high but cannabis can. But, with the arrival of the CBD-wave to the cannabis market, this trait has become less important. Because now, apart from CBD-rich hemp strains, there are many high-CBD marijuana strains. As a matter of fact, pure CBD cannabis strains, that is to say, non-psychoactive, terpene-rich strains delivering large and delicious buds, are becoming increasingly popular. Another key difference between hemp and cannabis is that the latter is shaped until a specific chemical composition for either recreational or therapeutic use is obtained. Closely related to this, there's an interest in boosting the production of top-quality flowers, with very attractive tastes and aromas, to make the user's experience pleasant and unforgettable.

Are hemp and cannabis grown differently?

As we have said, hemp has fewer branches and is taller than cannabis plants, and it is generally grown for industrial use, meaning many plants are put together with very little space between them. Cannabis is branchy and its delicate flowers have to be looked after very carefully. That's why plants are provided with more space to stretch comfortably, without getting stressed and making the most of the available light. On top of that, when growing marijuana with the sole objective of using its flowers, male plants, unable to produce them, are prohibited. We cannot forget that male plants not only are incapable of producing the so-coveted flowers, but they can also pollinate female plants, which is something to be avoided at all costs, unless we really want to produce seeds, of course. When they're not pollinated, cannabis plants produce large quantities of dense, heavy buds without any seeds.

Uses of hemp

Hemp is a very interesting plant that has been used for thousands of years for innumerable purposes. Besides, it's an environmentally-friendly alternative. These are some of the different uses we can make of industrial hemp:

Foodstuff:

Hemp seeds and oil are very nutritious. In fact, hemp oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats, particularly in linoleic acid (Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (Omega-3), which are highly beneficial to the human body. On top of that, hemp seeds and oil contain gamma-linolenic acid, which is used for the treatment of ailments such as neurodermatitis, arthritis and PMS.

Industrial production:

• Hempseed oil can be used to produce products, such as biodiesel, soap, cosmetics, paint and varnish.
• Cellulose and biodegradable plastic: hemp bark and stems can be processed into paper and biodegradable plastic. These renewable and environmentally-friendly products could help resolve the ecological problems plastic is causing.
• Hemp fiber: With the resistant fibers extracted from the stem, not only textiles, linen and ropes but also biodegradable building materials can be made. There is no other natural fiber as resistant and as durable as hemp fiber, which has been used for thousands of years for the elaboration of paper, clothing... The sails of the ships where in fact made with hemp fiber due to its resistance to the deterioration caused by salted sea water. Moreover, the Founding Fathers wrote the first constitution of the USA on paper made out of hemp. And finally, the jeans brand Levi's used hemp fiber for its apparel products in its early years.