The difference between weed, hemp and CBD explained in 10 points – Cond Nast Traveller India

Bollywood actor Rhea Chakrobortys arrest has stirred a lot of conversation around the use of marijuana recently. But what is marijuana and is it the same as cannabis?Hemp, weed or marijuana and CBD are all byproducts of cannabis and the words are used interchangeablyplus there is a plethora of poetic terms and code words and euphemisms imprinted through pop culture that make them confusing. However, theyre not all the same and have very different uses. While one can get you high, the other is used as a wellness elixir. The legality of cannabis also depends on its use. While medical and industrial use of cannabis is legal in many countries, very few allow it for recreational purposes. In 2018, Canada became the second country after Uruguay to legalise the possession and use of recreational cannabis. But, the conversation is slowly changing. People from countries across the worldItaly to Australiaare campaigning to legalise marijuana for recreational purposes. Now whether you can smoke it or not is a whole different story, but heres is an explainer to help clear the confusion:

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that belong to the Cannabaceae family. Cannabis is nothing but the umbrella term, and hemp and marijuana are broad classifications of it.

Cannabis plants have been classified into three primary categories: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis or hybrid. Each of these are said to have their own characteristics and effects.

Cannabis sativa: Sativas leaves are long, tall and finger-like. It is known for its heady highan invigorating, energising effect that can reduce anxiety or stress and increase creativity and focus.

Cannabis indica: These leaves are shorter, plumper and fuller compared to sativa. Indicas are also known to be calming and relaxing.

Cannabis ruderalis: These are small plants that dont grow more than 12 inches. However, they grow super quickly. Ruderalis is considered to have very low levels of THC and high amounts of CBD, and arent used as much for recreational purposes.

While the often-applied rule of thumb is that sativas are more energising and indicas are more calming, this has not been scientifically proven.

Now, what are THC and CBD? Cannabis is made up of nearly 120 chemicals, which are known as cannabinoids. The two common ones are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC and CBD are present in both marijuana and hemp. Hemp contains high CBD and low THC (less than 0.3%), while marijuana contains much more THC (over 0.3%).

THC is the chemical that gets you high! It is the psychoactive compound that is responsible for the euphoria that most people associate with cannabis. THC has the ability to alter moods, control pain and other feelings.

You know the friend who drinks one too many but never gets high? Thats CBD. While CBD is said to be a psychoactive active cannabinoid, it does not have the same effects as THC. Its not-intoxicating and non-euphoric, so it will not get you high. WebMD points out that its thought to work with other elements in the body linked to feelings of well-being. It has the ability to ease nausea, migraine, seizures and anxiety, according to Healthline.

Hemp is cannabis with less chemicals. It contains less than 0.3% THC, so it cant get you high like marijuana. You may wonder why 0.3%? This definition was proposed in 1979 in the book The Species Problem in Cannabis: Science & Semantics. The author stated that its difficult to distinguish hemp and marijuana, as there is no taxonomical difference between the two. The number was proposed as the solution to distinguish between hemp and marijuana. This number is now used in the legal definition of hemp in the Agricultural Act of 2018 in the United States.

Besides the THC percentage, hemp and marijuana have different uses as well. The latter is used to make textiles (clothing, handbags, shoes), food (hemp seed oil, hemp seed hearts, hemp protein powder), paper, ropes, supplements and more. In India, the cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes or for horticulture is legal.

Pot, weed, dope, ganja, Mary Jane or whatever you may call it, all refer to marijuana. Had that one friend who couldnt stop gushing about their trippy holiday to Amsterdam? Besides rolling into cigarettes and smoking through a pipe, marijuana is consumed in many other ways. Think brownies, cookies, gummies, lollipops, rice crispies, chocolates, candies and beverage mixes.

Simply put, marijuana is cannabis that gets you high, as it contains a THC of more than 0.3%.

Hash is said to be the most potent form of cannabis due to higher THC. Weed is the dried cannabis plant, whereas hash is made from the resin and sap of cannabis. Hash oil can contain about 90% THC, as compared to the 12% THC levels found in other cannabis products.

Consumption of marijuana is illegal in India. However, Holi is an exception. The festival of colour is often associated with bhang. The concoction is made by mixing dried and ground cannabis leaves with milk, kesar, almonds and spices. Some places in India also make the drink with yoghurt. The result is a frothy, thandai-like drink that gives you a heady high. The Holi drink finds a mention in ancient Hindu texts like Atharvaveda as a reliever of anxiety and stress. Legend has it that the plant was discovered by Lord Shiva and is closely associated with him.

But how is bhang so easily available when marijuana is illegal in India? Lets just say there are some loopholes. In 1985, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act listed cannabis as a narcotic drug, prohibiting its cultivation, possession, consumption or transportation. But it only listed some parts of the plant as narcotic such as the bud and resin. Theres no mention of the leaves, and this is why you can enjoy the high on Holi.

Hemp oil is derived by cold-pressing hemp seeds. Its a clear greenish oil with a nutty flavour. The oil is considered to have numerous health benefits, especially when it comes to improving skin health. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used to treat acne. Its also known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Hemp oil can also be mixed with food, smoothies, salad dressings or soups.

CBD is one of the many 100 chemicals that is found in cannabis. The oil is extracted from the cannabis plant, and then diluted with hempseed or coconut oil. This oil is the option of choice when one wants to relieve themselves of pain, anxiety, sleep disorders and other conditions without the mind-altering effects of marijuana and other pharmaceutical drugs. CBD oil is also known to be a palliative aid for cancer patients. It may help reduce nausea, vomiting, pain and other side effects induced by chemotherapy, as per research. The oil contains a low amount of THC, which provides the high. CBD oil is consumed in many different ways. It could be for topical use, or also could be mixed with edibles or inhaled via a vape.

CBD has become a popular wellness potion that can be found in juices, lotions, sweets and dog treats. Last year, Kim Kardashian threw a CBD-themed baby shower.

Read more:

The difference between weed, hemp and CBD explained in 10 points - Cond Nast Traveller India