Hemp vs. Marijuana: What's the Difference?

Weed, reefer, ganga, Mary-Jane, skunkweed, chronic, hash, hemp, herb, Devil's grass... call it what you will, it's all just Cannabis. And we'll cut to the chase: We're big fans of Cannabis. It's got some insane super-hero properties (it's phytoremediative, so it absorbs bad pollutants from the soil and replenishes the good stuff), it's natural (no pesticides or GMO seed), and it's a really sustainable crop (low-water, low-maintenance and thrives when left in the sunshine). It also helps a lot of people feel less stressed, less pain, and generally more happy. Who doesn't like that? There's a lot to like about this epic weed.

WHAT IS CANNABIS?

Like all plant families, Cannabis has many different sub-species and each has their own unique features. You've probably heard of the two main classifications: Sativa and Indica. Marijuana can be made from both plants, but Hemp is ONLY made from Sativa. The Sativa plant is tall, stalky and generally associated with a "mental high" while the Indica plant is bushier, has bigger leaves and is associated with the body high. All Cannabis plants produce cannabinoids, but not all cannabinoids are the same...

WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS?

This is the secret sauce of all Cannabis plants. And by "secret sauce" we mean complex chemical compounds found in resin. The most common cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

WHAT IS THC?

THC is the cannabinoid that produces "psychoactive effects" (ie: gets you high) and is the main difference between Hemp and Marijuana: Hemp has trace amounts of THC (about .3%) while Marijuana has anywhere between 15%-40% depending on the strain (Maui Wowie, Pineapple Express, Purple Urkle... we could be here all day). THC can be extracted on its own and used in everything from vaporizers to brownies.

WHAT IS CBD?

If THC is the stuff that gets you high, CBD is the stuff that heals. It's a natural anti-inflammatory and when it reacts with the body's Endocannnibinoid System it mitigates stress by getting the body back to it's optimal state of homeostasis. And it won't get you high. To make a very long, scientific story short, CBD has become a popular form of homeopathic healthcare and we're not mad about it. Though the FDA has declared it legal, each state has its own laws so check before buying oils or tinctures.

WHAT IS MARIJUANA?

Marijuana is all about the THC. Marijuana is grown from both Indica and Sativa plants and is recognizable by dense buds full of crystals (that's where the THC is). With high (heh, get it?) THC concentrations and smaller stalks, Marijuana is grown for recreational and medicinal purposes only. It's also what distinguishes marijuana from being illegal in many places. For now... #LEGALIZEIT

WHAT IS HEMP?

Grown strictly from the Sativa plant, Hemp's super-low THC concentrations and tall stalks make it an ideal crop for industrial purposes. This sturdy fiber is used in a range of products from paper to rope to food to textiles (that's where we come in). Fun fact: George Washington grew hemp at Mount Vernon and Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag from hemp!

WHAT IS HEMP CLOTHING?

Our bread and butter! Hemp textiles pack a lot of natural performance: strong, resilient, anti-microbial, and virtually indestructible in water. Hemp’s a porous fiber (like all natural fibers), allowing it to wick-moisture and respond to your body temperature. Its also got great drape, can be super soft, and wears well over time. We blend hemp with other fibers like organic cotton and recycled polyester to achieve different performance benefits.

From hemp fabric to CBD oil to Maui Wowie, we're big fans of the Cannabis family! Check our latest crop of Men's hemp clothing and Women's hemp clothing and see for yourself why it's so great.

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