are hemp and marijuana the same
Cannabis has been used for hundreds of years by humans, for fiber (hemp), seed oils, seed, medical treatment and recreationally. Marijuana is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant and is sometimes used to treat chronic pain. The hemp plant contains the psychoactive chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC acts on specific brain cell receptors called cannabinoids. Immediately after smoking marijuana, THC can be detected in the blood. Marijuana has the highest rate of illegal use among 12-17-year olds. It may cause mood changes, suicidal thinking and disrupt normal learning abilities. It may also be capable of producing dependency, psychosis and addiction. The Whole Bushel. Although hemp often gets a bad rap because of its association with marijuana, in reality it has countless uses and is perfectly harmless. The confusion between the two arises from the fact that they both come from the species Cannabis sativa. Effects of marijuana. The nature and effects of the more than 60 cannabinoids present in cannabis are largely unknown, but the most potent psychoactive agent identified is THC. When a person smokes cannabis, THC is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, reaching the brain within minutes. On the other hand, the subspecies grown for marijuana has poor fiber quality but high enough levels of THC to cause physical or psychological effects. Hemp is a highly versatile product and is used to make textiles, clothes, paper, building materials, and more. The bottom line is this: The “hemp” proposed as an alternate farm crop is marijuana, the same stuff that is illegal and psychoactive. From a forensic perspective, the problems of legalizing “hemp” while continuing to outlaw “marijuana” would be significant. You would in essence be legalizing marijuana. Now, to the important facts: There is only one species of cannabis. The Herald-Whig article correctly stated that cannabis sativa is the only species of cannabis. However, the article implies a botanical difference between marijuana and hemp. There is no difference. In A Nutshell. Hemp and marijuana both come from the same species of plant—cannabis. However, hemp is generally harvested from a subspecies of the Cannabis genus, which, unlike marijuana, has virtually no psychoactive properties. Hemp varieties are grown for their seed, oil, and fiber, whereas marijuana is grown for medicinal, recreational, and spiritual purposes. The marijuana cultivated for smoking in Mexico or Hawaii is no different than the marijuana (hemp) that is being proposed as an alternate crop for farmers. Marijuana is marijuana. There is one, and only one, cannabis species. That is cannabis sativa. Knowledge center. Marijuana (cannabis) is the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide. Classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, marijuana is a mood-altering drug that produces a feeling of calm and well-being. Marijuana also has limited medical use for severe pain relief and other chronic conditions.
Yes