Whole-Plant vs. Cannabis | LEAF
Cannabinoid (Whole-Plant Hemp) vs. Cannabis
When it comes to CBD oil many may wonder if hemp and marijuana are the same? After all, Cannabidiol does come from cannabis. The answer to this question is technically, Yes. As they both come from the Cannabis Sativa species of cannabis. However, their properties are considerably different.
Cannabinoid (Whole-Plant Hemp)
The term 'Hemp' is generally used to describe non-psychoactive forms of cannabis cultivated for agricultural and industrial use. Hemp is a name used to describe a classification of Cannabis Sativa, which has long stems, slim leaves and only trace amounts of the psychoactive compound THC, 0.2% or less. This form of cannabis is known for its rich Cannabidiol content (which is non-psychoactive) and its low Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.
Cannabis
Marijuana on the other hand is a term used to describe Cannabis Sativa that contains high levels of THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol also known as THC, is the cannabis compound that IS psychoactive and is responsible for creating the ‘high’ feeling most commonly associated with cannabis. The Marijuana classification of Cannabis Sativa contains high amounts of THC that can reach levels of up to 40%. Cannabis that contains these higher levels is mainly grown for recreational and medical use.
There’s so much confusion between these terms. Some people refer to “hemp oil” when speaking about hemp seed oil while others use it as shorthand to refer to an oil that carries CBD (cannabidiol) extract. Let’s tackle the first one first: oil from hemp seeds is primarily composed of dietary fats, which means it can provide benefits for skin but does not include all of the same plant compounds (such as CBD). These phytocannabinoids -- cannabidiol, among others-- are found naturally in the leaves and flowers (also known as “aerial parts”) of hemp. After deriving the cannabinoids from plant parts during our production process, we’re left with a full-spectrum hemp extract that retains a range of the phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids - all of which are found naturally in hemp. This extract is then diluted with a carrier oil to make the final Leaf product.