Many people are confused about using CBD and how it differs from THC. We are often asked if using CBD will get you high, and how hemp differs from marijuana. These things all look the same; how can anyone tell the difference? While these may all seem similar, there are important distinctions.
Hemp VS Marijuana Plant
Let’s start at the source, the difference between hemp and marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are actually the same species of plant. They’re just two different names used to describe cannabis. Legally the only difference between hemp and marijuana is THC content. Hemp is a term used to classify cannabis plants containing 0.3% or less THC content, whereas marijuana is used to classify cannabis plants containing more than 0.3% THC. This means a hemp plant and a marijuana plant will look more or less the same.
Chemical Structure of CBD VS THC
The chemical structure of CBD and THC are also very similar. Both CBD and THC have the same molecular formula, containing 21 atoms of carbon, 30 hydrogen, and 2 oxygen. However, there is one significant difference. THC contains a cyclic ring, whereas CBD contains a hydroxyl group. This minute difference in structure gives the two compounds completely different pharmacological effects. THC is responsible for the high associated with smoking cannabis, whereas CBD has zero intoxicating effects.
CBD Products VS THC Products
THC is most commonly consumed as edibles, concentrates, or smokeable flower. On the other hand, CBD is typically extracted from a hemp plant’s flowers and leaves and then turned into a variety of products, from tinctures to topicals to isolate. You will find this labeled as phytocannabinoid-rich hemp extract in the ingredients. We remove all trace amounts of THC during our purification process to provide our customers with a wide array of 100% THC-free hemp-based products. You can view our test results here to confirm!
Isolate is often the most surprising to our customers. CBD isolate is over 99% pure cannabidiol in powder form. This is the purest and most versatile form of CBD available. It can be used on its own, in conjunction with other CBD products, or even used to create DIY products and recipes. Click here for more ways to use CBD isolate.
The differences between hemp, marijuana, CBD, and THC can feel indistinguishable to the uninformed consumer. We understand the confusion! What seems like minuscule differences actually create vastly different effects. While CBD and THC products may look and sound very similar, knowing the difference helps you to make informed decisions and purchase products that will produce the results you desire.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us via our online chat, send us an email to support@purespectrumcbd.com, or give us a call at 303.674.5759.
Sources
https://www.analyticalcannabis.com/articles/cbd-vs-thc-what-are-the-main-differences-297486