Marijuana … Cannabis … Hemp … But marijuana and cannabis are the same thing? And what are the possible differences?
The terms hemp, marijuana and cannabis have become, in common usage and even in the world of legal CBD marijuana, two synonyms.
We say that marijuana and cannabis are the same thing, but they show a subtle difference.
Primarily for cannabis we mean the hemp plant, while for marijuana we mean the resulting product.
Cannabis: general characteristics
Cannabis is a plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family. The main types of hemp are 3: Indica, Sativa and Ruderalis.
The first variety, the Indica, originates from the equatorial areas and is the one that reaches the most impressive dimensions. It is characterized by thin and pointed leaves, that are those most commonly known.
Generally, Sativa contains high levels of THC and lower concentrations of CBD.
The Indica Cannabis is native to subtropical areas that do not have many hours of light. The leaves are thicker than those of the Sativa and have a wider surface.
It has a high concentrations of cannabidiol, producing soothing effects that combine sleep and relax muscles.
Finally, there is the Ruderalis variety: typical of areas with harsh climates such as Russia and northern China, its main peculiarity is that it is autoflowering, it is to say that its growth is not linked to any period of the specific year. It does not contain any relevant percentage of THC or CBD; for this reason, it is used to create new hybrids between the first two species.
If instead you are planning to grow legal CBD cannabis, we have an article that is right for you: “Cannabis outdoor, indoor and greenhouse: all the differences in this regard”!
Read also: 3 marijuana books that will turn you into a skilled farmer!
THC and CBD: what are the differences?
The cannabis plant is best known for the compounds that it contains, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol.
The first, the CBD, is contained in high percentages in CBD flower. It is a non-psychotropic active principle, it means that it does not alter the mental and physical capacities of consumers.
THC, on the other hand, is responsible for the illegality of the grass. It is the cannabinoid most loved by cannabis connoisseurs because it necessary to take only few doses to notice cerebral effects.
The properties that made it illegal, however, are the same that led the experts to apply it also in the medical field. In fact, tetrahydrocannabinol is used to fight chronic diseases and various disorders, calming pain and relieving our body.
Technically, it releases dopamine: a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, the sleep/wake cycle, the attention levels and other behavioral aspects.
Therefore it causes pleasant sensations, altering the sensory capacities of the consumers.
We must not be fooled by this: a high amount of THC could cause unpleasant effects such as depression, rapid heartbeat and aggression.
The CBD, on the other hand, being a non-psychoactive compound, has no effect on the physical and mental perceptions of the consumers. In fact, it finds application in the medical field to relieve pain caused by inflammation, to treat psychological disorders such as schizophrenia or anxiety.
Marijuana: origin of the term.
Marijuana, sometimes referred to as ganja or weed, is a substance obtained from the dried inflorescences of the female cannabis plants. In all cannabis varieties there are, in varying concentrations, different psychoactive and not substances.
Originally, the term was used in Mexico to refer to the variety of cannabis to be consumed for recreational purposes.
In Italy, marijuana with a high THC content is illegal, it is acceptable up to a maximum limit of 0.2%.
All this is related to the problem of the effects induced by the use of this substance that can be different and act differently depending on the subject.
CBD weed, with high levels of CBD and a low percentage of THC, releases calming effects especially on the body. On the contrary, instead, THC mainly affects the brain, inhibiting our faculties.
But what is legal hemp specifically?
Legal CBD marijuana
Marijuana is a substance obtained from sativa cannabis plants and, over time, hybrids have been made to obtain varieties with high CBD contents.
For this reason we speak of light or weakened marijuana, which is not addictive and does not act in any way on our faculties.
The light grass, easily available together with CBD oil and CBD hashish on our shop www.justbob.net, is rich in beneficial properties.
In fact, its field of application is very broad.
Read also: The price of legal hemp in Italy and in the world
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties are underlined.
It is also useful for regulating the wake/sleep cycle, nausea and pain.
The expanding market has made it possible to hire CBD in different ways, so as to meet everyone’s needs.
Among the best, we have cannabidiol oils (remember: cannabis oil is a different product than our CBD oil), one of the simplest, fastest and most effective ways to quickly benefit from the positive properties of this cannabinoid.
The reason why CBD buds is at the center of many debates concerns its main characteristics: although it derives from cannabis, it is not a narcotic substance and does not harm our body in any way.
Marijuana for therapeutic purposes in Italy
In our country, since 2006, the consumption of marijuana for medical purposes has been legalized.
Unlike light varieties, this contains a high rate of THC to counter pain caused by diseases such as multiple sclerosis, stimulate the appetite for those suffering from anorexia nervosa and fight problems related to the Tourette syndrome.
Currently, it is obtainable only through a medical prescription that certifies the patient’s problems if the standard therapies are not effective.
The only one to deal with the production of medical marijuana is, at the moment, only the Military Pharmaceutical Chemical Plant in Florence.
This demonstrates that the resources that can be obtained from the cannabis plant and from its derived substance are endless: The marijuana.