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When you’re just getting started in the world of CBD, the amount of terminology can be overwhelming. We know how hard it is to dive into the different extraction methods, spectrum-types, and the various compounds mentioned.
One of the most important things for you to understand as a CBD retailer is the difference between THC and CBD. These are the two most commonly used compounds from the cannabis plant. They sometimes get confused for one another, but they are very different compounds.
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the CBD industry is that people are using Marijuana; a plant well-known for it’s THC content. This misconception stems from a shallow understanding of the various strains of cannabis, the compounds in the cannabis plant, and how they affect the human body.
In this article, we aim to help you gain a clear understanding of the difference between THC and CBD. This will allow you to pass the information along to your customers so they can purchase from you with confidence.
There are a few different species of cannabis out there and it's important to understand the difference. Industrial hemp used for the production of CBD is Cannabis-Sativa. By law it must contain 0.3% THC or less.
Cannabis-Indica is more commonly known as Marijuana. In contrast to hemp, Marijuana has a relatively low CBD content and a very high THC content. Being that these compounds have very different effects on the body, it's easy to see how these plants are used for wholly different purposes.
Humans have a long history of cannabis use. The earliest remnants of hemp fabric were found in what was once ancient mesopotamia, and are estimated to be around 10,000 years old.
It wasn’t long before humans realized the medicinal potential for hemp and started crafting bandages and tinctures. During this period in time, they did not have the technology or the scientific understanding to know what compounds were contained in cannabis or what compounds even are.
It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that farming cannabis was illegal. Many believe that the Marihuana Act of 1937 was largely motivated by a blossoming textile industry who collectively saw hemp as a threat. Hemp is incredibly strong, fairly easy to grow, and can be used to produce everything from fabrics to wellness products.
In 2018, the Farm Bill passed. This was the official start of the CBD boom. The Farm Bill legalized the production of industrial hemp that contains 0.3% THC or less. The government understands the stark difference between these two compounds, and it's important that you do too. Lets lake a closer look at these two compounds and how they differ.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a compound that exists in both Cannabis-Sativa (Hemp) and Cannabis-Indica (Marijuana). The difference is the concentration in which it exists. Hemp naturally has a very low concentration of THC and is now bred specifically to adhere to the FDA regulation of containing 0.3% THC or less.
THC is highly psychoactive. It is the reason that Marijuana smokers get “high”. THC directly interfaces with the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system. This helps to facilitate an interaction in the brain that many explain as a mild psychedelic experience. The use of THC is still widely outlawed in the U.S, but has been legalized in states like California and Colorado.
Cannabidiol (CBD) can also be found in both Hemp and Marijuana, but it is a completely unique compound. CBD is completely non-psychoactive. Instead of utilizing it for recreational purposes like Marijuana, CBD is used to help people manage their health and wellness.
It doesn’t matter how much CBD your customers consume, they will not get “high” or become inebriated in any way. CBD is also 100% non-toxic and has shown to be beneficial for people with seizures and a variety of other ailments.
THC and CBD are very different. So why are they so often confused? Many people don’t know the details of how Marijuana gets users “high”. All they know is that there is a popular species of cannabis that was popularized in the 1960’s that is associated with the hippy movement and causes people to feel “high”.
What they don’t realize is that there are 113 known cannabinoids in hemp and only one of them is THC. Each of these cannabinoids has their own unique benefits and effects. CBD offers a wealth of benefits but does not cause any of the hazy side-effects associated with THC.
One of the many things that customers love about CBD is that it doesn't get them “high” like THC does. They get to enjoy the wealth of benefits that cannabis has to offer without any of the hazy effects of THC, and that's pretty amazing!
