Hemp and marijuana are both types of cannabis plants. Both come from Cannabis sativa L.—a herbaceous, wind-pollinated plant in the Cannabaceae family. To the untrained eye they look similar, which fuels confusion and stigma around hemp by-products like CBD oil. In reality, hemp and marijuana have very different uses. Let’s break down hemp vs marijuana.
What is hemp?
Hemp is a cannabis variant with a THC content ≤ 0.2% (≤ 0.3% in the US). It isn’t grown for psychoactive effects; it’s a versatile industrial crop used for food, fibre and materials. Hemp is one of the oldest known fibres—used for clothing and rope for over 10,000 years. In Henry VII’s Britain, citizens were required to grow hemp to secure fibre supply.
Today, hemp is cultivated for food and fibre (clothing, rope, paper, construction materials). Environmentally, hemp can sequester carbon, remediate soil, and support biodiversity.
Hemp and CBD
Hemp also produces the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD. In the UK, legal CBD products must be derived from EU-approved industrial hemp strains; in the US, from licensed hemp growers. Using hemp keeps THC levels very low in finished CBD oils.
Read more: Is CBD legal in the UK?
What is marijuana?
Often called cannabis, weed, pot or bud, “marijuana” refers to high-THC cannabis grown for psychoactive and some medical applications. (We use “marijuana” here for clarity, though the term carries historical baggage tied to anti-Mexican sentiment in US drug policy.)
Legal status varies globally. Recreational marijuana remains illegal in the UK, though medical cannabis can be prescribed in private clinics. Hemp-derived CBD is legal but regulated under Novel Foods.
Similarities between hemp and marijuana
They’re botanical cousins within the Cannabaceae family. The cannabis genus includes three main species:
- Cannabis sativa
- Cannabis indica (traditionally used for certain hashish preparations)
- Cannabis ruderalis (used historically in Russian/Mongolian folk medicine)
6 differences between hemp and marijuana
1) Genetics
Humans selectively bred hemp for oil, seed and fibre, crossing the strongest plants over centuries. Separately, people bred other cannabis lines for psychoactive potency, giving rise to today’s marijuana cultivars. Both pathways are examples of long-term human-guided genetic selection.
2) Chemical composition & THC level
Marijuana lines have high THC (commonly 5–20%, up to ~30%). Legal hemp contains ≤ 0.2% THC (UK/EU) or ≤ 0.3% (US) by dry weight—too low to be intoxicating. Both contain many cannabinoids (100+), including CBD.
Read more: CBD vs THC
3) Appearance
Hemp leaves are typically narrower, with foliage concentrated near the top; plants are taller and slimmer (up to ~6 m). Marijuana plants are shorter, denser, with tight, resinous buds covered in trichomes.
4) Growing conditions
Marijuana is often grown indoors for precise control and to maximise trichome-rich female flowers (male plants removed). Hemp is commonly grown outdoors; male and female plants are sown densely for wind pollination and seed/fibre yield—ideal for organic systems with lower inputs.
5) Legality
Marijuana (UK): a Class B drug—illegal to grow, possess or distribute (penalties include prison/fines). Medical cannabis is legal via private prescription.
Hemp (UK): can be grown with a Home Office licence; CBD products must come from approved hemp strains and meet strict THC limits (e.g., ≤ 1 mg THC per container in finished goods).
Read more: Countries where CBD is legal and illegal
6) Uses
Marijuana: consumed for psychoactive effects and in some jurisdictions for symptom relief (pain, nausea, appetite) where medical cannabis is legal.
Hemp: source of CBD products (oils, topicals, edibles); hemp seed foods (oil, flour, beverages); and industrial materials (paper, textiles, bioplastics, hempcrete). Environmentally, hemp supports soil remediation and carbon sequestration.
Hemp CBD vs Marijuana CBD
CBD can be extracted from either plant, but in the UK/US legal retail CBD must be hemp-derived. Disreputable producers using marijuana inputs risk elevated THC, which could impact drug tests.
Read more: How is CBD extracted?
Final thoughts on hemp vs marijuana
Shared ancestry—different paths. Human cultivation shaped hemp for utility and sustainability, and marijuana for psychoactive/medical effects. As research and policy evolve, the distinct roles of each are clearer than ever—from hemp’s eco-friendly materials and CBD wellness products to tightly regulated medical cannabis.
FAQ
Does hemp contain THC?
Yes, but only trace amounts: legal hemp is ≤ 0.2% THC in the UK/EU (≤ 0.3% US) by dry weight—not enough to cause a “high.”
Will hemp-derived CBD get me high?
No. CBD is non-intoxicating. Choose reputable brands with third-party lab reports to confirm CBD content and low/ND THC.
Can hemp CBD make me fail a drug test?
Broad-spectrum and isolate CBD are THC-free by design and are the safest options. Full-spectrum products contain legal trace THC; while unlikely, highly sensitive tests or heavy, chronic use could pose a small risk.
Is it legal to grow hemp in the UK?
Only with a Home Office licence. Commercial CBD must be from approved hemp strains and finished products must meet UK THC limits.
What’s the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil?
Hemp seed oil is pressed from seeds and contains little to no CBD. CBD oil is an extract from flowers/leaves, then blended into a carrier oil.
Why is hemp considered environmentally friendly?
It grows quickly with low inputs, can sequester carbon, crowd out weeds (reducing herbicides), and help remediate soil.
