Thanks to the legalization of cannabis to varing degrees reaching from the United States, Canada and now, parts of the United kingdom, new, and innovative cannabis-derived products are rising in popularity. Not only is cannabis being used medically, and recreationally, but is now being intricately researched to the point that we now have a more detailed view on the large variety of ways we can use this incredible plant, and how we can benefit from its effects and components.
Not only has cannabis taken the world by storm, and is now being used in a wide variety of ways and enjoyed by a wide variety of users, but now, there is one other ‘miracle component’ that is related to this plant which is also taking the globe by storm. Although you have most probably heard of cannabis and know what it is, you might be asking yourself “what in the world are hemp and CBD, and why are they becoming the new ‘big thing’, on a worldwide scale?”. Well, this exact question is what we are about to address and answer.
Cannabis, Hemp & CBD | Are they the same thing?
With the rising popularity of hemp and CBD, there has been a large number of people questioning what these products are, why they’re so popular, and if they are the same as cannabis. One of these questions, however, is that I find the most important to answer first. It is “what are they?” and “are they the same thing?”. To understand more about why they are so popular, and why such a wide variety of people are using these products, it is important to understand what they are.
Cannabis
Cannabis, weed, skunk, purple haze; the names can go on forever. This worldwide famous plant has an ancient history, and has been used for hundreds of years pharmaceutically, ritualistically, and recreationally. Known as a ‘drug’ thanks to its psychoactive effects caused by it’s tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compound, this plant has become one of the most well-known and widely used ‘drugs’ on the planet.
Cannabis sativa is the actual type of plant that produces a ‘high’ or psychoactive effects in users. This plant is known to contain psychoactive a component called tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short. Apart from THC, cannabis contains more than 500 compounds, with more than 113 of these being cannabinoids. In some plants, high concentrate of one type of cannabinoid are found, and this is cannabidiol, or more commonly known as CBD.
CBD
Cannabidiol, or CBD may be related to cannabis, but it’s not the same thing at all. CBD is a component found in cannabis that is completely non-psychoactive, and thanks to its non-psychoactivity, it is now (slowly) being legalized worldwide, and is taking the world by storm. Due to the fact that CBD is believed to offer a wider variety of benefits, people have taken to use this non-psychoactive option, as opposed to its relative, Cannabis sativa.
Although cannabis itself has been intricately, and intensely studied for decades now, CBD has been left behind when it comes to research. Thanks to its rising popularity in the US, the UK and Canada however, people are starting to realize the potential of this incredible component, and it is now starting to be more intricately studied and researched.
Hemp
Hemp, also known as industrial Hemp, also comes from the Cannabis sativa plant, but is grown specifically for industrial use. Although it may be hard to believe, hemp has been used for more than 10,000 years, and was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber. With this incredible plant, a variety of items are created, including textiles, paper, biodegradable plastics, clothing, insulation, paint, biofuel, food and animal feed.
Although hemp, like CBD, derives from the species Cannabis sativa, it has a lower concentration of THC and a much higher concentration of cannabidiol when compared to the original Cannabis sativa plant. So, hemp does not cause psychoactive effects due to the fact that it contains a very low level of THC, just like CBD.
So, as you can see, cannabis, hemp and CBD are not the same thing. Although they might be derived from the same species of plant, there are used very differently and cause different effects depending on their components. Furthermore, the popularity of each depends greatly on what they’re used for, what benefits they offer, and the psychoactivity that they cause. Thanks to their differences, their legality also differs greatly from each.
The Legality of Cannabis, Hemp and CBD
Although industrial Hemp has been used for centuries to manufacture wide variety of products, and is legally grown on a worldwide scale, CBD and cannabis are not as freely grown or used. Thanks to its psychoactive effects, cannabis is still considered a dangerous ‘drug’ in a handful of countries worldwide. Not only is the medical use of cannabis illegal in some parts of the world, but it’s still being punished by imprisonment for several years in middle Eastern and Asian countries.
Thanks to the incredible benefits that cannabis has been shown to offer however, it is now beginning to be legalized for medical use in key countries around the world, including:
| ● Australia
● Canada ● Chile ● Colombia ● Croatia ● Cyprus ● Finland ● Germany ● Greece ● Israel |
● Italy
● Luxembourg ● North Makedonia ● Norway ● The Netherlands ● New Zealand ● Peru ● Poland ● Thailand ● The United States of America |
The recreational use of cannabis is still legalized in a wide variety of locations worldwide, but is slowly beginning to become decriminalized.
Although it may seem strange, CBD is actually still not legalized in as many countries due to it’s ties to its close relative, cannabis. Due to the fact that CBD has very limited research and studies of its benefits, or the effects that it can cause to users, its legalization has been a very slowly moving process. And although CBD contains little to no THC and does not cause psychoactive effects, it’s legality is still an in a grey area, thanks to its relativity with cannabis.
Although worldwide legalization for CBD is still not anywhere to be seen in the near future, CBD is beginning to rise in popularity, and with its popularity, is becoming legal in a small handful of key locations. In the US for example, CBD’s legal status now greatly depends on the source from which it is derived, but it’s completely legal in places where marijuana is legalized both medically and recreationally. And although restrictions may vary by country, the United kingdom and Canada have legalized CBD to some extent, with the UK it being treated the same as a food supplement.
Popular ways of Enjoying Cannabis
With the legalization of cannabis, there has been an uproar of innovative ways of enjoying it, and the Cannabis community is expanding their horizons with new, fun ways of enjoying the so-called benefits from this plant. Although smoking cannabis is one of the most popular and well-known ways to enjoy it, now, options are not only limited to this. Depending on needs, tastes and preferences, cannabis users can enjoy a wide variety of methods of consumption that are perfect for them.
One of the new ways of enjoying cannabis that is rising in popularity are portable vaporizers. Inhalation remains one of the most effective and fast ways to find relief, or to receive the so-called benefits of cannabis. However, cannabis smoke has been shown to cause irreversible damage to airways in the lungs, and a handful of other negative health effects. So, with the rising popularity of low temperature vaporization, it is now beginning to become apparent that vaping cannabis has many benefits over smoking, and portable vaporizers offer exactly that; a safer, more efficient, less smelly & more enjoyable cannabis experience.
Portable vaporizers are not the only methods of consumption that are raising in popularity recently however. Delicious, tasty edibles are also becoming a new favorite for the Cannabis community. Although edibles are not new to the Cannabis market, they’re now becoming more widely used thanks to the more mixed variety offered. Cannabis edible types vary from baked goods, drinks, capsules, sweets, candies and more, and thanks to this variety, the Cannabis community simply cannot get enough of the delicious taste from these cannabis edibles. This method of consumption is definitely for those that enjoy delicious snacks, and smoke-free (or vape free) cannabis experiences. Other ways of enjoying cannabis include the use of bongs or small hand pipes, which can be found at a trustworthy online headshop.
Why do People Take CBD?
Although it is easy to understand why people take cannabis, which is usually to experience the psychoactive effects it causes, or receive its benefits, many people are asking themselves “why CBD?”. Although I would like to give a straight answer as to why people decide to take CBD most commonly as CBD Oil, the answer actually varies greatly depending on the individual.
A wide variety of CBD users are looking to receive the so-called benefits that this component offers, which are supposed to be similar to those of cannabis, but without having to experience psychoactive effects. With it’s wide appeal as a 100% natural, chemical-free alternative to other harmful drugs and pharmaceutical options, however complete conclusive research on the benefits and negatives they might offer are not complete.
Another reason why users might find CBD to be a great alternative to other drugs and medications, is the fact that it is “non addictive, non-toxic and non-intoxicating”, concludes the world health organization. With these positive attributes that CBD boasts, it is easy to understand why such a wide variety of people have decided to choose it over cannabis, and use it on its own.
Cannabis, Hemp and CBD | Where is the Market Going?
The popularity of cannabis and CBD is growing on an incredible level, and with its popularity, we hope, as a community, that the legalization of cannabis and CBD may become more clear and organized. There is no doubt that cannabis is truly taking over the world, and that soon, it will begin to be legalized in more European countries, and more states of the USA. With this legalization, a wider variety of people can benefit from this incredible plant, and enjoy what it offers.
Cannabis, however, is not the only thing that seems to have a bright future. Thanks to the now expanding research on CBD, and it’s growing popularity, I also believe that hand-in-hand with cannabis, CBD will also become more widely legalized in European countries, and hopefully, worldwide. I think it’s about time that people realize just how much this component can offer, and how many users are simply waiting impatiently to be able to use this substance legally in their country.
I believe that it is only an amount of time to where all three cannabis, hemp and CBD will be able to be used and enjoyed worldwide, completely legally, and that the benefits from these three substances will be able to be received on a worldwide scale. All we need to do now is to be patient, and participate in the worldwide movement of supporters for the legalization of cannabis and it’s derived products.