EDUCATION

HEMP vs MARIJUANA: What is the difference?

Hemp
Less than 0.3% THC
  • Made federally legal by 2018 Farm Bill.
  • Available to ship to all 50 states, except Iowa.
Marijuana
(On average) 15-20% THC
  • Federally illegal.
  • Medically/recreationally legal in certain states.

Both hemp and marijuana have cannabinoids including CBD, but the significant difference in THC content makes hemp able to be shipped to 49 states.

HOW CBD WORKS WITH THE BODY

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system in the body that helps regulate essential functions like mood, sleep, pain, and immune responses.

It consists of receptors (CB1 and CB2), endocannabinoids (naturally produced molecules similar to cannabinoids), and enzymes that break them down.

CBD interacts with the ECS indirectly by influencing these receptors and enhancing the system's ability to maintain balance, promoting overall wellness.

HOW CBD WORKS WITH THE BODY
CB1 receptors target:
  • Motor activity
  • Thinking
  • Motor coordination
  • Appetite
  • Short term memory
  • Pain perception
  • Immune cells
CB2 receptors target:
  • Gut
  • Kidneys
  • Pancreas
  • Adipose tissue
  • Skeletal muscle
  • Bone
  • Eye
  • Tumors
  • Reproductive system
  • Immune system
  • Respiratory tract
  • Skin
  • Central nervous system
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Liver

A clear distinction is essential to prevent unintended bans on safe, non-intoxicating hemp CBD.

While almost all bills aim to address synthetic, intoxicating Delta-8 and intoxicating THC products, often they mistakenly include non-intoxicating, natural CBD products.

Delta-8
Delta-8
Chemically converted with unsafe, untested chemicals from CBD, making it intoxicating and synthetic. Often improperly labeled with misleading marketing, raising safety concerns.
Intoxicating THC
Intoxicating THC
Contains high levels of Delta-9 THC, intentionally psychoactive, and strictly regulated in dispensaries for recreational or medical use.
Hemp CBD
Hemp CBD
Full-Spectrum CBD contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC per the federal 2018 Farm Bill. Non-intoxicating, derived naturally from hemp, and valued for its therapeutic potential without a high.
John Hopkins University Study

THC Impairment

Read Full Study
Dr. Ryan Vandrey, PhD - Johns Hopkins University Professor
Dr. Ryan Vandrey, PhD John Hopkins University
Dr. Vandrey, a Professor at Johns Hopkins University, leads research on cannabis' effects, pharmacokinetics, and medicinal benefits. His work spans administration methods, drug interactions, withdrawal, product testing, and treating Cannabis Use Disorder.
Findings Summary:
CBD Hemp Products and Health
Research shows high-CBD hemp products improve quality of life, mood, sleep, and reduce healthcare usage, benefiting conditions like anxiety, depression, and epilepsy.
Effective Dosages
The study of 1,200 patients revealed an average daily dose of 79mg CBD and 3mg THC, which provided therapeutic effects without causing intoxication.
Low THC Impact
Controlled studies found low oral THC doses (up to 2.8mg) did not cause intoxication, cognitive impairment, or functional deficits, highlighting the need for balanced regulation.
Legislative Concerns
Proposed limits on THC per container would impose significant financial and logistical burdens on consumers using CBD oil long-term, such as those managing chronic conditions.
ToxStrategies Study

Dietary Upper Intake Limits for CBD

Read Full Study
Dr. Rayetta Henderson, PhD - ToxStrategies Director
Dr. Rayetta Henderson, PhD ToxStrategies
Dr. Henderson, Director of ToxStrategies' Foods & Consumer Products Practice, specializes in assessing botanicals, CBD, and hemp-derived products for food and supplement use. She develops materials for regulatory submissions like GRAS and NDI notifications to the FDA. She has advised Congress on CBD safety and contributed to ONE HEMP's RFI submission, helping shape federal CBD regulation.
Findings Summary:
Intake Limits Defined
Upon critical review of all publicly available human and animal studies of CBD that assessed safety, a recommended upper intake limit of 70mg/day was determined for healthy adults and a limit of up to 160mg/day was identified for healthy adults excluding those trying to conceive, or currently pregnant or lactating.
CBD Safety
This study was specifically designed to address questions regarding potential liver and reproductive toxicity, such as those raised by FDA, and appropriate dietary supplement thresholds for CBD safety.

Clinical Studies – Safety and Regulatory

Study Description Regulatory / Legal Purpose
Full Battery of Genotoxicity Studies, 14 Day Dose Range Finding and 90 Day Sub-Chronic Toxicity Studies on Extracts A total of five toxicology studies with varying toxicity, chemistry, and clinical endpoints and varying study objectives: 1 in-vitro and four in-vivo studies. GRAS, UK/EU Novel Foods and FDA NDIN Safety Claims
Human Liver Toxicology Study Observed Impact of Long-term Consumption of Oral Cannabidiol on Liver Function in Healthy Adults FDA NDIN, UK/EU Novel Foods Safety Claims
Post Marketing Surveillance Study A longitudinal study of adverse events of approximately 1,939,172 product units representing over 163,000,000 servings sold FDA NDIN, UK/EU Novel Foods Safety Claims
Dermatology Tested (RIPT) Studies for All Topical Products Determine the irritation and/or sensitization potential of the test article after repeated application and semi-occlusive patch test conditions to the skin of human subjects. FDA, International regulations Safety Claims
THC-Free Assurance Study Analysis of Potential THC Metabolites in Urine of Healthy Volunteers Self-reporting use of a Commercially Available, Oral Hemp Extract Product: A Non-interventional Study Safety assurance (not required for regulatory) Label claim/Safety Claims
Pharmacokinetic Study A Pilot Study to Investigate the Pharmacokinetic Properties of single- and multi-dose administration of a commercially available full-spectrum hemp-based CBD extract in Healthy Volunteers FDA, UK/EU Novel Foods Safety assurance
Topical Cream Safety Assurance for High Frequency Use A 5-Week Clinical Study to Evaluate the Systemic Absorption Safety and skin irritation after High Frequency Repeated Use FDA, International Regulations Safety study, Claim, opens new channels
Generalized Anxiety Study The goal of this investigation is to assess pre- and post-hemp treatment ratings of anxiety, clinical state, and quality of life, and evaluate pre- and post-hemp treatment performance on an range of neurocognitive measures and structural, functional, and spectroscopic brain measures. Informs Efficacy, publication, opens new channels
Dementia-Induced Anxiety Study Same study design as above: Exploratory study will also assess the impact of CW tinctures on anxiety and agitation in individuals with Alzheimer's Dementia over 8 weeks of treatment. Informs Efficacy, publication, opens new channels
War Veteran Longitudinal Observational Study Systematically evaluation vs baseline and follow-up clinical state and related quality of life measures in individuals taking CBD, or assessed measures of brain structure and function before and after treatment with CBD using neuropsychological measures or neuroimaging techniques Informs Observational efficacy, opens new channels
Topical Cream Safety Assurance for High Frequency Use A 5-Week Clinical Study to Evaluate the Systemic Absorption Safety and determine the irritation and/or sensitization potential of the test article after High Frequency Repeated Use Informs Safety study, Claim, opens new channels
50mg Full Spectrum CBD Tincture User Experience Effectiveness Study (Conducted by Radicle Aces) A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of commercially available 50mg full spectrum tincture product. Using scientifically validated measures assessing the impact on the well-being, quality of life, anxiety, pain, and sleep quality of participants over the course of 4 weeks. Informs Efficacy, publication, opens new channels
Pilot Study on Cannabinoid Mediated Drug Interactions Assess the inhibition of OATP1B1 function by CBD and to identify the potential for clinically relevant DDIs; the percent OATP1B1 uptake activity was measured by the uptake of 8-FcA (OATP1B1 substrate) with and without CBD. The positive control used was the TKI, nilotinib which has been shown to significantly reduce OATP1B1 function Regulatory advantage Safety assurance, Groundwork for grant funding
Skin Disorder (Psoriasis) Pre-Clinical Studies – PCR Study Interferon Gamma (IFN-γ) is a cytokine and is one of the key factors in inflammatory skin diseases, which mediates Th-1 type inflammation and growth inhibition of keratinocytes. Formulation confirmation and optimization Formulation optimization, White paper and Grant Proposal
Skin Disorder (Acne) Pre-Clinical Studies Activation of Janus kinase signaling, Il-6 (inflammation) in human primary serbocytes, TNF in in human Keratinocytes. Formulation confirmation and optimization Formulation optimization, White paper and Grant Potential
Gut Health Pre-Clinical Studies CBD, CBG, and CBN and a variety of hemp extracts were evaluated against common inflammation markers in the gut. Formulation confirmation and optimization Formulation Optimization
Topical Pain Dose Study A randomized dose escalation study to determine optimal dose/potency and dose response curve. Formulation confirmation and optimization Formulation Optimization

Cannabinoid Definitions

1. "Cannabidiol" or "CBD" means the compound C21H30O2 (PubChem CID: 644019) whether found in Cannabis sativa L. or Hemp, or from any other source.

2. "Cannabinoid" means any chemical compound that naturally occurs in the plant Cannabis sativa L., or is physically, chemically, and optically identical to any chemical compound that naturally occurs in the plant Cannabis sativa L., and acts as an agonist or antagonist on human cannabinoid receptors. These chemical compounds include endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, biosynthesized cannabinoids, and chemically synthesized cannabinoids, but do not include terpenes.

3. "Hemp Cannabinoid" means those Cannabinoids naturally occurring in hemp, whether extracted from hemp or from any other legal source. For the avoidance of doubt, Hemp Cannabinoid does not include cannabinoids that are not naturally occurring in the plant, for example, O-acetyl delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.

4. "Hemp Cannabinoid Ingredient" means a substance that includes only whole hemp extracts containing Hemp Cannabinoids, purified hemp extracts containing one or more Hemp Cannabinoids, or one or more biosynthesized or chemically synthesized Hemp Cannabinoids. A Hemp Cannabinoid Ingredient shall not include any THC Ingredient.

5. "Tetrahydrocannabinol" or "THC" means any tetrahydrocannabinol, including delta-6 tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-12 tetrahydrocannabinol, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), O-acetyl delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THCO), tetrahydrocannabiphorol, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or any other Cannabinoid, at a similar or greater potency that the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Attorney General determines to have a psychological and cognitive profile associated with intoxication or euphoria similar to tetrahydrocannabinol and has a potential for abuse.

6. "THC Ingredient" means any Tetrahydrocannabinol that has been isolated from a Whole Hemp Extract, concentrated by the removal of non-THC Cannabinoids from a Whole Hemp Extract, or that has been produced by any other means, whether through conversion, chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, or otherwise.

7. "Full Spectrum Hemp Extract" or "Full Spectrum Hemp" means an extract of Hemp produced through an extraction process intended to preserve the naturally occurring Cannabinoid profile of the Hemp biomass.

8. Non-Intoxicating Cannabinoids - Non-intoxicating cannabinoids that are derived from hemp that may be used as an ingredient in a hemp product or as a finished hemp product, and include:

  • Full spectrum hemp extract that contains no more than one and three-fourths milligrams of THC per serving and contains a ratio of CBD to THC of greater than or equal to 20:1
  • Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract
  • CANNABIDIOL, also know as "CBD"
  • TETRAHYDROCANNABIVARIN, also know as "THCV"
  • CANNABICHROMENE, also know as "CBC"
  • CANNABICITRAN, also know as "CBT"
  • CANNABICYCLOL, also know as "CBL"
  • CANNABIELSOIN, also know as "CBE"
  • CANNABIGEROL, also know as "CBG"
  • CANNABIDIVARIN, also know as "CBDV"; AND
  • CANNABINOL, also know as "CBN"

9. Intoxicating cannabinoids - Amount that exceeds the amount established by rule or, if no rule establishes the amount, in any amount:

  • DELTA-10 THC and its isomers
  • DELTA-9 THC and its isomers
  • DELTA-8 THC and its isomers
  • DELTA-7 THC and its isomers
  • DELTA-6a, 10a THC and its isomers
  • EXO-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL
  • Metabolites of THC, including 11-HYDROXY-THC, 3-HYDROXY-THC, or 7-HYDROXY-THC
  • Hydrogenated forms of THC, including HEXAHYDROCANNABINOL, HEXAHYDROCANNABIPHOROL, and HEXAHYDROCANNABIHEXOL
  • Synthetic forms of THC, including DRONABINOL
  • Ester forms of THC, INCLUDING DELTA-8 THC-O-ACETATE, DELTA-9 THC-O-ACETATE, and HEXAHYDROCANNABINOL-O-ACETATE
  • TETRAHYDROCANNABIVARINS, including DELTA-8
  • TETRAHYDROCANNABIVARIN but excluding DELTA-9
  • TETRAHYDROCANNABIVARIN
  • Analogs of TETRAHYDROCANNABINOLS with an alkyl chain of four or more carbon atoms, including TETRAHYDROCANNABIPHOROLS, TETRAHYDROCANNABIOCTYLS
  • TETRAHYDROCANNABIHEXOLS, or TETRAHYDROCANNABUTOLS
  • Any combinations of the compounds, including HEXAHYDROCANNABIPHOROL-O-ESTER