What is the difference between CBD derived from hemp and marijuana?

22. 12. 2025

Although hemp and marijuana look very similar, they are completely different from a functional and chemical perspective.

Main Differences Between Hemp and Marijuana

HEMP

- entire plant part, stem, flower and leaves
- can be fully legal (CBD varieties and industrial varieties)
- limited number of chemical compounds
- can be bought in many places and online
- used for clothing, textiles, food and more...

To be hemp legal, it must contain less than 0.3% THC. THC is a psychoactive substance and if it appears in very small amounts, it does not cause intoxicating effects.

Used for production of materials, building materials, paper and added to food or cosmetic products.

MARIJUANA

- only hemp flowers
- legal in some states, CBD flowers appear in CZ
- large number of different chemical compounds
- can be purchased only in licensed stores in countries where marijuana has been legalized
- used for its health benefits and for recreation

CBD Concentration

Marijuana contains a richer source of cannabinoids and terpenes than industrial hemp. This is because more resin appears on marijuana. To create CBD oil, a very large amount of hemp needs to be grown.

Safety

Hemp is a bioaccumulator - meaning it can absorb toxins from soil such as pesticide residues and heavy metals. If CBD is extracted from a large amount of industrial hemp grown in an non-ecological environment, there is a chance that impurity residues will end up in the final product. The safety and effectiveness of CBD products from contaminated hemp are significantly reduced.

Regulations

The CBD product market is not yet subject to any regulatory framework. For this reason, you must be careful about where and from whom you purchase these products.

It is important to look for products that have been tested by independent third parties. This testing confirms the actual content of not only cannabinoids, but also heavy metals, pesticides or microbes. This ensures you get exactly what you paid for.

In addition to third-party testing, it's good to look for products with a USDA certificate (US Department of Agriculture). These products have confirmed organic cultivation.

Effectiveness

Marijuana leads to a broader content of terpenes and cannabinoids than hemp. CBD obtained from the whole marijuana plant contains a range of beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids (including THC). These compounds work together and therefore function better than separately.

Hemp also contains some cannabinoids and terpenes, but not in the same concentration as in marijuana. CBD from hemp can be created as a "full spectrum" extract, which offers natural terpenes and minor cannabinoids.

Isolated CBD

If CBD is obtained from hemp or marijuana, it creates isolated CBD. This product contains only CBD molecules. Isolated CBD is mainly used in laboratory tests and research.

CBD from Hemp and CBD from Marijuana: Legality

From a legal perspective, the difference between CBD from hemp and marijuana is really significant. Hemp containing more than 0.3% THC is classified as a drug by the DEA in the Schedule 1 list and is not permitted for medical use.

Industrial hemp, on the other hand, is not considered a controlled substance. Hemp has previously been designated as an agricultural commodity by the Department of Agriculture.

Article Author: Emma Stone
Article Source: leafly.com

Photo Source: unsplash.com