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Cannabis, Hemp, Marijuana, and Weed: What's the Difference?

Jasmine Greene

We’ve all been there before... you hear the word ‘cannabis’ and suddenly your brain is flooded with confusion. “Wait, isn’t it called weed?” “Didn’t I hear someone say marijuana the other day?” Cannabis, hemp, marijuana, weed… What's the difference, and why does it matter?


Don’t worry, we’re here to help clear up the confusion once and for all!


 

  1. What's the Deal with "Cannabis"?


In order to understand where the name “Cannabis” truly comes from, we’re going to take a quick (and painless, I promise) science lesson. I know, I know, the word ‘science’ might sound a bit scary, but don’t worry - I won’t be handing out calculators or asking you to wear a lab coat.


Have you ever walked into a grocery store and immediately known which aisle you need to go down to grab that one thing you came for? That’s because the store has a system for organizing everything. It’s how you can walk straight to the meat section for that perfect ham your grandmother insists on for Christmas dinner and avoid wasting time in the auto care aisle surrounded by tires.


There’s actually a similar system used to organize living things, like plants and animals! The fancy name for it is taxonomy. It organizes all plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms into groups based on shared characteristics, making it easier for scientists to understand and study the world around them without getting totally lost in the chaos! Think of it like your grocery store’s aisle system, but for everything alive.


Now, you may be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with cannabis?” 


Great question! Just like every other living thing, cannabis is classified in this taxonomy system. Taxonomy breaks things down into 9 levels, starting with broad categories and getting more specific (think: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Family, Genus, Species, and Subspecies). In the case of cannabis, the name we use at the genus level is Cannabis. So, every time you hear "cannabis," you're actually referring to its specific place in the world of plants!

(THCa Flower)
(THCa Flower)
  1. Marijuana vs.

    Hemp


Now that we know what “cannabis” means, let’s dive into the more interesting stuff!


Before we go further, meet your new best friend: the 2018 Farm Bill. You’ll be seeing a lot of it in this section.


The 2018 Farm Bill is what allowed cannabis products classified as hemp to become legal. But, what does “hemp” really mean? According to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), hemp is anything with 0.3% or less delta-9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) by dry weight. In other words, if the plant contains less than or equal to 0.3% of delta-9 THC, it's legally hemp. Still a little confused? Here’s a breakdown:


  • Delta-9 THC: This compound is considered the main psychoactive component in cannabis - in other words, it’s the key ingredient that gets you high

  • Less than or equal to 0.3%: This means the product (whether it be cannabis flower, oils, or other forms) contains 0.3% of delta-9 THC or less than that amount by dry weight. So, if you have 100 grams of the product, it can contain no more than 0.3 grams (or 300 milligrams) of delta-9 THC.

  • By dry weight: This specifies that the measurement is taken based on the plant material’s weight after all moisture has been removed, ensuring that the water content doesn’t skew the THC percentage. Fresh cannabis contains a good amount of water. 


So, if hemp is anything less than or equal to 0.3% THC, then what is the term for something that is over that amount of delta-9 THC?


Say it with me…MARIJUANA!


Great answer! Marijuana refers to the cannabis plants that have more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. That’s the kind of cannabis you can legally buy from states like California and Colorado. However, in states like Alabama, you have to qualify for a medical marijuana card to access marijuana. Hemp, on the other hand, is available in many states, including Alabama. 


This could all change as the push for full legalization continues at both the state and federal levels. So, stay tuned! 


  1. Why Do Some People Say “Weed?”


And then there’s weed, the slang term many people use. When people say “weed,” they are often referring to marijuana and talking about the recreational use of cannabis. It’s shorthand, simple as that!


 

Summary: The Cannabis Terminology Breakdown


So, let's wrap this up nice and tidy, like a neat little joint (pun intended):


  • Cannabis is the plant genus that includes both marijuana and hemp. Think of it as the big umbrella for all things related to the plant.

  • Hemp is cannabis that is less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight.

  • Marijuana is cannabis that has more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight.

  • Weed is a casual, slangy way of referring to marijuana


Now that you are armed with all this knowledge, you can walk into your next cannabis conversation like the expert you were always meant to be. You’re welcome!


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