Not every CBD product on the market is created the same nor do they come from the same plant source.
CBD can only come from two different plant sources: either hemp or marijuana. Both of these come from the cannabis family but they are different for a few reasons.
This means that there can be even more variation between CBD products and what you select depends on what you want. So which one is the better option?
By the end of this article, you will gain an understanding of what the main differences are between CBD from hemp and marijuana. You will also be able to choose the right product for your specific needs.
Hemp CBD
At ICARIA, our CBD comes from hemp. Industrial hemp plants are grown primarily for their fibre and seeds. They look much different than marijuana in that they are skinnier, taller, sturdier, and scarcer in foliage.
Hemp also contains much lower levels of THC, the cannabinoid that produces psychoactive effects. Therefore, these plants tend to be better for CBD extraction. A hemp plant must contain no more than 0.3% THC per American laws.
The Bottom Line: Hemp plants are higher in CBD and lower in THC. They are used mostly for their fibre and seeds.
Marijuana CBD
CBD can also be extracted from marijuana plants. These plants are thick and lush with plenty of foliage and flowers. Marijuana plants are consumed primarily for their intoxicating properties or, in other words, to get high.
Per the American government, this category includes any plant that contains more than 0.3% of THC. THC is the main cannabinoid in most marijuana plants. However, there are some particular strains that are a bit higher in CBD.
The Bottom Line: Marijuana plants are lower in CBD and higher in THC. They are used mostly for their intoxicating properties.
Which CBD is Better?
Regardless if the CBD comes from a hemp or marijuana source, the CBD will remain the same on a molecular level with the exact same effects. However, there are certain things that will differ between CBD products sourced from each of these plants.
In addition, the main thing to take into consideration is to do with the legality. Within the United States, CBD products coming from hemp are completely legal. This is because, as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, industrial hemp was removed from the government list of controlled substances.
However, anything coming from marijuana is still an illicit substance on a federal level and so you need to be very careful. There are, of course, the exception of a few states that have legalized marijuana on their own for medical use.
The Bottom Line: CBD from hemp or marijuana on a molecular level is exactly the same. A consumer will NOT be able to tell the difference between them. Only CBD products extracted from hemp are legal, while those from marijuana are not. This only really matters from a production perspective.
Other Important Differences – Resin and Contamination
One main difference will be the resin content of each plant. Cannabis resin is mostly found within the buds of the plant, and sometimes the leaves. Marijuana plants contain a much higher amount of resin and hemp plants contain much less.
Therefore, to get CBD from hemp plants, a much larger number of them is needed. This can drive up the price as the extraction process takes more work for the same amount of product.
In addition, where CBD comes from also has a major impact on contamination levels. A lack of stringent local regulations around the production and refinement of hemp can result in toxic CBD products.
For example, in China there are few regulations put on the agricultural industry. This often results in CBD products coming from hemp plants that contain high levels of contaminants (heavy metals found in the water and soil) that are unsafe for consumption.
These contaminants become toxins in the hemp that can affect the CBD coming from these plants. To remove the risk of ingesting toxic CBD, the safer option is to consume CBD products that are grown closer to home in America.
Look for organic products without the use of any chemical pesticides in addition to third-party testing. At ICARIA, we strictly use hemp from the United States and third-party test every single batch of product so you can feel confident.
The Bottom Line: CBD coming from the hemp plant takes much more work to extract which can result in a higher price. CBD grown in America is the safest option to lower the possibility of any dangerous contamination.
The Final Verdict
There is a huge variation between the CBD products available for sale on the market based on the sourcing of the plants.
Be sure to do your research and find a brand that you can trust and that firmly stands behind their products.
Your best bet for a clean and safe CBD product will be one from an organically grown hemp plant coming from the United States.
