Hemp vs Marijuana: People often get confused and take hemp as marijuana. Although both marijuana and hemp are classified as cannabis, there are few differences between them. Basically, observing these differences in the procedure to use them. However, the languages and regulations for both are different. Furthermore, we are going to learn everything about them in this article.
What is Hemp?
Firstly, hemp plants can separate as a male and female plant. These plants are in use since last 10,000 years. Humans are getting fiber, protein and oils from them since long. Hemp fiber is in the industries of paper, textile and building materials.
Hemp can divides into four parts:
- Bast fibers
- Hurds, or shives
- Leaves and flowers
- Seeds
Does it have THC?
Cannabinoids like THC and intoxicating cannabinoids in marijuana produce through the hemp plant. But it is important to know that the hemp plant itself does not produce enough THC to have intoxicating effects after consuming it.
We can’t get THC from hemp plant but this plant produces a number of cannabidiol which are non-intoxicating as well as medically rich. CBD has become one of the most popular products in the market nowadays.
Can you smoke it?
Because you can’t get high after consuming hemp does not mean this plant does not produce intoxicating compounds. This plant is not THC rich and THC is responsible to produce intoxicating effect. You can smoke it but do not expect to get high.
How we choose hemp varieties?
Following are the factors to get desiring final products:
- Stem quality
- Cannabinoid content
- Resistance to disease
- Time to harvest
- Hemp oil content
- Seed production per acre
In recent years, CBD production has become one of the greatest factors. Generally, as the CBD market continues to grow, we are choosing more and more cultivars based on their CBD production and unique aromatic, or terpene, profiles.
What is hemp used for?
We get CBD oil from the leaves and flowers of hemp. CBD oil can treat a number of ailments. Fibres of hemp are mostly in papers, textile and building materials. Bast fibres make up the outer portion of the stalk and typically splits into three categories. These include Primary, or line fibre, secondary, and tow. Categorising them according to their cell strength and cell wall thickness. Basically, it determines the fibre’s strength, durability, and ultimately the use it.
How is hemp is in a food product?
The seeds of hemp are full of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Hemp seeds contain an optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids for healthful consumption. Hemp can also be used as a food product.
What are hemp fibres and leaves used for?
The leaves and flowers of the hemp have CBD oil. Generally, CBD oil can treat a number of ailments. The fibres of hemp are in textile, paper and building materials.
How is hemp processed?
Hemp vs Marijuana: A number of processing techniques process hemp seeds. The techniques of the process depend on the purpose of the final product.
Hemp seeds:
You can crush the seed to get oil out of them, or you can simply consume them whole. After getting oil out of seeds, the shell, which is so rich in fibre, can make flour.
Hemp stalks:
The methods of decorticating to process hemp stalks. You can remove long fibres from the plant through this method. Following are the steps to be taken during processing:
Retting:
The surface of the hemp stalks is made of tough cellular tissues. They dissolve through the process of ratting. There are three modes of ratting:
- Field retting: The plants cutting and laid on the field for four to six weeks, turned periodically. During this time, any bacteria on the plant’s surface will break down the outer layer of the stalk. The retting stalks then dry.
- Water retting: The stalks are immediately drying after harvesting, then placing in the water for a few days. The water is using to soften the outer layer of the stalks and to help promote the growth of additional bacteria which helps accelerate the process.
- Chemical retting: Acids, bases, and special enzymes break down the compounds that hold together the strong bast fibres.
Decorticating:
This method also involves three stages:
- Scutching: The stalks pass through a series of rollers to break apart the hemp fibres. During this step, the woody core pushes out and separates from the pliable fibres. This is another step where proper drying comes into play. The sweet spot is between 10% and 15% moisture and is key here. If the stalks are too dry, they will be crushed into a powder. If they are too moist, they won’t break and separate properly.
- Hackling: The short and intermediate fibres combing them out of the stalk.
- Twisting: twisting the fibres are individually into a yarn.
Balling and storing Hemp vs marijuana:
Firstly, Traditional farming bales to transport hemp stalks. Secondly, larger and round balers are the best to use for the purpose. Thirdly, hemp also does not get packed tightly in them. Lastly, these bales you should keep in dry environment with less humidity. It is extremely important to keep checking for wet parts to avoid molding.
How is hemp cultivated differently than marijuana?
To conclude, Harvesting and cultivation are considered to be the biggest difference between hemp and marijuana. Flowers on male plants blossom much faster than on female plant. The male plants of hemp release pollens for female plants to produce seeds that can be stored for future use. But in the fields of marijuana, male plants are often eliminated to have the maximum production. The plants of marijuana need ample space to avoid mold and bacteria but no such condition is needed for the cultivation of hemp. Cultivators always cultivate hemp plants outdoors but marijuana can be planted indoors as well.
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