Cannabis sativa hemp
Hemp , Cannabis sativa , also called industrial hemp , plant of the family Cannabaceae cultivated for its fibre bast fibre or its edible seeds. Hemp is sometimes confused with the cannabis plants that serve as sources of the drug marijuana and the drug preparation hashish. Although all three products—hemp, marijuana, and hashish—contain tetrahydrocannabinol THC , a compound that produces psychoactive effects in humans, the variety of cannabis cultivated for hemp has only small amounts of THC relative to that grown for the production of marijuana or hashish. The hemp plant is a stout, aromatic, erect annual herb.
Marijuana vs. hemp: What’s the difference?
Hemp , Cannabis sativa , also called industrial hemp , plant of the family Cannabaceae cultivated for its fibre bast fibre or its edible seeds.
Hemp is sometimes confused with the cannabis plants that serve as sources of the drug marijuana and the drug preparation hashish. Although all three products—hemp, marijuana, and hashish—contain tetrahydrocannabinol THC , a compound that produces psychoactive effects in humans, the variety of cannabis cultivated for hemp has only small amounts of THC relative to that grown for the production of marijuana or hashish. The hemp plant is a stout, aromatic, erect annual herb. The slender canelike stalks are hollow except at the tip and base.
The leaves are compound with palmate shape, and the flowers are small and greenish yellow. Seed-producing flowers form elongate, spikelike clusters growing on the pistillate, or female, plants.
Pollen-producing flowers form many-branched clusters on staminate, or male, plants. Hemp originated in Central Asia.
Hemp cultivation for fibre was recorded in China as early as bce and was practiced in the Mediterranean countries of Europe early in the Christian era, spreading throughout the rest of Europe during the Middle Ages. It was planted in Chile in the s and a century later in North America.
Hemp is grown in temperate zones as an annual cultivated from seed and can reach a height of up to 5 metres 16 feet. Crops grow best in sandy loam with good drainage and require average monthly rainfall of at least 65 mm 2.
Crops cultivated for fibre are densely sowed and produce plants averaging 2—3 metres 6—10 feet tall with almost no branching. Plants grown for oilseed are planted farther apart and are shorter and many-branched.
In fibre production, maximum yield and quality are obtained by harvesting soon after the plants reach maturity, indicated by the full blossoms and freely shedding pollen of the male plants.
Although sometimes pulled up by hand, plants are more often cut off about 2. Fibres are obtained by subjecting the stalks to a series of operations—including retting , drying, and crushing—and a shaking process that completes separation from the woody portion, releasing the long, fairly straight fibre, or line.
The fibre strands, usually over 1. The fibre, longer and less flexible than flax , is usually yellowish, greenish, or a dark brown or gray and, because it is not easily bleached to sufficiently light shades, is rarely dyed. It is strong and durable and is used for cordage —e. In Italy some hemp receives special processing, producing whitish colour and attractive lustre, and is used to make fabric similar to linen. Hemp fibre is also used to make bioplastics that can be recyclable and biodegradable, depending on the formulation.
The edible seeds contain about 30 percent oil and are a source of protein , fibre , and magnesium. Shelled hemp seeds, sometimes called hemp hearts, are sold as a health food and may be eaten raw; they are commonly sprinkled on salads or blended with fruit smoothies.
Hemp seed milk is used as an alternative to dairy milk in drinks and recipes. The oil obtained from hemp seed can be used to make paints, varnishes, soaps, and edible oil with a low smoke point. Article Media. Info Print Print. Table Of Contents. Submit Feedback. Thank you for your feedback. Introduction Physical description Cultivation and processing Products and uses Other hemps. Hemp plant. See Article History. Alternative Titles: Cannabis sativa, Indian hemp, industrial hemp.
Read More on This Topic. Probably the most widespread plant having psychedelic properties and used in cults is Indian hemp, Cannabis sativa, which grows all…. Get exclusive access to content from our First Edition with your subscription.
Subscribe today. Learn More in these related Britannica articles: drug cult: Hemp, mushrooms, cacti, and their derivatives. Probably the most widespread plant having psychedelic properties and used in cults is Indian hemp, Cannabis sativa , which grows all over the world except in very cold climates. It is used in religious practices in India and Africa and…. Flax, hemp, jute, and kenaf are characterized by a high proportion of long, flexible bast fibres that are readily separated and purified from the other materials in the plant.
Consequently, such fibres have long been used for textiles and rope making. Most of this fibre reaching…. Hemp , one of the most ancient plants domesticated in India, is an example of a multipurpose plant: oil is obtained from its seeds, fibres from its stalk, and the narcotic hashish from its flowers and leaves.
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Cannabis sativa seeds are chiefly used to make hempseed oil which can be used for cooking, lamps, lacquers, or paints. They can also be used as caged-bird. Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. It is one of the.
Conclusion: Careful consideration of the extraction method is very important for the measurement of cannabinoids in hemp seeds. Cannabis spp. Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. In most nutritional food stores and grocery stores, hemp seeds are a staple nowadays, in countries where it is legal. Hemp seeds produce negligible, if any, quantities of THC endogenously.
Coarse, bushy herb up to 4m tall.
Its leaves are made up of long, narrow blades. In general, the foliage of a Sativa plant is somewhat sparser than that of the other varieties.
What Is Hemp? Understanding The Differences Between Hemp and Cannabis
We've updated our Privacy Policy to make it clearer how we use your personal data. We use cookies to provide you with a better experience, read our Cookie Policy. Article Sep 02, by Nicole Gleichmann. Over the last couple of years, CBD has hit the mainstream. You hear about from your health-savvy friends, the nightly news, and in magazine ads. This is in stark contrast to marijuana-based products.
Hemp vs Marijuana: Breaking Down the Difference
With interest in CBD cannabidiol rising and the Farm Bill legalizing hemp federally, there are many questioning concerning the difference between hemp and marijuana. Generally the difference between hemp and marijuana is in the concentration of THC tetrahydrocannabinol , with hemp generally considered so low in concentration so as to be non-psychoactive. Hemp is still cannabis sativa, same as some of the most popular strains of marijuana. Hemp is typically grown to maximize the overall size of the plant as quickly as possible, usually achieved by growing outdoors. A lot of marijuana, though not all, is grown indoors, so as to control many variables such as light cycles and soil nutrients. Hemp has been cultivated for industrial applications for centuries. It grows quickly, and its fibers are strong and versatile, used to make paper, textiles, rope and even concrete. Hemp can also be used to make biodiesel fuel and animal feed.
Hemp and marijuana are both varieties of Cannabis sativa L. The law differentiates the two by their THC content: hemp contains less than 0.
Hemp , or industrial hemp , is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. Although cannabis as a drug and industrial hemp both derive from the species Cannabis sativa and contain the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol THC , they are distinct strains with unique phytochemical compositions and uses.
Hemp vs Marijuana: Is There a Difference?
Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous flowering plant indigenous to eastern Asia but now of cosmopolitan distribution due to widespread cultivation. Each part of the plant is harvested differently, depending on the purpose of its use. The species was first classified by Carl Linnaeus in The flowers of Cannabis sativa are unisexual and plants are most often either male or female. Male plants shed their pollen and die several weeks prior to seed ripening on the female plants. Under typical conditions with a light period of 12 to 14 hours both sexes are produced in equal numbers because of heritable X and Y chromosomes. Although the main psychoactive constituent of Cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol THC , the plant is known to contain more than compounds, among them at least cannabinoids ; however, most of these "minor" cannabinoids are only produced in trace amounts. Synthetic THC, called dronabinol , does not contain cannabidiol CBD , cannabinol CBN , or other cannabinoids, which is one reason why its pharmacological effects may differ significantly from those of natural Cannabis preparations. Beside cannabinoids, Cannabis chemical constituents include about compounds responsible for its characteristic aroma. These are mainly volatile terpenes and sesquiterpenes. Human intervention has produced variation within the species and some authorities only recognize one species in the genus that has had divergent selective pressure to either produce plants with more fiber or plants with greater THC content. Indica plants are normally shorter and stockier than sativas.
When trying to wrap your head around the differences between hemp and cannabis, it is important to begin with this simple concept: Both hemp and cannabis ultimately come from the same plant… just different parts. Whether you call something hemp or cannabis will depend on a variety of factors which we will explore in this article. However, despite the fact that the terms hemp and cannabis are often used interchangeably, they do have separate connotations. Unfortunately, prohibition has spurred a lack of education surrounding the cannabis plant. This has led to countless rumors about what makes hemp different from cannabis. So, how are these terms supposed to be used? Further, there are countless varieties that fall into further classifications within the species Cannabis Sativa. However, depending on how the plant is grown and utilized will determine which term is correct.
