If you're new to cannabis, odds are you've heard a lot of different terminology thrown around, especially legally. The terms 'hemp" and "marijuana" are two terms that can spark a lot of debate, so we're going to dive in and explore what they all mean so you can better understand and participate in the important conversations surrounding them. "Hemp" and "marijuana" are two distinct varieties of the cannabis plant, each with its unique characteristics and uses. While both plants belong to the same species, they have different chemical compositions and physical characteristics that set them apart. There is currently an ongoing debate among taxonomists regarding the number of species and subspecies within the Cannabis genus, with some experts recognizing only one species, while others recognize up to three, including Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.
By this point, you're probably thinking "Okay, well what makes people high?". The answer to that is cannabinoids, and the combination of other aspects of the plant. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. (Yes, you have an endocannabinoid system too!)
The two most common cannabinoids found in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the psychotropic compound responsible for producing the "high" associated with marijuana, while CBD does not produce any psychotropic effects, although is still psychoactive. THC has potential therapeutic effects, including reducing nausea, vomiting, pain, and inflammation.
CBD is a psychoactive compound found in both hemp and marijuana plants that produces no psychotropic effects. CBD has gained popularity in recent years for its potential therapeutic effects, including reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
Hemp is a category of the cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC. Hemp is typically grown for industrial purposes like fiber and oil production. Although, hemp plants contain high levels of CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids, making them ideal for producing CBD oil and other CBD products. In the United States, hemp was made legal at the federal level in 2018 through the Farm Bill. Unbeknownst to legislators, this bill also legalized hemp-derived cannabinoids, which include THC & THCa, to be sold at the retail scale. This means that local head and CBD shops in states where Marijuana is illegal, like Texas, can manufacture and synthesize "legal" THC products at the same dosage you could find in a legal state like California. The loops hole all stems from the wording in the Hemp Bill that reads as follows: "The term `hemp' means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis." The simple inclusion of "on a dry weight basis" means that manufacturers can synthesize and concentrate hemp-derived THC and infuse them into smokables, edibles, tinctures, and more, so long the product weighs to a certain standard. This has caused lots of controversy, especially in my home state of Texas. Some states have had to create laws clarifying the meaning of "hemp-derived cannabinoids" and outlawing synthesized cannabinoids like D9-THC, THC-O, HHC, and THCP. Aside from the legal status, the hemp plant also contains other beneficial compounds, such as terpenes and flavonoids, which may have therapeutic effects.
Marijuana is a category of the cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC. Marijuana is typically grown for its psychoactive effects and is used both recreationally and medicinally. Marijuana plants contain higher levels of THC and other cannabinoids, making them ideal for producing THC-rich products such as edibles, tinctures, and concentrates. Despite the progress that has been made as far as the decriminalization of the plant, it's also important to remember where the demonization of cannabis originally came from.
In 1937, the federal government passed the "Marihuana Tax Act", which effectively criminalized the use, sale, and possession of marijuana at the federal level. The Marihuana Tax Act was largely driven by racism and xenophobia towards Mexican immigrants, who were believed to be using marijuana and introducing it to American society. At the time, marijuana was also associated with jazz musicians and African American culture, further fueling fears and prejudices. This is the main point of those who believe the term "Marijuana" is a racist term. On the other hand, there have been lots of researchers, and critics, especially those of minority heritage, who argue the opposite. In the decades that followed, attitudes towards marijuana continued to evolve, with the drug becoming more widely used and accepted by certain segments of society. However, the federal government continued to crack down on marijuana in the 60s and 70s with the start of the "War on Drugs". While there were several politicians and officials involved in launching the war on drugs, President Richard Nixon is often credited with starting it.
He signed off on the Controlled Substances Act in 1970 classifying marijuana as a Schedule I drug, alongside drugs like heroin and LSD. In 1971, Nixon declared drug abuse to be "public enemy number one" and launched a comprehensive campaign to combat drug use through law enforcement, education, and treatment programs. Nixon's administration also created the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1973 to coordinate federal drug enforcement efforts and increase interagency cooperation. Although, since then it has only criminalized drug use and possession, leading to mass incarcerations and disproportionately affecting communities of color and other minorities.
The federal government's strict stance on marijuana continued through the 1980s and 1990s, with harsh drug laws and mandatory minimum sentences leading to a surge in marijuana-related arrests and incarcerations. However, in recent years, attitudes towards marijuana have shifted once again, with an increasing number of states legalizing the drug for medical and recreational use. Today, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, but the growing number of states that have legalized the drug has sparked a national debate about the effectiveness and fairness of marijuana prohibition. There is a lot of research and studies to be done, but we can only progress if we educate and eliminate the stigma of cannabis usage.
*all sources linked in blog*
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