Elixicure

To understand the difference between hemp and marijuana, one must first understand the cannabis plant. Though they are sometimes used interchangeably, hemp, marijuana, and cannabis are not the same thing. Cannabis is a plant family with two primary classifications: indica and sativa. Both marijuana and hemp are derived from cannabis; however, marijuana is derived from both cannabis sativa and cannabis indica plants, where hemp is solely derived from cannabis indica. Perhaps the biggest difference between marijuana and hemp, however, is their chemical makeup. The cannabis plant contains several different chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, the most popular of which are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Marijuana contains an abundance of THC, which is the chemical responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects. Conversely, hemp contains higher levels of CBD and little to no THC (0.3% or less), and therefore will not get one “high.” Aside from their chemical ...

People take or apply cannabidiol (CBD) to treat a variety of symptoms, but there is some confusion about what it is and how it affects the human body. CBD is one of many compounds in the cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. Until recently, the best-known compound in cannabis was delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC creates a mind-altering “high” when a person smokes it or uses it in cooking. CBD is different. Unlike THC, it is not psychoactive. This means that CBD does not change a person’s state of mind when they use it. However, CBD does appear to produce significant changes in the body. Researchers have been looking at the possible therapeutic uses of CBD. Hemp contains most of the CBD that people use medicinally. Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant but the two are very different. Over the years, marijuana farmers have selectively bred their plants to contain high levels of THC. Hemp farmers, on the other hand, have rarely modified the plant. These hemp pla...

On December 20th, 2018, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law. The United States Agricultural Act (better known as the “Farm Bill”) is a piece of legislation that is passed approximately every five years, and essentially outlines U.S. policies for food and agriculture. In recent years, the Farm Bill has been particularly significant because of its stance on industrial hemp, cannabis, and CBD. The 2014 Farm Bill was the first piece of American legislation that defined industrial hemp as different than marijuana, and authorized Universities and state Departments of Agriculture to research and cultivate industrial hemp (i.e. the parts of the cannabis sativa plant that have a concentration of THC no higher than 0.3%). Though the 2014 Farm Bill allowed for the cultivation of industrial hemp under extremely narrow parameters, it nonetheless opened the door for hemp use and helped destigmatized public understanding of hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill expanded upon the progre...

Since hemp products like cannabidiol (CBD) have become federally legal, many people have turned to CBD to treat a variety of health problems. CBD has been known to treat inflammation, reduce the likelihood of seizures, combat anxiety, and in some cases prevent cancer. Mental health issues are one area that CBD can help, that has gained widespread popularity and recognition recently. In particular, current research shows that CBD has potential to help combat survivors and sufferers of PTSD with the symptoms of depression. To grasp how CBD can treat depression, one must first understand the nature of depression and how it works. Depression is defined as a mood disorder characterized by severe feelings of sadness or emptiness. For many years, the prevailing narrative surrounding the cause of depression has been that it is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. While there is some validity to this, the exact cause of depression is unknown. However, there are many factors t...

In 2014, President Obama signed the Agricultural Act of 2014 (perhaps better known as the “Farm Bill”) into law. Farm Bills are passed about every five years, with the purpose of creating and reauthorizing federal agriculture programs. However, the Farm Bill of 2014 introduced new laws regarding industrial hemp and its legal uses. Section 7607 of the 2014 Farm Bill defines industrial hemp as distinct from marijuana, and authorizes state Departments of Agriculture and educational institutions to conduct research and initiate pilot programs. The Bill specifies that industrial hemp consists of any part of the cannabis sativa plant that possess no more than a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of 0.3%. In other words, industrial hemp is the low THC and therefore non-psychoactive content of the cannabis plant. Though it is derived from the same plant that produces marijuana, industrial hemp has no uses as a recreational drug. The 2014 Farm Bill’s partial legalization of indus...