Hemp’s Hip Again: What You Need to Know
[writing sample for cbdMD. Instructions were to write a 600-800 word blog post on the difference between CBD oil and hemp oil.]
Hemp’s Hip Again: What You Need to Know
Remember that scene in Richard Linklater's 1993 film, Dazed and Confused, where Slater (Rory Cochrane) and a fellow stoner (Parker Brooks) discuss George and Martha Washington's insatiable weed habit? It goes something like this:
Stoner: "George toked weed, man?"
Slater: “Absolutely George toked weed, are you kiddin' me, man? He grew fields of that stuff, man, that's what I'm talkin' about. Fields.”
Stoner: “He grew that shit up Mount Vernon, man.”
Slater: “Mount Vernon, man? He grew it all over the country, man. He had people growin' it all over the country, you know. The whole country back then was gettin' high. Lemme tell you, man, 'cause he knew he was onto somethin', man. He knew that it would be a good cash crop for the southern states, man, so he grew fields of it, man. But you know what? Behind every good man there's a woman, and that woman was Martha Washington, man, and every day, George would come home, she'd have a big fat bowl waiting for him, man, when he'd come in the door. She was a hip, a hip, hip lady, man.”
As it turns out, Slater wasn't entirely wrong – George Washington did grow fields of cannabis, just not that kind. The first president of the United States cultivated hemp at Mount Vernon for industrial uses, making rope, fishing nets, sail canvas, and even clothes from its fibers. If you’re frequently dazed and confused like Slater, it’s easy to get hemp and marijuana mixed up. While marijuana and hemp both derive from the plant species Cannabis sativa and contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol – the stuff that gets you high) and cannabidiol (CBD), they are very different.
Hemp is a fertilized cannabis plant while marijuana is an unfertilized cannabis plant. Marijuana has higher concentrations of THC, which affects memory, focus, and coordination. Hemp, however, has lower amounts of THC and higher levels of CBD, the cannabinoid responsible for many of the plant’s therapeutic effects. This makes products infused with CBD an appealing option for those who are looking for relief from certain medical conditions without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or pharmaceutical drugs.
Now, with the recent passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is no longer a controlled substance, making it easier for American farmers to plant and harvest the agricultural commodity. CNBC analysts believe that hemp could grow into a $20 billion industry by 2022. By then, Slater’s weed-fueled dissertation on the Washingtons will have become prophecy, with farmers growing fields of that stuff all over the country, man. That’s what I'm talkin' about. Fields.
CBD Oil: A Booming Business Gets Even Bigger
Now that you’re caught up on the difference between hemp and marijuana, let’s take a look at two products derived from hemp: hemp oil and CBD oil. A natural concentrate extracted from the hemp plant, CBD has gained popularity as a medical supplement and is now one of the leading applications of hemp in the US, according to Ministry of Hemp.
CBD oil differs from hemp oil in that it’s extracted from the flower and leaves of the plant, whereas the latter is obtained by cold-pressing the seeds. Primarily used as a cooking oil and protein supplement, hemp oil does not contain CBD, THC, or other cannabinoids. According to cbdMD, hemp oil doesn’t have the potential medical and overall health and wellness benefits of CBD, which has been found to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety properties.
The uses for CBD are far-reaching; the oil has been used to treat depression, ease stress, and aid in the treatment of cancer and neurological disorders. In fact, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Epidiolex, a CBD oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
From oils, lotions, and tinctures to edibles and energy drinks, there are a variety of CBD products on the market for boosting mood and morale, reducing stress, alleviating muscle and joint pain, and supporting healthy sleeping habits. And because it comes from industrial hemp plants, CBD extract contains only cannabinoids, terpenes, amino acids, and essential oils. It is legal to buy and use in all 50 states.
With hemp and its derivatives officially removed from the controlled substances act, the CBD industry is experiencing rapid growth. As a result, fake CBD oil products are beginning to pop up everywhere, with scammers passing off hemp oil as CBD oil to unsuspecting customers. It’s important to do your research when selecting a CBD product – focus on learning about the company’s extraction process and study their lab reports to determine just how much CBD you are getting with every dose.
cbdMD’s products are made from the highest quality hemp, using the industry’s most sophisticated extraction methods. Their CBD undergoes rigorous testing throughout the entire extraction and purification process to guarantee nothing but the highest quality oil, making it the first choice for medical practitioners, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, health stores, and nutritionists.
If you’re looking for a holistic alternative for relief from anxiety, depression, stress, or pain, consider CBD oil and CBD-infused products. cbdMD tests their broad-spectrum CBD extractions through independent, third-party laboratories to ensure the highest of standards. They stand behind the quality of their products – so much so that they offer a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re not fully satisfied with your purchase! There’s nothing to lose, so visit cbdMD and find relief now!
