Working with products that have a hemp oil base brings up a lot of questions from clients who are interested in what we offer. Confusion ranges from the improper use of the words “marijuana” and “hemp”, to the effects on the mind and body that each plant offers. I am constantly asked the question, are hemp and marijuana the same? The short answer is no. The only similarity is that they both come from the Cannabis family.

Legal Review

One of the side effects for the treatment of breast cancer is medical menopause. This means that your body will be pushed into menopause before its biologically scheduled time. Medical menopause can be temporary or permanent depending on what treatment is being used. During menopause, the ovaries will stop functioning and hormone levels fall. If menopause is induced surgically, the symptoms can be more intense especially for younger women.

Hemp growers became confused with this new law since growing hemp was their livelihood. Hemp was and is used for many things. It can produce fabrics for clothing, hemp oil, and hemp seeds that contain nutrients and antioxidants that are important to our bodies.

So why put a restriction on this plant that is so amazing and useful? The answer is simple, ignorance. When a person hears the word “cannabis” they think illegal and psychological effects.

Cannabis 101

First, let’s talk about their similarities. Hemp and marijuana are both members of the same plant species, Cannabis Sativa L, and contain a wide spectrum of cannabinoid concen-trations. That is only similarity between these two plants.

The differences start from the fact that hemp and marijuana are cousins not even siblings. The cannabis plant was grown to be tall and durable which is known as industrial hemp. When it was discovered that the flower buds of the cannabis plant offer psychoactive effects, the two plants where raised differently for their desired characteristics.

Industrial hemp contains high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) but only contains a max of 0.3% of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component. Marijuana contains anywhere from 10% to as much as 30% THC.. Growers discovered that separating the male and female cannabis plants influence the amount of THC in the marijuana. The reason for this is that when the cannabis is fertilized, it lowers the concentration of THC.

Marijuana is usually grown indoors and has a closely monitored environment. Marijuana requires a humid warm atmosphere for growth. It is kept short and bushy with an abundance of flowers. These flowers are what contain the majority of THC. The growth cycle is only 60-90 days. Marijuana plants cannot be crowded. They require space to grow and flower properly.

Hemp on the other hand, is grown outside and can propagate in almost any type of environment. Hemp grows several feet tall and can be planted within four inches of each other. The growth cycle of hemp is 108-120 days and can be mixed with both male and female plants.

Unlike marijuana, hemp cannot make you high. Although hemp will not give a “high” it will give your body minerals, proteins, and increase your immunity. Hemp oil, not to be confused with hash oil, is also used in beauty aids and is documented as a dietary supplement.

What is Hemp Oil used for?

Hemp oil can be used in place of many items that are used daily with better
benefits:
Hemp oil is great for cooking and full of nutrients.
It can be used as a natural moisturizer after a shower
Hemp oil can be the base for different forms of plastic, instead of petroleum.
It can be used as a bio-diesel fuel, like other vegetable oils.
It can be used for lotions, soaps and even foods.

Hemp oil also has the right type of natural ingredients to be used as an:
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Neuroprotectant
Anxiolytic
Antidepressant
Analgesic
Anti-tumoral agent
Anti-psychotic

Hemp oil is legal to use. It will not leave any THC in your body because the levels are so low. As a result, anyone can utilize the benefits of hemp oil without the worry of a negative urine analysis. Hemp oil will not give you the psychoactive “high” that THC does no matter how much you ingest. And hemp oil has more than one purpose.