The two most common cannabinoids in marijuana are THC and CBD.
THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gets you high, while CBD is one of the medicinal ingredients. Both of these compounds can be found in hemp, which is cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content.
When talking about CBD and THC, it’s important to note that they’re not the same thing.
While both are cannabinoids, they each exist as an alkaloid (a chemical compound with a neutral molecule) with very different effects on the body.
CBD versus THC
Understanding THC
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, an active ingredient in marijuana that can produce a high when consumed. THC also has psychoactive effects, which means it can alter your mood and perception of reality.
In addition to its psychoactive properties, THC is known to relieve pain and inflammation in many people who use it for medical purposes.
Understanding CBD
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, meaning it does not produce the “high” feeling that other cannabinoids like THC do.
CBD is found in the cannabis plant in trace amounts and has been shown to have medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory properties. CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants, but it’s most commonly found in hemp because of its high cellulose content.
CBD comes from hemp, THC from marijuana.
Marijuana is a plant that contains high levels of the active ingredient THC, which produces a “high” in users. Hemp, on the other hand, is cannabis grown for its fiber and seeds, not for its psychoactive properties.
CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants, but it’s most commonly found in hemp because of its high cellulose content. It contains no THC at all. However, it does contain trace amounts of another cannabinoid called CBN, which can also be found in certain strains of marijuana.
Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, while marijuana can have anywhere between 5-20% THC on average, depending on its purity level and the strain it comes from.
Final Words
Maybe you’re wondering, “will traces of CBD appear on my drug test?” Well, You can easily test positive for THC in a drug test. CBD may also show in a drug test, but most tests aren’t meant to test for CBD.
Author bio:
Content crafter Alex Wilmont has been active in the payments industry for over 15 years. He lives simply, gives generously and loves his 2 dogs. His mission is to enhance and innovate the fintech industry for years to come and help high-risk cannabis merchants get the right CBD payment processor.