Cannabis and Hemp what are the differences?

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years by mankind for a wide variety of needs. Hemp fiber, seeds, flowers and stems have played important roles in historical events around the world.

In 2737 BC the Emperor of China Shen Neng prescribed cannabis tea for the treatment of rheumatism, malaria and poor memory. In India they used Cannabis for religious purposes and stress reduction. Ancient physicians prescribed cannabis for almost everything from earache relief to labor pains.

Cannabis is divided into three major varieties, Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis that differ in size and shape. But there are more differences than just those we can see with the naked eye.

Cannabis Sativa

Cannabis Sativa is the tallest and thinnest of all. It produces long, narrow leaves and feels most at home in tropical climates. It is native to the regions of Southeast Asia and Central and South America. This strain tends to provide an energizing and euphoric psychoactive effect.

Sativa has medicinal properties and is useful for people with depression, headaches, nausea, and loss of appetite.

Hemp (which we will talk about later) comes from Cannabis Sativa

Cannabis Indica

Cannabis Indica plants tend to be smaller and wider than Cannabis Sativa plants. This plant has broad leaves and grows best in slightly cooler environments than its cousin. Climates similar to those in the mountainous regions of Pakistan or Afghanistan are ideal, as these are the places where Cannabis Indica is believed to have originated.

This strain tends to have a high THC content providing the user with a deep body relaxation, which shows to be useful for pain relief thus possessing medicinal characteristics.

Cannabis Ruderalis

Cannabis Ruderalis is the smallest of the three types. It is a very hardy plant that can grow in almost any region. Unlike Sativa and Indica the Ruderalis does not depend on a period of light (solar or artificial) for the flowering process. Instead it enters this stage after reaching a certain lifespan, usually 3 to 4 weeks.

Ruderalis is naturally high in CBD and low in THC levels. The THC content hovers around 3%, which is still higher than Hemp, making it illegal in Europe.

Hemp

Hemp is a variety of Cannabis Sativa, and can be produced industrially in most European countries as long as its THC content is less than 0.3%, and 0.2% in Portugal.

Hemp is used for numerous products such as biodiesel, clothing, furniture, rope, oil, etc.

With the recognition of CBD's benefits to people's health, hemp growers have been crossing strains of this plant in order to obtain varieties with high content of this Cannabidiol.