Understanding the differences between Hemp, CBD and Marijuana

By Christina, Wellness Department Manager
source

We have carried CBD oil in the Wellness department for over a year or so. We still get the occasional phone call or customer who in disbelief finds out that we really carry CBD oil!! How is that legal? After the shock wears off we proceed with the lesson. Nope we aren’t selling weed!

Hemp and Marijuana are both varieties of the same plant species, Cannabis sativa. Cannabis contains over 400 chemical compounds. Of these compounds, 113, known as cannabinoids and have a direct effect on the body through cannabinoid receptors in our cells. The body naturally produces endocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood and everyday experience. The discovery of this endocannabinoid system came about during research on marijuana’s effects and is one of the most exciting and underreported developments in modern science.

The cannabinoids found in plants and cannabis are called phytocannibinoids. Of the 113 cannabinoids, the best known are THC. THC is famous and comes from marijuana. It is well known for it’s psychotropic properties and altered states of consciousness, it has also been credited for it’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system and is effective at treating glaucoma, PTSD and asthma. Hemp is the humble, less-known cousin of marijuana and recently another cannabinoid has been grabbling a lot of attention. CBD, whose psychotropic properties are nearly non-existent and whose benefits on the body is quite impressive. CBD has raised public awareness of both CBD and the medicinal properties of cannabis. The discovery of receptors in the brain that responds to cannabis and the identification of endogenous cannabinoid compounds in our own bodies that bind to these receptors is advancing our understanding of human biology, health and disease.

Another difference between marijuana and hemp is that hemp contains an enzyme that marijuana doesn’t, an enzyme responsible for the production of CBD.  The beneficial properties of hemp-derived CBD are numerous and as it works with the human cannabinoid system is thought to have an impact on hundred’s of biological conditions including Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, ALS and diabetes. The list is growing continuously! CBD has awesome anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve stress and anxiety, manages pain and even helps with sleep by battling insomnia.

Another area where the healing effects of CBD are impressive is it’s ability to treat cancer. Unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapies, which destroy not only cancer cells but surrounding healthy cells, CBD effectively chooses cancer cells and gets them to commit suicide. This process is called apoptosis and it is a part of the body’s natural growth cycle. Cancerous cells are immune to this process, except with the intervention of CBD.

It’s hard to believe that with all the benefits of hemp, that it remains illegal in much of the world and in most of America can only be sourced by being imported. But things are changing, in recent decades the push to restart hemp production has been massive and it is changing because of all it’s health benefit discoveries. Some states have legalized cultivation and more plan to. Federally, hemp’s importation is allowed as long as the plant’s THC levels are below 0.3 percent. And that is why we have CBD oil at Winterridge and it’s legal.