How to Identify a Hemp Plant

Let's face it: the hemp plant can be complex.

Let’s take a look at hemp, how to identify hemp plants, and what sets hemp apart from today’s marijuana plants. 

Key takeaways

• The most significant difference between hemp and marijuana lies in their THC content, which can dictate whether it is a federally legal or illegal substance. 
• Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
• Male and female hemp plants play distinct yet complementary roles in hemp reproduction and cultivation.
• Benefits of hemp can include anti-inflammatory properties, improved heart health, and improved skin.

See Related: How to Take CBD Oil for Anxiety: Dosage, Methods, & More

What is Hemp?

With hemp's striking similarities to marijuana in look, smell, and taste, a growing number of people are asking, “What’s the difference?”.

As hemp products continue to gain popularity in the cannabis market, it is more important than ever to understand their unique traits, benefits, and legality. Whether you are planning to use hemp, marijuana, or a combination of the two, learning to distinguish them from one another is useful in more ways than one.

According to the University of Virginia, industrial hemp is a variety of the plant Cannabis sativa. It can be processed into various products with different uses.

Although botanically related to marijuana, hemp contains different properties. Contrary to marijuana, hemp contains only small traces of THC (<0.3%). This makes it highly unlikely to produce intoxicating effects. 

How to Identify a Hemp Plant

If you’ve ever considered using hemp flower for its medicinal properties, you may have noticed its striking resemblance to traditional marijuana. 

The truth is, while hemp flower and marijuana flower do appear similar, there are vast differences between them, which impact everything from their THC content to their effects on the body. Knowing how to distinguish the two is important. 

While it can be difficult to distinguish hemp buds from marijuana buds at first glance, a close look at the appearance of the plants themselves can tell a different story. However, the best way to identify CBD buds is through laboratory testing. With proper lab testing, you can determine the THC content of hemp and marijuana plants. 

Hemp Production: Female Hemp Plants vs Male Hemp Plants

There is a common misconception that marijuana is a female cannabis plant and hemp is a male cannabis plant. On the contrary, both cannabis and hemp can be either female or male.

Those who grow hemp understand the pollen-producing mechanisms behind male hemp plants and their effects on female plants.

Whether female hemp plants or marijuana plants, when it comes to cultivation, the male plant serves as a pollinator while the female plant is responsible for bearing buds. 

Male Hemp Plants

Male plants are responsible for producing pollen, while female plants produce flowers, or buds, that develop hemp seeds after they have been pollinated. The male hemp plant’s primary function is to provide the genetic material, or pollen, needed for fertilization. 

How it works:

Seed-producing males develop ball-shaped pollen sacs in the area where the branches meet the plant’s main stem. Once these sacs mature, they then burst open, releasing pollen. This is typically carried to female hemp plants by the wind. 

Male and female plants are physically distinct. Seed-producing male hemp plants tend to grow taller than female plants, which helps pollen disperse more broadly. Males also tend to have fewer leaves than female hemp plants. 

Although males aren’t used for consumable buds, they do have other commercial uses. Their fibers are suitable for use in textiles, clothing, and linens. 

Male plants are an essential component of hemp breeding programs and are used to create new seeds or new hemp strains for future production. 

Bonus: Can You Put CBD or THC Oil in a Diffuser?

Female Hemp Plants

Female hemp plants are responsible for producing hemp flowers (buds), which contain a high concentration of CBD and low concentrations of THC.

These plants develop hair-like structures called pistils, which are designed to grasp airborne pollen. Once a female plant becomes pollinated, its energy is then diverted from growing female hemp flowers to producing hemp seeds. 

For those who grow hemp, unpollinated female plants are profitable as they are capable of producing large, seedless buds, also known as sinsemilla. By not producing seeds, the plant’s energy is used to produce larger flowers and more resin. 

Hemp growers who cultivate hemp for cannabinoids typically attempt to maximize the quality of female hemp flowers. This can be achieved by separating males from females, which is crucial when preventing pollination.

When a grower’s goal is hemp seed production, male and female plants can grow together in a controlled environment. 

How to Identify Cannabis Plant

Based on their individual THC content and specific genetic makeup, hemp, marijuana, and other crops can affect the endocannabinoid system differently.

Hemp may produce a calm, relaxing, non-intoxicating effect, while marijuana is heavily psychoactive. Effects are highly dependent on cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

Are hemp and marijuana from the same plant?

Technically, yes. 

In many cases, hemp and marijuana come from the same species of plant, Cannabis sativa.

While hemp and marijuana seem similar in many aspects, there are various factors that set them apart. 

Some of the most common differentiators between hemp and marijuana include:

Height

Hemp plants typically grow significantly taller than marijuana plants. Some varieties of hemp plants can average 6-12 feet tall, with height reaching up to 20 feet tall in some cases. 

Stalks

Other differentiating factors include the hemp plant’s stalk, which is fibrous and contains less branching and leaves on the plant’s lower portion. 

Leaves

Another important thing to note is the appearance of hemp leaves.

Found in a variety of colors, such as green and dark purple, the hemp plant’s distinctive leaves are palmately compound. This means they fan out from a central point and can often be concentrated at the top portion of the plant. 

• Hemp plants usually contain 3 to 9 lance-shaped, serrated, or toothed leaflets.
• The hemp plant’s lower leaves often contain fewer leaflets than the top. 
• Typically, the hemp plant is significantly less dense than the bushy marijuana plant. However, cultivation techniques can impact appearance. This is true for hemp rich in CBD, which is short, wide, and dense. 

The primary difference between hemp and cannabis all comes down to THC content.

Is Hemp Legal?

While hemp, which is cannabis that contains less than 0.3 THC by dry weight, is federally legal in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill, state laws vary regarding marijuana and CBD use.

Some states are cracking down on smokable hemp or delta-8 or delta-9 THC product use, and consumption can have serious legal consequences.

This is why it is crucial that you understand which type of cannabis plant you are consuming.

Hemp and Marijuana: Health Benefits

Both hemp and marijuana can carry various beneficial effects.

Some of these benefits can include:

• Anxiety relief
• Pain management
• Improved sleep
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Anti-nausea properties

Different Types of Hemp

There are different types of hemp-derived products to choose from.

Some of these products include:

• Hemp seed oil
• Hemp seed milk
• Hemp hearts

Clean Remedies carries a variety of hemp-derived products, including creamy dark chocolates with THC and gummies with hemp-derived CBD and THC.

Each of these contains its own unique benefits.

Hemp oil

Hemp oil is oil extracted from hemp seeds.

It is a rich source of nutrients such as vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and other essential amino acids and minerals, including magnesium, iron, and zinc. 

Hemp seeds

Hemp seeds contain various benefits, including positive effects on heart health, digestive health, and skin health. 

Consuming hemp products like CBD or marijuana from reputable sources can make all the difference when it comes to your experience. Clean Remedies carries a wide variety of laboratory-tested products to ensure safety every step of the way.

Conclusion

While there are many similarities between hemp and marijuana, each has its own unique benefits and uses.

Whether you are using hemp or marijuana, safety is paramount. The hemp plant has many uses, and knowing how to distinguish it from marijuana can be valuable for everything from desired effect to legality.

Keep Reading: What Exactly Is Hemp-Derived THC?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you identify wild hemp? 

Wild hemp can most easily be identified by its unique appearance. This plant can grow up to 15 feet tall when grown under ideal conditions. Its serrated, palmate leaves often feature 5 to 7 leaflets. 

In which states is hemp illegal?

Hemp is legal across the U.S., as stated by the 2018 Farm Bill. However, certain CBD products, such as delta-9, have been outlawed in various states.

Is hemp sativa or indica?

Hemp is a cultivar of the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp’s classification is based on its low THC content and industrial use. Its effects are different from those that come from recreational sativa strains. 

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