What Is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?

Hemp and marijuana plants are usually understood to be varieties of the same species, Cannabis sativa, though some botanists and growers contend that there are multiple species or subspecies. The term marijuana generally refers to the varieties of cannabis cultivated for their psychoactive properties and used medicinally or recreationally, whereas hemp plants are cultivated for industrial and commercial purposes, including hemp fiber, foods and beverages, cannabidiol (CBD, a nonintoxicating compound oil), personal care products, and nutritional supplements. In the United States, hemp is legally defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by dry weight (THC being the active constituent of marijuana, which makes people feel “high”). By comparison, marijuana varieties are bred for higher THC content and may contain 25 percent THC or more.