BOTANICAL DIFFERENCES
Botanically , most biologists consider hemp and marijuana to be varieties of the same species ( Cannabis sativa ). So , how can two plants that are almost genetically identical be so different in function and form ? Think of the differences in dogs . All dogs are classified as Canis familiaris , but we have all seen the great variation in their sizes , colors , and temperaments . Though they are closely related and genetically similar enough to cross breed , nobody is going to confuse a Great Dane with a Chihuahua . Industrial hemp and marijuana are no different ; they are of the same genus and species but have different characteristics . Hemp leaves tend to be skinnier than marijuana ’ s wider leaves . Hemp also tends to be a taller and skinner plant , while marijuana grows fuller , fatter , and shorter . Not to add even more confusion , but there are similar physical differences between the different marijuana types of sativa , indica , and ruderalis . As noted above , the primary difference between marijuana and hemp is in their chemical compositions . Hemp , having little to no THC , tends to have high levels of cannabidiol ( CBD ). The level of CBD , of course , is not the main defining factor as sativa , indica , and ruderalis marijuana strains can have varying degrees of CBD in tandem with varying degrees of THC .
CULTIVATION DIFFERENCES
There is a wide gap between the cultivation methodologies for hemp and weed . Hemp crops can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and are grown in many parts of the world , whereas marijuana plants are usually restricted to warmer climates . The typical growing season for hemp crops is between 100 and 120 days . Marijuana ’ s range is generally more like 60 to 90 days . Industrial hemp plants are grown as close together as four inches , often in large plots , with up to 50 plants per square foot . This dense planting reduces branching and flowering , meaning industrial hemp plants are typically grown as a single main stalk with a few leaves and branches . Hemp growers that wish to realize high yields grow their plants tall . They can be towering , with some species reaching heights of up to 15 feet . Hemp is grown primarily for its two types of fiber : bast and hurd . Bast is the outer portion of the hemp stem and hurd is the pith , or interior fiber . When cannabis is grown for marijuana , it is almost always done with the intent to produce and harvest the female flowers ( and often the leaves ). The female flowers are short , clustered , and full of THC . So , unlike with hemp cultivation , marijuana is cultivated to encourage the plant to become bushy with wide branches and heavily foliated to promote flowers and buds . This requires that plants be well-spaced , generally six to 10 feet apart , with no more than two plants per square yard . That ’ s more than 200 times more space than a single hemp plant is afforded .
“ BESIDES HAVING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THC , HEMP AND MARIJUANA ARE GROWN DIFFERENTLY FOR DIFFERENT MARKET PURPOSES .”
It should be noted that growers who produce both hemp and marijuana ( or produce one crop near a grower who produces the other ) do so at their own risk . Cannabis plants are open- , wind- , and insect-pollinated , and hemp and marijuana are related closely enough to cross breed ( again , think of dog species ). Crosspollination between the two crops would spell disaster for the quality and intent of either . It could reduce the desired psychoactive effects of marijuana or render a hemp crop illegal due to increased THC levels . Even the cross-pollination of a hemp crop with inferior hemp plants ( or a marijuana crop with inferior weed plants ) is not desirable . Some fiber and seed crops are valued based on their purity and any dilution of that could make a crop less marketable .
All these differences do not cover the full spectrum of variations between industrial hemp and marijuana , of which there are thousands . This does not even consider the scores of differences in legal opinion , laws , ordinances , and other governance pertaining to the differences between the two crops , regardless of the intended use and if based in science or popular opinion . The bottom line is : they are very closely related , but are not the same plant .
Maximum Yield 71