THC vs. CBD

"Cannabis" refers to all products derived from the plant Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica.  There are various strains or genetic variations characterized on their psychoactive and therapeutic effects.  Cannabis plants produce a variety of compounds called "Cannabinoids".

The cannabinoids family has compounds with different chemical classes that can act on endogenous receptors and fall into 3 groups - Phytocannabinoids (found in plants), Endocannabinoids (naturally produced by mammalian species) and Synthetic Cannabinoids (produced in a laboratory).

The main cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).  The potency is primarily evaluated on the THC concentration in a sample. 

Note, synthetic cannabinoids which are man-made are chemically different than cannabis.

“Marijuana” refers to parts of or products from the plant Cannabis sativa that contain levels of THC >0.3% and produces psychotropic or euphoric effects. 

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive compound.  Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the most characterized cannabanoid and is capable of inducing a variety of sensory and psychological effects including mild reverie, euphoria, increased sensory awareness and some therapeutic effects.  

Note, THC induces psychoactive effects. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most abundant phytocannabinoids.  Extraction of CBD followed by dilution with a carrier oil (e.g. coconut or hemp seed oil) makes CBD oil.  

Note, CBD is not psychotropic and has medicinal and therapeutic properties.

Cannabis Sativa, considered a warm-weather species categorized by tall plants and thin leaves.   Sativa strains generally grow up to 15 feet tall.   

  Cannabis Indica, considered a cold weather species categorized as short dense plants with dark broad leaves.  Indica strains generally grow between 3 to 6 feet tall.    

 The rarely discussed Cannabis Ruderalis species are short and stalky with a rugged and shaggy growth pattern that produces wide leaflets that express themselves in a light green color.

Ruderalis has an extremely early and fast flowering cycle.  Ruderalis is used for autoflowering.

A cannabis plant bred to inherit the most favorable characteristics  (e.g. height of the plants, the length between buds, the size and shape of the leaves, the odor, the quality of the smoke, and the chemical properties themselves) from the parent plant.  The different mixes have different characteristics, spanning many possibilities relating to flowering cycles, yield, CBN:THC ratios, and disease resistance, among others.

Hemp or industrial hemp, are cannabis plants containing low concentrations of THC.  

 The U.S. government regulates hemp to not exceed 0.3 percent THC on a dry-weight basis. Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated fiber plants.

Refined hemp can be used to create a variety of commercial items including paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.