Love Weed? Why Not Try Hemp?

Do you enjoy relaxing with cannabis?

Whether you like to sneak a toke now and again, or are a full-fledged pothead who wears the title of stoner like a badge of honor, you might find that throwing a little hemp into your daily routine may be a welcome addition.

The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

What exactly is the difference between hemp and recreational weed? Surprisingly, not much, they are pretty similar.

Both Hemp and Marijuana are forms of the Cannabis Sativa L. plant; the key difference lies in the amount of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) present in the particular strain. For those who don’t know, THC is the cannabinoid found in cannabis responsible for producing the intoxicating effects we associate with getting high. The 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as cannabis that contains 0.3% THC or less per dry weight. With THC percentage this low, hemp won’t leave users feeling stoned, which is why hemp is classified as non-intoxicating.

It’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between hemp and marijuana with just the naked eye, especially when looking at hemp strains bred for high cannabinoid percentages. In fact, many of the common hemp strains found online or at a hemp store have more THC-rich cannabis plants as ancestors.

Why Choose Hemp?

So if hemp doesn’t get you high, what exactly is it good for? 

Just because hemp doesn’t contain significant amounts of THC doesn’t mean that it’s useless. There are plenty of other beneficial compounds in cannabis besides THC, including other cannabinoids. Because hemp is non-intoxicating, the plant allows people to utilize the benefits of cannabis without having to worry about any psychedelic effects. This is particularly valuable for those who need access to the therapeutic effects of cannabis during the daytime but still need to continue through their lives clearheaded.

While there are over 100 different cannabinoids discovered so far, two are by far the most popular – one of them is THC, the other is CBD. Hemp may not have much in the way of THC, but many hemp strains are overflowing with CBD. 

Benefits of CBD  

CBD shows up in a lot of products these days. You can find skincare products with active CBD, CBD soda, and even CBD treats for dogs. It makes sense that so many industries have been embracing CBD when you see all the promising research into the compound’s potential benefits.

If you’re someone who struggles with how to be calm and collected in your daily life, this study suggests that CBD may help people manage their anxiety. Another study indicates that CBD could potentially mitigate even anxiety stemming from a condition like PTSD.

Some types of pain can be incredibly tricky to manage, and often times we rely on dangerous and addictive opioids that don’t seem to be all that effective at mitigating the pain in the first place. Clinical trials have used CBD to help treat neuropathic pain, inflammation, and even intractable cancer pain with promising results and little to no side effects.

The same anti-inflammatory properties that have the medical community interested in CBD as a pain reliever may also help prevent breakouts. Sebum is a waxy substance that our bodies naturally produce. Too much sebum can make our skin oily or contribute to acne. Research suggests that CBD can actually reduce sebum production, which likely plays a role in why the beauty industry has fallen in love with the compound. 

And these are only a few of the potential CBD uses! 

How to Buy Hemp

Hemp was federally decriminalized in 2018, which makes the plant extremely accessible these days. A quick google of “CBD dispensaries near me” should pull up plenty of places in your area where you can find hemp products. However, with the pandemic still in full force, it may be better to avoid shopping in person, especially when you can order hemp online with free shipping.

Herbal tinctures, CBD oil, and edibles are all great ways to easily access the benefits of CBD. However, oral methods of CBD consumption have extremely low rates of bioavailability. This means that most of the CBD in your product doesn’t end up making it into your bloodstream and just goes to waste.   

With inhalation methods like the elon®, significantly more of the cannabinoid is actually able to be used by the body. This gives you some more bang for your buck. And, because elon® pairs with the full hemp flower in stelo™, you also get access to the curative terpenes in hemp, which work together with the cannabinoids to increase their efficacy through what’s known as the entourage effect.