Cannabis has been in use since eternity in human history. It has been used in food, seed oil, recreation, rituals, and fiber. It has fascinated human curiosity for a long time, and in the past few decades, much research has been done on this plant. CBD products like Lazarus Naturals oils, lotions, creams, etc. have taken the market in a wave; however, very few people know how it is different from cannabis. 

What is CBD?

The cannabinoid is the abbreviation for CBD, which is one of the many natural extracts of the marijuana plant. It is a non-psychoactive, non-toxicant derivative. It lacks THC that causes high. It acts on the endocannabinoid system. Its action makes it capable of tackling mental ailments without addiction. 

Th herb has now acquired a significant market share. And they are now sold in numerous stores. Cannabis is another extract of the marijuana plant. This plant has two different formulation strains. Earlier it was under a ban in many countries. But later, several researchers proved its usefulness. So, many governments agreed to allow regulated sales of the herb. The Farm Law of 2019 regulates the sales of the herb.  

What is meant by cannabis?

The scientific names of these marijuana plants are cannabis Sativa and cannabis Indica. Out of these, Cannabis Sativa is extensively used. It is a direct extract that contains parts of THC as well. Unlike CBD, cannabis is psychoactive. In simple words, it can get you high. It also treats mental illness and anxiety attacks. But, it can be addictive with repetitive usage. 

So, it becomes essential to keep track of dosages. And one should also make use of less concentrated cannabis.

The Farm Law 2019 comes to underact in this case. It states that the proportion of THC should be less than or equal to 0.3% for the product to be legal. Make sure you read the proportion on the packaging before buying cannabis goods. 

Why do we often get confused? 

Several grounds can cause confusion between these two types. Let us understand these similarities to free our minds from future misconceptions. 

Source

Both the herbs are derivations of the same plant called marijuana or cannabis Sativa. It is the first step that lays the base for confusion. People usually do not research more about the contents. And hence they fail to ascertain the distinction between the two derivatives. It is not common to expect a particular plant with several extracts. Hence, people fail to explore the underlying difference between the two. 

Benefits

As the source of these extracts coincide, the advantages also get similar. Due to this fact, users often fail to draw a line between them. Cannabis and CBD have the following plus points. 

• They can aid mental ailments such as anxiety and depression.
• They can also treat insomnia and offer quality sleep.
• They also inhibit the growth of acne. 
• They can increase alertness.
• They also provide energy and relief from stress. 
• They can potentially cure depression in animals. 
• They are anti-inflammatory.
• They can also act as painkillers. 

These common advantages often make the users think they are similar products. 

Regulations

The regulatory laws for both extracts are similar in many countries. In other words, many government authorities do not see them as different products. It also lets users think there are no differences between them. But, many policies, including the Farm Law, treat them as different products. 

Difference

No matter how the world sees them. But, the fact is that both the products are different. The users can experience the difference over some time. Let us understand the reason behind these differences. The main difference is in the concentration and contents. The percentage of THC in CBD is lower than that in cannabis. It makes cannabis a psychoactive herb. It also broadens the idea of the calculative usage of the herb. And the content of THC in CBD is almost zero. It also states the fact that it is comparatively less potent than cannabis. But, then the hyper-action of cannabis comes with a risk of addiction. 

The percentage of THC is not the only differentiation. But, the effects, action period, and longevity also differ. The impact of cannabis stays for longer than the effect of cannabidiol. 

Mostly, occasional usages of cannabis are allowable. And the use of cannabidiol can be repetitive.

What all are the extracts of marijuana? 

Cannabis plants secrete as much as 426 chemical extracts. These extracts are chemically known as phytocannabinoids. Out of these, 60 phytocannabinoids are cannabinoid-based. 

But, all these compounds are still untouched and unexplored. So, there are the top four compounds that are studied by authorities. These four compounds are: 

• Delta-9 THC: It is a psychoactive compound. It is counted among one of the most potent extracts of CBD. Its regulations are not mentioned under the Farm Law. But, the discrepancy in language makes it look legal for now. 
• Cannabidiol: It is the most abundant extract of cannabis. It is a non-psychoactive compound. In other words, it is non-sedative and not high. It is now primarily used as medical marijuana. 
• Delta-8 THC: It is a comparatively less potent isomer of D-9 THC. Many researchers have given it a green signal for medical usage. Now, it is an active part of cannabis products. 
• Cannabinol: The compound seems a promising option. But, it is still under study. The worthiness is not yet studied in humans; hence, its usage is limited. 

All these compounds have similar chemical structures. But, they are different based on their pharmacological effects. 

Conclusion

It is essential to differentiate between cannabis and CBD. One will remain confused without being able to draw a line between them. And that can affect the decisions as well. There are various extracts of marijuana plants. And a clear distinction among them can add value to future purchases. Make sure you are aware of the extracts and then finalize a product.