Basic Science of the Cannabis Plant

What is the difference between hemp, cannabis, and marijuana?

The use of the words cannabis, marijuana and hemp often leads to confusion. This article is great for clarifying and defining not only the biology of the plant species, but also the history of how we have come to use the terms.

While hemp and marijuana are regularly referred to as “species” or “strains” of Cannabis, they actually do not qualify as either one. Further, “hemp” and “marijuana” are simply broad classifications of Cannabis that were adopted into our culture.

  • Hemp

    “Hemp” is a term used to classify varieties of Cannabis that contain 0.3% or less THC content - by dry weight. It’s difficult to distinguish hemp and cannabis because there’s no taxonomical difference between the two, but the 0.3% threshold was first proposed in 1979 by Ernest Small and has been widely adopted since.

    That is what the company refers to when it talks about its “hemp beer”. It has alcohol in it because the sugars produced by its proprietary technology are fermented to make an adult beverage with alcohol in it, similar to those made from barley and wheat.

  • Marijuana

    “Marijuana” is a term used to classify varieties of Cannabis that contain more than 0.3% THC - by dry weight - and can induce a psychotropic or euphoric effects in the user. However, the negative social connotations associated with the word “Marijuana” encourage the use of “Cannabis” to mean the plants from this family that have THC in larger quantities by weight.

    What do I need to know about the difference between Sativa and Indica varieties of cannabis products?

    The biggest differentiation between different strains of Cannabis in today’s consumer marketplace is between Sativa and Indica. Sativa is used mainly during the day when the user wants to stay focused, and Indica is taken more at night when the user wants to relax or sleep. It’s important to note that terpenes are responsible for the variety of ‘highs’ a user experiences, and a more complete breakdown of terpenes is available here.

What do I need to know about the biologically active molecules in a Cannabis plant?

The human brain has naturally occurring receptors that bind to cannabinoids, terpenes and other active compounds found in the cannabis plant. This has led scientists to hypothesize that humans and cannabis have evolved in conjunction and that cannabis may have natural health benefits for human beings.

Humans and cannabis plants share similar chemical compounds called cannabinoids. In people, they’re known as endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids, because humans produce them naturally through our endocannabinoid system.

Experts have identified anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) as endocannabinoids that help keep our internal functions running smoothly. Your body produces them as needed, making it difficult to know what typical levels are for each.

Both endocannabinoids produced by our bodies and cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant bind to receptors are found throughout your body. Endocannabinoids bind to them in order to signal the system, whether it be neuronal, immune, or organ, that it needs to take action.

There are two main endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors (central nervous system) and CB2 receptors (peripheral nervous system, immune cells).

Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located. For example, endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells to signal that your body’s experiencing inflammation, a common sign of autoimmune disorders.

When cannabis is smoked, the cannabinoid receptors in the brain respond to the THC and CBD cannabinoids from the plant. The hundreds of therapeutic compounds that make up this beautifully complex plant, known as the “full spectrum”, all work interactively. This synergy is known as the “entourage effect,” which is simply the idea that the whole cannabis plant is greater than the sum of its parts.

What do I need to know about the most common cannabinoids?

Of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant, the most studied of these are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These molecules interact with the same receptors bound by endocannabinoids to mimic the effects of the naturally produced on our human bodies. In fact, just as opiate receptors were discovered in 1973 by researchers who identified receptors for opiates like morphine, cannabinoid receptors were discovered by the identification of binding sites for THC and CBD in the brain and body in the 1990s.

  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

    Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid that gives the psychoactive effect know as a “high”. Of the more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, THC is the one principally responsible for the psychoactive and intoxicating effects of cannabis consumption.

    Live cannabis plants contain tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), the non-active version of this compound. When cannabis is decarboxylated through heating to a high temperature, drying or curing, the acid molecule (the “A” in THCA) drops off, and the THC is activated. This results in the effects we associate with consuming THC. It also means that cannabis in its fresh form is not yet active with THC.

    THC interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Studies suggest this system plays a role in regulating stress recovery, protecting our nervous system, activating our immune system response and regulating our homeostatic balance (our overall state of optimal health, function and stability).

  • Cannabidiol (CBD)

    Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most common cannabinoid in cannabis, and though it can have an effect on both mind and body, it has little to no intoxicating effect. Thus, it is often used for medical purposes without giving users a euphoric “high”. It is generally associated with its use as a sleep aid, pain management tool, or as a calming agent.

    CBD is extracted from the trichomes and is commonly made available as an oil or in capsule form. It can also be applied topically as a cream or salve, inhaled or ingested in dried flower format, or ingested as an oil or in an edible product.

    Research into understanding how CBD works is ongoing. Studies to date suggest that rather than binding to the CB1 receptors in the human endocannabinoid system, as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) does, CBD acts differently, increasing or improving the production of our own endocannabinoids.

  • Terpenes

    Terpenes are the chemical compounds in cannabis that produce a wide spectrum of aromas including citrus, cooking spices, floral notes and earthy smells. The four most common terpenes found in Cannabis are Myrcene, Limonene, Linalool and Beta-caryophyllene.

    Common fruits and vegetables also produce terpenes, a fact that allows for easy cannabis pairings based on similar flavor profiles. It has been shown, for example, that the citrusy terpenes in our foods have a tendency to help wake us up. Thus, people like to drink orange juice in the morning due to the citrusy taste and aroma. This is also why we tend to see a majority of sativa flower contain citrus terpenes, like limonene.

    The aromas of cannabis often remind us of certain spices and herbs as well, so be sure to look for flavor links. It is this connection between terpenes that have led many people to start pairing food with cannabis. A solid pairing of these flavors can provide a much more enjoyable and effective experience.