Last updated: June 2026
Hemp and marijuana are both types of cannabis plant — both from Cannabis sativa L., both in the Cannabaceae family, and superficially similar in appearance. But in reality they have very different uses, legal status and chemical profiles. Here’s everything you need to know.
Evopure — hemp-derived, lab-tested CBD
What is hemp?
Hemp is a cannabis variant with a THC content of ≤0.2% in the UK/EU (≤0.3% in the US). It is not grown for psychoactive effects — it is a versatile industrial crop cultivated for food, fibre and materials. Hemp is one of the oldest known fibres, used in clothing and rope for over 10,000 years.
Today hemp is cultivated for food and fibre (clothing, rope, paper, construction materials) and is also a source of CBD. Environmentally, hemp sequesters carbon, remediates soil and supports biodiversity.
Hemp and CBD
Hemp also produces the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD. In the UK, legal CBD products must be derived from EU-approved industrial hemp strains. Using hemp keeps THC levels very low in finished CBD oils — within legal limits and well below any psychoactive threshold.
Read more: Is CBD legal in the UK? | Types of CBD explained
What is marijuana?
“Marijuana” refers to high-THC cannabis grown for psychoactive and some medical applications. Legal status varies globally — recreational marijuana remains illegal in the UK, though medical cannabis can be prescribed privately. Hemp-derived CBD is legal but regulated under Novel Foods rules.
Similarities between hemp and marijuana
Both are members of the Cannabaceae family. The cannabis genus includes three main species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. Hemp and marijuana both contain cannabinoids — the key difference is the concentration and profile of those cannabinoids, particularly THC.
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1. Genetics
Humans selectively bred hemp over centuries for oil, seed and fibre strength. Separately, other cannabis lines were bred for psychoactive potency — giving rise to today’s marijuana cultivars.
2. THC content
Marijuana commonly contains 5–30% THC. Legal hemp contains ≤0.2% THC in the UK/EU — too low to be intoxicating. Both plants contain many cannabinoids including CBD.
3. Appearance
Hemp plants tend to be taller and slimmer (up to ~6 m) with narrower leaves and foliage concentrated near the top. Marijuana plants are shorter and denser with tight, resinous, trichome-rich buds.
4. Growing conditions
Marijuana is often grown indoors for precise environmental control and to maximise female flower development. Hemp is typically grown outdoors, with male and female plants sown densely for pollination and fibre/seed yield.
5. Legality
In the UK, marijuana is a Class B controlled drug — illegal to grow, possess or supply (with exceptions for medical cannabis via private prescription). Hemp can be grown with a Home Office licence, and hemp-derived CBD products are legal when they meet FSA Novel Food standards and THC limits.
Read more: Countries where CBD is legal
6. Uses
Marijuana is consumed for psychoactive effects or for symptom relief where medical cannabis is licensed. Hemp provides CBD products, hemp seed foods (oil, flour, beverages) and industrial materials (paper, textiles, bioplastics, hempcrete). Environmentally, hemp supports soil remediation and carbon sequestration.
Hemp CBD vs marijuana CBD
CBD can be extracted from either plant, but in the UK legal retail CBD must be hemp-derived. Disreputable producers using marijuana-derived CBD risk elevated THC levels, which could affect drug tests and legal compliance.
Read more: How CBD is extracted | CBD and drug tests
Frequently asked questions
Does hemp contain THC?
Yes, but only trace amounts. Legal hemp is ≤0.2% THC in the UK/EU — not enough to cause intoxication.
Will hemp-derived CBD get me high?
No. CBD is non-intoxicating. Choose reputable brands with third-party lab reports to confirm CBD content and low/non-detectable THC.
Can hemp CBD make me fail a drug test?
Broad-spectrum and isolate CBD are THC-free by design and are the safest options. Full-spectrum products contain trace legal THC — while unlikely, heavy chronic use could theoretically show on highly sensitive tests.
Is it legal to grow hemp in the UK?
Only with a Home Office licence. Commercial CBD must be from approved hemp strains, and finished products must meet UK THC limits.
What’s the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil?
Hemp seed oil is pressed from seeds and contains little to no CBD. CBD oil is extracted from hemp flowers and leaves, then blended into a carrier oil. They are very different products.
Final thoughts on hemp vs marijuana
Shared ancestry, very different paths. Hemp has been shaped for utility, sustainability and wellness products including CBD. Marijuana has been cultivated for psychoactive and medical applications. As regulation evolves, the distinction between these two plants — and the products derived from them — is clearer and more important than ever.
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