Last updated: October 2026
Hemp and marijuana are the same plant species, Cannabis sativa, bred for different purposes. Hemp is grown for fibre, seeds and CBD and contains very little THC, while marijuana is bred for high THC, the compound that gets people high. In the UK, both are controlled, but licensed farmers can grow approved low-THC hemp for its seeds and fibre.
This guide explains the differences in THC, appearance, uses and UK law, and where CBD fits in.
Hemp vs marijuana at a glance
| Hemp | Marijuana (cannabis) | |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Cannabis sativa | Cannabis sativa (and indica varieties) |
| THC content | Very low; UK licensed varieties 0.2% or less | High, often well over 10% in street cannabis |
| CBD content | Often relatively high | Usually low in high-THC strains |
| Gets you high? | No | Yes |
| Grown for | Fibre, seeds, food, CBD (outside the UK) | Recreational or medical use |
| UK legal status | Licensed cultivation of approved varieties for seed and fibre | Class B controlled drug, except prescribed medical cannabis |
THC: the key difference
The main difference isn’t botanical, it’s chemical. Marijuana plants are bred to produce lots of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound that causes a high. Hemp varieties are bred to contain very little THC. In the UK, the Home Office only licenses cultivation of approved seed varieties with 0.2% THC or less. That figure applies to the plant variety, not to finished CBD products, which have their own stricter rules. See CBD vs THC.
How do hemp and marijuana look different?
They can look very similar, which is why you can’t reliably tell them apart by eye.
- Hemp is usually grown densely in fields, producing tall, thin plants with few branches and leaves concentrated at the top, ideal for fibre.
- Marijuana is usually grown spaced out, often indoors, producing shorter, bushier plants with dense, sticky flowers (buds).
Only a lab test can confirm THC content.
Uses of hemp vs marijuana
| Hemp | Marijuana |
|---|---|
| Textiles, rope and canvas | Recreational use (illegal in the UK) |
| Building materials such as hempcrete | Prescribed medical cannabis products |
| Hemp seeds, hemp seed oil and protein powder | |
| Paper, bioplastics and animal bedding | |
| CBD extracts (made from flowers and leaves, outside the UK) |
UK law on hemp and cannabis
- Cannabis is a Class B drug. Possession can mean up to 5 years in prison, and supply up to 14 years.
- Growing hemp needs a Home Office licence, and only approved low-THC varieties are allowed.
- Only seeds and fibre can be used. UK hemp licences only cover the stalk, fibre and seeds. The leaves and flowers are controlled parts of the plant, so UK farmers can’t use them to make CBD oil.
- CBD products are legal when they meet strict THC rules and are on the FSA public list. See is CBD legal in the UK?
- Medical cannabis has been available on prescription from specialist doctors since 2018, in limited circumstances.
Where does CBD come from?
CBD is extracted mainly from the flowers and leaves of hemp. Because UK licences don’t allow the use of those parts, most CBD extract used in UK products is produced from hemp grown abroad and imported as a refined extract. Producers then remove the THC to make broad spectrum or isolate products. See how CBD oil is made and full spectrum vs broad spectrum.
Hemp seed oil vs CBD oil vs cannabis oil
| Oil | Made from | Contains CBD? | UK status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemp seed oil | Pressed hemp seeds | Little or none | Legal food and skincare oil |
| CBD oil | Hemp extract in a carrier oil | Yes | Legal if THC-free and on the FSA public list |
| Cannabis oil (THC oil) | High-THC cannabis | Varies | Illegal unless prescribed |
Read more: hemp oil vs CBD oil.
FAQs
What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?
They’re the same species, but hemp is bred to contain very little THC and is grown for fibre, seeds and CBD, while marijuana is bred for high THC.
Can hemp get you high?
No. Hemp contains too little THC to cause a high.
Is hemp legal in the UK?
Growing hemp needs a Home Office licence for approved low-THC varieties, and only the seeds and fibre can be used. Hemp seed foods and THC-free CBD products are legal.
Is CBD made from hemp or marijuana?
Legal CBD is made from hemp. Most CBD extract in UK products comes from hemp grown abroad, because UK licences don’t allow the use of flowers and leaves.
Can you tell hemp and marijuana apart by looking?
Not reliably. Hemp tends to be tall and thin, marijuana shorter and bushier with dense flowers, but only a lab test confirms THC.
Is hemp seed oil the same as CBD oil?
No. Hemp seed oil contains little or no CBD. CBD oil is made from hemp extract and states its CBD content in mg.
Sources
- Home Office. Low THC cannabis (industrial hemp) licensing factsheet.
- Home Office. Drug licensing factsheet: cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids.
- GOV.UK. Drugs penalties.
- NHS. Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils).
This guide is general information, not legal advice.
