7th July 2022

What’s The Difference Between Hemp Oil & Cannabis Oil

Cannabis field

We know it can be confusing when it comes to understanding the difference between Hemp Oil and Cannabis Oil or extract, in fact, many cannabis and CBD products.

Marijuana Farm in Oregon

Hemp VS Cannabis

Both Hemp and Cannabis contain cannabinoids (CBD), the 140+ compounds found in the flowers, stems and stalks of the Cannabis plant.

Cannabidiol, or CBD Oil, can be extracted from either plant, but the majority of CBD Oils contain very low levels of THC. This amount is not enough to intoxicate you or get you ‘high’. Neither is it an addictive or psychoactive substance.

Lady relaxing

How do Hemp Oils and Cannabis Oils differ?

Where Cannabis has been traditionally used for medical and recreational use, the Hemp plant is in fact used for a huge variety of things from clothing to vehicles, with the ability to replace some of the world’s dirtiest industries with clean alternatives.

Hemp seed oil also boasts many nutritional benefits. It is high in B vitamins and vitamin E, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It also contains protein and fibre. As a result, Hemp seed oil is often added to beauty and wellness products, as well as being used in many food products and recipes. Whereas Hemp and Cannabis (CBD) Oils boast positive effects that promote mental well-being and is therefore more traditionally utilised as a beneficial health supplement. Research being carried out every day is finding more and more positive applications for the plant’s compounds.

How are Hemp and CBD Oils extracted?

Hemp oil is extracted from hemp seeds using a cold-press method, typically, from Hemp seed varieties that contain around 30% oil, but doesn’t contain any cannabinoids (i.e., no THC or CBD).

Where Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the Hemp plant, CBD oil is extracted mostly from the plant’s flowers and leaves. It is a much more complicated and expensive extraction process, requiring laboratories whose staff have specialist training. This is why CBD oils and products often cost more than Hemp seed oil products. In fact, you will often find that CBD oils are produced with Hemp seed oil as a carrier just like our organic Hemp Seed Oil that we use a carrier for our CBD Oils.

Is CBD Oil legal?

In short, YES. Due to the lack of understanding between the various Cannabis plants and their levels of THC, the legalities of each plant and their subsequent products are often brought into question, many of the compounds found in cannabis are legal and some cannabinoids can be found in other plants. For example, echinacea is also a good source of cannabinoids.

CBD is not classed as a drug, it is safety tested and regulated, and is legal to sell in the UK and many other countries as a food supplement.

Hemp seed oil contains no THC, it is simply a cold pressed oil derived from plants that is often used in cooking, beauty and wellness products. It is a completely legal substance commonly used across the world.

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