Hemp vs. CBD: What's The Difference & Which One Should I Take?

For starters, let's go over the differences between hemp and marijuana. These are two different plants from the same family: Cannabis. Cannabis plants contain a variety of different compounds called cannabinoids, the two most well-known (and most studied) are THC and CBD. THC has psychoactive effects, which means it can get you high and is found in high concentrations in marijuana plants. CBD does not have psychoactive effects, and is instead taken for stress management.*

Hemp oil is safe and legal: It must contain less than 0.3% THC, it is legal in all 50 states, and it will not make you feel you high even in large doses1. (Repeat: Hemp oil will not make you high!)

What it will do is give you a dose of beneficial cannabinoids, including CBD. While CBD and THC are the most well-known cannabinoids, the hemp plant contains more than 140 different cannabinoids in total. In addition to the cannabinoids, hemp is also rich in organic compounds called terpenes that give the plant its smell and taste. Each of these cannabinoids and terpenes is associated with various benefits, like supporting sleep, digestion, and immune function.*

CBD is the isolated extract of the specific cannabinoid cannabidiol from either the hemp or marijuana plant. CBD oil can be purchased in the isolate form, which means all of the other cannabinoids and terpenes have been filtered out or in the broad- or full-spectrum form, which means some or all of the other cannabinoids remain.

CBD oil that comes from the marijuana plant can contain higher concentrations of THC and get you high. This type of CBD oil is only legal in certain places or under certain circumstances, like with a medical marijuana card. CBD oil extracted from marijuana is often marketed as "cannabis oil." CBD extracted from hemp contains less than 0.3% THC and will not get you high. 

A good way to tell if the CBD oil you're purchasing is from hemp or marijuana is its availability. Most of the CBD oil that you can buy online and over the counter is the type that comes from hemp since the sale of high-THC CBD oil isn't legal everywhere or outside of dispensaries.

Full-spectrum products contain all of the cannabinoids, including CBD, and terpenes in a nice little package—the way nature intended. Hemp-derived full-spectrum extract contains a very small amount of THC (less than 0.03%) and will not get you high. If you're looking to reap the health benefits of the entourage effect, then full-spectrum hemp oil extract is what you want.* 

Broad-spectrum CBD products contain all of the cannabinoids and terpenes except THC (and the minor THC cannabinoids, like THCa and THCv). These products are marketed as "THC-free" or "contains 0.00% THC," and while that sounds good on paper, it does diminish some of the health benefits of the plant. 

CBD isolate is pure CBD. All of the other cannabinoids and terpenes have been filtered out and you're left with only CBD. CBD isolates are often marketed as "pure" or "99% pure CBD." 

Remember: While you'll get plenty of CBD from these products, you're missing out on all the health benefits of the other cannabinoids and terpenes.*

The difference between hemp and CBD comes down to the cannabinoid content. Cannabinoids are beneficial plant compounds, including THC, CBD, and others. Both hemp oil and hemp-derived CBD products are legal and contain less than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana.

CBD oil is the isolated extract of a single cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD). Hemp oil is a whole-plant extract that contains all of the cannabinoids, including, but not limited to, CBD. When taken together, cannabinoids have a synergistic effect, called the entourage effect.