The Difference Between THC and CBD: A Comprehensive Guide

Cannabis and hemp are two types of plants that belong to the same family, but have different properties. Cannabis contains a higher concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for its intoxicating effects, while hemp has a higher concentration of Cannabidiol (CBD). THC flower or cannabis has more crystalline formations and a deeper and richer complexity than CBD flower. The approved Hemp Cultivation Act defines hemp as cannabis containing 0.3% or less of the THC compound.

The main difference between the two is the THC content, with CBD flower containing less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana can have more than 30% THC. Because of this, CBD flower does not produce the same intoxicating effect as marijuana, and CBD is not intoxicating, while THC has psychoactive effects. High quality CBD flowers should be green in color, although the shade may vary and are usually a mix of green and purple. A bright and vibrant coloration usually indicates a high quality product. So how do you identify a hemp plant from a cannabis plant? To the untrained eye, the flower and herb in CBD look exactly the same.

Beautiful green buds with some bright trichomes. And, to a large extent, they're exactly the same depending on their quality and the way they were grown. Sometimes, the amount of total THC and THC or total CBD and CBD will be the same. This occurs when dry cannabis is heated to activate cannabinoids and produce products such as oils, capsules and edibles. The measurement of THC and CBD may vary depending on the cannabis product.

CBD and THC are two of the most important cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Both cannabis and hemp produce CBD and THC. However, in general, the THC flower or cannabis have more crystalline formations and a deeper and richer complexity than the CBD flower. The molecule is converted to THC when exposed to the heat of a pipe, vaporizer or oven in a process called decarboxylation that expels the carboxyl group, leaving THC behind. Therefore, making edibles, for example, can help unlock the maximum THC content within a given variety. Unlike CBD flowers, cannabis is cultivated for its extremely resinous flowers, which contain a large amount of THC cannabinoids, and its stems and seeds are not used commercially in the textile sector or as a food source.

Below, you'll see a pop-up table that provides a reading of THC, CBD and CBN, as well as a host of different terpenes. But wait a second, shouldn't a THC content of 0.82% and a THCA content of 17.4% equal a total THC value of 18.2%? Not quite. Both plants are types of cannabis, but their cannabinoid profiles have a fairly large difference, which is the presence or absence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While the CBD flower contains a small amount of psychoactive THC, the high amounts of CBD help to moderate the effects of THC. While some forms of THC analysis are limited to flowers, others also test concentrates, extracts, oils and edibles. As mentioned above, CBD flowers have a low THC content, which means they won't cause a sense of euphoria in the user.

Tasha Falsetti
Tasha Falsetti

Friend of animals everywhere. Hardcore food evangelist. Subtly charming twitter aficionado. Avid web scholar. Passionate twitter guru. Proud music geek.