Herb'n Dictionary

Hemp Basics

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Familiar with Cannabis?

Hemp is Cannabis!

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that we tend to associate with Delta-9-THC (aka "marijuana"; abbreviated as "D9-THC").

However, our relationship with Cannabis is far beyond that! 

Hemp and D9-THC are both Cannabis. What distinguishes them is the percentage of D9-THC. D9-THC is the psychoactive compound.

Hemp is defined as Cannabis containing less than 0.3% D9-THC. This limit was arbitrarily selected in the 1976 research study by Small, Ernest, and Arthur Cronquist ("A practical and natural taxonomy for Cannabis." Taxon (1976): 405-435).

Hemp legal status

Industrial hemp became Federally legal through the 2018 Farm Bill.


THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF HEMP READS:


"The plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis."

Cannabis sativa L. is the primary source of cannabinoids

There Are Three Cultivars

C. sativa Var. sativa has tall, fibrous stalks and narrow leaves. Sativa generally affects the brain.

C. sativa Var. indica is short and bushy with broad leaves. Indica generally affects the body (think "in da couch").

C. sativa Var. ruderalis is small and has low cannabinoid content, making her the least desirable for cannabinoid and fiber products. Ruderalis is resistant to many pests and resilient in harsh environmental conditions.

THERE ARE 3 MAJOR HEMP SECTORS

Cannabinoid hemp, Fiber hemp, and Seed hemp.

Of the three sectors, cannabinoid hemp has the most established infrastructure and market in the US.

Hemp cultivation falls under the oversight of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), State Departments, and/or Tribal Governments. Hemp products are under the authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Hemp is Versatile

Hemp offers many gifts

Humble Beginnings

Humans have grown and used Cannabis for over 10,000 years!


Fossil and historical data show a transition from wild-type cannabis to widespread cultivation between 8000 and 2000 BCE. Hemp was considered the most versatile and abundant plant across the world.


Hemp was a major proponent of early U.S. history and economy until cannabis prohibition in 1937. Since then, anti-cannabis propaganda has propelled misinformation about the industrial, medicinal, nutritional, and environmental gifts cannabis offers. See below for a general timeline of how Cannabis was used.

General Uses

8000 BCE, Japan - cannabis cultivated for unknown purpose


5000 BCE, China - cannabis fiber found in pottery


3000 BCE, Korea - cannabis used in fabric


1300 CE, Europe - cannabis used to make “canvas”

Medicinal Uses

2637 CE - Emperor Shen Nung describes medicinal properties of the plant


700 CE - Caucasian shaman; cannabis discovered in an ancient tomb


160 CE - Claudius Galen noted the use of cannabis fruiting bodies


900 CE - Sabur ibn Sahl cited cannabis flowers in 1st Arabic materia medica


1839 CE - O’Shaughnessy recorded its widespread use throughout Asia


1851 CE - US Pharmacopoeia, 3rd Edition


1899 CE -Merck’s Manual describes potential medical uses of cannabis