The difference between cannabis and hemp is mostly related to levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis which gets you “high”. Technically, hemp is simply a strain of cannabis. However, the word “hemp” is used to describe a type of cannabis that has 0.3% THC or less. This is why it is sometimes called “non-intoxicating” cannabis. (In the US, the term “hemp” was given its legal definition in 2018. See the govtrack.us link below.)

Hemp can be used to make a wide range of products including clothes, rope, fibreboard, and even paper. There is also hemp-derived CBD, which is where most of the United States’ CBD products come from. There is evidence to suggest that humans have used hemp for at least 10,000 years.

The other main difference in the US between cannabis and hemp is that hemp is legal while cannabis is illegal (as of 2020).

For more information:

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2

https://cbdorigin.com/hemp-vs-marijuana/

https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-vs-marijuana

https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-health/cannabis-medical/marijuana-vs-hemp-whats-the-difference

https://www.cbdweb.org/medical-cannabis-guide/hemp-vs-marijuana-vs-cannabis

https://herb.co/learn/whats-the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/sns-tft-marijuana-cbd-versus-hemp-cbd-20200812-supplhnfn5dsfk6nfcimnizoke-story.html