What is the difference between hemp and marijuana? The short answer is semantics. The longer answer? The difference is a largely misunderstood distinction that now has two correct answers, a legal one and a scientific one. Like all things proven by scientists, it is somehow up for public and political debate. Hemp refers to strains of Cannabis Sativa that have been bred specifically for fiber used for clothing and construction, oils and topical ointments, nutritional benefits and a wide and growing variety of other purposes that donamp;rsquo;t involve intoxication. Marijuana is a slang term used to describe strains of Cannabis Sativa specifically bred for the potent resinous glands (trichomes) that grow on the flowers and some leaves (buds). While there is some dispute over the origins of the term marijuana, it was introduced into popular use by Hearst era newspapers as a way to instill fear of pot smoking Mexicans. Wording aside, both hemp and marijuana are, in fact, the same thing. Although both amp;ldquo;hempamp;rdquo; and amp;ldquo;marijuanaamp;rdquo; as we know them are from the same genus, Cannabis, they are also part of the same species, Cannabis Sativa. The scientific difference between what we refer to as hemp and marijuana comes from the purpose the strain was bred for. - San Diego Free Press
