Essay Example on Marijuana, Hemp, Cannabis: What's the Difference?

Introduction

Marijuana and hemp are very close plants and can easily be confused for one another. Cannabis is also in the close proximity of the relationship between the two. There is a very narrow difference between these plants anyway. There have a lot of discussions surrounding hemp since the time it was legalized to grown. The major borne of contention in this case anyway is the fact that the hemp crop was allowed to be grown as a cash crop while marijuana remains prohibited. The scientific bodies and institutes for a long time have been engaged in deep researches on the uses and the effectiveness of the hemp laying out the benefits against te disadvantages of the same. Hemp has however been proved as being of worth to be produced due to the criticality of the plant in its diverse use in the different forms. The plant is today majorly grown by big industries and groups of people who do large scale farming of the same more or so in Virginia. The growing of hemp is growing very fast in the country and boosting the economy of the country as well (Shahzad 973-986). However several questions have been asked concerning the plant itself and about others that are perceived to be very close to it. One of the most common questions asked is the difference between hemp and marijuana (Bhardwaj et, al. 151-155).

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This is a question that can easily be confusing because the two are very closely related. Taxonomically, they are of the same plant with te sane genus and species cannabis sativa. They both look and even have the same smell. Otherwise, there is a little difference which has revealed by the scientific studies which reveal that the hemp plant contains no more than 0.3% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) by dry weight. Marijuana, on the other hand, contains 5-20% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) by dry weight as well. This, therefore, gives a deeper differentiation of the species of cannabis and categorizing them into simpler units and it can be included that the cannabis with the low content of-ofC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is referred to as hemp while that with the high content of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is called marijuana. The most important chemical to be considered in the plant which determines whether or it would be legalized or not is the composition of this chemical since it is what defines the impacts caused by the plant when used. The question of legalization f the plant has also been a question to many who also at the same time find it difficult to differentiate the two (Kreuger, et al 3457-3465). In Virginia, it is legal to grow hemp under license, and the plant is grown in large scales by companies that invest in agricultural production.

The license to grow hemp must always to approved by the state's Industrial Hemp Commission who is responsible to know the amount of the plant produced within the borders of the state. The department of agriculture has provided and affiliate branch to deal wit the fixing of this very new crop coming into place for following the proper copy of the success in the production of the same. The farmers, however, are limited to operate under the regulations that also ensure that the species grown has a THC of or below 0.3%levels at any time the production is done. Hemp generally grown for the market that has been wide for the same and hence farmers can earn better by growing hemp than by other crops. Industrial hemp has today created a larger market for the farmers to dispose of their production and hence to increase their sales volume and to increase the price margins for the matter. Many see the industrial hemp as being of very rapid growth and of bringing replacement of the losses incurred in the production and sale of the other commodities such as acreage farming. It also helps in realizing a raised value of the lend since the earning from the same piece of land is highly increased when hemp is produced on it rather than other crops or other activities are undertaken on the land.

The benefits and the uses of hemp

The plant hemp has been in the rise in Virginia because of the diverse uses it has and the several benefits that are associated with it. These give it an advantage over other crops or activities undertaken in the state (Rehman, et al 154-164). On te same piece of land where hemp farming is carried out. It should be noted that so many other commercial activities can be undertaken rather than the growing of hemp alone and again that it is not that hemp is the only crop or activity that is carried out in Virginia. Otherwise, it is most preferred in recent days since it has not been in existence for the time immemorial. The industrial hemp has several uses which include the following:

In the textile or industrial process

The fibers of the hemp stem and the other parts of the plant are used In the textile industries for the industrial process to manufacture several products that are very useful to the life of human beings. The fibers are able to make very strong clothes and are rated to be of high value even in the market, and hence it helps in the processing of such clothes (Shahzad 973-986). The fibers can also be used to make the plastic sheets that are meant to translucently illuminate the dark rooms naturally from the light of the sun. The green house captains can also be made from the fibers of the hemp plant hence promoting the green hose agriculture which in turn will result in increased production of the same plant, however.

Medicines are vital products in te life of the people and can be made from the plant. The fibers can be used to manufacture the tablets and the straps that relieve the individuals from constipation and to treat so many other diseases like pain relief to the insane and the intoxication of the poisoned individuals. The medicines that are used in the mental hospitals are made from the hemp plant. Such is effective in controlling the victims of the circumstance the medicines are also used to reduce pain during operations in the theatre. The material can be processed from the hemp plant and is majorly used in the undertaking of both minor and major operations. For instance, the cannabidiol drug is extracted from the hemp and are used in relieving aches and in mental disorders.

The grains and the flowers of te plant are as well very important sources of other products. The grins can be processed and squeezed to produce oil that is used in diverse areas. The ointments used to massage and to control skin diseases are made from the grains of the hemp plant. This is an advantage in of use of the plant as it is grown.

According to Leizer, et al (35-53), hemp is also used as food for human beings. Few recipes can be used to prepare the food from the hemp plant which is a healthy source of food for human beings due to the medicinal nature of the plant and hence guarding the body against several attacks to of pathogens. In this case, it may apart from being consumed ads food appear to be an immunization to the body of the individuals who consume it. The salad oils used for cooking are extracted from the grains of the hemp. At the same time, the seeds can as well be eaten as nuts. The seeds can at the same time be crushed to produce flour or make the oils for cooking. When the hemp is added to the cakes or butter, it can produce a baked good with high fat and amino acid contents.

The hemp can also be used as pet food and bedding at the same time. This because the hemp plant has much protein nutrient that is vital for the pets at home. When such foods from the hemp are given t the cats, it helps in making their coats healthy and shiny. The hemp food can as well be used as a dietary for the horses, dogs and cows to nourish them. The birds also eat the seeds of the hemp plant. The fibers of the hemp plant make it possible for it to be used as bedding for the pets at home, for example, the bedding for cats, guinea pig rats and rodents (Shahzad 973-986).

The hemp plant is also used in the manufacture of the body lotions and oils which are crucial in moisturizing and softening of the skin. The hemp plant contains the EFA which regenerates the cracked and dry skin.

Again, the hemp plant is useful in the manufacture of the paints, lanterns and the candles all of which are used as lighting at homes. The oil from the hemp plant can be used to make any oil based product and hence standing a wider range of uses of getting same. When it is used to make paint, then such paint is most preferred since it is long lasting than the other paints since the hemp plant oil gives a better lubricating effect which makes it stronger than the other paints (Rehman, et al 154-164).

Hemp can also be used in making plastics it is most preferred in the plastic making since the plastics are biodegradable and hence are non-toxic to the environment at all costs.

Papers can also be made from the hemp. Is environmentally friendly to use the hemp in making the papers and at the same time, it is economical to use the hemp plant rather than the trees. This will ensure that the trees are kept and upheld hence protecting the habitats of the animals that depend on the forests for homing and the birds using the branches for nesting.

The hemp can also be used in making the construction materials since it provides strong and durable building and construction materials. An example includes the cement that is manufactured from hemp which utilizes the core fibers and minerals according to (Rehman, et al 154-164). The homes that are built using hemp products have resistance to bad weather and damages that come as a result of the same.

The fuels such as biodiesel are made from the hemp and this is why the petroleum industry has over the time embraced the applied the used of the hemp in making their products. There is also much of the ethanol produced in the hemp industry.

From the evaluation of the uses and the benefits of the hemp plants there; ore, it is an event to say that the plant has overall use that involves all of its parts. The pars otherwise do not have the same range of uses and even the quality and value that ate extracted from various parts as well vary. The seeds and the grains as evident in the explanation has several uses than any other parts and is used in the manufacture of the most valuable products. This brings the richness of the product. The regeneration of the plant as well is dependent on the availability and the viability of the seeds of the hemp plant. The seeds also serve from the basic needs tom human to the quaternary products used for other supporting values. It is therefore very prudent to grow the plant to maturity to harvest the seeds that can be used to produce a variety of products that are most valuable and critical for human living like; medicine, food, plastics, fuels and so many others as discussed above in this section of the paper (Shahzad 973-986). The most selling product of the hemp plant is the oils that are extracted from the seeds. They the plant more valuable when mirrored against other crops in the area and even over (Rehman, et al 154-164).

Investigating how much land is required to grow an adequate amount of product to produce a profit

The amount of land that is required to be put under cultivation for the crop to gain profits depends on May other factors that acts as the determinants of the profit at the same time. The amount of the profit expected or intended dictates the amount of land that would be put under such uses. The profits are otherwise higher with the high amounts of productions which can be attained not only by using large tracts of land but also depending on the technology used in the production and management processes. In Virginia anyway, the growing of hemp is done on a large scale to produce a maximum profit from the farming of the crop. The greatest question about that takes the greatest atten...