With the explosion of hemp products on the scene, it is natural to get confused about this plant and its close relation to the big G. So how about we break this down for you a bit?
The plant
The Cannabeace family has two main species - Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa. Indica is the ganja. Sativa has sub-species - hemp & ganja. And the main difference between these two plants of the Sativa species is the THC content. Hemp plant contains less than 0.3% of THC by dry weight.
What is cannabinoid?
This family of plants have these compounds inside - called cannabinoid. Now there are many cannabinoids - but the two most talked about fellows are THC - Tetra hydrocannabinol - is the psychoactive compound that gets you high. Cannabidiol /CBD is the compound which has anti-anxiety properties. It calms you down.
Why is hemp so cool?
- Hemp plant grows easily in the wild. It requires less water, no fertiliser or maintenance, is pest resistant and is found in abundance.
- All parts of the plant can be used - the seeds and leaves for hemp products, the stalk for ropes. The plant is even used for creating fabric!
- Hemp is the only source of protein in the world containing all essential amino acids.
How do hemp products get created?
The male plant has the pollen to pollinate a female plant. A female plant of the family contains the resins which are then taken out for THC/CBD depending on the species. The seeds are broken to release hemp hearts - the softer bit that's snackable. The seeds themselves are crushed to release the oils to make hemp oil. Hemp protein powders are the crushed powdered form of hemp seeds.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is extracted from the leaves & stalk of the plant. It is made by extraction of the specific CBD compound and not all the oils - and hence has the anti-anxiety properties of CBD oils. CBD oils are safe to use on humans (children & seniors) and animals. They help with sleep disorders, pain relief, mental health issues & more.
Is all of this legal?
Oh yes, they are. In India, hemp products were allowed to be produced under the Ayush license in specific states of the country. As per Nov 2021, FSSAI has labelled hemp as 'food' which makes it much easier to sell & buy the products.
