Hemp vs Weed: What’s the Difference?

Direct Answer

Hemp and weed are the same plant species, cannabis, separated by one legal line: THC content. Hemp is legally defined as cannabis with no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, while weed, meaning marijuana, has more than that and is federally controlled. They can look, smell, and grow identically. What sets them apart is the amount of Delta-9 THC, and therefore how each is regulated, not the plant itself.

Botanically there is no separate hemp plant. Both come from Cannabis sativa, and a hemp field and a marijuana field can be indistinguishable to the eye. The 2018 Farm Bill drew the line legally rather than biologically: cannabis with 0.3% Delta-9 THC or less by dry weight is hemp, and anything above that is marijuana, which remains federally controlled. So the word hemp is really a legal category, not a different species.

Where it gets confusing is effect. Traditional high-CBD hemp will not get you high, but the 0.3% rule only measures Delta-9, so some hemp-derived products can still be intoxicating even under the hemp label, such as THCa flower once it is heated. That is why a product can be legal hemp on paper and still deliver a strong experience. TribeTokes products are all hemp-derived under the Farm Bill, so if you want the hemp flower that people actually smoke, see does hemp flower get you high.

  • Degelis Pilla, CEO

    Degelis Pilla, CFA

    CEO and Co-Founder

    Degelis (“Dege,” pronounced “Dayj”) launched TribeTokes in 2017 after identifying a specific problem in the cannabis vaping market: most products were made with cutting agents and additives that had no place in a wellness brand. She built TribeTokes from zero into a multi-million dollar DTC brand with over 100,000 customers, a full cannabinoid product catalog, and a loyal wholesale retail network.

    Degelis is an active member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and a regular voice in both the cannabis and women-in-business spaces. She is a CFA charterholder (Chartered Financial Analyst), and holds her undergraduate business degree from the University of Virginia.
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Related questions

Frequently asked questions

Hemp vs Weed: What's the Difference?

Hemp and weed are the same plant species, cannabis, separated by one legal line: THC content. Hemp is legally defined as cannabis with no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, while weed, meaning marijuana, has more than that and is federally controlled. They can look, smell, and grow identically. What sets them apart is the amount of Delta-9 THC, and therefore how each is regulated, not the plant itself.

Is hemp the same plant as weed?

Yes. Both are the cannabis plant, and they can look and grow identically. The only difference is a legal one based on how much Delta-9 THC the plant contains by dry weight.

Does hemp get you high?

Traditional high-CBD hemp does not. But because the legal limit only measures Delta-9, some hemp-derived products, like heated THCa flower, can still be intoxicating despite carrying the hemp label.

What is the 0.3% THC rule?

It is the Farm Bill threshold that separates hemp from marijuana. Cannabis with 0.3% Delta-9 THC or less by dry weight is legal hemp; more than that is federally controlled marijuana.

Is hemp legal?

Hemp-derived products that meet the Farm Bill definition are federally legal, though rules keep evolving. Always buy lab-tested products with a published COA so you know what you are getting.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Cannabis affects everyone differently and is not risk-free. Talk to a healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition. TribeTokes products are hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC under the 2018 Farm Bill, and are intended for adults 21 and over. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.