Hemp
Cannabis sativa plants containing ≤0.3% Δ9-THC by dry weight. Federally legal in the US under the 2018 Farm Bill.
In Depth
The 0.3% THC threshold distinguishing hemp from marijuana is an arbitrary regulatory cutoff with no pharmacological basis — it was originally proposed in a 1979 book by Ernest Small. Hemp is cultivated for fiber, seeds, and CBD extraction. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, enabling the commercial CBD industry. Hemp-derived CBD products are not FDA-approved (except Epidiolex) and are regulated as dietary supplements with limited oversight.
Related Terms
More in Cannabinoids
Cannabidiol (CBD)
A non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa. The second most abundant cannabinoid in most cannabis strains.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. A partial agonist at CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
A non-intoxicating cannabinoid often called the "mother cannabinoid" — the biosynthetic precursor from which THC, CBD, and CBC are synthesized.
Cannabinol (CBN)
A mildly psychoactive cannabinoid formed by the oxidative degradation of THC. Accumulates as cannabis ages or is exposed to heat and light.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
A non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid that does not bind significantly to CB1 or CB2 receptors but interacts with TRP channels.