In Alabama, the line between Hemp vs. Marijuana is waning. Hemp is still a fledgling crop, but the new marijuana laws are giving it a boost.
Hemp production was legalised with the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed the crop from the list of controlled substances. Since then, Alabama’s hemp industry has been increasing, and hemp producers have delved into the crop’s versatile product options. Despite this being the states third growing season, production is still on a learning curve.
Alabama recently passed a medical marijuana law, which has helped bring more attention to hemp. The new law lead to the formation of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and steps towards legalising medical cannabis in the state are on their way.
Although hemp and marijuana are both species of the cannabis sativa plant, and have a striking resemblence, it’s important to note that they are very different plants. Their chemical content differs exponentially, as does the way the plants are used.
Hemp contains no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component, while marijuana THC levels are an average of 10 percent. Hemp is grown for its medicinal cannabinoids, but also largely for its nutritional seeds, (Hemp Seed Hearts), and fibre.
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