What is the Difference Between Cannabis and CBD

Even though cannabis and CBD come from the same plant, there are some differences between them.

Since it’s wise to learn the differences if you ever order from an online dispensary in Canada, let’s take a look at both of these substances and how they are used.

Cannabis

Cannabis – otherwise known as marijuana, weed, or pot – comes from the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabis sativa has close to 500 known compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive substance that gives people a “high” when cannabis is consumed.

Cannabis is usually smoked, but it is also often used as an ingredient in edibles. When it is smoked or eaten, THC is carried by the bloodstream to the brain, which is what makes users high. Large amounts of cannabis can also produce hallucinogenic effects.

Cannabis is mostly thought of as a recreational drug, but it also has been used to treat glaucoma, nausea, epilepsy, and other conditions. It is still considered an illicit substance, but its use has been largely normalized and doesn’t carry as much of a stigma as other illicit drugs. Cannabis is legal to use for recreational and medicinal purposes in Canada as well as in many states in the U.S.

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is another chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive and cannot get someone high. It is often used to treat pain, anxiety, and many other ailments. Although it is easily available, the only CBD medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration is Epidiolex, which was approved in 2018 to treat epilepsy.

Like cannabis, CBD can be consumed in a number of ways. While it can be smoked or eaten, it is commonly applied to the skin and absorbed into the body. This is the case with CBD oil, which is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis sativa plant and diluted with a carrier such as coconut or hemp seed oil. The oil can then be applied directly to the skin or used as an ingredient in a skin cream or lotion.

For many people, the best way to remember the difference between cannabis and CBD is that cannabis can get you high and be used as a recreational drug, while CBD cannot. CBD is a chemical compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant, and it lacks the THC needed to get you high. However, it does have other uses and can be used to treat chronic pain and anxiety.

In other words, if you’re on the fence about using CBD for its medicinal purposes because you don’t want to feel the effects of smoking cannabis, you have nothing to worry about.