Cannabis has come a long way from being misunderstood in the early 1900s to becoming one of the most talked-about wellness topics in the United States today. People now turn to cannabis plants for relief, balance, and overall well-being, using everything from oils and tinctures to gummies and beauty products. But with this rise in popularity comes plenty of confusion — especially around CBD oil, hemp seed oil, and marijuana.
Many customers mix up these products or assume they all do the same thing. The truth is that the hemp plant, marijuana, CBD, and hemp seed oil each offer very different benefits. Knowing the hemp vs marijuana difference helps shoppers make informed choices and avoid buying the wrong product.
At GreenIVe, our goal is to simplify the science, clear up the confusion, and help you understand what each oil does — and doesn’t do.
Let’s break things down in a way that’s easy to follow.
Hemp vs. CBD: What’s the Difference?
Even though hemp and marijuana both come from the Cannabis sativa species, they’re not the same. The hemp plant is bred for industrial hemp uses, nutrition, wellness, rope, textiles, and more. Hemp naturally carries less than 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so it cannot cause a high. Marijuana, on the other hand, can contain up to 30% THC and does produce intoxicating effects.
CBD (short for cannabidiol CBD) is a natural compound found in cannabis plants, in both hemp and marijuana. But here’s the key point:
👉 Hemp seed oil does not contain CBD.
This is one of the most common misconceptions among new shoppers.
When people ask, “Does hemp seed oil contain CBD?” the answer is no. Hemp oil made from the seeds of the hemp is a nutritional oil filled with essential fatty acids, but it does not include CBD, THC, or any cannabinoids.
CBD oil, on the other hand, is made by extracting compounds from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of hemp or marijuana. That’s why CBD oil and hemp oil are used for completely different purposes.
Where Do These Oils Come From?
Understanding how to tell hemp oil from CBD oil starts with knowing where each one originates.
Hemp Seed Oil
- Made from cold pressing the seeds of the hemp plant
- Contains zero CBD
- Used in cooking, skincare, and beauty products
- Rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants
CBD Oil
- Extracted from the leaves and flowers of either hemp or marijuana
- Contains cannabinoids, including CBD
- Used for wellness, calm, balance, and general support
Marijuana Oil
- Extracted from marijuana plants
- Contains high levels of THC
- Only legal in certain states and may require a medical marijuana card
Since marijuana remains restricted in many areas of the United States, most CBD products on the market today come from industrial hemp.
How Each Oil Is Made
CBD Oil Extraction
CBD oil is typically pulled from hemp using modern extraction methods:
- CO2 extraction: Uses pressurized gas to pull CBD, terpenes, and oils from hemp plant material.
- Solvent extraction: Chilled hemp is soaked in ethanol, alcohol, or butane, then filtered and evaporated into a concentrated CBD extract.
CBD extract can then be turned into:
- Full-spectrum CBD: Includes cannabinoids, terpenes, and up to 0.3% THC
- Broad-spectrum CBD: Similar to full-spectrum but without THC
- CBD isolate: Pure CBD with all other plant compounds removed
Hemp Seed Oil Production
Hemp seed oil is made by cold pressing hemp seeds. After pressing, the oil is filtered and bottled. Because it comes only from seeds, it does not include CBD, THC, or the cannabinoids found in CBD extract.
Hemp vs. Marijuana: The Key Differences
While the two plants look similar, their chemical makeup is completely different.
Hemp (Industrial Hemp)
- Less than 0.3% THC
- Non-intoxicating
- Used for textiles, food, wellness, and CBD
- Legal at a federal level
Marijuana
- More than 0.3% THC
- Produces a psychoactive “high”
- Used mainly for medical or recreational use
- Legal only in certain states
This simple THC difference is the foundation of the hemp vs marijuana difference.
Do You Need a Medical Marijuana Card for CBD?
Not usually.
CBD products made from hemp and containing less than 0.3% THC are federally legal and do not require a medical card. However, CBD oils with higher THC levels — especially marijuana-derived products — do require a medical marijuana card in most states.
There is currently only one FDA-approved CBD medication, and the agency continues to research cannabidiol’s full potential.
CBD vs. THC Ratios
Many products combine CBD and THC in different ratios. Higher CBD ratios like 20:1 or 18:1 are considered more wellness-focused and are legal as long as THC stays under 0.3%.
Marijuana strains often have opposite ratios — with far more THC than CBD — which is why they are used recreationally and require tighter regulation.
Common CBD and Marijuana Product Types
CBD Products
- Oils and tinctures
- Gummies and edibles
- Topicals: lotions, balms, ointments
- Vaping liquids
- Softgels and capsules
- Pet products
Marijuana Products
- Flower/buds
- Pre-rolls
- Cartridges
- Concentrates and extracts
- Edibles
- Topicals
- High-THC oils and tinctures
Which One Works Better?
That depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
- If you want nutritional support, omega fatty acids, or a healthy cooking oil → Hemp seed oil is best.
- If you want a non-intoxicating wellness support → CBD oil is ideal.
- If you need psychoactive effects or a strong sense of relief → Marijuana may be recommended (where legal).
Hemp seed oil focuses on nutrition.
CBD oil focuses on balance and endocannabinoid system support.
Marijuana focuses on stronger, THC-driven effects.
At GreenIVe, we generally recommend hemp-derived CBD oil for everyday wellness because it offers clear benefits without intoxication or complex side effects.
Summary
Choosing between CBD oil, hemp seed oil, and marijuana doesn’t have to be confusing. Now that you know how to tell hemp oil vs CBD oil — and understand the real hemp vs marijuana difference — you can shop with confidence.
- Hemp seed oil: Nutrition, beauty products, and cooking
- CBD oil: Non-intoxicating wellness support
- Marijuana: High-THC, psychoactive effects
Your needs will determine which one is best. If you want everyday balance or plant-based relief, explore our hemp-derived CBD products. And if you’re considering THC or marijuana-based options, always talk with a healthcare provider to see what may be right for you.
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