As you know, hemp and CBD have become popular topics in recent years. Content ranges from hemp's environmental benefits to the thousands of products that can be made from it.
Although the word cannabis may bring a single plant to mind, there are different varieties with different uses.
CBD is a compound derived from cannabis, but we wanted to discuss hemp and CBD separately here. In our view, CBD is too important to gloss over under the broader heading of hemp.
In this article, we will discuss the relationship between industrial hemp and CBD. We have divided the subject into two parts:
- Industrial hemp and the products made from it.
- CBD oil and products containing CBD.
We will try to explain both in detail.
Cannabis varieties
We can divide cannabis into industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) and Indian cannabis (Cannabis indica). Industrial hemp can produce thousands of products in healthcare, manufacturing, textiles and other fields, while Indian cannabis is used for medical and recreational purposes. CBD can therefore be obtained from both. However, there is another distinction: not every industrial hemp or Indian cannabis plant is suitable for producing CBD oil. Before clearing up that confusion, let us explain industrial hemp.
Industrial hemp – Hemp (Cannabis Sativa Legaris)
Industrial hemp can grow up to five meters tall, and its stalks, fibers and seeds can be used to make many products. In Turkey, it is also commonly called kendir. Its very low THC content means it has no psychoactive effect. However, not every industrial hemp variety is suitable for CBD oil.
- Oil can be obtained from its seeds. This is not CBD oil.
- Its fiber can serve as a construction material in many fields.
- CBD oil can be obtained from its flowers.
To produce CBD oil, you need a suitable variety. The variety grown for fiber or seeds may not be rich in CBD. Plant height does not determine harvest yield. A short variety may produce a plentiful, high-quality harvest for oil.
Indian cannabis – Marijuana (Cannabis indica)
Indian cannabis is a high-THC variety mainly used recreationally, growing no taller than two meters. High THC does not, of course, mean it contains no CBD. The psychoactive cannabis used recreationally today is not pure indica: these are sativa–indica hybrids. Their short stature means they are not used industrially. Its cultivation and use are prohibited in Turkey.
Products made from industrial hemp
When industrial hemp is mentioned, the first thing many people think of is a hemp car. People still discuss making car bodies from hemp today, but is that realistic?
Yes, an early car was made from hemp, but many years have passed. A huge iron and steel industry and the factories supporting it have been built. Costs fell, robots entered production, and so on. Although we believe hemp products would be more beneficial and healthier, we do not think this transition is realistic. Countries where hemp is legal have not pursued production of that kind either. We think the subject is not yet fully understood in Turkey. The same example applies to textiles and other industries. Although hemp textiles are more beneficial and better quality than synthetic products, their cost may limit demand. Boutique manufacturers and value-added products could bridge that gap.
What can industrial hemp be used for?
- Aircraft bodies and wings
- Ship hulls
- Paper
- Fabric
- Roof tiles
- Building cladding
- Medicines
- Furniture
- Bags
- Food
These are just a few of the thousands of products we can make from hemp. We do not consider wholesale production of these products from hemp realistic. Local producers will certainly exist, but redirecting entire industries would be very difficult.
Although making cars, fabric and carpets from hemp is attractive, and we think large facilities doing so would benefit Turkey, we do not see these as hemp's main potential. In our view, that potential lies in CBD. Manufacturing hemp products requires very large investments, whereas CBD can provide substantial benefits and returns with much smaller investments.
We hope we are wrong and that hemp grows into a huge industry in Turkey and worldwide. Making all these products from hemp would be better both economically and environmentally.
Which cannabis varieties produce CBD?
Now to our main subject. As noted at the beginning, CBD can be produced from both types. CBD itself is the same in either. Production choices, however, differ according to intended use.
First, high-quality CBD requires high-quality genetics. This should be a CBD-containing hybrid of sativa and indica. CBD oil extracted from a plant grown casually, with an unknown composition, will be of little use. Commercial production requires a good variety.
Full spectrum CBD
To produce full spectrum CBD, you need a variety high in CBD with THC below the legal limit. Because THC is naturally low, you can produce quality CBD oil without separating the cannabinoids and obtain the entourage effect, which is very important for health.
CBD isolate
Because CBD isolate is made by separating CBD from other cannabinoids, it can be produced from any variety. Read this article for detailed information on CBD oil types.
CBD oils high in THC
As mentioned earlier, THC is the psychoactive substance in cannabis. Most CBD oils used today contain very little THC. However, new research suggests CBD oils with higher THC levels may be more effective, particularly for cancer, epilepsy and psychological conditions.
Products containing CBD
Products containing CBD number in the hundreds across food, textiles, cosmetics and many other fields. Readers of our other articles will have seen that even CBD-containing fabric is being produced. Considering reports that companies such as Coca-Cola and Starbucks have obtained patents for CBD products, we can form an idea of the subject's future.
Are hemp seed oil and CBD oil the same?
Absolutely not! Both their production processes and their uses differ greatly. Hemp seed oil is cold-pressed from seeds and contains no cannabinoids, including CBD. It is available in herbal shops in Turkey.
CBD oil, meanwhile, can be obtained through various extraction methods, including the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) method described here as the most effective. Please do not confuse the two products.
Differences between hemp seed oil and hemp CBD oil
The future of hemp
Humanity and hemp have never been separated throughout history, even in the recent past when it was banned worldwide. While people changed hemp through evolution, hemp also changed people. Today, we see that humans and hemp will have to continue living together.
We believe hemp's future lies in health products rather than industrial products. This certainly does not mean industrial hemp is useless. It is a plant that belongs in every farmer's field and offers countless benefits to nature and the soil. Hemp products are also very durable and long-lasting. But economically, cannabinoids are very important if we want the greatest benefit for the least effort and spending.
The discovery of cannabinoids reunited hemp and humanity. We hope humanity makes good use of this opportunity.
