Industrial vs. Medicinal Hemp Genetics

Hemp has been around for ages. Although it comes from the same parent plant, Cannabis Sativa, there exist different varieties of it. Two main ones have long been used for industrial and medicinal purposes. In older times, the American pioneers were encouraged to grow hemp for making rope, textiles, edible seeds, and building materials. In contrast, the other high-THC variety commonly called marijuana was being grown in other countries for recreation and medicinal purposes. 

The current times see a clear difference between these types of hemp, especially in the context of ever-changing hemp regulations across the United States. Let’s explore the concepts of industrial and medical hemp types, their similarities and differences regarding genetics and practical applications, and the potential growing ramifications in the U.S.

What Is The Hemp Classification?

Hemp gets differentiated globally on the basis of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in the plant. THC is the compound that produces psychoactive effects. Any cannabis plant with ≤ 0.3% THC (dry weight) is typically classified as (industrial and legal) hemp. Anything above that level is often regulated as medicinal hemp, marijuana, or drug-type cannabis. 

Why Do Hemp Genetics Matter?

Genetics is not just for the sake of classification. They alone decide the chemical structure and practical applications of a particular hemp variety. Not to forget the legal consequences that get attached to a hemp variety in terms of growth, transport and sale. Genetics is important for many reasons:

1.   Comply With THC Limit

Without proper genetics, industrial hemp can unintentionally exceed legal THC limits. According to the Cornell Chronicle, researchers have found that a hemp plant’s tendency to become too high in THC is determined by genetics. 

Earlier, there existed a popular misconception that hemp plants gain an excess of THC, like in medicinal types, due to a stress response to growing conditions. 

2.   Gain Better Therapeutic Results

Medicinal strains are bred to maximize desired therapeutic compounds. This process also allows growers to target different medical needs. For example, some medicinal hemp is grown with the intention of gaining high CBD and very low THC, making it useful for people who want relief without feeling “high.” 

3.   Improve CBD Output

Genetic testing helps growers improve CBD yields. Knowing which plants have genes that favor CBD production helps farmers focus more on growing those plants. This leads to stronger, more reliable CBD crops and less waste. Over time, using genetic testing helps farmers grow better hemp while still staying within the law. 

Genetic Differences In Hemp: Industrial vs. Medicinal

Both hemp varieties possess a distinctive fragrance and leaf pattern. They also create sustainable products, growing quickly. These are the basic similarities between industrial and medicinal hemp. The differences are aplenty and discussed below:

Genetic Profile

Industrial hemp contains very low levels of THC (0 to 0.3% of dry weight) and is grown outside in large agricultural farms. It grows very tall, with the stem made of the outer bark and the inner material called hurd. Both are used for different purposes. Hemp seed (a nut) is also important.

Medicinal hemp contains very high levels of THC (above 0.3 to 38% of dry weight) and is grown in greenhouse-controlled conditions. Mature medical cannabis plants have characteristics like resinous leaves, dense flowers and brown or white hairs.

Growth Techniques And Harvesting

Industrial hemp varieties are typically grown from pedigree seed. The result is tall, skinny (as many as 100) bamboo-like plants per square meter. Densely seeded fiber varieties can reach 5–6 m tall, while some recent grain varieties may only reach 1–1.2 m tall. These plants are machine-harvested

Medicinal plants, by comparison, are typically grown from asexually reproduced clones. Most farmers grow them as 3-4 plants per square meter; others grow one to two. The flowers are hand-harvested to prevent damage, then meticulously dried, trimmed, and cured to preserve the medicinal compounds (like THC and CBD).

Practical Applications

Industrial hemp is widely used for non-intoxicating purposes. The strong fibers are used to make textiles, ropes, paper, and biodegradable plastics. Hempcrete helps in sustainable construction. Hemp seeds are processed into nutritious food products like oil, protein powder, and animal feed. Because hemp improves soil health, it is also valued in crop rotation.

Medicinal hemp is widely used for health and wellness applications. It is mostly the cannabidiol (CBD) component that gets used. General uses include supporting pain management, inflammation control, anxiety relief, and sleep improvement. The first FDA-approved CBD drug was for epilepsy treatment, with fabulous results coming out over time. Some topical uses of this hemp type have led to the production of CBD-infused creams and balms. 

Legal Classification

Industrial hemp is legal in many countries due to low THC levels. Industrial hemp in the United States is regulated mostly like an agricultural crop. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) monitors it.

Medicinal hemp faces restrictive legal actions globally. In the United States, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) helps regulate the production, sale and transport of medicinal hemp. State and Federal (FDA) institutes also monitor at their own levels. 

The Ever-Present Legal Confusion Between The Two Hemp Types 

The same source plant of hemp varieties creates massive complications for farmers, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies alike, particularly in the United States. Some of the main points of this ever-present confusion are as follows: 

• Field testing options can give a false positive for a lesser presence of THC in CBD flowers. Thus, law enforcement officers can’t surely know at first inspection whether a person transporting a large amount of CBD flower is actually transporting legal hemp or illegal cannabis flower. 

• The USDA and state departments of agriculture have not much experience with medical-adjacent crop regulation in the past. These are the agricultural products that are not necessarily regulated as pharmaceutical drugs but are used for therapeutic or medicinal purposes, such as CBD flower.

In Conclusion

Hence, hemp is not a single term. It branches into two distinct categories, each unique in its genetics, uses, and chemical properties. Industrial hemp is grown for low THC yield, which is mostly used in the production of fibers, seeds, and non-psychoactive CBD. Medicinal hemp is bred with higher THC content for specific therapeutic effects.

If you are considering growing, investing in, or even using hemp products, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of its genetic knowledge. It will greatly help in making informed and safe decisions for farmers, consumers, policy makers and researchers.