Hemp and Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

The words "hemp" and "marijuana" are sometimes used as if they meant the same thing, and sometimes as if they were completely different plants. You may be wondering whether a hemp product has anything to do with marijuana, or why hemp seeds can be sold in grocery stores. In this article, we explain in plain language what the two terms mean scientifically and legally, how they differ, and the situation in Turkey.

Are hemp and marijuana the same plant?

Yes. Botanically, both are the same species: Cannabis sativa. Cannabis is a member of the Cannabaceae family, which also includes hops. DNA studies show that plants of European origin with more CBD than THC and plants of Asian origin with more THC than CBD can be considered two subspecies of the same species (McPartland 2018).

The "sativa" and "indica" distinction often heard in everyday speech, on the other hand, doesn’t match the scientific names; because of widespread crossbreeding, this distinction has almost lost its meaning (McPartland 2018). In a genetic study of more than 100 samples, plants labeled "Sativa" and "Indica" could not be told apart across the genome (Watts 2021). In other words, the difference lies not in the plant’s species but in the amounts of the substances it contains and in how the law defines it.

What is hemp?

In everyday language and in the laws of many countries, "hemp" is used for low-THC varieties of Cannabis sativa grown for fiber, seeds or CBD. The threshold varies from country to country:

• US: The law classifies plants and their products containing no more than 0.3% Δ9-THC by dry weight as "hemp" and removes them from the list of controlled substances (FDA).
• European Union: Hemp varieties eligible for agricultural support may contain no more than 0.3% THC (Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, Art. 4(4)). This is an agricultural rule.
• Turkey: The 0.3% limit is not the definition of hemp but an upper limit set for supplement products and personal care products (cosmetics) sold in pharmacies (Regulation on Products Derived from Hemp, 2026). Hemp can be grown with a permit in 21 provinces for fiber, seeds and stalks; for the flowers and leaves from which substances such as CBD are obtained, applications are made to the Turkish Grain Board (Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi, TMO) and are subject to a quota (Regulation on Cannabis Cultivation and Control, 2026).

What is marijuana?

Marijuana is the intoxicating product obtained from the THC-rich flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. THC acts by stimulating cannabinoid receptors in the brain; in the short term, it impairs short-term memory and coordination and reduces driving ability (Volkow 2014). More: What is marijuana?, the differences between THC and CBD.

The strength of marijuana has also changed over the years. In samples seized in the US, the THC content rose from about 4% in 1995 to about 12% in 2014; over the same period, CBD content fell, and the ratio of THC to CBD rose from 14 times to about 80 times (ElSohly 2016).

Hemp vs. marijuana: a comparison

Uses of hemp

Hemp fibers are used in products such as rope, textiles and paper, and the seeds are used as food and animal feed. Hemp seed is a nutritious food: 25–35% of the seed’s weight is fat and 20–25% is protein, and its oil is made up largely of unsaturated fatty acids (Farinon 2020). Hemp seed protein is well digested; the essential amino acid it contains the least of is lysine, and its protein quality is similar to or slightly higher than that of some grains, nuts and legumes (House 2010).

Cannabinoids, on the other hand, are made in tiny secretory hairs on the plant’s surface (Radwan 2021). According to the FDA, the seed itself does not produce THC or CBD; the small amounts in seed products come from contamination by other parts of the plant during harvesting and processing (FDA). Even so, these small amounts are not negligible: THC was measured in all but one of 20 hemp seed oils sold in Turkey (Kacargil 2026). More: CBD oil or hemp seed oil?

Why are they so often confused?

One reason for the confusion is language. In English, the low-THC plant is called "hemp" and the high-THC one "marijuana" or "cannabis"; in Turkish, however, the word "kenevir" is used both for the plant itself and for low-THC varieties. Product names make things harder too: a bottle labeled "hemp oil" could be a food oil pressed from seeds or an extract containing CBD. In an analysis of 50 products sold in the US as "CBD oil / hemp oil," most of the products had a CBD content below 0.1% (ElSohly 2020). That’s why, to understand what is in a product, you need to look not at its name but at the milligram value on the label and the certificate of analysis.

The difference for health

For health, the main difference comes from how much THC a product contains. THC can lead to addiction in regular users: addiction develops in about 9% of people who try marijuana and in about one in six of those who start in their teens (Volkow 2014). CBD does not cause a high; the approved (licensed) CBD medicine reduced seizures in some severe epilepsies, and research on many other topics is ongoing (What is CBD?). For the evidence by condition: CBD Guide.

The situation in Turkey

Under Law No. 2313, planting cannabis to obtain marijuana and growing cannabis without a permit are prohibited (Law No. 2313). The Turkish Penal Code treats buying, possessing or using a narcotic drug for personal use as a separate offense (TCK Art. 191).

Cannabis-derived products, including CBD, can be sold only in pharmacies (Law No. 7557, regulation of January 31, 2026). Those classed as medicines and health products are dispensed with a prescription; for supplement products with a THC content of no more than 0.3%, no prescription requirement is stated. As of October 2026, there is no approved (licensed) CBD medicine in Turkey (TİTCK, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency). More: CBD regulations in Turkey (this is not legal advice).

Conclusion

Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the same plant; what sets them apart is the amount of THC and the lines drawn by the law. Low-THC hemp is grown for fiber, seeds and CBD, while high-THC marijuana causes a high and is classed as a narcotic drug in Turkey. If you are considering a hemp product, checking how much THC it contains on the certificate of analysis is a good start: how to read a label?

This article is for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation and does not encourage substance use. How we prepare our content: Editorial Policy. If you spot an error, write to [email protected] .

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