What is cannabis (hemp)?
Marcel Kämmerling
Cannabis is the Latin word for hemp—one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Today, however, the term is primarily used in connection with THC-containing products and is internationally used when referring to the medicinal or recreational use of hemp.
Origin and meaning
"Cannabis" originally refers to the entire hemp plant—botanically known as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis. Depending on the strain, the plant contains varying amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient, and CBD (cannabidiol), which has a non-intoxicating effect.
What is cannabis used for?
Cannabis is used industrially, medicinally and as a recreational drug:
- Industrial hemp contains hardly any THC and is used for clothing, paper, building materials, food supplements or cosmetics.
- Medical cannabis is used for chronic pain, epilepsy, MS, sleep disorders, and more.
- Cannabis containing THC is consumed for its psychoactive effects – as flowers (marijuana), hashish or extract.
Cannabis vs. hemp – what’s the difference?
- Hemp is mostly used for low-THC crops (e.g. industrial hemp with less than 0.2% THC).
- Cannabis is the more general term often used to refer to THC-containing plants and products, especially in medical and legal contexts.
Forms of cannabis products
- Flowers (marijuana) – dried and smoked or vaporized
- Hashish – pressed resin of the plant
- Oils & extracts – e.g., THC or CBD oil
- Concentrates – wax, shatter, budder etc.
- Edibles – foods with cannabis ingredients
