By The Joint Blog. July 30, 2023
Cannabis, hemp, and marijuana — the botanical entity known as cannabis sativa and its offshoots possess a plethora of appellations, fostering a milieu of bewilderment. Fortunately, Jorge Olson, the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of two publicly traded entities, Hempacco (HPCO) and Green Globe International (GGII), adeptly navigates the labyrinth of terminology surrounding this distinct foliage.
“Cannabis, synonymous with marijuana, carries a burdensome historical baggage,” elucidates Olson. “The allure of cannabis is undeniable. Nevertheless, hemp reigns supreme as nature’s pièce de résistance.”
The pivotal discrepancy lies in the THC quotient.
Cannabis and hemp, essentially siblings, diverge primarily in their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Cannabis harbors more than 0.3 percent THC, while hemp contains an equivalent or lesser amount.
Due to THC’s psychoactive nature, cannabis engenders the renowned “high,” a sensation largely absent in hemp-derived products, albeit with some exceptions. Notably, high concentrations of Delta-8, a hemp-extracted cannabinoid, may induce euphoria. Unlike cannabis, Delta-8 enjoys nationwide legality in the US.
“Delta-8 presents a more economical alternative to cannabis,” affirms Olson. “Achieving analogous effects at a fraction of the cost. Moreover, Delta-8 delivers a more benign high, devoid of paranoia or trepidation, conducive to relaxation, and widely accessible — procurable even in liquor stores.”
In the US, hemp and its derivatives, including CBD and Delta-8, bask in nationwide legality, unlike THC, which remains federally illicit, albeit legalized for medical and/or recreational purposes in select states.
The tax landscape for hemp starkly contrasts with that of cannabis. Hemp products incur standard sales taxes, while cannabis faces steeper levies akin to those imposed on alcohol or tobacco.
“The exorbitant taxes on cannabis can soar up to 40 percent in certain states,” reveals Olson. Consequently, hemp products often boast a more wallet-friendly price tag.
Regulating THC levels
Given THC’s pivotal role in distinguishing hemp from cannabis, producers and distributors of hemp products meticulously scrutinize each batch to ensure compliance. Olson’s team mandates farmers to test every harvest and conducts additional testing upon receipt. Any shipment surpassing the legal THC threshold faces rejection.
“The omnipresent challenge within the industry lies in THC control,” he notes. “Excessive THC content can trigger FBI raids or FDA product recalls.”
According to Olson, ongoing genomic research aims to streamline THC control in hemp production while unraveling its therapeutic potential.
“Hemp remains largely uncharted territory,” he asserts. “Despite identifying approximately 140 cannabinoids, we are merely scratching the surface of their therapeutic properties.”

Hemp: Nature’s marvel
Despite its nascent exploration, preliminary studies underscore hemp’s prodigious potential. “CBD exhibits natural anti-inflammatory properties,” Olson remarks. “Numerous clinical trials underscore its efficacy in pain management. CBD topicals suffice to alleviate arthritis, restoring manual dexterity for musicians. Notably, CBD serves as a panacea for pediatric epilepsy.”
Recent studies from New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine elucidate CBD’s efficacy in mitigating seizures by inhibiting hyperactive brain molecules.
Cannabigerol, another cannabinoid, exhibits promise in assuaging depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and even breast cancer. Younger plants boast higher cannabigerol concentrations than mature ones.
Ultimately, cannabis represents a mere facet of hemp’s multifaceted utility, with THC constituting a solitary cannabinoid among many. Cannabis sativa embodies an untapped reservoir of therapeutic potential.
“Hemp’s boundless utility is just beginning to unfurl,” Olson enthuses. “Envision the myriad benefits these compounds offer.”
Abundantly prolific, the hemp plant has often been disparagingly dubbed “weed.” However, given its myriad therapeutic applications, this “weed” may indeed be nature’s most priceless asset.
By The Joint Blog. July 30, 2023
