Cannabis is the botanical name of a genus within the Cannabaceae, the same plant family that contains hops. The genus includes three species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis ruderalis and Cannabis indica. However, the three species interbreed and species boundaries are fluid — therefore, it has been suggested that only a single Cannabis species, C. sativa, be recognized. One common trait of all Cannabis plants is the presence of secondary compounds called ‘cannabinoids’, or more precisely ‘phyto-cannabinoids’. There are over 100 different phyto-cannabinoids, which are predominantly produced in trichomes growing on female Cannabis plants. However, between Cannabis accessions, the profile and quantity of specific phyto-cannabinoids varies enormously. To reflect this variation, it has been suggested to classify Cannabis strains according to their chemical phenotypes into ‘chemotypes’ with distinct cannabinoid profiles.
The most famous — or infamous — cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is known for its psychotropic effects. The presence of THC is where the difference between ‘hemp’ and ‘cannabis.’ In the United States, hemp contain greater than 0.8% TCH is classified as cannabis which, while legal in some way in around 39 States, remains illicit under Federal Law.
