You may have heard of hemp oil, also called hemp seed oil, or CBD oil, but do you know what they are — or the difference between the two?

Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production of hemp in the U.S., there’s been a massive influx of new products, leaving consumers and retailers alike to figure out what’s what.

But keep in mind: Despite new regulations, the laws surrounding these products are complicated and vary depending on location and other circumstances, so check your local laws before you add any to your shelves.

Cannabis Sativa

CBD oil and hemp oil are derived from different parts of the same plant species, “cannabis sativa.”

CBD oil uses the whole plant, while hemp oil comes from its seeds, which is why it’s also referred to as hemp seed oil.

Cannabis sativa is made up of two main parts: Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. Neither CBD oil nor hemp oil will result in a “high.”

Hemp Oil

Hemp oil, or hemp seed oil, is made by pressing hemp seeds.

Hemp oil does not contain any cannabinoids like CBD. Rather, it contains a blend of nutrients like protein, polyunsaturated acids and vitamin E, as well as both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

For this reason, it’s often used in food and as an ingredient in products such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions and soap.

CBD Oil

CBD oil is made from a variety of parts of the entire plant, including its stalks and flowers.

In order to get CBD and other compounds from the plant, they must be separated in a process called extraction.

CBD is commonly used as a treatment for a variety of ailments, including pain and anxiety. However, the only CBD medication that is currently FDA-approved is Epidiolex, which the agency approved in 2018 for the treatment of certain types of epilepsy.

In Conclusion

Both hemp oil and CBD oil are commonly considered wellness products and come from the cannabis sativa plant. The key differences lie in the part of the plant that each comes from and the benefits of the products themselves.