Hemp vs Cannabis: Benefits, Laws, and Why Hemp Matters in Maryland
If you had asked Anna Chaney ten years ago if she would ever consider growing hemp, she would have said, “Are you crazy?! Isn’t that a drug?”
Today, hemp is an extremely important crop at Honey’s Harvest Farm, grown regeneratively in our living soil and used in our full-spectrum CBD oil, bath salts, salves, and chocolates.
All of our full spectrum CBD products come from hemp grown regeneratively in living soil at Honey’s Harvest Farm
So How Did We Get Here?
In 2014, medical cannabis became legal in Maryland. (Maryland legalized recreational marijuana in 2023.) Curious, Anna decided to attend a large conference in Las Vegas to learn more and determine if growing cannabis could be a good business opportunity. While there, she met a gentleman who depended on hemp for quality of life, and she learned about the benefits of hemp, as well as the differences between hemp and cannabis.
Hemp vs Cannabis Difference (Does Hemp Get You High?)
Hemp and cannabis are both scientifically known as Cannabis sativa, and it is their usage and chemical composition that differentiates them. Hemp is required by law to have less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis. This means that hemp, unlike cannabis, does not cause an intoxicating or “high” effect.
Hemp growing in living soil at Honey’s Harvest Farm in 2021
What is Hemp Used For?
Hemp is widely used for natural pain relief, better sleep, and stress support—some of the most common reasons people search for CBD oil benefits. It is also used to make paper, clothing, textiles, animal feed, plastic, and, of course, the hemp seeds and hemp milk that you may have seen or even bought at the grocery store! As a food, it may be considered one of the most nutrient dense plants on the planet.
Is Hemp Legal in Maryland?
At that time, hemp wasn’t legal to grow in Maryland, as it was still inappropriately classified as an intoxicating “drug”. Having become a passionate supporter of hemp, Anna joined a group of people who were willing to educate and fight at the legislative level to legalize hemp in Maryland.
In 2016, their efforts paid off, and in 2017, we began growing hemp at Honey’s Harvest Farm. However, this doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Multiple times, we’ve been on the verge of losing the hard won right of growing hemp. And now the nation might lose access to this amazing plant.
Anna Chaney (far right) sits on a hemp panel in 2021
Why Hemp Farms Are at Risk
New language was slipped into the Farm Bill last year that passed and outlawed U.S. citizens’ rights to grow and sell hemp across the nation. As of November 12, 2026, it will be illegal to grow and sell non-intoxicating hemp across the United States. This legislation protects the interests of cannabis and alcohol while punishing small farms and businesses such as Honey’s Harvest Farm.
What Can We Do to Protect Our Right to Access Hemp?
First, we can speak up and let our legislators know that we care about hemp. Please consider visiting https://hempsupporter.com/bill/help-stop-the-hemp-ban/ and sending a letter to your representatives asking them to advocate for hemp and hemp farms.
Second, please support small farms and businesses while you still can! At Honey’s Harvest Farm, we are offering our full spectrum Liquid Gold CBD oils for BOGO 50% off during the month of April, 2026. Keep an eye out for more specials yet to come before November 12, 2026!
Whether you’ve been curious about hemp, already love what this plant does for your body, or have been seeking deeper calm, better sleep, pain relief, or a more supported nervous system, now is the time to stock up on Honey’s CBD while you still can.
