At GŪD Essence, we spend a lot of time thinking about not just what people buy, but why they buy it. And when it comes to cannabis, the words we use — marijuana and hemp — have shaped consumer behavior more than most people realize.
The divide in the marketplace
For decades, marijuana has been tied to counterculture, stigma, and restriction. Consumers who wanted access often had to navigate medical programs or risk the shadows of prohibition. On the other side, hemp was rebranded as safe and non-psychoactive — landing in big-box retailers, health food stores, and even your local coffee shop. This split created two completely different shopping experiences for the same plant.
Hemp as the “entry point”
Thanks to the Farm Bill, hemp-derived products exploded onto shelves nationwide. CBD gummies, lotions, drinks, and tinctures became people’s first introduction to cannabinoids. For many, hemp felt approachable and wellness-driven, creating a low-barrier entry point into cannabis culture. But this consumer entry point came with limits: products were marketed as “THC-free,” reducing the plant’s identity to what it wasn’t instead of what it is.
Marijuana as the “restricted premium”
Meanwhile, products labeled as marijuana remained locked behind dispensary doors. These products were often seen as premium, high-THC, and only for certain consumers. The language kept them separate from mainstream wellness, even though cannabinoids beyond THC have therapeutic value. The result? A fragmented consumer journey — one path for “hemp shoppers,” another for “marijuana shoppers.”
The cost of outdated language
This language divide doesn’t just confuse consumers — it shapes the entire industry. It influences who feels comfortable shopping, what products people try, and how brands position themselves. Consumers often miss out on the full spectrum of cannabis because the industry is still speaking two different languages.
Where GŪD Essence is different
At GŪD Essence, we believe in bridging that gap. We’re here to educate consumers beyond old labels and empower them to see cannabis as one plant with many expressions. Whether it’s CBD, THC, or lesser-known cannabinoids, we want people to shop with knowledge, confidence, and curiosity — not stigma or confusion.
Because consumerism should reflect reality: cannabis isn’t two separate categories. It’s one powerful plant with endless potential.
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