Do Male Hemp Plants Produce CBD? [How Much?]

Feb 17, 2026

A male hemp plant growing outside in a field with the title "Do male hemp plants produce CBD".

When people talk about cannabis plants, the spotlight almost always lands on female plants. That is because female flowers are where most cannabinoid production happens, especially for CBD extraction.

But what about male hemp plants? Do male hemp plants produce CBD, or are they only used for fiber production and breeding purposes?

The short answer is yes. Male plants produce cannabinoids, but in much smaller amounts than their female counterparts. The difference comes down to structure, growth patterns, and how male and female plants develop during the flowering stage.

Keep reading as we break down the main difference between male and female plants, compare cannabinoid concentration, and explain why hemp farmers focus on female hemp plants for high yielding CBD production.

What Is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the many cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa. When sourced from hemp plants, it contains 0.3% THC or less, so it does not create intoxicating effects.

Unlike THC, CBD does not bind strongly to the same receptors linked to a “high.” Instead, it is known for being non-intoxicating and well-tolerated by most people. Many consumers are interested in CBD because it may provide a boost to overall well-being and promote balance in the body.

What Is the ECS?

The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a network found in humans and other mammals. It plays a role in maintaining internal balance and supporting functions like sleep cycles, digestion, and mood stability.

CBD comes in many forms. It may be inhaled, taken under the tongue, added to foods, or applied topically depending on personal preference.

The ECS includes receptors that respond to cannabinoids produced naturally in the body. These receptors help regulate how your body responds to daily changes and outside influences.

How Does CBD Interact With the ECS?

The ECS has 2 primary receptor types called CB1 and CB2. THC binds directly to CB1 receptors, which is why it can produce intoxicating effects.

CBD interacts differently. Researchers believe it influences CB2 receptors and supports your body’s own cannabinoid production rather than directly binding in the same way THC does.

Some researchers have explored the idea of endocannabinoid deficiency, which refers to lower natural cannabinoid levels in the body. While this theory is still being studied, it highlights how closely cannabinoids and the ECS are connected.

What Is Hemp?

Hemp, also called industrial hemp, is a type of Cannabis sativa grown under strict legal standards. By definition, hemp plants must contain 0.3% THC or less, which separates them from marijuana plants that contain higher THC levels.

The 2018 Farm Bill allowed hemp cultivation to expand across the U.S., leading to rapid growth in farming and production. Today, hemp farmers grow hemp plants not only for CBD extraction but also for hemp fiber used in textiles, paper, biodegradable plastics, and other crops.

Hemp grows quickly, requires fewer resources than many traditional crops, and supports a wide range of commercial uses. From clothing to household items, it has become one of the most versatile plants in modern agriculture.

Male vs Female Hemp Plants

The main difference between male and female plants comes down to function. Male plants produce pollen, while female plants develop the flowers used for CBD extraction and seed production.

In cannabis cultivation, female hemp plants are preferred because female flowers contain more cannabinoids and stronger terpene profiles. Male hemp plants play a role in breeding purposes and gene pool diversity, but they are not high yielding for cannabinoid concentration.

Node Differences on Male vs Female

You can spot the difference during the vegetative stage and early flowering stage by looking at the nodes. These are the points where branches meet the main stalk.

On male cannabis plants, you will see small sacs forming. These are male pollen sacs, often shaped like round pollen sacs that hang downward.
On female cannabis plants, you will notice a female stigma, which looks like thin hairs emerging from the node. This structure is designed to catch pollen.

Once male pollen sacs reach maturity, they open and produce pollen. That pollen can fertilize female hemp plants within one to three weeks.

Most hemp farmers remove distinct male plants before they reach maturity. Pollination triggers seed production, which lowers cannabinoid production and reduces overall CBD extraction quality.

Seeded flowers shift energy toward seeds instead of resin glands. Since resin glands are responsible for producing more cannabinoids, pollination can lower cannabinoid concentration by up to 30% and reduce biomass by as much as 50%. This is why female ones that remain unpollinated are prized in cannabis cultivation.

What About Hermaphrodite Hemp Plants?

Some plants develop both male pollen sacs and female stigma on the same plant. This means they contain both characteristics.

These plants can produce pollen and fertilize themselves or other female plants nearby. While useful in certain breeding programs, most breeders avoid them in large scale CBD production because they increase the risk of unwanted seeds.

Do Hemp Farmers Grow Males or Female Plants?

If the goal is CBD extraction, hemp farmers focus almost entirely on female hemp plants. Male plants are typically grown only for breeding purposes or fiber production.

Even 1 male plant can release enough pollen to affect an entire field of female cannabis plants. That is why growers monitor growth patterns closely and remove male hemp plants early.

For seed production or creating new strains, male and female plants are intentionally paired. This helps retain specific traits, improve disease resistant qualities, and support gene pool diversity across many strains.

Do Male Hemp Plants Produce CBD?

Yes, male hemp plants produce CBD. However, their cannabinoid concentration is much lower than female counterparts.

Male leaves may contain measurable cannabinoids, but their flowers do not produce the same resin glands found on female flowers. That is the main difference in cannabinoid production.

Because male cannabis plants produce fewer leaves suited for extraction and lower overall cannabinoid concentration, they are rarely used for large scale CBD extraction. Instead, they remain valuable for breeding programs, fiber production, and maintaining strong genetics within cannabis cultivation.

Do Male Hemp Plants Produce Any Cannabinoids?

Yes, male hemp plants do produce cannabinoids. However, their cannabinoid concentration is much lower than female cannabis plants, especially in the flowers.

Interestingly, male leaves may contain measurable cannabinoids, sometimes even more than female leaves. But leaves are not the primary focus in CBD extraction because they lack the dense resin glands found on female flowers.

At a commercial level, male plants are not considered high yielding for cannabinoid production. Most hemp farmers remove male cannabis plants early to prevent pollination, which protects the quality of female hemp plants grown for CBD extraction.

Some extraction companies may combine plant material during processing. Still, the majority of usable material comes from female flowers because cannabis plants produce more cannabinoids in those resin rich buds.

What Are Male Hemp Plants Used For?

Male hemp plants are widely valued for fiber production. Compared to female ones, male plants often develop thicker stalks and fewer leaves, making hemp fiber softer and easier to process.

This fiber is used in clothing, paper, rope, biodegradable plastics, and other household items. In industrial hemp production, male plants can play a key role in supplying raw material for non cannabinoid uses.

Breeding purposes are another major function. Male plants produce pollen that fertilizes female plants for the next crop cycle. Without male pollen, seed production would not happen naturally.

Most breeders carefully select distinct male plants based on specific traits such as growth rate, disease-resistant qualities, and overall structure. Controlled breeding programs help retain specific characteristics, protect genetic diversity, and create new strains with improved terpene profiles and cannabinoid concentrations. This careful pairing of male and female plants supports cannabis cultivation across many strains while maintaining strong genetics in the gene pool.

Final Thoughts

Yes, male hemp plants produce CBD, but in much smaller amounts than their female counterparts. Female hemp plants remain the focus of CBD extraction because their flowers contain more cannabinoids and richer resin glands.

Still, male and female plants both play important roles in cannabis cultivation. If you want to understand how hemp plants produce CBD and why the main difference matters, take a closer look at how growers manage male and female plants throughout the flowering stage.