One of the wonderful things about legalization—and you need only to find your way into a recreational dispensary to experience this—is the plethora of cannabis products available. Gone are the days when your choices (if you had any at all) were simply a cheaper bag of brown leaf remnants versus a pricier bag of something that looked less like it used to be compressed in a brick.
Yes, a sort of cannabis renaissance is upon us, and no one is complaining… but a lot of us are confused. Or at the very least, overwhelmed.
Time to kick back and chill out with our simple, concise pot shopping primer!
Marijuana Types: Indica vs. Sativa
First, a disclaimer: These words have been used to differentiate between cannabis species in a few different ways over the years, some more scientific than others. In the spirit of brevity, we’re going to skip the history lesson. We’ll be using these terms colloquially—that is, how they’re used in the shop and in general conversation—and get right to the point.
If you’ve indulged in the past, you know that the pot you bought last month might have affected you very differently than the pot you bought last week. If you’ve never indulged, you probably are at least aware that people can be portrayed as being high in different ways. Energetic and giggly, versus mellow and comfy, for example.
In an extremely simplified sense, these different effects can be divided based whether the plant used is an indica plant or a sativa plant.
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Are these really different types of cannabis plants?
Yes and no. Without delving too deeply into it, yes, indica and sativa are words used to describe different varieties of plants. They look a bit different (sativas are tall and have narrower leaves, indicas are shorter and bushier in appearance), and their grow cycles are different. This isn’t particularly relevant, for a few reasons. What is important is understanding what “indica” and “sativa” are used to represent about the effects of a strain.
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What to expect from a marijuana strain labeled indica
There’s a very old mnemonic used to remember what “indica” strains are known for: in-di-ca equals in-de-couch. That is, indica strains are known for being relaxing, mellow, and soothing. Indulge a little, and it’s perfect for cozying up for a Netflix marathon. Indulge a little more, and you may find yourself the (likely willing and enthusiastic) victim of the phenomenon known as “couch-lock.’ You’re just too cozy and mellow to move. Anecdotally, indica strains are less likely to induce paranoid reactions, and more likely to lead to a lazy Sunday finishing off the Cap’n Crunch to an Adult Swim Marathon. If you’re looking to kick back with an epic bubble bath after exam week, indica strains are probably what you’re looking for, since they’re also credited with giving you an awesome body high. Some people also swear by indicas for pain relief.
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What to expect from a marijuana strain labeled sativa
If indica equals in de couch, then sa-ti-va equals clean-the-house. No, we’re not talking about frenetic energy like caffeine or stronger stimulants. Sativas are so labeled because they typically cause an uplifting, energetic mood. Those that have anxiety issues or are prone to paranoia may find them less soothing, but this is both anecdotal and very dependent on the actual person. Some people might experience paranoia with both strain types at one point in their life, and none with either strain at a later point, or vice versa. What is fairly well documented is that sativas produce more of a mental high instead of a body high.
Different People + Different Dispensaries = Different Highs
There’s nothing wrong with using “indica” and “sativa” as short-hand for these effects, but don’t assume that they’re perfect descriptors. First of all, most strains today are hybrids of some sort. Second of all, and we’re going to continue to belabor this point (because it’s important): not all indica labeled strains will affect all users the same way, and not all indica labeled strains will affect you the same way. If you’re a couch lock connoisseur, that doesn’t mean you should dive right into a brand new indica strain you’ve never tried before and expect the same results.
These terms are a good guideline, but they are certainly not tried-and-true descriptors. I’ve never met a strain I didn’t like, but I always give new stuff (even just new batches of stuff I’ve had before), a little trial to see how it will affect me personally.
Why aren’t marijuana strains more predictable?
Well, as we’ve mentioned, most strains are actually hybrids of at least indica and sativa type plants (and often with a third or forth type thrown into the mix). Also, individual plants vary in their concentration, and all of the above can be affected by growth and harvest procedures.
But when you get right down to it, it’s that the effects you’re feeling aren’t integral to the plant being an “indica” strain or a “sativa” strain. In reality, they come down to cannabinoids and terpenes.
You see, cannabis is chock-full of compounds that have different effects by themselves or in combination with one another. You’ve probably heard of THC and perhaps CBD, but the rabbit hole goes much deeper!
Cannabinoids
THC and CBD are cannabinoids, and they’re the heavy hitters when it comes to the effects we know and love. THC is known for pain relief, nausea relief, increasing appetite, and, well, getting you high. CBD is non-intoxicating, but it still has plenty of reported effects, including relieving anxiety, inflammation, and pain. These are only two, however, of hundreds of various cannabinoids you can find in cannabis.
Note that while THC is intoxicating and CBD isn’t, we didn’t mention anything about energizing (“sativa”) versus sedating (“indica”). There’s a reason for that. While people used to think that THC and CBD were the big players behind indica vs sativa style effects that’s turned out to be, well, totally wrong.
In fact, today’s research indicates that cannabinoids might not have much at all to do with what we label “indica” versus “sativa” in terms of effects. As it turns out, that honor goes to our friends terpenes.
Terpenes
Scientists now believe that terpenes probably have a lot more to do with the energizing vs. sedative effects of your favorite strain. But before we get into that, let’s talk about what terpenes are (and do) in a more general sense.
They’re not only found in cannabis, first of all. Terpenes refers to a whole bunch of different organic compounds found in all sorts of different plants. In fact, you’ve been loving (some) terpenes all of your life. Ever dabbled in aroma therapy, worn cologne, or enjoyed the holiday perfume of a fresh Christmas tree? Terpenes are the primary component in essential oils—they’re what makes lavender smell so good, for example, and the terpenes in hops give your fave IPA its citrusy zest.
They’re also what give the Girl Scout Cookies, Fruity Pebbles, and Sour Diesel cannabis strains their distinctive scents—and their distinctive effects.
We still don’t know exactly what effects to expect from every terpene or combination of terpenes, but they’re predictable enough that using your nose can help you identify strains that give you the desired effects, much of the time.
How to Use This Information in a Marijuana Dispensary
One good piece of advice, if you’re unfamiliar with cannabis, or you just want to know more about strains, is to hit up a dispensary when they’re not busy and chat with the folks there. Indica and sativa strains are, as mentioned, a good guideline—but you’ll find that exploring a bit more in depth with people that have first hand experiences with the strains in the dispensary will get you further than just reading labels.
Second, get a sampler if you’re not sure what you’re after. A few small samples of different strains can introduce you to different effects. Pay attention to how each sample smells and tastes—you’ll be able to recognize those terpene profiles again in the future.
Third, remember that consuming cannabis in different ways also affects your high. Whether it’s smoking flower, vaping a concentrate, or noshing on an edible, the method of delivery matters—which deserves its own entire article!
Please don’t take anything you read here as medical or legal advice. If you need medical or legal advice, consult a doctor or lawyer. The articles and content that appear on this website have been written by different people and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organization.