If you've heard people talk about marijuana, you've probably heard the names indica, sativa, and hybrid thrown around, and wondered what’s the difference between each of these cannabis types. And, if you were to see them all side by side, how would you tell them apart?
Well, wonder no more. In this post, we'll review the different types of marijuana strains; provide a short history of weed strains, and list some traits and examples of each of the main strains.
In the mid 18th century, the terms indica and sativa began circulating to help identify two different types of marijuana: indica marijuana and sativa marijuana. In an attempt to describe the hemp plants found in both Europe and Eurasia, Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician (talented fellow, wonder if he was stoner too?) identified one type as cannabis sativa.
Then, in 1785, a French biologist by the name of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was given some specimens collected from a plant in India. He decided that it should be distinguishable from the cannabis sativa that Linnaeus identified and so called it cannabis indica. These terms are still widely in use today.
Another strain of 420-weed, Cannabis Ruderalis, was identified by Russian botanist D.E. Janischevisky in 1924. It’s not as well known as the others and mainly used for industrial purposes and in breeding with other strains. Then in the 1960s and 1970s, growers started to cross-breed cannabis plants and a whole new category of strains emerged... these are referred to as hybrid weed strains and are becoming immensely popular.
Below, we'll review what the indica weed strain looks like, it's traits and properties, provide examples of indica strains, and the effects this strain may have on a person.
Today, the term indica marijuana is used to describe cannabis plants that can grow up to four-to-six feet in height, and are short and stout with full, broad leaves. Indica also produces resin, which not only has its own benefits when consumed, but also helps to makes these marijuana plants pretty tough.
Indica plants can survive and flourish in harsher, colder climates than sativa plants can. But while they can survive in colder climates, their flowering cycles are typically on the shorter side - meaning that there's a more limited amount of time during which they can be harvested.
As you can imagine, both indica and sativa strains have their own unique traits which can benefit both medicinal and recreational marijuana users. Indica strains can be more potent and contain more THC than sativa strains, which may or may not have something to do with the resin they've adapted to produce.
Indica marijuana strains have both medicinal and recreational value. Whether it's an indica or sativa strain, the different effects users experience often depend on how they're using marijuana (smoking, vaping, edibles, etc...), their tolerance level, and the dose they consume.
Some of the traits and properties of indica include:
As we mentioned previously, however, these will vary depending on each user's unique reaction to the plant's properties.
These are but a few examples of some of the many different types of indica marijuana strains available today.
Smoking indica marijuana will typically provide users with a sense of relaxation and increased appetite (aka: aw yes, the munchies). It can also have a sedative effect that's heady enough to help those who struggle to fall asleep -making it a perfect nightcap before bed (get for some pretty wild dreams, too). An indica dominant strain usually delivers a high that is generally thought of as being a ‘stone’, meaning that it’s more centred on the body. Indicas may enhance physical sensations such as taste, touch and sound.
Now let’s take a look at what sativa weed looks like, it’s traits and properties, provide examples of sativa strains, and the effects it may have on a person.
Where indica marijuana plants are shorter, bushier, and have full leaves, sativa plants are the complete opposite. These cannabis plants are tall (can reach heights of 20-feet), wiry, and have thin leaves. They tend to favour warmer climates with longer seasons and they have longer flowering cycles than indica marijuana plans do.
While indica is known for its relaxing, sedative properties; sativa marijuana strains are known to be somewhat the opposite in that their high is more energetic and cerebral. Because it’s more of a brain high than a body high, it also helps to make a person feel more creative.
Some of the traits and properties of sativa include:
Again, these will vary depending on each user's unique reaction to the plant's properties.
Again, these are but a few examples of the different types of sativa marijuana strains available today.
Sativas have often been compared to coffee because of their energizing and awakening properties. If you're looking to get your creative juices flowing and want to feel uplifted, smoking a strain of sativa is the way you want to go. A sativa dominant strain usually delivers more of a ‘high’ which is less overpowering than the indica ‘stone’ and is more centred in the brain than the body (you will still get a body high but it just won’t be as pronounced as an indica high).
Hybrids are types of marijuana strains which consist of both indica and sativa variants. The combinations will vary depending on each strain, meaning that some strains will be more useful for treating certain symptoms than others.
Thanks for all the cross-breeding going on, there are now over 1000-strains of marijuana available. Because hybrids are a combination of different strains, you are likely to feel more of the effects associated with the dominant strain.
Generally, hybrid marijuana strains come in 3-categories:
Again, these are but a few examples of the different types of hybrid marijuana strains available today.
Because of all the varieties that are available, how and why you plan to use marijuana should determine which hybrid strain would be best for you. Don’t be afraid to try different strains in each of the categories as that’s one really good way of finding which one will work best for you and your needs.
Now that you're aware of the differences between the types of marijuana strains, it should be a whole lot easier for you to decide which ganga strain is right for you.
It really depends on whether you’re going to using it for industrial, medicinal, spiritual or recreational purposes and what the end result you desire. Just keep in mind that not all strains of each type will have the exact same properties or traits or even the same effect(s) on everyone.
Whether you're looking for indica, sativa, or hybrid strains, we know we have something you'll love. And if you can't decide, we have sampler combo packages that you can try. And if smoking isn't your thing, give marijuana concentrates, pot edibles, weed cbds, or mary-jane topicals a try. Take your time to browse through our website as we’re confident you’ll find something that’s just right for you.
To sum it all up: Indicas are great for just chilling and sleeping. Sativas are great for getting energized (isn’t that an oxymoron?) and to get the creative juices flowing. Hybrids are a mix of both so get the best of both. We’ve tried all three types... luv em all... some more than others:-).