What is a cannabis strain?
A strain is a genetic variant of cannabis. Most cannabis strains can be classified as either Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica – two variations of the same basic species of cannabis. These two classes of strains tend to have very different effects on the consumer as further detailed below. Today we regularly see the influence of hybrid genetics that combine both indica and sativa varieties.
Over the years, countless numbers of hybrid strains have been created through genetic cross-breeding programs to develop plant profiles that are meant to take the best attributes of both parent strains – you’ll only need to go to your registered dispensary to see the assortment of strains that have been created over the past decades with a variety of cannabinoid profiles.
Form and Structure:
Indica plants tend to be short and stocky, while sativa varieties are tall and lanky. The leaves of indica plants are broad and chunky, whereas sativa strains exhibit thin and pointy leaves. It should be noted, itÎs not always easy to quickly identify the di!erent species solely by their appearance. The variation in form is primarily due to the di!erent geographical regions in which each originate indicas from the mountainous regions of Asia and the Middle East and sativas from more equatorial regions around the world.
The Effects:
Two types of cannabis compounds—cannabinoids and terpenes—hold most of the influence when it comes to evaluating the effects of the cannabis plant. In this way, cannabis strains are the sum of smaller parts that are passed on genetically from plant to plant.
Sativas will likely have a powerful uplifting or energizing effect. Sativas can promote focus and productivity, making them preferable for daytime use. (Therefore, they’re not necessarily recommended for evenings.) However, strong sativas can cause a person’s mind to race and even cause users to feel anxious or paranoid.
Indicas traditionally promote relaxation and are generally calming. Often, indicas are thought to be very beneficial for relieving pain, reducing stress, and promoting sleep. (Strong indicas might not be the best option for morning use and wanting to stay productive.)
Hybrid Strains:
Hybrids are simply a mix of sativa and indica, providing the pros and cons of each species. Hybrid strains that are more indica than sativa are called indica-dominant. Likewise, sativa-dominant strains have mostly sativa traits, but are buffered by some indica influence.
Today we regularly see the influence of hybrid genetics that combine both indica and sativa varieties. Over the years, countless numbers of hybrid strains have been created through genetic crossbreeding programs to develop plant profiles that are meant to take the best attributes of both parent strains.
Just go to your registered dispensary to see the assortment of strains that have been created over the past decades and discover a variety of cannabinoid profiles.