Learning the difference between sativas and indicas
These relaxing strains offer higher CBD percentages without necessarily reducing THC percentages.
My first visit to the dispensary, I noticed that the majority of products were divided into three categories. I had my choice of sativas, indicas and hybrids and had no idea what this meant. The varieties of dried flower, pre-rolls, vapes, tinctures, concentrates and edibles were all distinguished with these labels. I went home and researched. I learned that the terms originally indicated the origin of the plant. In the mid 18th century, a Swedish botanist established psychoactive cannabis plants as cannabis sativa. The sativa plant tends to grow tall with long and narrow leaves. Around fifty years later, a French naturalist received samples of cannabis from India. He called this shorter, stockier version cannabis indica. Over the years sativas and cannabis have been repeatedly cross-bred. It is unlikely that there are any pure sativas or indicas remaining. However sativas are associated with a higher THC percentage and lower CBD percentage. They generally provide more of a cerebral high with energizing, motivating effects. They are recommended for helping with focus and to relieve pain and best for daytime use. Indicas are better for nighttime use as they provide sedative properties. They are often used to treat insomnia and anxiety. These relaxing strains offer higher CBD percentages without necessarily reducing THC percentages. Indicas are blamed for the feeling of lethargy that is often referred to as “couch lock.” Hybrids are the result of cross-breeding and take on the characteristics of the parent plants. They can be sativa-dominant, indica-dominant or an equal balance of the two. Modern hybrids are bred to target specific curative properties or to achieve especially high THC levels.