Every consumer has three choices available when buying weed. Cannabis plants differ greatly from each other, but they are all either Sativa or Indica. Each kind has differing physical characteristics, and their effects are not the same. When we start combining genetics of the two, we get hybrids. This article will explain how they differ from each other and what effects to expect from them.
Whenever you buy any product from a marijuana dispensary in Santa Monica, it will have a label on it telling you whether it is an Indica or Sativa strain. These are the two classifications for cannabis plants, and there are hordes of differences between them. Despite being the same plant, these characteristics are what give each strain its uniqueness.
Back in the 18th century, when people started categorizing marijuana plants, their distinct resin patterns and plant structures are what first stood out. As humans began understanding these qualities and their attributes, they started hybridizing them to get plants with the best characteristics of both. This did not happen, however, until strict laws and eventually prohibition forced their plantations indoors.
Cannabis Sativa
These days, finding a pure Sativa strain can be a challenging endeavor. Despite the rarity of them on the market, they do exist and it is possible to find them. Sativa varieties are more difficult to cultivate. They have longer flowering times and require more space to grow. Without the correct environment, growing Sativa strains can be very trying. These tall, skinny plants grow best outdoors.
Pure Sativa or Sativa-dominant strains are energizing. Users feel euphoric after consuming them, and effects are much more cerebral than physical. This is why people use Sativa during the daytime, when they are typically active or in need of inspiration for creative activity. Because Sativa strains provide energy and uplift mood, they are ideal for treating issues such as depression and fatigue.
Sativas are undeniably the most popular strains of all. Being highly sought after, people love them specifically for their uplifting and motivating effects. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty growing them, as well as their lower yields, they are typically more expensive than other varieties and are frequently very hard to find. Do not let this deter you, though. If you look hard enough, you will find them.
Cannabis Indica
The origins of Indica strains border a little on folklore. We do know they developed in the Hindu Kush Mountains bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan. The climate there is harsh and the mountains simply enormous. At such high altitudes, plants develop unique attributes to protect themselves in these harsh weather conditions. For Indica strains, the response was to develop thick layers of resin or trichomes.
As cannabis plants, Indicas are shorter and bushier than their Sativa counterparts are. They do not get particularly tall, and they have thick, stocky stems. Buds have generous layers of trichomes, and this is the main quality that breeders look for and try to duplicate in their own strains. Flowering times are shorter, and they thrive in colder climates and high altitudes. This makes them ideal for indoor grows.
The effects of Indica strains are more relaxing, even sedating, with greater impact on the body than the mind. It will make you feel heavy, almost as if you want to lie down and never get up again. Users call this the “couchlock” effect, and it is for this reason that people use it for problems such as insomnia and pain. Indica strains are more suitable for nighttime use, as they make you sleepy instead of energetic.
Cannabis Hybrids
When the period of prohibition began and cultivators had to hide their plants indoors, the era of genetic experimentation started. Growers had to maintain the purity of beloved strains of the time, but they also had an opportunity to breed different Sativa and Indica strains together. They quickly learned to isolate the most beneficial attributes of each and blend them into a single plant.
Because of this, we now have hybrid strains and thousands of them. Some Sativa-dominant varieties now have shorter flowering cycles and higher yields. Some will also thrive inside now, which makes the potential for cultivating cannabis simply gigantic. Hybridism also means that you can now treat various medical conditions and symptoms with a single strain, as it combines the effects of both varieties.
Most strains on the market today are hybrids. Ironically, they would not exist without the “war on drugs.” Genetic engineering and hybridism allow growers to preserve strains from yesteryear before indoor growing operations even existed. The biggest advantage of hybrid strains is their ability to create many new and interesting marijuana strains with their own unique attributes.
The Importance of Environment
Despite the specificity of marijuana classifications, many variables at play have different influences on the final product. For example, strains labeled pure Indica or Indica-dominant should be short, bushy, and quick to flower. However, even the smallest difference in environmental conditions can result in plants that express more of their Sativa qualities than their Indica ones.
This means that growers can manipulate the environment to create varying results from a single seed. Environmental changes directly affect the experiences we have, such as higher or lower THC and cannabinoid levels, as well as terpene content. These factors influence what we feel, and even slight environmental alterations result in different attributes being more pronounced than others are.
A strain grown in one area may grow a specific way and promise certain effects, but if grown elsewhere, results can be slightly different. As with all lifeforms, each cannabis plant is unique to its natural environment and genetics. This is why marijuana is such a special plant, and why it is able to treat so many medical conditions effectively, from mild to severe.
Marijuana Delivery in Santa Monica
Every marijuana dispensary in Santa Monica should have a variety of Sativas, Indicas, and hybrids on offer. You can certainly get any of them online and have them delivered to your door within 45 minutes of placing your order. Pure and hybrid strains are available in many different forms, from high-quality flowers to oils, edibles, topical creams and balms, and other cannabis-infused products.