Types of Cannabis
Types of cannabis vary greatly. Cannabis buds or “flower” as it is commonly referred to as are available in thousands of “strains,” however, each of these “strains” is categorized in one of 3 types of cannabis. These categories are Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid. Each of these categories of cannabis types offers its own unique growing characteristics, effects, and more.
These categorizations not only apply to cannabis flower but also to other cannabis products such as concentrates and edibles. This is because these products are sourced and extracted from cannabis flower.
Indica
Indica varieties of cannabis when growing tend to grow short and stout. These plants typically grow leaves that offer wider and shorter fingers. The effects of indicas are typically described as being full-body effects in the form of relaxation. This type of cannabis and cannabis products derived from them tend to offer more sedating effects. Mini consumers and patients describe indica strains as offering effects that are felt throughout the body. Some of the indica strange that you may have heard of include Blueberry, Northern Lights, LA Confidential, Purple Punch, Granddaddy Purple, Purple Urkel, 9 Lb. Hammer, and Big Bud.
Sativa
Sativa varieties of cannabis when growing tend to grow tall and skinny. These varieties of cannabis plants offer leaves that are long with skinny fingers. The effects of sativas are typically described as being very cerebral and felt in the brain. Sativa strains of cannabis are often known for providing more uplifting effects. In general, it is advised when looking to address anxiety that you avoid strong sativa strains of cannabis as they are known to sometimes increase anxiety in some due to the cerebral effects. However, this isn’t always the case. Some of the sativa strains that you may have heard of include Sour Diesel, Green Crack, Strawberry Cough, Maui Wowie, Jack Herer, Lemon Haze, Super Silver Haze, Tangie, Haze, Clementine, Guava, Incredible Hulk, and Casey Jones.
Hybrid
Hybrid strains of cannabis are abundant these days. Hybrid varieties of cannabis are produced by crossing two or more genetic lines to produce a new set of genetics. Hybrid strains of cannabis can be a combination of sativa strains, indica strains, other hybrid strains, or a combination of two or more of each type. For this reason, many hybrid strains are described as being indica or sativa dominant. However, you will find some perfectly balanced hybrids on the market offering a balanced set of genetics from both indica and sativa. Some of the more popular hybrids on the market today include Blue Dream, Cherry Pie, AK-47, White Widow, OG Kush, Gorilla Glue, GG4, Wedding Cake, Girl Scout Cookies, Gelato, Pineapple Express, GMO Cookies, Cherry Pie, Chemdawg, Animal Cookies, Tahoe OG, Motor Breath, Headband, and Super Glue.
Landrace Strains
Landrace strains are the purest strains you can find. These strains are the original strains of cannabis that have grown naturally in various parts of the world for centuries. These strains have been manipulated and bred with each other as well as other strains over the last several decades to make the hundreds of sativa, indicas, and hybrids available on the market today. Some of the landrace strains you may have heard of include Afghani, Acapulco Gold, Thai, Durban Poison, Hindu Kush, Panama Red, and Lamb’s Bread.
Each category of cannabis strains offers its own unique growing characteristics, effects, and more.
CBD Strains
There are also CBD dominant strains of cannabis on the market today, sometimes known as high CBD strains. While many of these strains still offer a wide spectrum of cannabinoid content, including THC, they tend to offer much higher levels of CBD than other cannabinoids. These types of cannabis strains come in sativa, indica, and hybrid forms. Some of the most popular high CBD strains available today include Harlequin, Stephen Hawking Kush, Cannatonic, Canna Tsu, Sour Tsunami, Pennywise, AC/DC, and Ringo’s Gift.
