Mary Jane Mountain is committed to providing information that empowers the public surrounding the various aspects of cannabis.
Indica, sativa, hybrid
It is best not to assume that all indicas, hybrids, or sativas are alike. In fact, they are only divided in those categories based on the geographical location that those plant structures grow best in. Landrace strains are the only strains left that would truly fall into one of these classifications. These selections occur and flourish naturally in a place that their genetics thrive (Afghani Kush, for example).
The physical structure of a live marijuana plant was previously used to determine its type. Indicas tend to show shorter, thicker leaves, while sativa leaves tend to be thinner and brighter in hue. Other plant characteristics can alter the impact of a cannabis product, based on the strain’s cannabinoid profile and your body’s way of receiving them through your endocannabinoid system.
Terpenes
Terpenes are essential in understanding the analgesic benefits of the plant. A consumer normally desires a specific outcome, especially those seeking cannabis’ powerful medicinal qualities.
Terpenes are a broad array of botanical compounds that contain the scent, flavor, and essential therapeutic uses of a plant. They can be found in household items like:
- Dried seasonings
- Floral arrangements
- Tea
- Cloves
- Citrus fruits
These compounds exhibit a similar viscosity to oil, adding a sticky element to the plant. A plant’s strength, health, and immunity can be attributed to its terpene content. The same comparison could be made for the benefits of cannabis in terms of its consumer.
These oils, or terpenes, are commonly known to provide the strength and type of effect you may experience.
Although they are found in everyday items, they appear in cannabis in high concentrations. Terpenes are secreted in the same glands as cannabinoids like THC and CBD. This can differentiate the high a user will experience based on the dominance of the terpene associated with that strain. Select legal cannabis states can purchase additional testing to look closely at the terpene content within each cultivar.