Beginner’s Guide to Cannabis Strains

It was somewhat rare in the past to come across strains that really blew minds. These days, they are commonplace.

Today, you can choose strains by color, flavor, smell, medical use. By potency. You can be picky. Some you might

enjoy more than others. Just what makes strains different? How are they so diverse? Many factors are responsible,

genetics and environment just two among them. 

Much decides which strains end up in a New York Cannabis Dispensary. Genetics form the basis of a strain’s specific traits. However, conditions in its growing environment are highly influential too. When grown separately, in different conditions, plants with similar genes express different characteristics from its particular genetic code. This is also how smells, colors, and flavors differ. 

How Cannabis Plants Evolved

Pakistan has the earliest record of cannabis plants. It came from the Hindu Kush Mountains specifically, which includes a few equatorial countries. They were wild. Untamed. They grew without human intervention. Called “landraces,” these early plants changed. As the U.S. National Library of Medicine explains, they adapted. Evolved. Sativas spread into warmer climates. Indicas into the cold. 

Breeding New Cannabis Strains

Not long ago, cannabis prohibition kept everyone hush hush. Botanists, researchers, growers, investors, and even amateurs, began crossing new strains with legalization. Breeding new plants. Adjusting the gene pool. Some bred for specific traits. Like taste. Smell. Effects. Potency. Ease of growth. Medicinal efficacy. Growing indoors allowed people to experiment. To control outcomes. 

People began breeding professionally. Investing in soils, lighting, extraction equipment, clones, cross-pollinating, temperature, and other environmental conditions. They bred hybrids. Crossed Sativas with Indicas. Mixed species. Today, most strains are hybrid. Some have more Indica traits in them, others express more of a Sativa buzz. You get purebreds too. If you look for them. 

What is Cannabis sativa?

The species of Cannabis from equatorial regions were landrace Sativas. Farmers were using it for food hundreds of years ago. They farmed it for fibers, oils, medicines, and on it goes. They used it spiritually. Sativas are tall. Because of this, they are difficult to grow indoors. Some need as long as six months just to flower. Since they take long to mature, they yield more. However, THC is less. 

Generally, Sativas energize. They uplift. Stimulate. Improve mood and boost creativity. This is why they are popular with artists. Musicians and writers. They are expressive. They are busy. These effects make it easier to get things done. They also reduce depression, anxiety, headaches, pain, nausea, and so much more. They treat fatigue very well too. Expect munchies. All that hard work. 

What is Cannabis indica?

Indicas come from the Hindu Kush Mountains. People still grow it in Pakistan and surrounding areas today. This is a popular lineage. It spread fast through Asia and into the Middle East. There, it spread into Europe and became a hot item in the spice trade. Indica plants are fat. Short. They have wide leaves and grow quickly. For this reason, they yield less than Sativas. They are more potent, however. 

CBN and CBD levels are often higher in Indica strains too. This is why they tend to hit so hard. Indicas are physical. It is a body buzz. You feel content, happy, sleepy. Hungry too, of course. Indicas are effective for spasms, convulsions, and muscular issues. They treat seizure disorders, like epilepsy, and are among the most powerful painkillers available today. They numb. You do not feel much at all. 

What is Cannabis ruderalis?

Unlike Sativas and Indicas, Cannabis ruderalis is especially hardy. Ideal for very harsh environments. They grow in extreme cold. In high toxicity. Anywhere. Ruderalis strains are survivors. The strongest of all. What makes it particularly valuable is its genetics. It triggers itself to flower. For this reason, it does not rely on light cues. Nor weather cues. It will flower when it is ready. Come what may. 

For breeding, this is very valuable. A trait in high demand. On its own, Ruderalis is not very popular. These plants contain very little THC. Even so, they grow well. Easily. They grow quickly and are thick, durable plants. You can harvest from seed within four months. These self-flowering genes work well crossed with Sativa and Indica strains. It strengthens them and benefits from their THC. 

Understanding Cannabis Strains In-Store

If you visit any New York cannabis dispensary, you will find a myriad of different strains available. Now that you know what they are, how exactly do they affect you? Plants contain many cannabinoids. Many terpenes. Flavonoids too, and others. All work together. All interact with the endocannabinoid system to affect body and mind. To affect healing. To make stoned. How to choose?

• Sativas are typically busy. Energetic. Ideal for daytime use. Perfect for getting projects done. 

• Indicas are opposite. They are relaxing. Sedating. Tranquilizing even, in large doses. Better at night. 

Hybrids are more challenging. Some express Indica dominance. Others Sativa. In different quantities. Different ratios.

A balanced hybrid might mellow extremes out. However, the more dominant it is, the more likely a strain will mirror

those effects. Experiment. Play around. Have fun. Just remember to keep doses reasonable. Moderate. Too much THC

feels bad every time. No matter the strain. 

Best Online Weed Dispensary

Understanding strains might cause some tremors at first, but choosing need not overwhelm you. Options are many online, making it important to know what you are getting. Some strains surprise you. Affect you unexpectedly. Ask for a Certificate of Analysis to know the cannabinoids a specific strain contains. It will give all the insight you need to make an informed buying decision.