What Is A Marijuana Strain? Indica, Sativas And 8 Other Weed Words To Know

Smoking marijuana is enjoyable, beneficial, and legal for adults all over Canada. Whether you choose to roll a joint, pack a blunt or smoke with a Bong or Pipe, all methods are enjoyable. What’s more, each smoking session is different, especially as you have such a wide variety of marijuana strains to choose from. However, beginners to the world of weed may wonder- what is a marijuana strain?

Marijuana is not limited to one plant or one type. There are almost a thousand known marijuana strains out there and new ones are being bred all the time. They also come in different types, and you’ll notice when buying that you usually have the choice between indica strains, sativa strains, and hybrid strains. Each offers something unique and you might have a hard time choosing.

Things can get even more confusing when you start learning about other products. Along with marijuana strains, you also have the choice of a range of marijuana concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and different types of vape products. So what is a marijuana strain and what are these other products? Here’s a guide to indicas, sativas, and other weed words to know.

What Is A Marijuana Strain?

Marijuana refers to the dry flowers harvested from cannabis plants that contain high levels of THC and other cannabinoids- these compounds provide many psychoactive and therapeutic effects for your mind and body when consumed. However, these plants are not limited to one type or breed. There are many different marijuana strains out there.

There are three main types of cannabis plants- cannabis indica, cannabis sativa, and cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis ruderalis is a fast-growing plant that doesn’t produce marijuana, but the other two are widely known for their ability to produce potent weed. Indica plants are short, bushy, and grow a little faster whereas sativa plants are tall, spread out, and take longer to grow.

Even among indica and sativa plants, there are many different strains. Not only do the plants look a little different, but when harvested, the marijuana that comes from these different strains will have a different taste, aroma, and effects. For instance, indica strains are mostly relaxing and calming, but one could still differ quite significantly in its potency and how it smells.

While there are many naturally grown strains of marijuana, breeders also create new strains all the time. This is also how hybrid strains are born. These strains are made by breeding an indica plant with a sativa plant, resulting in a strain that has the genetics and effects of both. These are enjoyed by users who want a mix of effects.

What Is An Indica Strain?

Indica strains are one of the main types of marijuana strains. These are strains that have been grown from cannabis indica plants. They’re known for being more physically calming and soothing than sativa strains, although each strain is a little different.

These strains are usually the best choice for evening or nighttime use. Users looking for a strain that’ll help them kick back, relax, and relieve stress at the end of the day will be well-served by indica strains. While you can use them in the daytime, they might make you feel a little too tranquilized and sedated to be functional.

Medical users usually turn to indica strains for relieving pain, inflammation, nausea, headaches, and migraines. Since they offer a body-focused high, they can help with all forms of physical tension and give you soothing body tingles. They can also help mentally calm you to relieve stress and anxiety. Of course, these mentally and physically relaxing effects are also great for helping you sleep.

Indica strains are very common, especially as they’re so easy to grow. Indoor growers generally prefer indica strains as they’re easy to grow, don’t take as long to harvest as sativa strains and only grow to around 3-6 feet tall while still producing large yields. Popular indica strains include Black Diamond, Super Nuken, Bubba Kush, and 9 Pound Hammer. 

What Is A Sativa Strain?

Sativa strains are another one of the main types of sativa strains. These are strains grown from cannabis sativa plants, known for their tall heights and longer growing times. While they’re a little rarer than indica strains, many users prefer sativa strains for times when they need uplifting and stimulating effects.

While indica strains are known for being deeply relaxing and body-focused, sativa strains are known for being energizing and stimulating. The effects of sativa strains are usually more head-focused, boosting your mood and giving you a sharp burst of creativity and heightened senses.

Recreational users often use sativa strains as daytime strains as they can deliver a sensational high while still giving you mental clarity. They’re also great for social situations as they make you more talkative and giggly. Medical users turn to these strains to help with issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

These strains are usually better-suited to outdoor growing as sativa plants can grow as tall as 20 feet. They take longer to grow than indica strains and require good weather, so usually buying them is a much easier choice. Popular sativa strains include Durban Poison, Strawberry Kush, Blue Dream, and Jack Herer.

What Is A Hybrid Strain?

Hybrid strains are strains made by cross-breeding an indica strain with a sativa strain. Sometimes they’re made by continuously cross-breeding strains to create an interesting mix of properties. These strains are great for users who want a mix of physical relaxation and mental stimulation.

There are also different types of sativa strains. Indica-dominant strains lean more towards indica genetics, containing a ratio of anywhere from 55:45 to 95:5 indica to sativa. These strains are more physically-focused but still give a nice burst of mental stimulation. Sometimes strong indica-dominant strains are simply labeled as indica strains.

Sativa-dominant strains are strains that lean more towards sativa genetics, making them more likely to give you a prominent head high yet still offering soothing physical effects. Much like with indica-dominant strains, you might find sativa-dominant strains being labeled simply as sativa strains.

Some hybrid strains have an even balance of indica and sativa genetics. These are known as balanced hybrids or true hybrids. These are perfect for users who want a versatile high that can relax their body and stimulate their mind in equal measure. They’re also great for medical users who want relief for a range of physical and mental symptoms. Popular hybrid strains include God’s Green Crack, Gorilla Glue #4, Pineapple Express, and Cotton Candy Kush.

What Is A Concentrate?

Marijuana strains aren’t your only option when it comes to consuming marijuana. If you’re looking for something more potent and hard-hitting, then you may prefer marijuana concentrates. These are products that are made by extracting the most potent parts of weed into highly-concentrated forms

There are many types of marijuana concentrates made using different methods of extraction. For instance, Hash is a solid, brick-like concentrate made by extracting the dried trichomes or “kief” from weed and compressing it into a block. Shatter is made by blasting weed with solvents to extract an amber, glass-like substance. Rosin is made by applying heat and pressure to weed.

Some of the most popular types of concentrates are Hash, Kief, Shatter, Budder, and Live Resin. You can use these products with a compatible Vape Pen and it only takes a small amount to get a strong high. You can also use them with a Dab Rig for even stronger effects. Alternatively, you can mix them with weed in a joint or bowl to smoke them.

What Is An Edible?

Marijuana Edibles offer one of the most enjoyable and powerful ways to get the effects of marijuana. These are made by decarboxylating weed, binding it to an ingredient such as oil or butter and then infusing it into all kinds of delicious foods. As a result, you get tasty treats that give you some sensational psychoactive effects when eaten.

It’s important to know that edibles work a little differently from other marijuana products. When you smoke or vape marijuana, the effects usually hit you instantly and taper off after a few hours. In contrast, edibles can take 30-90 minutes to kick in and can last as long as 4-12 hours according to studies.

They also give you a much stronger high than smoking weed. Even a 10mg dose of edibles is enough to give you intense euphoria and relaxation for hours on end. This is because THC is converted to the stronger 11-hydroxy-THC when consumed.

Marijuana Edibles are great for recreational users who want to experiment with stronger effects. They can also help medical users who need something stronger than weed to deal with severe symptoms of pain, inflammation, insomnia or stress. Plus, if you want milder effects from edibles, you can simply take a microdose of around 2.5-5mg.

What Is A Tincture?

Another one of the interesting types of marijuana products on the market today is Tinctures/Oils. These are liquid cannabis products that are exceptionally easy to use and come in handy when you need a quicker and simpler way to get the effects of weed.

Cannabis Tinctures come in a bottle with a dropper. You can use the dropper to measure out the dosage of THC you want, apply it under your tongue, and hold it there for around a minute or two. After that, you can swallow the rest of the tincture and the effects will usually hit you within around 20-30 minutes.

Many users prefer using Tinctures instead of smoking or vaping weed as it doesn’t require any inhalation. What’s more, the effects aren’t quite as overpowering as edibles. It’s a convenient way to get a good high and makes sense for medical users who need a discreet method of consumption.

What Is A Topical?

You can even get marijuana-infused Topicals. These are products such as Creams, Balms, Lotions, and other skincare and body care products that have been infused with cannabinoids. All you have to do to use them is to apply them directly to the area of your body where you want the effects of marijuana.

The interesting thing about Topicals is that, even when they contain high levels of THC, they won’t get you high. They penetrate the skin and interact with cannabinoid receptors under the skin. However, they don’t reach your bloodstream or your brain and therefore you won’t get any psychoactive effects. The one exception to this rule is THC Topical Patches which allow you to absorb THC into your veins for mild but long-lasting effects.

Aside from being easy to use, Topicals are a good choice for medical users who want to apply the pain-relieving effects directly to a specific area of the body. Many of them also come with other helpful ingredients to help boost your skin health. With that said, it’s not worth using these products if you’re looking for a way to get high.

What Are Vapes?

One of the most enjoyable ways to consume marijuana is with Vapes. Vaping involves using a device known as a Vape Pen or Vaporizer to get the effects of marijuana. You can use a Dry Herb Vaporizer if you want to vape weed, but you can also find vaporizers designed for use with concentrates or specially-designed THC Vape Oils.

Some users prefer vaping to smoking as you won’t be breathing in any harsh smoke, giving you a safer and more positive experience. Other users prefer it because research suggests that vaping cannabis is stronger than smoking cannabis. Some simply enjoy the experience of inhaling flavorful THC vapor and feeling the effects instantly.

Vape Pens are easy to use and usually require you to simply add your chosen product, set the temperature, and press a button to get smooth, inhalable vapor. Like smoking, it’s a quick and convenient way to get the effects of cannabis but with fewer drawbacks. Plus, many Vape Pens can be used with flavored THC Vape Oils that taste amazing.

Conclusion

Marijuana strains come in various types. The effects of indica strains are usually more relaxing whereas sativa strains are usually more stimulating, and hybrid strains will give you a mix of both. You can also check out other marijuana products such as Concentrates, Edibles, Tinctures, Topicals, and Vapes. You can find all of these and more online at WCCannabis.