Figuring out the meaning of indica and sativa
Originally, all cannabis plants were classified as sativa, which referred to the species. Years later, the naming was updated to include two categories. Satavia continued to describe a tall, lanky and fibrous plant. Indica which referred to a shorter, stouter plant, with the name referring to India, where it was thought to originate from. Sativas originally grew in warm humid climates and took a long time to grow, flower and produce buds. They are believed to be energizing, uplifting and deliver cerebral effects. They tend to be higher in THC percentages and lower in CBD and are best used during the daytime. Sativa strains are great for anything that requires focus, motivation and productivity. Indicas have a shorter growth cycle and are recommended for nighttime use. The effects are more concentrated in the body and are typically relaxing and sedating. Indicas are best for chilling out at the end of the night, hanging out with friends or taking a nap. Today, despite how the strains are categorized, they are all some form of a hybrid. There has been a lot of cross-breeding to target specific effects and curative properties. Some strains are produced to achieve an especially high THC potency. Others are designed around curative benefits such as pain relief or anti-inflammatory properties. Shopping at the dispensary can be a bit overwhelming. The popularity of cannabis has led to hundreds of strains. I’ve found the budtenders at the dispensary to be wonderfully informed and helpful. My local dispensary offers scheduling of one-on-one consultations. I enjoyed sitting down with a budtender and discussing my personal preferences, concerns and objectives. She explained everything from the terminology to the consumption methods.