A Beginner’s Guide To Cannabis Strains
With so many cannabis strains out there, it may take some time to figure out what strains are your favourite. Canada offers an abundance of high-quality cannabis flowers but there is no such thing as one best cannabis strain. Just like preferences in food, people have preferences in strains. Some people have certain strains they smoke during the day that produce more energetic effects and then switch to smoking other strains in the evening that produce more relaxing effects. There are thousands of strains on the market to try so it just depends on what you are looking for, the good thing is that there are categories of strains to narrow things down for you.
Although marijuana buds appear to look fairly similar, their effects, their smell, and their taste can be very different depending on the strain. Weed Smart has created a beginner’s guide to cannabis strains to get you off to a good start in learning about the different types and their characteristics.
What Are Cannabis Strains?
Every Cannabis plant is not created equal. Each plant is the product of its unique genetic makeup, and the environment in which it is grown. The particular lineage of a Cannabis plant, the temperature and lighting conditions to which it is exposed during growth, and the nutrient and moisture content of the soil it is planted in can all play a profound role in the final taste, aroma, and potency of the harvested cannabis flowers.
When a distinctive variety of cannabis is created, and cultivated to become a stable plant variety with relatively uniform traits that can be reliably repeated over time, and across individual plants, this is known as a unique strain of Cannabis.
How Do Weed Strains Differ From One Another?
Each individual weed strain can differ from the next in any of a wide array of detailed traits. Strains may differ in appearance, flavour, aroma, mouth feel, potency, and effect. It often takes regular cannabis users a lengthy (and enjoyable) process of trial and error to identify the perfect strains for their particular needs. Most regular Marijuana users have a rotation of several preferred Cannabis strains that they rely on for a variety of different uses, needs, and moods.
For instance, they may turn to one particular weed strain when they are headed for a night out on the town and want to feel social and energized. They may keep another on hand at home for helping them to relax, and get a good night’s sleep after a long work day.
Each Marijuana strain has its own unique flavour and aroma profile, and each may affect different users in unique ways. Let’s explore some of the most popular Cannabis strains and their individual quirks.
What Are The Most Popular Cannabis Strains?
While there is a dizzying abundance of unique Cannabis strains in existence, the vast majority are crafted from some combination of three main Marijuana strains, collectively referred to in some circles as the “Big 3”. These Marijuana strains are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. A majority of strains on the market are hybrid strains which means they are not purely Sativa, purely Indica, or purely Ruderalis but rather a mixture of two or more different strains. Hybrid flowers bring the best of both strains together to give you a blend of both the uplifting properties of the Sativa genes and the euphoric couchlocking sensations of the indica genes.
Also, it is important to note that the quality of the genetics can determine how good a particular strain is so you want to buy cannabis seeds online from reliable sources.
Cannabis Sativa
Cannabis Sativa is a tall cannabis plant that features long branches, with thin leaves. Sativa was originally grown by farmers in the equatorial region of the globe, and it has been used for food, fibre, and recreation for centuries. Because of the height of the Sativa plant, this weed strain is generally grown outdoors. Sativa is a slow growing, slow flowering plant that yields a greater number of buds than other strains, but contains lower concentrations of THC.
Sativa weed is known to produce an energetic, euphoric feeling in users, without the physical sedation that is common in other stronger strains. This makes Sativa an excellent choice for beginners who are looking for a pleasant “buzz” without being overly sedated.
Cannabis Indica
Cannabis Indica is one of the oldest Cannabis strains, originally grown in the Hindu Kush mountain range. Indica is still commonly grown by Marijuana farmers in Pakistan and Afghanistan today.
Cannabis Indica plants are relatively short, and shrub-like, with large flat leaves. The Indica plant produces fewer Marijuana buds than other strains however the potency is quite high. Cannabis Indica has one of the highest concentrations of both THC and CBD which produces a strong mental and physical effect.
Indica weed is well known for producing a deep state of BOTH mental and physical relaxation, making Indica a good choice for more experienced users who are looking for a strong calming, or sedative effect that will allow them to sleep, or tap into their inner creativity. New users may want to start with small amounts of Indica or sample a hybrid strain which blends Indica with less potent weed strains to determine how this potent Marijuana strain will affect them.
Cannabis Ruderalis
Cannabis Ruderalis is a wild-growing cannabis strain that has proven its ability to not only survive but thrive in almost any growing environment. This hardy plant is self-flowering and hardy enough to grow unattended in any region.
The Cannabis Ruderalis has a relatively low THC concentration and is primarily used as a genetic-hybrid plant to increase the hardiness, productivity, and self-flowering ability of other popular weed strains.
Which Cannabis Strains Are Best For New Users?
Cannabis Sativa, and hybrid cannabis strains that feature Sativa as the main strain, are often suggested for new users. Sativa Cannabis has a lower THC concentration than other popular weed strains, making it an excellent starter strain for users who want to experience the mental euphoria and energetic boost without the heavy physical sedation that can accompany Marijuana strains with higher concentrations of THC.
Which Cannabis Strains Are The Most Potent?
Cannabis Indica is generally considered to be one of the most potent strains of Cannabis. The Indica plant is known to contain a higher concentration of THC, which can produce strong mental relaxation, accompanied by strong physical sedation. The strength of the mental and physical effect can vary greatly depending on the specific variety, or blend of hybrid Cannabis strains, but as a general rule of thumb, any hybrid flower containing Cannabis Indica can be expected to produce a fairly strong experience.
Which Cannabis Strains Are Used For Medicinal Purposes?
Both Cannabis Sativa, and Cannabis Indica are commonly used to ease the symptoms of a variety of medical ailments. However, the unique properties of each weed strain do lend them to different uses.
For instance, the energetic “buzzy” feeling produced by the Cannabis Sativa strain may not suit users who suffer from anxiety disorders, but it may be useful for patients experiencing depressive symptoms, and it can be used as an appetite stimulant for patients who are struggling with weight loss due to chemotherapy, advanced HIV, or other wasting diseases.
On the flip side, the strong sedative effect produced by Cannabis Indica strains can be beneficial in easing the symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety, and PTSD, and works as a powerful natural painkiller and appetite stimulant.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to pure enjoyment, there is no perfect Cannabis Strain. The best weed strain is the one that makes the individual user feel the best. The greatest advice for beginners looking to find the perfect Cannabis strain is to simply try as many as you can! We want to ensure that our customers are always sourcing marijuana from a top-notch dispensary. That’s why we carry only the best bud grown by true professionals so you never need to doubt the quality you’re getting with every purchase. Take a look at our premium weed menu at Weed Smart if you want to buy the best weed in Vancouver and explore what the world of mail order marijuana dispensaries has to offer!
References
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