If you know someone who is deep into the world of marijuana, there is a good chance that you have heard them talk about different cannabis strains. They may ramble on and on about strains, potency levels, and hybrids, all while using weird names to describe these different strains that really don’t make any sense. They may also have been talking about strains, varieties, and cultivars – these terms can be confusing, but you really need to know that they do not matter a whole lot. Yes, there are 700 known strains of cannabis, and each one is unique in how it affects one’s mind and body. Cannabis products have been grouped into these varieties and strains for specific reasons. Mostly, it’s to distinguish the type of chemical varieties that make up these plants. Of course, there are all types of different strains that fall into 3 main categories: sativa, indica, or a hybrid. In a very basic and foundational sense, these are basically the 3 main types of cannabis strains that you will encounter in any dispensary you go to in the United States.
Sativa cannabis is generally associated with more energized and mood boosting highs. Sativa is used to help one still relax, but it also does not put you to sleep and can help you to feel more creative and happy. Indica is more useful for extremely relaxing body highs, and oftentimes people will use indica strains to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer when it is bedtime. Then you have hybrid strains that have a mix of sativa and indica. Most popular strains are some form of a hybrid variety, and they will usually be sativa or indica dominant as well. So why am I telling you all of this? Well, it is important to know what you are getting yourself into before you just try any marijuana flower that you come across in the dispensary. While smoking weed is very safe and low-risk, you never know how certain strains will affect you compared to others.
If I could compare weed varieties to one thing, it would probably be wine. Like with wine, beginners of cannabis do not necessarily have the ability or experience to tell the difference between the different strains and profiles of weed. They just smoke it to get high! And there is nothing wrong with that. However, the more that you smoke marijuana and get used to its flavor, terpenes, and effects, you will begin to flesh out your own favorite strains. You will be able to tell the difference in flavor profiles for different strains, and you will notice that the chemical makeup in each strain will affect you differently than it would someone else.
The important thing to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a marijuana strain is to not get too lost in the weeds. At the end of the day, if you are just starting out your marijuana journey, your best bet would be to get the advice of a professional about which strain might be right for you. If you are a medical maijauna patient, make sure to talk to your doctor or physician about which strains would be right for your condition. You also want to decide whether you want to smoke cannabis, use edibles or tinctures, and more. If you are just using weed recreationally, then your best bet is to do some research online for some of the best beginner marijuana strains. If you are going to a quality dispensary, the budtender on staff should be able to help you pick out some weed to smoke for your first time as well. I hope this was helpful!
Medical Cannabis 