To this day, Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are slotted into convenient compartments that describe their effects as well as growth structure. The cannabis community has latched onto the idea that Cannabis indica is the ideal group to select strains from for intensely-drowsy effects. The same is said for Cannabis sativa, and that its’ group is where you’ll find a creative frenzy locked away in its hazy trichomes.
Join us as we seek to find the similarities, differences, and intricacies between the two strain types commonly referred to as sativa and indica.
The Classification of Sativa
The differentiation of sativa from indica stems from its character states. Sativa strains are instantly recognizable from their slender blades and abundant leaflets. Generally, sativa-dominant strains grow tall with a crowning apex where the main flower will grow.
Due to these traits, Cannabis sativa has thrived in tropical conditions in areas across the globe, such as Malawi, Mozambique, Colombia, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, India, and many more. They are tolerant of humid and wet conditions and have long flowering periods due to these regions’ abundant summers.
Due to the humid conditions that sativa flowers grow in, their flowers aren’t usually dense compared to indica. This is a natural protection against mold, which would rapidly destroy the flowers and make their reproduction ineffective.
Classifying sativa based on character states is much easier than classifying sativa based on psychoactive effects. As the research of Cannabis sativa grows, scientists are finding more evidence that terpenes and cannabinoids are responsible for the effects we feel. Certain terpenes are found more frequently in Cannabis sativa, thus making it likely that they’ve adapted these terpenes as specific traits to ward off predators or attract pollinators.
Rather than claiming that all Cannabis sativa species induce an uplifting and work-inducing high, it’s more accurate to decipher the role and specific effects of terpenes.
The Classification of Indica
Just like its sativa counterpart, Cannabis indicas’ ubiquitous growth structure has captivated growers and breeders alike for its stout shape, fast flowering times, and dense flowers. These bush-like plants develope far-broader leaves with fewer leaflets.
Since every trait is a representation of where a plant has evolved and adapted to, Cannabis indica shows us clearly that it hails from colder climates with short summers. These rapid producers must bear their offspring before the first onset of rain usually brought on by the beginning of Fall.
Cannabis indica has been found naturally adapted to regions where few plants thrive, such as the Himalayas of Nepal, the steppes of Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Morocco, and many other frigid and arid regions. These traits allowed Cannabis indica to thrive, warding off the chilly morning breeze and encapsulating its offspring in its dense buds for the chance of spreading its seeds into the next generation.
Just like Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica owes its effects to the various compounds and terpenes that are found within. Many indicas produce overwhelmingly profound mental effects, and this is because the terpenes found in sativas can also be found in indicas. These similar effects between Cannabis indica and sativa show that classifying these two groups based on generalized effects are outdated.
The Rise of Hybridization
To further complicate matters, true landrace strains of Cannabis indica and sativa are being depleted as growers and breeders introduce new hybrids that eventually cross-pollinate with the indigenous population. This hybridization has brought about countless strains to the cannabis market but has simultaneously created a dominant third group: hybrids. This mixture of both indica and sativa has had a profound effect on the cannabis industry due to their ability to grow more efficiently in human-made conditions.
As time continues to move forward, we’ll have a better view of the roles that cannabinoids and terpenes play within cannabis strains. Alternatively, this new revelation may come too late as true Cannabis sativa and indica strains are on the decline.
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