How Do You Find The Right Cannabis Strain? A Guide for Beginners

August 20, 2024

Consumers can easily buy Indica flower online, as well as Sativa strains. 

Canadians buy more of these products due to their conventional descriptions: Sativa offers an uplifting mood, while Indica can sedate you. 

McMaster University’s Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research experts say that this characterization does not help understand the active agents in the product.

While these two types share similar qualities, they have different properties, such as active compounds, effects, and characteristics.

Understanding these qualities will help you select the right strain.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cannabinoid profile is a game-changer in determining the preferred weed instead of relying on the old definition of each plant type.
  • To better personalize a buyer’s cannabis needs, determine each strain’s terpene profile, as terpenes are natural substances that influence how marijuana affects the body.
  • Indicas produce a “couch-lock” effect, which makes users feel relaxed and sedentary, while Sativas are energetic and stimulate uplifting experiences.

Looking at Marijuana Plants

We can categorize flower as either Indica or Sativa. Indicas produce a “couch-lock” effect, while Sativas are known for their “energetic” high. Those knowledgeable about weed might also hear about hybrids.

These terms refer to a type of plant that combines characteristics of the basic plants.

Outstanding Features

Indicas are subspecies of marijuana with shorter and bushier features.

It features broad, dark green leaves and dense foliage. It also has higher CBD content and lower THC levels, which contributes to its calming and physical impacts.

Sativa is a subspecies with a taller and more elongated appearance. It features narrow, light green leaves and more space between the stalks and leaves. This cultivar has high tetrahydrocannabinol levels and produces long, narrow buds covered in trichomes.

This composition leads to stimulating and psychoactive experiences. 

Hybrid Leaves

Crossbreeding is the root of subspecies mixtures and why hybrids exist. These are combined species of Sativa and Indica. This plant can either be Indica-dominant, Sativa-dominant, or a balanced variety.

While it may combine the two primary plants, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol should be the first consideration when purchasing a flower.

Acquiring Effects-Related Information Through a Scientific Lens

While both plant types have a specific effect attached to their name, scientific research reveals that there is more to understand about the impacts of each type before fully appreciating their effects.

Cannabinoid Profiling

Cannabis’ active compounds can reference the species’ effects in determining the right product for you. Identifying THC and CBD contents will help you in this case.

Cannabinoids, or CBD, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, are specific chemicals found in marijuana plants.

Users who are looking for a clear-headed experience lean toward CBD-containing buds, while THC-containing weeds are for users who crave a potent euphoric experience.

Tetrahydrocannabinol has psychoactive components, which leave users with hallucinations, while CBD does not, which makes it a more attractive option for medical marijuana patients.

Following Alternative Concepts

Marijuana industries are starting to lean forward from the previous plant terms and instead categorizing these buds or, more precisely, “chemotypes,” as:

  • Type 1: High THC
  • Type 2: THC/CBD combined
  • Type 3: High CBD

Following alternate terms like “chemotypes” (chemovars) will avoid further confusion among buyers.

Getting it Right with Aromatic Compounds

A more accurate personalization of a buyer’s needs in terms of cannabis is by determining each strain’s terpene profile. Terpenes are marijuana-found natural substances that employ aromatic chemicals, a factor that makes the body interested in using the plant.

It also interacts with cannabinoids to enhance the overall impact.

Terpene Profile Properties
Pinene (Most common)
  • Anti-depressant
  • Anti-microbial
  • Anti-inflammatory
Linalool
  • Anti-psychotic
  • Anti-epileptic
  • Anti-psychotic
  • Pain killing
Limonene 
  • Anti-anxiety
  • Anti-cancer
  • Digestion alleviation
Myrcene
  • Calming
  • Sedating
Phytol
  • Immunosuppressant
  • Anti-insomnia

Choosing the result you want to receive is a great determining factor in selecting the best option for your needs.

Educating the Public About the Impact and Proper Purchasing Habits

With the passing of the Cannabis Act in 2018, the Canadian Federal Government designated authority to its provinces to cater to distinct socioeconomic dynamics in each demographic.

Dedicated regulatory models ensure proper distribution cycles and public cannabis medical and recreational education.

Provincial sites are responsible for marketing and distributing marijuana across their socioeconomic areas.

They also provide informative assistance to users consuming weed by posting detailed explanations of weed products on their online sites.

Are They Helpful in Flower Selection?

Most provincial sites predict that Indicas will make you sleepy and Sativas will make you alert, but they always add a bit of a caveated statement.

However, there is no scientific evidence to prove such claims, which is contradictive and, perhaps, leaves an ambiguous message to users.

British Columbia and Ontario companies are great examples of practicing upholding non-miseducation statements on their pages.

They only say that the plants grow in different ways—an implicit expression of facts but better than misleading ones.

Other provinces can learn from Ontario and B.C. sites, which prioritize current reports of weeds online. 

As a consumer, the practice of good research is necessary for raising awareness of marijuana chemotypes.

Great Experience For Beginners

If you are a first-time cannabis user hoping for a great experience and satisfaction, you must take note of these considerations. These tips will allow you to get the most out of your flower.

  1. Determine Your Goals:
    – If you just need relaxation and stress relief, you may consider High CBD, low THC-carrying weed chemotypes.

    – A balanced compound will do the work to relieve pain.

    – Are you seeking to avoid insomnia? Try Indica strains.
    – For a creativity boost, Sativa chemovars is the way to go.
  2. Start with low THC or dosage, then gradually increase your intake when you already feel comfortable.
  3. Consider CBD-dominant weed for therapeutic benefits without a strong psychoactive high.
  4. Ask for recommendations by consulting dispensary staff or budtenders for personalized chemovar suggestions.
  5. Verify cannabinoid content and terpene profiles by reading labels and lab reports.

“I Can Buy Myself Flowers?” Yes, You Can

You may find just the right product for your regular consumption, especially if you plan on using it for long-term use. Numerous online dispensaries in Canada offer a wide variety of buds.

Product Strain Type Flavour THC CBD
Purple Punch Indica Citrus, Grape 24% 0.6%
Purple Dragon Indica Grape, Sweet 19.5% 0.5%
The Original Z Indica Fruity, Sweet 19.5% 0.5%
Supersonic Sativa  Herbal, Tropical 21% 0.5%
Sour Tangie Sativa Citrus, Diesel 21% 0.4%
Cereal Milk Hybrid (Sativa-dominant) Sweet, Vanilla 20% 0.4%

Get Your Hands on the Right Flower

Sativa, Indica, and hybrid strains have unique properties, effects, and uses. While many people associate Sativas with boosting energy and Indicas with relaxation, these plants offer more than just these effects.

By examining the THC, CBD, and terpene profiles, you can better select the bud that suits your needs.

Discover premium cannabis flowers at GrassLife, a Canadian distributor known for its carefully curated selection of buds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 20% THC suitable for beginners like me?

20% content may be too potent for beginners. Start with cultivars that have lower levels (around 10-15%) to minimize the risk of anxiety or paranoia and to better gauge your tolerance.

What terpenes should I look for to manage my sleep problems?

If a racing mind is keeping you awake at night, consider looking for buds with these terpenes:

  • Linalool: Induces sedation, increases sleep time, and reduces movement in various doses.
  • Myrcene: Sedative and muscle relaxant effects in mice. At high doses, it may enhance the effects of THC.
  • Terpinolene: Identified in a 2011 preclinical study as a potent suppressor of the central nervous system.

How to Choose the Right Weed Strain?

  • Different buds have varying effects on the body and mind. Selecting the appropriate one ensures that you achieve the desired effects, whether for medical or recreational purposes.
  • For medical users, the right strain can impact symptom management. Certain strains may be more effective in addressing pain, anxiety, or insomnia.
  • Selecting a strain that matches your tolerance and needs can minimize the risk of experiencing negative effects and ensure a more enjoyable experience.
  • The right strain can enhance specific activities or experiences. For instance, a strain that boosts creativity might be ideal for artistic endeavours, while a relaxing strain might be perfect for unwinding after a long day.

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