As legal cannabis grows in popularity, more people are becoming interested in using the plant both medicinally and recreationally. With so many dispensaries and collectives popping up, it can be difficult for people interested in using cannabis to find the most effective strains that are known to give the perfect high.
Regardless of if you’re using cannabis medicinally or recreationally, the best thing that you can do when using cannabis is to start small. You may be compelled to get as much as possible, but since there are so many different types you’re likely to struggle finding the right strain for you. Plus, some strains can make you feel paranoid and anxious…you’re going to want to know exactly how you may be affected by using them.
This complete guide to cannabis strains will go over, in detail, everything you should be considering when trying to get the dankest of the dank, high quality cannabis. You’ll learn all about what the difference is between sativas, indicas, and hybrids. Whether you’re new to cannabis or you’re a seasoned cannaseur, here is your complete guide to cannabis strains. We hope that it helps you learn everything that you need to know for the next time you purchase your medicine.
Before you start
It’s best to start small if you’re new to using top shelf cannabis strains. You should slowly ease yourself into feeling the effects as many of these high quality strains may cause unfavorable side effects like paranoia and anxiety, like we previously mentioned. Even the most seasoned tokers can be affected differently from strain to strain. When you finally get to ingest your weed, pick a place that is comfortable for you. You’re going to want some space to relax and start small when you’re smoking super strong weed for the first time. Explore strains that might be right for you. Do your research.
Tetrahydrocannbinol (THC)
THC is the most prominent compound in cannabis and is exactly what makes you feel stoned. THC works closely with your brain to release hormones in your brain called dopamine, which are responsible for pleasure. Some botanists say that THC may be the way cannabis was made to defend itself from herbivores who may eat the plant for lunch. Funny enough that is exactly why people like to use the plant!
Many top shelf strains of cannabis work hard to have the highest THC content as possible, which can only be about 30%. Strains that have less than 15% THC may have a less powerful effect than other types.
Trichomes
Have you ever looked closely at a bud and saw it glittering with crystals? Well, those are trichomes. THC loves to live in the trichomes, which can be found all over the stems and leaves of cannabis. If you were to look at them super closely you would see that they vary in color. If you are examining your buds, you may see that they even appear to be milky. You want the trichomes on your cannabis to be amber or milky in appearance when you use them. Amber looking trichomes are known to include more relaxing effects while milky milky appearing trichomes seem to give you more of a head high. Trichomes having this sort of appearance tend to be super potent, so steer clear of trichomes that appear to be clear.
Types of Strains
As you may know, cannabis strains are grouped into three categories: sativas, indicas, and hybrids. Here we will go into detail about each type of strain and what makes each strain unique from the next.
Sativas
Sativas are infamous for sparking creativity. These types of strains motivate you and make you want to move, unlike indicas. When you look at the leaves of a sativa cannabis strain you will see that they are long and thin. You may also notice how the leaves spread out and appear to be fan-like. Sativas have higher levels of the psychoactive compound THC and lower levels of the calming CBD.
You may find that when using sativas you want to be creative, finding that doing some kind of art is almost soothing. Many people turn to a sativa for help treating depression, as sativas are also likely to get you to think and philosophize more.
Some popular sativa strains are: Power Plant, Malawi, Durban Poison, Purple Haze (many “hazes” are sativas), Maui Waui and Double Thai.
Indicas
What makes indicas a great choice for medical marjuana patients? Indica strains have a higher CBD count than sativas and hybrids. CBD is linked to many of cannabis’s impressive medical uses. When looking at an indica strain you may see that the leaves are wide and closer together than a sativa, making the leaves look sort of chunky. When you’re considering purchasing an indica strain, make sure that the buds are dense. The more dense the bud, the more properties of an indica strain the bud has.
You may find that when using an indica you feel relief from pain, anxiety, and even insomnia. Indica strains will may give you a very heavy body high and you may even find yourself glued to your couch…making indicas great for people who live stressful lives.
Some popular indica strains are: Hollands Hope, Northern Lights, Blue Cheese, Critical Kush (many “kushes” are indicas), Afghan Kush, Blackberry and Passion #1. If you find that you’re needing to calm down from a very intense workday, sparking up a joint filled with any of these strains you’re sure to be relaxed in no time.
Hybrids
Hybrids are the best of both worlds, often being the perfect combo of sativa and indica qualities, giving an uplifting and relaxing high. Hybrid strains are creating to get the best properties from both the sativa and indica plants in order to create a very potent hybrid strain that gives the you the most desirable effects from each type of strain.
You may have heard of some of these popular hybrid strains: Satori, Chronic, OG Kush, White Widow, AK-47, Skunk and Cheese.
Non-psychoactive Strains
There are strains that were bred specifically to be non-psychoactive, which is great if you’re not looking to get high from your weed. If you’re feeling anxious about using cannabis a strain like this will still give you the medicinal benefits of cannabis. These strains are high in CBD and are great for new users, and some of these strains have even been used for treating children.
High-CBD Strains:
Charlotte’s Web – a strain that is known for it’s medical benefits for treating seizures. This strain has a CBD content of 20%, with less than 0.5% THC, but there are no seeds available for breeders.
Pennywise – a TGA Genetics strain that is great for PTSD patients due to it’s 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD and a CBD content of 12-15%. The effects are known to be euphoric and provide mental clarity.
Painkiller XL – a hybrid strain that also has a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD, and is known to give relaxed and happy medicated effects.
Don’t Forget the Delivery Method
One last thing to remember about cannabis, strains are only a piece of the story. How you choose to ingest your cannabis is a huge part of the whole experience. Many people smoke cannabis, but there is no “right” way to use the plant. We encourage you to experiment with many different delivery methods to help you have the best experience you can.
We hope this guide to cannabis strains helps you pick the perfect strain for your medical needs.
Where to buy your preferred strains
Canna-Seed offers a wide range of cannabis seeds: 3.000 strains of 80 seed banks are available in this Austrian seed shop with US delivery.
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