Sativa vs. Indica

There are two species of cannabis—sativa and indica—and an ongoing debate about whether a third, ruderalis, is correctly classified.

Sativa and indica grow in different climates and are two very different plants both physically and chemically.

Sativa is known as the high fiber, hemp, non-drug, CBD plant. It’s native to the tropics, has narrow leaves, and can grow over 27 feet—which is why it needs strong stalks.

Indica plants are shorter, stubbier, and have wider leaves. Native to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Indica rarely grows much taller than 6 feet.

Still a respectable Christmas tree.

Ruderalis is the underdog—the smallest, least potent, wild child:

Don’t Believe the Hype

A common stonerism about the difference between sativa and indica is that sativa gets you high and indica (in da couch) gets you stoned.

Most cannabis grown today are hybrids of the two. In the last 20 years an entire industry has developed around hybridizing strains to try to achieve particular effects.

Marketing-types will have you believe certain strains produce particular effects. Most people I trust seem to think this is totally up for debate if not total bullshit.

Needless to say it’s not an exact science, and it’s important to remember every dose is personal.