Do the labels Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid hold relevance at present?

Being a weed enthusiast, one should be particularly familiar with the names mentioned above. Moreover, whether you are considering getting weed from a local dispensary or are scrolling the menu of a website, products with the aforementioned names will keep appearing. These classifications have been around for decades now. It was designated to guide consumers to the kind of experience they desire. For instance, Indica for better sleep, Sativa for instant energy, and Hybrids for balance.

In recent times, the cannabis industry has made remarkable improvements. So, the question that comes to mind is, do these labels hold any relevance at present? To be honest, no. We break down the reasons in detail, read on.

A quick flashback on how the naming started

Ideally, the terms Indica and Sativa came from their botanical origins, and it has little with how cannabis would make you feel. The names go back to as early as the 18th century and as mentioned above, it was done to describe the plant structure and origin and not the effects it offers to the consumers.

For the records, Cannabis Sativa plants originated in warmer climates while Cannabis Indica had roots from colder regions. While the former is a tall, lanky plant with narrow leaves, the latter is shorter, and bushier with broad leaves. The aforementioned physical differences were useful for both the farmers and the botanists. Later, for some reason, the effects of these got tagged with their appearance.

The common perception

If you ask any casual users, they will confirm that Indica is used for sleep and relaxation, Sativa relates to something energetic, stimulating, and uplifting, and the Hybrid brings the best of both worlds. Even now, the naming concept plays on the minds of the users. For instance, we should go for an Indica to get a sound sleep, or grab a Sativa to get a creative boost. However, the changes scenario doesn’t match with the labels any longer.

The scientific outlook

Modern technology has helped researchers to identify the plant in a completely new way. Therefore, as per the studies it is concluded, that the effects of cannabis aren’t determined by the type of the plant, instead it is dependent on the complex mixture of cannabinoids and terpenes. The reason being:

THC and CBD, as we all know now are the two major cannabinoids that influence the psychoactive and therapeutic effects of weed. If the THC content is more it will lead the person to feel high. Likewise, Terpenes, the aromatic compounds in the plant can also play a considerable role in how a person feels after trying a strain.

The presence of these compounds can vary, that too in the same strain. So, it can be a possibility, that two Sativa strains might feel miles apart from each other, i.e. one of them has the potential to energize and the other has the potential to knock you out.

So why are the labels still in circulation?

That leads us to the million-dollar question, why do the dispensaries, both online and offline still use these as labels? The answer is not that difficult to guess either, here are the reasons:

• Marketing: The names are familiar to everyone, and it simplifies the shopping experience. Most people consider themselves wise enough to read the labels before buying a specific product.
• Familiarity: The terms Indica, Sativa, and Hybrids have been used for ages and those who are in the delivery business do not want to confuse new customers.
• Organization: Undoubtedly, it helps in categorizing the vast number of strains available in an accurate manner.

Tips for choosing the right product

Feeling confused already? If the labels indicating Indica or Sativa don’t tell you the appropriate story, how would you pick the right item? Here are some handy tips:

• Focus on desired effects: Ask yourself, how you want to feel after trying it. It depends entirely on your mood, whether you want to be calm, energized, focused, or feel sleepy.
• Look carefully for the THC and CBD ratio: Higher THC strains can offer intense effects while the balanced or high-CBD strains can offer a better solution for new users or are ideal for daytime usage.
• Check the Terpene profile: Presently, most products list terpenes, in that case, you can use that information to good effect. For instance, Myrcene is a sedative, Limonene can uplift your mood, Linalool can provide calming effects, and Pinene will keep you alert.

Discuss with a budtender

Since weeds are now legal in many places, you can rely on the experts’ opinions. Who better than the budtender can give you a piece of solid advice? An experienced budtender will guide you based on how you want to feel.

The shift is gradually happening

Steadily, the upcoming cannabis products are seriously looking at shedding the idea of the age-old labeling systems. Now, brands and researchers are pressing hard to classify products based on their chemical compositions and not their family tree. It will become convenient for users to determine the right product for specific needs.