I first started writing about medical cannabis about five years ago. Back then, a ton of states were getting on board with it, adding millions to the roles of medical cannabis users across the country. One of the hottest topics in the cannabis community at the time was the alleged differences between sativa and indica varieties.
Guess what? The differences do not matter all that much to medical cannabis. People think they do because of the pervasive myths that still exist within the community. But if you ask an actual botanist, you discover that many of the properties attributed to the two varieties are terribly misplaced.
The Cannigma’s Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man has put together a rather extensive and detailed piece explaining everything you need to know about sativa and indica cannabis varieties. I will not attempt to replicate his information here. But I will draw out some of the key points for further discussion.
Not What People Think
When people within the medical cannabis community think of sativa and indica, they assume different strains of marijuana with different chemical properties. That is a myth. According to Omer-Man, sativa and indica are two quite different types of cannabis plants. But their differences are rooted in what the plants look like and how they grow.
Sativa plants are taller. They have narrower leaves and a longer flowering cycle. Indica plants are pretty much the opposite. They are shorter, have broader leaves, and have shorter flowering cycles. Omer-Man says there is no evidence suggesting that these differences have any impact on either plant’s chemical composition.
Omer-Man further says that the two terms were invented back in the days before scientists had the ability to test marijuana’s chemical makeup. ‘Sativa’ and ‘indica’ were terms derived solely based on what plants looked like, as a way to help growers and buyers communicate on the same plane.
Too Many Misconceptions
Not understanding the scientific basis for distinguishing between sativa and indica plants has led to plenty of misconceptions. For example, going into a medical cannabis dispensary five or six years ago would likely have led to the following question: “are you looking for sativa or indica?”
It was believed back then – and is still believed in some circles today – that sativa is a more uplifting and energizing form of marijuana that is good for creativity and depression. Meanwhile, indica has a sedating effect that can improve sleep and treat anxiety. The problem is that none of this is true.
A plant’s morphology, as Omer-Man describes it, has little to no impact on how the plant makes the user feel. On the other hand, chemical composition, dosage, and delivery method do. Those are the things medical cannabis users should be concerned about.
Cannabinoids and Terpenes Matter
The good folks at Salt Lake City’s Beehive Farmacy concur with Omer-Man. Medical cannabis users should be less concerned about sativa vs. indica and more concerned about cannabinoids and terpenes. Another way to put it is to say that patients should concentrate on a plant’s chemical composition rather than morphology.
Cannabinoids and terpenes are the compounds that produce the effects associated with cannabis. Delivery method determines how quickly those effects are felt and how long they last. Finally, dosage affects both short- and long-term outcomes.
The differences between sativa and indica lie mainly in morphology. Distinguishing between the two has very little impact on the practical side of using medical cannabis. If your next visit to a pharmacy includes a question about your preferences between the two, tell the pharmacist you are more interested in cannabinoids and terpenes.
