Indicas and Sativas: Differences in the Two Basic Strains of Cannabis

Marijuana is not just marijuana. The cannabis plant from which THC-containing marijuana is derived is one of the most hardy and varied plants on earth. There are myriad strains of cannabis, each different in terms of growth patterns, physical characteristics, and effects produced. Mankind has largely been responsible for the creation of these various strains through experimentation with cutting and grafting of plants. However many strains are out in the world today, they all can fall under the basic category of two basic strains: cannabis sativa indica and cannabis sativa sativa.

Indicas are indigenous to Central and Southern Asia, primarily in the present-day regions of India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. Sativas have a much wider indigenous range than indicas, but in general most tropical varieties of cannibas plants are sativas and not indicas. Indicas generally have a stronger odor than sativas. The smell is markedly skunky and pungent, and is instantly recognizable. Sativas smell much sweeter than the skunky indicas and sometimes elicit a fruit-like smell.

When speaking about structural differences between indica and sativa plant strains, indicas are much shorter and broader than sativas in terms of plant height, leaves, and buds. Indicas grow from about four to eight feet tall, with leaves that are shorter and wider than sativas. The leaves themselves usually take on a dark green hue, sometimes tinged with blue and even purple coloration. The hairs on the buds are white, but are usually red or purple when the plants and buds are ripe. The buds themselves are thicker and bulkier than sativa buds, and are generally more compact. Sativas grow taller than indicas, sometimes reaching heights of twenty feet. The leaf blades of sativas are longer and narrower than indica leaves and are much lighter in color, usually a light green. The buds of sativas are longer and thinner than those of indicas, and require more light to reach maturity. This attribute might account for the fact that sativas are best suited for tropical environments in which sunlight is more constant than at latitudes north of the Equator.

In terms of preference for growers, indica and indica-sativa hybrids are more popular than pure sativa strains. Since indica plants are much more compact, they are better suited for growing under controlled situations, particularly indoors. Since marijuana is a decriminalized substance at best and has not yet attained legal status even in places like The Netherlands, it cannot be grown safely outdoors without drawing attention from authorities. Therefore compact strains are much more suitable for growth indoors. Indica and indica-sativa hybrids also produce better yields and more THC-potent marijuana than sativas. Indicas are used more predominantly in the production of hash and hash oil, particularly in the Hindu-Kush mountain range of Asia.

When comparing the experiences elicited from consuming the two strains of marijuana, marked differences present themselves. Smoking indica strains causes a much more "stoned" feeling of lethargy and a jelly-like physical state of relaxation. Sativas on the other hand are responsible more for the characteristic "high" feeling of mental elation, giddiness, and introspection. Many growers, in Amsterdam especially where marijuana is decriminalized, have successfully crossed indica strains with sativa strains to produce a combination of the two effects.

No matter what your views on marijuana's legal status, one must admire the wonderfully variations of the plant species, one that has helped shap mankind's existence.