Guide: How to Buy Indica Weed

Believe it or not, dispensaries sell a lot more than just pot. With literally hundreds of cannabis products on the shelves, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when walking into a dispensary for the first time. Even if you’re just looking for some fresh bud, there’s hundreds of different strains to choose from that offer totally different effects. So where do you start? How to buy indica weed?

Luckily, learning a few basics can help you determine what you’re looking for before you even step through the door. Combine that with our tips for talking to your budtender and you’ll be navigating your local dispensary like a pro in no time! Let’s start with the basics.

The Basics: Sativa Vs. Indica

Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are two species of cannabis. This means that they share many similar features but have specific and distinct differences. Although anecdotal evidence and some marijuana dispensaries claim that indica is more calming and sativa is more energizing, some experts say that such statements are misleading. Many more factors are involved in creating the recreational and medical effects of marijuana than strain alone. In this article, learn more about the differences between each strain, as well as the effects that indica and sativa can produce.

Botanists use physical differences — such as variations in height, branching patterns, and the shape of the leaves — to identify different strains of plants. This is where the names “indica” and “sativa” come from. 

Indica plants are shorter than sativa plants, and they have a woody stalk, not a fibrous one. Indica plants also grow more quickly than sativa plants.

There is some disagreement regarding what caused these physical differences between strains. Some researchers say that these differences are due to humans breeding different varieties, while others say that a mixture of evolving adaptations and geographic isolation is responsible.

Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most studied and discussed elements, or cannabinoids, present in different strains of marijuana. However, researchers have identified at least 144 different cannabinoids so far. 

THC and CBD have very different effects on the human body. Knowing whether a cannabis plant is from the indica or sativa strain does not always provide much information about the relative amounts of THC or CBD it may contain, as people tend to believe, but it can be helpful. 

It is also important to note that THC and CBD are only two of the hundreds of chemicals that create the varying effects of different strains of marijuana. The sections below provide more information on these two chemicals.

THC

Medical experts say that THC has psychoactive properties. In other words, THC is what produces the “high” effect that people tend to associate with using cannabis. 

Strains of marijuana with a high THC content may be helpful for people with pain, difficulty sleeping, and depression, though they can make some people anxious.

CBD

CBD does not create a “high,” but it can affect mood and be helpful in addressing anxiety and psychoses. However, despite its reputation for inducing calm, CBD can be a stimulant in small and monitored doses.

The Most Popular Indica Strains

• Northern Lights. If you have ever smoked Northern Lights, you will know about it. Its sweet and spicy aroma is one of the most distinctive of any strain of cannabis and has made it a favorite of many a seasoned weed smoker. It produces long-lasting highs which are characterized by their dreamy and euphoric overtones. Northern Lights typically has a THC content of around 16%.
• Bubba Kush. Bubba Kush is another pure Indica strain that has typical powers of sedation. The strain is actually to have originated from a cross between OG Kush and Northern Lights. It is recognizable for its sweet, earthy aroma, its tranquilizing effect on the body and the dream-like, euphoric state of mind that it induces.  Bubba Kush typically has a THC content of around 17%.
• Blueberry. Blueberry is an iconic Indica strain that has won multiple high-profile awards for its distinctive fruity flavor and cerebral effects. Its heavy, full-body high that lasts a long time makes it a perfect strain to smoke if you are looking to kill anxiety or treat symptoms of chronic pain. Blueberry typically has a THC content of around 17%.
• Blue Cheese. Blue Cheese is another Indica-dominant strain whose smell is instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever smoked it. Its terpene-rich constitution means that it positively stinks, and quite a lot like cheese at that! It is a cross between a traditional UK strain known as Cheese and Blueberry. Blue Cheese typically has a THC content of around 25%.
• Grape Ape. Grape Ape is a mostly Indica strain that comes from a cross between Skunk, Afghani and Mendocino Purps. It has densely-packed buds which are surrounded by purple leaves. Grape Ape has a fruity taste and provides a chilled high that is perfect for soothing stress, anxiety and pain. Blue Cheese typically has a THC content of around 17%.
• White Rhino. Another well-known Indica strain is White Rhino. It is a global blend of strains which are native to Afghanistan (Indica), Brazil (Sativa) and India (Indica). White Rhino is known for its intense, long-lasting cerebral high and full-body relaxation that is great for treating aches and pains. White Rhino has a high THC content of around 20%.
• LA Confidential. With its lime green buds and diminutive purple leaves, LA Confidential certainly looks the part. It has a smooth taste and a piney terpene profile which leads to a thick skunky aroma that is perfect for sessioning. LA Confidential is both psychedelic and calming, making it perfect for relieving insomnia and pain. LA Confidential has a high THC content of around 17%.

THC Percentage and Cannabinoid Content

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. The ‘potency’ of any strain is measured in the percentage of THC content which can range from virtually none to upwards of 30%. A moderately potent cannabis strain is usually somewhere around 15% THC, anything above 20% is considered to be quite powerful.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the primary cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’ health benefits. While THC and the dozens of other cannabinoids all possess their own unique health benefits, but cannabidiol is the most promising by far.

CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects whatsoever, making CBD extraction one of the most exciting developments in modern medicine.

Medical patients specifically will want to pay extra attention to the percentage of CBD in their cannabis. Many cannabis breeders are now creating strains that are CBD dominant in order to meet the growing demand for CBD rich strains. By promoting the CBD content through genetic engineering and reducing the amount of THC, breeders can offer medical patients a powerfully medical cannabis strain without the added psychoactive punch.

Individuals interested in relieving pain, muscle tension, or even seizures should look for strains high in CBD or CBD extracts.