What You Need to Know about Cannabis Sativa Flower

Cannabis Sativa Flower is normally a tall plant, and is generally a lighter shade of green than the other types. Its leaves are made up of long, narrow blades. Female flowers (the buds) are longer and more ‘feathery’ in appearance than those of Cannabis Indica. In general, the foliage of a Sativa plant is somewhat sparser than that of the other varieties. This allows for more air flow around and between the plants, resulting in healthier growth and less risk of fungus in the humid tropical conditions where many Sativa strains originated.

Cannabis Sativa grows taller than the other types of cannabis, gaining height all through its vegetation, or growing, and flowering phases. This is due to the tropical origin of Sativa strains. In the regions close to the equator, the amount of daylight hours does not change very much throughout the year, so Sativa strains are adapted to accomplish both their growing and flowering in a short, fairly uniform photoperiod (the daily number of hours of day (light) vs. night (dark)). In this way they are at the opposite end of the cannabis spectrum to Ruderalis strains.

The female flowers of Cannabis Sativa start at the nodes (the points at which pairs of leaves grow from the stem and branches) and usually expand along the length of the stem and branches, instead of clustering around the nodes, as with other types of cannabis. This flower formation is due to the Sativa tendency to grow and flower simultaneously. As a result, female Sativa flowers are usually less dense and weigh less than Indica flowers, despite being equal or larger in size.

Walk into any dispensary around the US and you’ll almost surely be given a list that splits your options into one of two categories: indica or sativa. If you go with a sativa, you’re choosing a more uplifting experience, and when you opt for an indica, a calmer, more sedative one. 

But what if I were to tell you that this sativa vs indica distinction is rooted in inaccurate science? 

That’s right; what many marijuana aficionados have been using as a guide for many years isn’t what they think it is. 

In this article, we are going to pull the veil off marijuana strain classifications, separating fact from fiction. We’ll end with the best way to categorize marijuana that is both scientifically valid and extremely helpful when it comes to knowing what to expect from any strain of weed.

Indica vs Sativa – the Beginnings

Way back in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the biologist Jean Baptiste Lamarck was busy at work proposing interesting theories that were destined to be proven wrong. 

One of these was the Lamarckian theory of evolution, where he proposed that animals evolved new traits within their lifetimes. In this theory, a giraffe would slowly stretch out its neck during its lifetime when tasty treats were too high up in a tree, resulting in an elongated neck. Later in the 19th century, Charles Darwin came along and put Lamarck’s theory to rest when he published his theory of evolution in the Origin of Species, explaining that these changes happen slowly over a span of multiple generations. 

Another theory of Lamarck’s, however, has stuck with us all the way to the present day: his marijuana theory. 

According to Lamarck, cannabis is broken into two species: Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. By evolving in isolated locations, C. indica and C. sativa adopted distinct characteristics in how they look and how they feel when ingested. These ideas have carried over through generations and are now reflected in popular weed culture today with the sativa vs indica categorizations.

The other, more well-known part of this theory is that these two species of cannabis vary in how they impact humans when ingested. It’s this part of the theory which most weed smokers are intimately familiar with, as it’s how most companies (and drug dealers) will categorize their products. 

Combining It All Together

If you follow the logic above, you would assume that a short plant with broad leaves would be sedating, while a tall plant with narrow leaves would be energizing. And one may even assume that these different traits would be based on genetic differences between C. sativa and C. indicaspecimens. 

But this is exactly where the whole sativa vs indica distinction falls apart. 

Nowadays, both scientists and marijuana experts agree that this categorization of physiological effect based on appearance and genetics is, well, simply untrue. 

It is the chemical makeup of the plant, not what it looks like, that is responsible for the varying effects experienced from different marijuana strains. And, according to neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher Dr Ethan Russo, “one cannot in any way currently guess the biochemical content of a given cannabis plant based on its height, branching, or leaf morphology.”

But what about the genetics? Putting aside the appearance of the plant, is there a genetic difference between plants that are labeled sativas and those labeled indicas? 

This question was answered in a 2015 study published in PLoS ONE, in which researchers examined the gene pools of 81 marijuana strains. They found that there was only a moderate correlation between a marijuana strain’s genetic structure and its reported classification as “sativa” or “indica.” What’s more, the strain names are even less meaningful when it comes to categorization. 

So, while there is a modest correlation between categorization of indica or sativa and genetic composition, there will be some “indicas” that are more similar to the “sativas” and vice versa. Plus, even though there is a modest correlation between categorization and genetic composition, it isn’t because one type is more likely to be an indica and the other a sativa (as we’ll soon see). 

What is Cannabis Sativa?

Cannabis sativa is a species of the Cannabaceae family that includes both marijuana and hemp varieties. Sativa strains tend to thrive in warmer weather, with most strains originating in countries located near the equator, such as Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, and Southeast Asia.

Cultivated throughout recorded history, cannabis sativa is harvested for its fiber, seeds, and oil, which have been historically used for industrial, nutritional, and medicinal purposes. Today, sativa cannabis strains still grow wild throughout many humid and tropical areas of the world.

Sativa strains are known for being extremely pungent due to a distinct terpene profile that produces aromas that can range from fruity, citrus, and sweet to earthy, piney, and peppery.

While weed strains can feature a mix of sativa and indica genetics, there are several distinct differences between indica and sativa strains that are helpful to understand as you select one that’s right for you.

Reaching heights of up to 20 feet when grown outside, sativa plants are taller than indica plants. The branches of a cannabis sativa plant tend to spread out and grow upwards, while their palmately-arranged leaves are usually long and narrow. Unlike in indica strains where the plant’s flowers cluster around the nodes, in sativa, the flowers begin at its nodes and expand along the length of the stem.

What are the Effects of Cannabis Sativa?

The cannabinoid profile of cannabis sativa is known for eliciting stimulating mental effects that tend to help users feel more focused and motivated. Some have even gone so far as to call the euphoric response produced by sativa a “cerebral” response, as sativa is also said to encourage deep conversation and enhance creativity. The stimulating nature of cannabis sativa makes it a strain that is most suited for daytime use, social situations, or for artistic endeavors.

Most users of cannabis sativa report some combination of the following effects:

• Uplifting – Users feel their mood elevated, resulting in feelings of happiness and hope.
• Creativity – Using sativa often results in individuals embarking on a creative endeavor, as the strain enhances creativity.
• Energetic – Many feel a boost of energy after using sativa. This can result in an urge to go out and socialize.
• Focusing – Some feel that they have a laser-like focus after using sativa, helping them better focus on the task at hand.

Inspiring – Cannabis sativa has been known to inspire users, providing them with motivation.

What Are the Potential Uses for Cannabis Sativa?

The uplifting properties of sativa strains of medical marijuana mean that it is often used by patients dealing with mental challenges and mood issues.

Cannabis sativa strains with a higher concentration of THCV may also be beneficial for promoting healthy appetite and eating habits to naturally encourage a healthier body composition.

Finally, sativa is sometimes used to manage discomfort and help those dealing with tension to find some relief and live a normal, happy life.

Conventional drugs can help relieve stiffness and pain, but some people see CBD as a more natural alternative. There is growing evidence that the non-psychoactive compounds in marijuana, such as CBD, could provide a new treatment for chronic pain. In 2018, mouse studies showed that CBD reduces inflammation by preventing the release of compounds that trigger inflammation in the body. A 2019 study showed that CBD applied to the skin as an ointment significantly reduced inflammatory skin disease and scarring.

Risks and side effects

As with most therapies, CBD use may entail some risks. It may interact with supplements and other drugs. Most CBD products do not have FDA approval, which also means they have not undergone thorough tests. 

It is not possible to know if a product:

• is safe and effective for everyone to use
• has the properties or contents stated on the packaging

Anyone who is using CBD – whether as a prescription drug or in other forms — should first speak to a doctor. 

Possible adverse effects include:

• liver damage
• interactions with other drugs and alcohol
• changes in alertness, which can make driving dangerous
• gastrointestinal problems and loss of appetite
• mood changes, including irritability and irritation
• a reduction in fertility for males

Future research may prove CBD effective in treating various conditions. For now, however, the FDA urge people not to depend on CBD as an alternative to conventional medical care.