Back to Blog

Cannabis Varieties: Indica, Sativa & Hybrid

Topic: Patient Information

Cannabis is a diverse plant with a wide array of characteristics. The most common varieties are classified as Indica, Sativa and Hybrid. While there are few plants that are 100% Sativa or Indica, the two categories can be told apart by their physical traits and their potential effects, and Hybrids will typically have characteristics from both categories.

Understanding these differences in the varieties of cannabis can help patients make informed decisions about the products they use in their treatment plan.

Pro Tip: You can filter products by Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid through the “Type” filter on our shop.

Visit Our Shop

Indica – The Relaxing Variety

Physical Attributes: Indica plants are typically short and busy, with wide, dark green leaves. They often grow faster than Sativa plants and produce more flower. The buds are usually dense and compact.

Characteristics: Indica cultivars are often described as calming, relaxing or sleep-inducing. The THC potency can range from mid-to high and can be high in the terpene Myrcene, which can contribute to its sedative effects.

Potential Effects: The effects from an indica cultivar are generally associated with relaxation, stress relief and pain management. Other common effects include:

·         Deep body relaxation
·         Couch-lock (feeling glued to the couch)
·         Sleepiness
·         Appetite stimulation

Sativa – The Energizing Variety

Physical Attributes: Sativa plants tend to be taller and have a more open structure compared to Indica plants. Their leaves are narrow and light green. Sativa plants take longer to mature and typically have a lower flower yield. Their buds are often less dense and airier.

Characteristics: Sativa cultivars are usually described as uplifting and energizing. The THC potency ranges from low to high and its terpene profiles often include limonene and pinene, which contribute to its stimulating effects.

Potential Effects: The effects from Sativa cultivars are commonly associated with enhancing focus, energy levels and creativity. They are often chosen for its cerebral effects, which can assist in:

·         Boosting energy
·         Enhancing mood
·         Increasing focus
·         Promoting creativity

Hybrid – The Mixed Variety

Physical Attributes: Hybrid plants are a cross between Indica and Sativa plants. Their physical traits can vary widely depending on their genetic makeup. They can express characteristics of both parent cultivars, resulting in a diverse range of appearances.

Characteristics: Hybrid cultivars can be Indica-dominant, Sativa-dominant or a balance. The characteristics of each unique hybrid will depend on its linage , but this allows growers to tailor their cultivars to achieve specific effects. Some varieties of Hybrids can offer relaxing benefits, while others can produce more energizing effects.

Potential Effects: The effects of Hybrid cultivars are versatile and can cater to a wide range of needs. Depending on the dominance of the parent genes, Hybrids can provide:

·         Balanced body and cerebral effects
·         Customizable relief for various conditions
·         Flexibility for day or night use

Choosing the Right Variety

When selecting a cannabis product, consider your desired effects, the time of day you plan to consume it, and any specific conditions you aim to address.

While each unique cannabis plant can express a wide range of characteristics, a general rule-of-thumb is:

·         Indica: Ideal for evening/night use, relaxation, and pain management
·         Sativa: Ideal for daytime use, energy boost and creativity
·         Hybrid: Suitable for varied needs, offering balanced effects

Understanding the differences between Indica, Sativa and Hybrid cannabis can help you choose the right product for your needs. Whenever you are trying a new cannabis variety or product, always remember to Start Low and Go Slow and reach out to the Starseed Client Care Team if you have questions.

Previous Article
Putting Patients First: Starseed's Commitment to Quality
Starseed's commitment has always been a patient-first approach. Our mission extends well beyond product sales; we aim to provide high-quality, consistent, and safe options for all Canadians. Through extensive testing and quality control across a wide range of products, from flowers to capsules and topicals; Starseed provides patients with the assurance they need to make confident choices.  Defining Quality In the cannabis industry, 'quality' describes how good a product is, based on several factors, including accurate and consistent potency, the purity of the product free from contaminants, cultivated with care, precise post-harvest processing techniques, and ultimately taintless trichomes.    The Starseed Standard • Efficacy and Effects:  High end quality of cannabis depends on its ability to consistently deliver the expected therapeutic and medicinal results. Starseed patients can rely on each product form, whether a specific flower strain, a topical cream, or a precisely dosed soft gel. Attention to terpene and cannabinoid profiles further preserves this consistency, ensuring every product maintains its intended effects. • Quality Control Checkpoints: Our processes at Starseed ensure quality from seed to sale. It begins with selecting superior genetics and carries on through careful monitoring throughout the growth cycle and post-harvest processing. Products beyond the flower stage undergo extraction, yielding oils and edibles of the highest standard. Each step is rigorously checked and evaluated internally to meet Quality Control standards with the added reassurance of third-party validation against strict regulations, guaranteeing that our customers receive dependable products. • Cultivation Practices: While Starseed may not directly cultivate cannabis, we carefully select our products from a trusted partner who adheres to safe and quality focused cultivation practices. These practices include environmental control of cultivation and post-harvest areas, precision irrigation, plant training and pruning, whole plant hang drying, machine trimming with hand touch ups, sorting as per Entourage specifications. • Patient Safety & Education: Understanding the role of product quality in ensuring patient safety is paramount. Rigorous testing and precise THC and CBD content labelling are fundamental to this mission, giving customers the confidence to use products safely and effectively. By offering clear information on potency and usage, Starseed empowers users to make well-informed decisions. Furthermore, Starseed Blog and Product Guide serve as vital educational tools for both patients and providers, broadening the community's knowledge of medical cannabis through informed usage. Starseed constantly advances its quality protocols to surpass industry standards, ensuring every product is crafted with the utmost care .  At Starseed, we are  committed to providing   a premium cannabis experience led by safety and quality.
Next Article
Rotating Cultivars: The Hybrid Series
The Starseed Hybrid Series offers patients a variety of high-THC hybrid cultivars in both whole dried flower and prepared (pre-milled). The black flower pouches will feature a rotating cultivar, giving medical cannabis consumers the ability to try new genetics and terpene profiles, that weren’t previously available to them. The choice of cultivar that a patient consumes can significantly influence the therapeutic outcomes for an individual. Each cultivar offers a unique profile of cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in distinct effects and benefits. Let’s explore how different cannabis cultivars can cater to various medical needs, providing patients with tailored options for their health and wellness journeys. Understanding Cannabis Cannabis cultivars are differentiated based on their unique combinations of cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and terpenes (aromatic compounds that contribute to the plant's smell and therapeutic effects). The combination between these components, known as the "Entourage Effect," can enhance the plant's medicinal properties. Pro tip: To learn more, see our blog post Dried Cannabis 101 for a glossary of terms. Learn More Indica, Sativa, & Hybrid The most common varieties of cannabis are classified as Indica, Sativa and Hybrid. While few plants are 100% Sativa or Indica, the two categories can be told apart by their physical traits and potential effects. Hybrids will typically have characteristics from both categories. Indica: Known for their relaxing and sedative effects, Indica cultivars are typically used for pain relief, insomnia, and anxiety. Sativa: These cultivars are often uplifting and energizing, making them suitable for daytime use, enhancing mood, and alleviating depression. Hybrids: Hybrids are crossbreeds of Indica and Sativa strains, offering a balance of effects tailored to specific medical needs. Pro tip: Check out our blog post Cannabis Varieties: Indica, Sativa & Hybrid to learn more. Learn More Cannabinoid Ratios and their Medicinal Benefits The cannabinoid profile that a cultivar or product can present plays a large part in the potential effects that a patient can experience. It is important to understand the potential benefits of the various cannabinoid ratios but even more important to work with your healthcare practitioner to address your specific needs. High CBD: - Potential Benefits: Anxiety relief and anti-inflammatory. - Profile: High in CBD, low in THC. - Use Case: Ideal for patients looking to relieve stress and inflammation within the body. Balanced THC:CBD: - Potential Benefits: Pain relief and muscle spasm reduction. - Profile: Nearly equal parts THC and CBD. - Use Case: Ideal for patients who need effective pain management but prefer minimal psychoactive effects. High THC Sativa-Dominant Hybrids: - Potential Benefits: Mood elevation and energy boost, stress relief and chronic pain management. - Profile: High THC content, low in CBD. - Use Case: Beneficial for patients struggling with stress, depression, and fatigue, providing an uplifting and energizing experience, while maintaining productivity and focus. High THC Indica Dominant Hybrids: - Potential Benefits: Insomnia and chronic pain relief. - Profile: High THC content, low in CBD. - Use Case: Beneficial for patients seeking sedative effects to aid in sleep disorders and severe and chronic pain. The Starseed Hybrid Series The Hybrid Series assortment includes 4 products: ·         Hybrid Reserve ·         Hybrid Select ·         Hybrid Reserve Prepared ·         Hybrid Select Prepared Hybrid Reserve and Select are exclusively 5g whole dried flower while the Prepared products are 15g pre-milled flower and both will feature rotating cultivars. Selecting the right cultivar involves considering the patient's specific medical condition, their personal preferences, and how their body reacts to different cannabinoid and terpene profiles. This can require a bit of “Trial and Error” in which the patient will need to consume a variety of different cannabis products to determine what works best for them. In the long run, medical cannabis patients may encounter a tolerance to the cannabis products they are using. What they use at the beginning of their treatment may need to change as they continue their treatment plan. The Hybrid Series products offer a refreshed option to patients who would like to cycle new cannabis cultivars into their plans. Research continues to uncover the vast potential of medical cannabis use. More targeted and sophisticated cultivars will likely emerge, with innovations in breeding and cultivation expected to produce tailored cannabinoid and terpene profiles to address specific ailments more effectively. By understanding the unique benefits of each product, patients and healthcare providers can work together to develop personalized treatment plans that harness the full therapeutic potential of the cannabis plant. At Starseed, we are committed to providing high-quality, carefully curated cannabis products to support your health and wellness. If you have any questions or if you want to book a free consultation with a health care practitioner, please call our Client Care Team at 1-844-756-7333.

Loading