Marijuana is an annual plant. It’s one of the few annuals to have both sexes – meaning plants will come in male, female, and sometimes hermaphroditic varieties.
There are three main species:
- Sativa – generally grows tall with thin pointed leaves without patterns on them. Users will experience an energetic and cerebral high
- Indica – generally short plants with wide round leaves. The leaves typically have a marble like pattern. Users will experience a heavy and body high.
- Ruderalis – less common than sativa and indica. Generally grows small plants that are used for making ropes, clothes, and other products.
Each species and strain has its own unique properties. Growers create strains by crossing species to create new ‘sativa dominant’ or ‘indica dominant’ strains.
To learn more about individual strains, visit our online library here.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the best indicator of a strains potency. THC is responsible for the relaxing and medicinal qualities of cannabis. Ruderalis is rarely grown by recreational and medical users because of its low THC levels.
The opposite is true for female sex plants. They are coveted by growers because they have the highest THC levels. If the female plant is not pollinated, it produces more flowers, buds, and therefore more THC resin. The care and attention you give to your grow will absolutely affect its THC levels at harvest time.
Plants have other natural chemicals that influence the attributes of their high. Known collectively as cannabinoids, these chemicals interact with physical and cognitive functioning and produce altered states.
