THE CULTIVAR FOR YOU
Here at Florescence, we use the term cultivar instead of strain since this is the correct terminology to classify plant varieties. Nevertheless, when it comes to cannabis, it is important to note that there is no such thing as the “best” cannabis cultivar. Each individual holds unique preferences, and a wide variety of cultivars are available to satisfy these preferences. Below we have provided a powerful guide to use when deciding which product may be best for your needs/desires.
THE CULTIVAR BASICS
The first step toward your next cannabis experience is choosing the cultivar that best suits your needs. There are a wide variety of cannabis cultivars available on the market. Choosing one may seem quite intimidating, especially when the names of these cultivars are something like “Cat Piss” or “Weekend At Garry’s.” Although comical, these names are useless when choosing the right cultivar. So, how should one choose? Maybe we should abide by the classic indica/sativa/hybrid classification.
You may have heard the terms indica/sativa/hybrid before alongside a classification such as indica cultivars provide a more sedative and relaxing experience, sativa cultivars provide a more energetic and uplifting experience, while hybrid cultivars provide an experience somewhere in-between the two; this is entirely false. The terms indica and sativa were first created to describe the morphology of different cannabis species; for instance, indica cultivars grow short, woody, and dense, while sativa cultivars grow tall and herbaceous. These traits have nothing to do with effects, so choosing a cannabis product based on whether it is an indica/sativa/hybrid is like choosing an apple based on which tree has thicker leaves.
SO, HOW DO I CHOOSE?
To keep things simple, cannabinoids are components within cannabis that dictate effects and psychoactive experiences, while terpenes are components within cannabis that dictate taste, aroma, and effects to some extent, although more research is needed to definitively conclude the effects of terpenes. Basically, how this works is each cannabinoid has its own properties and effects, so depending on the specifications of cannabinoids, an individual can reasonably base their choice of cultivar on these properties. Likewise, each terpene has a unique taste/aroma, so depending on the specifications of terpenes, an individual can reasonably base their choice of cultivar on these properties. This may sound intimidating, but there is no need to worry; let’s look at an example.
Imagine a scenario where a cannabis consumer searches for a cannabis product but is confused about which cultivar is optimal for their desires. The first question to address is what are this person’s desires? Let’s assume they want a cannabis cultivar that will calm, relax, and sedate them; the cannabinoid CBN is known for its sedative properties, while CBD is known for its calming properties. Moreover, this individual should look for a cannabis cultivar with elevated concentrations of CBN and CBD, which can be seen directly on each product. Okay, now we know what to look for in terms of effects, but what about taste/aroma? Maybe this individual adores the smell of evergreen trees and sweet citrus; the terpene pinene is known for its sharp pine scent/taste, while the terpene limonene is known for its sweet citrusy scent/taste. Moreover, this individual should look for a cannabis cultivar with elevated pinene and limonene concentrations. Of course, it may not always be this easy to find a product that fits your specific desires exactly, but you should be able to find something within the ballpark.
This is why general education on cannabis is vital. Without an understanding of what a cannabinoid and terpene are, there is no way to logically choose a cannabis cultivar based on your desires. There are many resources surrounding cannabis education presented throughout our website, so we encourage you to browse our pages, provided educational recourses, and even make some google searches to educate yourself enough to understand the information above. We understand that, although it is in every cannabis consumer’s best interest to learn more about cannabinoids and terpenes, some individuals are not willing to do so; in this case, a google search or browse through Leafly can sufficiently reveal reported effects, tastes, and aromas of particular cultivars.
Well, the name of cultivars is not helpful in deciphering effects, the classic indica/sativa/hybrid terminology is useless, so how does one choose a suitable cultivar? It all comes down to cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Cannabinoid and terpene profiles refer to the types and ratios of various components within a cannabis cultivar. If you are confused about what these terms mean, we encourage you to click the link below, which will direct you to our ‘Cannabis 101’ page where we break down precisely what a cannabinoid and terpene are; a quick google search would suffice as well.
There is a massive misconception circulating the cannabis community regarding higher THC content equating to a better experience; this is entirely false. Elevated THC concentrations mean you will get higher quicker, but this is not necessarily good. For instance, think of cannabis like a 5-course meal; ideally, you would like to complete the full 5 courses, meaning portions should not be overwhelming. The same goes for cannabis, as studies show that when receptors in the body are flooded with too much THC, other cannabinoids have difficulty competing. So what does this mean exactly? The more THC you consume, the fewer other cannabinoids will affect your experience. Therefore, if you were presented with two cultivars, one with 15% THC and another with 25%, the one with lower THC will most likely give you a very well-rounded high. In comparison, the one with higher THC will most likely give you an extremally intense cerebral high. This intensity can quickly become very uncomfortable, causing anxiety, paranoia, nausea, and so on.
In the end, the lesson here is that higher THC content does not mean a better experience; it does not mean that you are obtaining the same experience at less of a cost due to its potency; all it means is that your experience will be an intense head high.
