Debunking the Sativa vs Indica vs Hybrid Myth
This myth was perpetuated within the cannabis community based on anecdotal evidence. The idea that one plant phenotype expression causes different effects, i.e. sativa is always energetic, indica is always relaxing, is not based on scientific evidence. Recent studies, as well as feedback from consumers, have not only proven this to not be entirely true, but the opposite in some cases. Once again showing that everyone’s cannabis experience is unique. By perpetuating this myth, retailers are misinforming their patrons to the possible effects of a cultivar which may cause a negative experience.
Initially the classification of the subspecies of the cannabis plant, in the 1700s by Jean Baptiste Lamarck, was divided into separate species to describe the expressed phenotype of the plant. Short and stout was classified as an indica, while tall and lanky was classified as sativa. This development of the separate subspecies was not to dictate the effects of each subspecies of the cannabis plant.
https://slate.com/technology/2019/04/indica-sativa-difference-cannabis-weed-science.html
So, why is it that people continue to state this myth as fact? We must, once again, review the new cannabis science which shows that what we experience when consuming cannabis is about the ‘entourage effect’. This entourage effect is predicated on the interaction of cannabinoids and the terpenes found in cannabis. Terpenes are what give the different cannabis cultivars the variety of flavours and effects that consumers are looking for. For example, many indica cultivars may contain terpenes, such as linalool, that cause a sensation of relaxation and sedation, while other indica cultivars may contain terpenes, such as pinene, that cause an energetic, possibly paranoid, experience. The same for sativas: many sativa cultivars contain energetic terpenes, such as limonene, while others contain high contents of the terpene myrcene, which causes a sedating effect.
https://plantedu.com/what-are-cannabis-terpenes
Further to this are what are called hybrid cultivars. These are cultivars that are a genetic blend of both indica and sativa. Recent studies of the cannabis plant from various cultivators are showing that, genetically, many of the cultivars are not what subspecies growers think they are. Studying the genetics of various cultivars, for example Blue Dream, from various cultivators are showing that not only are the cultivars not genetically identical, but not even the same subspecies. The cross breeding of cultivars over the decades has muddied the entire gene pool of cultivars to the point that sometimes an expressed phenotype of indica is genetically sativa and vice versa. This leads to mislabeling cultivars as indica or sativa.
https://news.ubc.ca/2015/08/26/botanists-conduct-first-large-scale-genetic-study-of-marijuana-hemp/
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0133292
How is this potentially harmful to the consumer? Imagine a new cannabis consumer who either has never tried cannabis or one that has not consumed it in many years. If a salesperson recommends a cultivar based on the assumption that an indica will always be relaxing and the consumer has an opposite effect and experiences paranoid and anxiety, this erodes the trust between the consumer and the retailer. Moreover, this can potentially cause serious contraindication issues for consumers of cannabis with a medical authorization for a particular medical condition.
It is essential that retailers take the responsibility of educating consumers on the facts of cannabis, not perpetuate myths and misinform consumers, to ensure consumers have the best possible experience using cannabis. We at Triple J’s Canna Space strive to be the leaders in the Yukon cannabis community by providing accurate information for its patrons.
Written by: Jeremy Jones