Yo, what’s good? They say we livin’ in the cannabis revolution, and I ain’t gonna lie, it’s pretty lit. Countries all over the world are finally starting to recognize the benefits of weed for both medicinal and recreational use.
But let’s be real, the cannabis we smoke today ain’t like what our ancestors were puffin’ on. Over time, breeders have created hybrid strains that give us the best of both worlds.
So let’s dive into the world of hybridized cannabis and learn about the different types, uses, and benefits.
What Are Hybrid Cannabis Strains?
If you’ve ever hit up a dispensary or visited a homie that grows weed, you’ve probably talked about indica and sativa strains. But these plants are way more complex than just being labeled as one or the other.
Nowadays, pure indicas and pure sativas are rare. The original landrace strains are pretty much gone, replaced by hybrids that feature genetics from different strains.
Landrace Strains & Cannabis Subspecies
Landrace cannabis is weed that has been domesticated and grown by humans. Back in the day, weed grew wild without any human intervention – what we now call open pollination. But as time went on and people started smoking more weed, breeders began to develop new strains with different effects.
Let’s look at the origins of the different subspecies of cannabis that make up hybrid strains.
Introducing Indicas
Indica strains are known for their short and stocky stature and dense buds coated in resin. There are tons of iconic indica strains out there, with kush strains becoming super popular in recent years.
The term “indica” comes from where the plant was originally grown. Indicas were first developed in places like Northern Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan back in the 70s. Many famous strains like Hindu Kush originated in this area.
Indica strains tend to provide a relaxing high and medicinal benefits thanks to their robust terpene profiles.
Introducing Sativas
Sativa strains originated in Central Asia where they were used for textiles and medicine. They were popularized by rulers who drank it as a tea for various ailments. Sativas are some of the oldest non-food crops in human history.
Sativas are known for their tall tree-like structure and long branches. They tend to have fluffier buds than indicas but are still packed with THC, THCV, terpenes, and other cannabinoids. Sativas often produce an uplifting high but can also cause paranoia for people who can’t handle high levels of THC.
Introducing Ruderalis
Ruderalis cannabis isn’t often consumed for recreational use but is instead used in breeding programs to create new hybrid strains. Ruderalis has low levels of THC but will flower after a certain amount of time regardless of how much light it gets. Breeders use ruderalis to create autoflowering or feminized versions of their favorite hybrid strain.
Different Kinds of Hybrid Strains
Hybrid cannabis strains are made by crossbreeding different strains to create new effects. Hybrids can feature genetics from any of the three subspecies we just talked about.
When breeders create a new hybrid strain, they’ll experiment with different combinations of mother/father plants to get the desired effects. Some examples include:
Sativa/Sativa: Two sativa-dominant strains bred together to create another strain
Indica/Indica: Two different indica varieties bred together
Sativa/Indica: A hybrid with a sativa-dominant profileIndica/Sativa: A hybrid that leads with relaxation at the forefrontAutoflower
Hybrids: Any feminized or autoflower hybrid will feature ruderalis genetics
Variety Is the Spice of Life
Hybrid cannabis can provide a variety of effects depending on how it’s bred. It’s important to do your research before you buy so you know what kind of high to expect.
With thousands of unique cannabinoids and terpenes out there, we can enjoy weed in whatever way inspires us most.
So whether you’re hitting up a dispensary or visiting your homie’s grow room, take some time to learn about different hybrid strains so you can find your perfect match.