Cannabis 101: What to know about choosing the right strain from 100 possibilities

[james mathews]

They have names like Dream Lotus, Ghost Dawg and Blue Dream — all varieties of the cannabis plant, subsets within the species that in the world of botany would be called a cultivar but in the cannabis world are referred to as strains. Each one is cultivated for its unique properties, including height, color and leaf structure, as well as THC and CBD content, all of which go into variations in effect on mind and body.

The cannabis education website Leafly lists as many as 5,000 distinct cannabis strains, but many of those are not commonly known to the public. Still, it’s estimated that there are at least 800 cannabis strains currently named and consumed by adult-use and medicinal cannabis consumers — the result of experimentation, discovery and advances in seed saving and cultivation. The sheer variety means that dispensary professionals like those at Resinate in Worcester and Northampton, Massachusetts, can help customers find just the right strain for their purpose, goals and lifestyle.

The three basic strains

Each strain falls into one of a few larger categories: sativa, indica and hybrid. While it was commonly believed that sativa strains are more energizing while indica strains are said to make a person sleepier, cannabis consumers and specialists alike now find that each strain effects the consumer differently, making it a personal experience. Hybrids, as the name indicates, are a cross of indica and sativa, usually with one or the other dominant. See Best strain.

CBD and THC are two major chemicals of many that make up a strain. Sativa plants generally are lower in CBD counts and higher in THC, while indica strains go in the opposite direction. Each specific strain will have different levels of each of these chemicals. There are also physical differences in the shape of the leaves and plant height as well as differences in aroma and texture.

While your local dispensary probably won’t carry 800 different cannabis strains, it will offer at least dozens, including strains unique to that dispensary. Resinate, for example, has its own local growing facility where their cultivators find new, rare seeds and grow exclusive strains.

Finding a new favorite strain

A dispensary like Resinate carries not only its own strains but those of other companies such as Cultivate, Holistic Industries and Sira Naturals. Choosing a strain may be connected to a brand that you have a particular affinity for like Sira Naturals, which focuses on sustainability, or Resinate itself, which as a locally owned business is all about employing and growing right in the area.

Each strain is labeled by its parent — indica, sativa or hybrid — so you have an initial idea of what the effect might be. In addition, you’ll know the THC content up front. You’ll also get an idea of the strain’s effect, flavor and aroma from descriptions, but none of that is a substitute for consulting with the dispensary professional.