Identification of Cannabis Strains

 With the many variations of Cannabis available to the user in today’s market, identification can be a tricky process. This is compounded by the fact that many, if not the majority, of plants out there are now hybridized versions of Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica in various ratios. It is not impossible to get a good idea based on various characteristics, but keep in mind that there’s nothing short of a genetic screening or a verification of the grower that can ensure with 100% accuracy the exact identity of a specific Cannabis strain. Furthermore, the quality of the bud will play a large role in one’s ability to identify or detect the strain in question. With this cautionary statement out of the way, there are indeed ways to understand at least some a plants heritage that anyone can accomplish.

 The first step in identification, and the easiest, will be determining whether the Cannabis is Sativa or Indica dominant. If the full plant is available to be inspected, then this can be quite simple for many types. Your standard Indica will tend to be darker, shorter, and denser than a Sativa under proper growing conditions. The Sativa will be bright green, tall, and somewhat lanky comparatively. There are many variables involved here, but this first inspection can at least give one a good idea of the plant’s heritage. Furthermore, the Indica is quicker at flowering than the Sativa, 6-9 weeks compared to Sativa’s 10-16 weeks. The leaves of the plant will differentiate as well, with the Sativa’s being more thin and spread apart while the Indica’s are thicker and close together just as with the rest of the plant.

Another good test, though not as accurate as inspecting the plant itself, is to smell the Cannabis bud. There are no complete rules to this, as there are many variations, but generally a Sativa will smell floral and sweet compared to an Indica’s earthy or “piney” smells. The bud’s vary just like the plants do as well in looks, brighter and thinner with the Sativa while darker and dense for the Indica. If you find yourself with a bud that smells fruity, is light in color and density, then there’s a very good chance it’s a Sativa or a Sativa dominant hybrid.

The most effective test, of course, is to sample the strain in question. The taste will be a more intense version of the smell for the most part, so if it was spicy in smell it will be much spicier while tasting. The effects are the most noticeable difference between strains of Cannabis, however. If one feels energetic, uplifted, creative, focused, and other anti-anxiety properties then that is most definitely a Sativa plant. If one feels calmed, narcotic-like, sleepy, destressed, with a large appetite then you most likely have an Indica in your possession.

To get more specific than this – that is to determine the exact name of the strain – is much more difficult. Indeed, many plants share similar characteristics due to common heritage. There are, however, some popular strains available that have fairly unique characteristics that may make identification possible. Even then, this only works for plants grown in ideal conditions as many variables can be in play that will change the plants looks, effects, and scents.

The White Widow strain is incredibly popular, nearly legendary, and luckily one of the easiest to identify if one has seen it before. The White Widow came about in the 1990’s at a breeding program in Amsterdam and has remained a staple since. It is a Sativa dominant hybrid, with the characteristic light buds and leave of a Sativa. The white part of its name comes from the massive amount of crystalline resin covering the plant. It is a characteristic completely unique to plants coming from the White Widow’s heritage. The scent and taste is piney and fruity, with the effects being characteristic of a very strong Sativa. The White Widow can easily be confused with other popular strains that were bred from this mother plants lineage, such as the White Rhino, but the effects are similar for the most part with the Rhino being slightly heavier on the Indica side of identification.

Sour Diesel, another incredibly popular stain of Cannabis, is a nearly pure Sativa strain that sports a unique characteristic as well. These strains came about during the 90’s by the notorious cannabis breeder Chem Dog, becoming famous for its incredibly invigorating effects. Its buds are consistent with what one would expect out of a Sativa, loose buds, light color, but the odor is another story. The smell of Sour Diesel is incredibly pungent, even once dried and sealed the smell can permeate many layers. Growing Sour Diesel requires much to mask the smell, especially during growth, so if stealth is a concern caution should be heeded.

Blueberry or Blueberry Kush is a heavy Indica strain, with the effects thereof one would expect in such a plant; pain relief and stress relief most notably. It’s popularity came about due a couple of unique characteristic of the buds noted in the 2000 Cannabis Cup where it left with the award for best Indica. The heritage of this strain can be traced back into the 70’s from the American breeder DJ Short who was known for his work of exotic strains. What is interesting about this plant is that it tastes of wild blueberry and dries to a pale blue or lavender color, if grown correctly making it a somewhat easy heritage to identify.

There are many variations beyond this, and the best way to become adept at identifying Cannabis strains is to get a good sense of the minor differences in each type. This can really only come from experience, but these basics can help one get a good idea of what they are looking at – at least between an Indica and Sativa which is vastly important for both growers and patients of medical Cannabis.