The Leaf THE LEAF March-April 2019 | Page 14

Sativa vs Indica Cannabis: Know the Major Differences! The complete comparison By Nicole Richter February 5, 2019 You’ve probably heard before the terms Indica, Sativa and Hybrid. But what do these terms really mean? Most of all, how can you quickly learn to tell the difference between the two (short of being a professional cannabis cultivator), while also understanding how each impacts you in a physical and/or cerebral way? expanses of temperate foliage, and enlightening the various creatures who tread beneath its damp, life-bearing canopy. In other words, Sativa marijuana is native (at lease in a geographical sense) to temperate, somewhat tropical regions close to the equator. If you are thinking “Sativa vs Indica – what is the difference?” Then this article is for you. Here at Marijuana Break, we understand that these concepts might seem new and complex, but by the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll (hopefully) know the difference between Sativa and Indica cannabis strains, and more importantly, how each one may affect you on a personal level. Sativa and Indica Plants: It’s All About the Looks Believe it or not, those who have seen a lot of marijuana in their lives can identify different cannabis strains just by the way they look. With hybrids this can sometimes be complex, but with pure Indica and Sativa strains, there truly are some pretty distinct differences in appearance. Let’s take a look at a few of the most obvious ones. Sativa Marijuana Plant Appearance If Mowgli from The Jungle Book was a marijuana connoisseur, he might describe Sativa strains as being the King of the Equatorial Forest – reigning supreme of vast Also, its effects are generally regarded as uplifting, creative, and even energetic – hence the reason it is commonly used as relief for things like depression and stress. DID YOU KNOW: Landrace Sativa strains are generally found in temperate zones near the equator, while Indica’s are native to colder, more mountainous regions? In terms of the physical plants themselves, Sativa strains are known to grow giant, sometimes as tall as 12 feet high when cultivated outdoors! The leaves, buds and colas of a Sativa marijuana plant are far spread apart, and tend to grow in an upward motion with the branches stretching themselves into the sky. Additionally, very few Sativa buds grow toward the stalk of the plant, with the majority (if not all) of the useable plant material sprouting out about halfway up. This type of cannabis strain often requires a lot of room to grow, due to its sometimes- enormous size and branches that need space to reach towards the heavens (another reason