The Leaf THE LEAF March-April 2019 | Page 15

why Sativa generally does better than Indica when grown outdoors). Lastly, a Sativa’s leaves are much thinner than that of an Indica strain. You’ll notice scrawny, almost pencil like leaves that collect together at a point on the bottom, giving the leaves its classic ‘marijuana leaf’ look. In other words, you know the iconic image of a pot leaf that you see all over the world on t-shirts and smoking paraphernalia? That’s what an Indica leaf looks like. not much space from the bottom of the plant to the top of the soil. Additionally, Indica buds tend to be thicker and heartier than Sativa’s, producing incredibly high-yielding colas and flowers. The easiest way to recognise an Indica strain? By its fat, wide and flat leaf shape. Compared to a Sativa’s leaves, the Indica typically has the same pattern but it seems almost as if the leaves have swollen to double – if not triple – their usual (Sativa) width. You might think of Sativa’s as a stereotypical basketball player (tall, lanky, and thin), and Indica’s as football running backs (short, stocky, and super tough). Indica vs. Sativa Marijuana: How Do They Affect Patients Differently? Without a doubt, there are major differences in the effects of Indica vs Sativa marijuana – particularly among those who use cannabis on a daily basis to treat medical symptoms. Indica Marijuana Plant Appearance The Indica cannabis strain might be described as a “hidden hero” of sorts. Much smaller than its Sativa relative, Indica weed typically grows about half the height as Sativa – usually no more than 6 feet tall. Even though its size pales in comparison to the Equatorial King (i.e. Sativa), Indica cannabis is no doubt a fan favourite among pot growing professionals as its dense, hardy nature usually make for few health problems and excellent yields. You might think of Sativa leaves like basketball players – tall and skinny – while Indica’s are more like football running backs – short, burly, and stocky. The general plant shape of Indica marijuana is actually pretty similar to that of an evergreen tree, with its branches starting from a point at the top and becoming denser as they reach the bottom. The usable plant material typically begins flourishing almost at the root of the stalk, with Particularly now that cannabis has gained more widespread legalisation as a medicine, more reliable and consistent reports are starting to emerge in terms of the actual therapeutic effects of each strain. It used to be generally regarded that Sativa’s were good as mood-lifting, energizing strains while Indica’s were good for sleep and sedation. While this largely remains the case, we now know that the effects are much more complex than this. Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent medical effects of Indica vs Sativa marijuana strains. Medical Effects of Sativa Strains Unless you are planning on working in the cultivation industry, this is the part you most likely care about. Cannabis sativa typically has a more uplifting high that brings energy to the consumer; this is the type of marijuana strain you’d want to smoke while out on social gatherings or