The two major types of weed come from two different species of the Cannabis plant: Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. The different types of weed vary based on both the type of weed plant they come from and also in the effects they have on a person or the type of high that they give.

Recently, a third strain, Cannabis ruderalis, has also been used to make weed. It has lower levels of THC and is primarily used for medicinal marijuana. Additionally, the Best hybrid strains have been made that are a mix of the two major species.

People who use marijuana will generally choose to use a type of weed based on the effect they want to have. While each type is known for its different effects, one person’s experience may vary greatly from another’s. The route of administration (i.e. smoking or eating) can also greatly influence the effect the type of weed will have.

While every person’s experience is different, there are some general effects associated with each strain:

Indica
Cannabis indica originated in the Hindu “Kush” region, near Afghanistan. Because it comes from a cold, mountainous climate, it tends to be shorter and has the appearance of a bush. The leaves are darker, fuller, and rounder than the Sativa plant. The buds tend to grow in clumps.

 indica produces large amounts of THC and low levels of CBD and, therefore, it is considered a strong weed. It tends to be very relaxing or sedating, sometimes making people who consume it want to just hang out on the couch. For this reason, it is commonly used at night before going to bed. It creates more of a “body high” due to its relaxing effects.

Because of its sedative effects, indica is often used by people who experience insomnia. A recent study showed that more people found relief from insomnia and pain when using the indica strain, compared to Sativa. This effect may be a result of the higher levels of THC.

Sativa
Cannabis sativa originates from warmer climates, such as Mexico and South Africa, and tends to grow very tall with long, thin leaves. It will flower under certain light conditions, which require darkness for more than 11 hours a day.

Sativa has lower levels of THC compared to India, and higher levels of CBD, giving it more equal levels of both chemicals. The Sativa strains have energizing effects, and people often consume weed from these strains in the morning or afternoon. Some people claim that the strain allows them to focus more and be more creative.  sativa is also described as giving a cognitive or “head high” versus the body high that is felt in India.

Due to its mood-lifting and energizing effects, Sativa tends to be used by people who have depression or exhaustion. It has also been described to relieve some of the symptoms of ADHD and other mood disorders.

Hybrid
Hybrid strains are made by cross germinating the seeds of the two common strains of Cannabis in an attempt to produce effects of both. Most strains commonly grown today are hybrids rather than pure Indica or sativa.

The hybrids are usually described based on the dominating effect they have. For example, a sativa-dominant strain will be more likely to provide energizing effects and a head high.

Ruderalis
Cannabis ruderalis is another species that was first discovered in southern Russia. ruderal grows shorter than the other two species of weed and has thin, fibrous stems with large leaves. It is also an auto-flowering plant, meaning that it will flower depending on the age of the plant rather than the light conditions.