People will generally try and define cannabis strains by defining them as either Sativa or Indica, or a hybrid combination of both. This is usually due to what the plant looks like, with Sativas normally having long and slender leaves and bodies, compared to Indica’s, which are short, fat, and thick.

Sativa strains are usually considered to have energising, uplifting effects due to a higher THC content, while Indica’s are more relaxing and stress-relieving, due to a higher presence of CBD. However, as scientists have started to study cannabis more deeply, it has slowly become apparent that it’s not as simple as this.

In a 2016 interview, Dr Ethan Russo, the Director of Research and Development for the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI), stated “there are biochemically distinct strains of Cannabis, but the sativa/Indica distinction as commonly applied in the lay literature is total nonsense and an exercise in futility. One cannot in any way currently guess the biochemical content of a given Cannabis plant based on its height, branching, or leaf morphology.”

Sounds complicated, right? That’s because it is. Trying to classify strains based on their appearance can be a lesson in futility, as their various genetics have become so muddled by strain breeders over the years. But, if you’re smoking with a friend, and they casually ask you what type of weed you’re smoking, telling them it’s an Indica or Sativa is usually enough.

There is more to it though, and if you’re willing to dive deeper down the rabbit hole, just keep on reading.