Indica
The relaxer
Associated with mellow, body-forward effects — think couch, blanket, movie night. A common pick for unwinding in the evening.
Education
Cannabis strains, decoded
Indica, sativa, hybrid, terpenes, THC percentages — here's what actually matters when you're choosing a strain, and what's mostly marketing.
The basics
What's a strain, anyway?
A strain is a distinct variety of the cannabis plant, bred for a particular mix of cannabinoids (like THC and CBD), aromas, and effects. Same plant species, wildly different personalities — like apples ranging from Honeycrisp to Granny Smith.
Strain names ("Sunset OG," "Lakeside Haze") describe a lineage, but effects also depend on how the flower was grown, cured, and how you respond. Treat names as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Know your bud
The big three
Indica, sativa & hybrid
Sativa
The energizer
Associated with upbeat, head-forward effects — social gatherings, creative projects, a hike around the lake.
Hybrid
The best of both
Crosses of indica and sativa lineages, leaning one way or the other. Most modern strains are hybrids — balanced and versatile.
Honest note: modern research suggests the indica/sativa split is a rough guide at best — terpenes and cannabinoid content matter more. But it's still the most useful shorthand for telling a budtender the direction you want to go.
Smell matters
Flavor science
Terpenes: the aroma engine
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give each strain its scent — citrusy limonene, piney pinene, earthy myrcene, floral linalool. They're a big part of why two strains with identical THC percentages can feel completely different.
Pro tip from our budtenders: a high THC number isn't the same as a good experience. A 20% strain with a terpene profile you love will usually beat a harsh 28% strain. If you're new to all this, our beginner's guide covers how to dose whatever strain you choose.
Cheat sheet
How to pick a strain
- Lead with the feeling, not the name: "relaxed but not sleepy," "social and giggly," "focused for yard work."
- Follow your nose. If a strain smells good to you, that's real information — terpenes at work.
- Check the format. Strains come as flower, prerolls, and vape concentrates — different onset, same genetics. Our Cannabis 101 guide compares them.
- Start modest. You can always take more; you can never take less. (The golden rule.)
- Ask us. Strain matchmaking is genuinely our favorite part of the job.
Keep learning