Picking Your Flower
In the garden of cannabis (over 700 vibrant, flavorful, and potent strains - or cultivars - and counting!) there are so many colors, aromas, names, benefits, experiences, and products that it can sometimes feel overwhelming trying to pick the right flower for you or your occasion. That frustrates me. Sometimes the key to discovery is lying right under our very noses…literally. Oftentimes, knowing just a few things about what produces a strain’s signature scent (its terpenes) and what gets you “high” (THC, and its relative cannabinoids) will give you what you need to make your pick. So what about the longstanding labels of Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid? And what about bud color or strain name? Certainly the Kushes (like OG Kush, Khalifa Kush, and Mickey Kush) are super tight just like various Hazes (Haze, Ghost Train Haze, Sunset Haze) and Gelatos (Gelato, Bubblegum Gelato, Watermelon Gelato)? Well, that’s where there’s both truth and some trickiness. There are many ways to approach something as complex as cannabis, but some methods for characterizing and selecting may leave key pieces of a flower’s story muddled or left out of the conversation. If that doesn’t frustrate you, perhaps a brief walk through of the helpful (but imperfect) Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid definitions will.
Sativas, Indicas, and Hybrids
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Sativas, Indicas, and Hybrids 〰️
Most experienced cannabis consumers are familiar with the classification system used to assign hundreds of varied cannabis cultivars into three easy-to-choose Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid buckets. To bring everyone along, distinct cannabis cultivars have largely come to be defined by sellers, in media, and by consumers by their effects as described under three broad categories:
Sativa: These strains provide more of a “head high” effect associated with euphoria, energy, and creativity
Indica: More of a “body high” known for relaxing, pain-relieving, and sedating properties
Hybrid: A blend of Indica and Sativa profiles, the “best of both worlds”
Well that’s easy enough, right? Do we need to get any more complicated than that? While this system emphasizes making product selection easier via broad categories that create less brain-strain, it’s far from perfect. Let’s take the fact that these labels commonly used to differentiate strains by effects have much more to do with plant shape. In their conception by French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, the purpose for the terms Indica and Sativa were to describe the appearance of two different species of cannabis (since updated and debated as subspecies of the Cannabis sativa species)¹.
Cannabis sativa vs. indica
Sativa - Taller plants with slim, lighter-toned leaves
Indica - Shorter plants with broad, darker-toned leaves
Note: I feel the need to reflect that the lesser-known Cannabis ruderalis variety was later discovered. This subspecies has a lower relative level of THC, is often sought out or bred with more potent strains for that reason, and often doesn’t get enough love. Not today.
How this naming convention based on looks became attached to distinct groupings of physical and mental effects is a combination of genetic evolution and market development. Before generations of large-scale growing, and advancements in breeding and selective cultivation, our early defining experiences with cannabis were with cultivars that specifically thrived in certain climates and growing environments (so called landraces). The rare and energetic Acapulco Gold from the coastal Mexican city’s mountains and the go-getter Durban Poison out of South Africa can be considered “pure” Sativas, while the earthy and couch-lock-inducing Hindu Kush that crops up naturally in Afghanistan and Pakistan is a straight Indica. Traits subjectively associated with distinct Sativa and Indica varieties have now come together in all sorts of unique and crossed-up ways, and with cannabis still pretty new as a “consumer product,” sellers and consumers need a way to boil down the effects of a bunch of different plant compounds to tried and true and easily digestible labels. You can see how this longstanding system could get a bit unwieldy.
While hands-on plant knowledge and subjective experience can get us close to saying what a strain “is,” there is still no way to scientifically verify how “Sativa-like” a product is or whether the genetic footprint of a sample of say the Hybrid Gary Payton really “is” Gary Payton². Instead, a strain sample’s genetic footprint can be measured to that of other samples and compared. Rather than strains being made of components that “make them Hybrids” or “like Gary Payton” in particular, differing blends of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds create a patchwork of connections and distinct experiences.
Research from Dalhousie University and Bedrocan - a medical cannabis powerhouse out of the Netherlands - confirmed that in today’s market, strains labeled Indica are just as closely related to other Sativas as they are to other Indicas (and vice versa), and do not always accurately represent a strain’s given genetic mix³. In fact, all that beautiful strain proliferation has left us in a bit of an odd place, with most of today’s cultivars actually representative of the Hybrid variety from a plant shape and effect perspective¹. “True” Indica and Sativa landraces are now pretty rare finds.
While the Dalhousie study proves that the Indica, Sativa, Hybrid distinction has become divorced from its plant morphology origins, and may be running a bit behind modern strain dynamics and understanding, it can be looked at as a pretty close guide to choosing product based on an intersection of aroma, taste, and suspected lineage/effects. The real canary in the coalmine of the plant that works in concert with cannabinoids like THC and provides a flower’s aroma, flavor, and additional therapeutic punch is its terpene mix. Given what budding research and enthusiast anecdotes have yielded about the diverse impacts of terpenes, I think it’s time they shine brighter beyond the more vague veil of Sativa, Indica, or somewhere (but where?) in the middle Hybrid.
In fact, the Dalhousie study found strength in the relationship between specific terpenes and effects commonly associated with Indica and Sativa labels. Samples labeled Sativa often contained higher concentrations of fruity and tea-like terpenes, while Indica samples contained elevated levels of earthy terpenes like myrcene⁴. What this helps demonstrate is how high concentrations of myrcene and other similar terpenes drive “relaxation/sleepiness” as a cannabis effect, rather than if the specific strain is from an Indica variety or labeled as an Indica strain.
What can be said for myrcene in creating heavy eyes and funky fruit flavors can be applied across terpenes. Limonene has an awakening and refreshing effect with lemon-citrus notes, while linalool (the same leading terpene in lavender) brings on a sense of calm and ache relief amidst - you guessed it - lavender and floral notes. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll stop there. So, if the classic three-category system has its flaws, and terpenes and cannabinoids are numerous and diverse in cannabis, what is one to do?
2 Steps 2 High
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2 Steps 2 High 〰️
Amidst a growing understanding of cannabis’ components, and a desire to more accurately communicate strain traits, the chemovar classification method has emerged, which emphasizes differentiation based on a strain’s chemical variety, or unique set of cannabinoids and terpenes⁵. While there’s THC and many other unique cannabinoids and ~150 cannabis terpenes that can sync up in all sorts of combinations to produce a specific strain’s chemovar, you can get to the type of product you need by asking two pretty general questions:
How strong do I want my high to be? (THC %, presence of other cannabinoids)
What kind of experience do I want? (top terpenes)
When it comes to picking cannabis products, I find it helpful to think of it like building your very own custom car. The “strength” of a high, or its horsepower, can be largely boiled down to the level of psychoactive THC the product contains. Other cannabinoids like CBD, (“calm”), CBG (“energetic/upbeat”), and CBN (“put me to sleep”) in mostly edible or drinkable products are still pretty new, but can amplify your high and make your product more suitable for certain times of day. Once you’ve decided how fast you want to accelerate, you can soup up your high with the build, rims, interior, and paint job - terpenes - which aid in the delivery of specific benefits and craft your strain’s unique palette.
Do you want a “morning starter”, and to feel upbeat, yet clear and present, and swirl around in fruity clouds? Target a lower THC % product, and look for leading levels of limonene (lemon) or terpinolene (a complex combo of sweet citrus and woodsy herbs and flowers). Look to pinene (tastes like pine, provides energy/focus) if you need a buzzier coffee-like kick. What if you have a higher tolerance and need to unwind STAT with a big dose of some fermented funk? Up the THC %, perhaps incorporate an additional cannabinoid like CBN, and seek out strong myrcene levels relative to other terpenes.
Since there are hundreds of terpenes, but only a handful that are very common across strains, I find it helpful to look at the top three terpenes in a product (and their percentage levels if available). You’ll find all sorts of combinations that will yield interesting insights. Let’s bring up myrcene again. While this terpene typically drives body and mind relaxation, it’s also the most common terpene in cannabis. You’ll find it leading the charge in some of the most energizing strains on the market - in Green Crack, Strawberry Cough, and in many Hazes like Super Silver Haze. Take a deeper look at these strains and you’ll see pinene and limonene coming in second or third place to round out those effects for more of a daytime audience. If you care particularly about timing and your type of high, I find it easiest to work down to products with the terpene benefit profiles you’re looking for, which will then leave you with a solid wheel of flavors and aromas to choose from. If you’re a “flavor chaser,” you may find it easier to follow your nose and drill down on specific effects after.
If you’re having a hard time telling the difference between cannabinoids, terpenes, and their levels, don’t fret! Products will list THC and other cannabinoid percentages, and usually the top terpene(s) directly on the package. If not, don’t hesitate to talk to a budtender, consult an in-store tablet, scan a product’s Certificate of Analysis QR-code with your phone, or do a quick lookup online (brand sites, Leafly). That should give you the info you need to kit out your weed experience with the flavors, aromas, and additional benefits you need. The best part - the more flower you smell, taste, and experience, the easier it’ll be to navigate the garden of cannabis and pick the right product for you.
Other Ways Around the Garden
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Other Ways Around the Garden 〰️
While the chemovar approach of balancing cannabinoids and terpenes in aiding product decisions has been gaining ground (and is being baked into high-level product descriptors like “energy,” “love,” “unwind",” and “snooze”) there are a few other techniques that could help you decide, especially if you’ve already walked around the garden a few times or are short on time. Compared to the chemovar method, which accounts for the many components of cannabis’ entourage effect, these techniques may be quicker but have some drawbacks in terms of describing the full make-up and effects of a given product.
Chemotype
Defining cannabis by chemotype (chemical type) is largely used to highlight the amount of the two most-prevalent cannabinoids (THC and CBD) in a given product. Standard chemotypes include:
Type 1: Contains psychoactive THC (>.3% by weight) and negligible amounts of CBD
This can be described more or less as “regular weed”
Type 2: Contains a balanced ratio of THC and CBD
Less “high” feeling with additional calming relief, often helpful for newer users
Type 3: Contains CBD and negligible amounts of THC (<.3%)
This can be considered hemp or a CBD-based product with no psychoactive effects
While the chemotype method helps when choosing “strength” of a high, it leaves out the roles of other important cannabinoids (CBG, CBC, THCV, CBN) and terpenes in shaping your cannabis experience.
Strain Families
To the experienced cannasseur, a strain’s name can tell a tale. While there are hundreds of options to choose from, many modern cultivars can be reduced (after many generations of trade and genetic evolution) to relatives of a few hearty landraces. The most popular and close-knit descendants of these OGs can be huddled together into what are called strain families. As referenced in the intro of this entry, classic strain families include the Hazes (descendants of the Haze strain), the Kushes (OG Kush), the Gelatos (Gelato), and the Cookies & Cakes crew (Girl Scout Cookies)⁶. Sorting related strains into groups is particularly helpful if you’re trying to branch out to a new strain/product and already know which circles you like rolling in. This way, you can expect a certain baseline taste and effect profile to be complemented by a fun twist.
If you’re not familiar with lineages, name alone may not be enough to cut it. And that’s not a knock on you. Strain or cultivar names can be confusing. The wide latitude in effects and bouquets that come with crossing strains can leave a lot up to possibility if you don’t dig into the details. As a case in point, the specific strains I chose to represent each of these families (mentioned in the intro of this entry) have notably varied makeups and provide differing shades of experience. Let’s take a look at a few of the Hazes:
Haze: averages 18% THC, provides an invigorating, creative experience with strong earthy notes (aided by higher myrcene and pinene levels)⁷.
Ghost Train Haze: averages 19% THC, provides mental and appetite stimulation with a particularly fruity and floral aroma (high in terpinolene and limonene). I thought it was worth mentioning that this strain has both Haze and Kush heritage⁸.
Sunset Haze: averaging a whopping 25% THC, this strain is noted as a more balanced body and mind high than the others, with flavors like citrus, watermelon, and berries, with a complex color scheme to boot⁹.
Playing the name game isn’t just difficult because there are a lot of similar-sounding strains that have been cross-bred over generations, but sometimes a name doesn’t correlate tightly to an experience. Take for example that the AK-47 strain (regarded as a “Sativa-leaning” or more upbeat high) was awarded the 1999 Sativa Cup at the international Cannabis Cup, only to win the Indica Cup in 2004³. Or that in a cross-state-dispensary study, popular “Sativa-leaning hybrids” like Bruce Banner, Pineapple Express, Purple Haze, and Tangerine were found to have notably different makeups within-strain while having varying degrees of similarity across strains².
Color Coding
I wouldn’t be able to move on from this entry’s garden analogy without addressing what makes this plant so pretty. The many colors of the cannabis rainbow owe themselves to chlorophyll, carotenoids, and a special group of flavonoids called anthocyanins. Let’s unjumble that word salad…
Chlorophyll is responsible for green coloration and powering photosynthesis (the conversion of light energy to fuel) in plants. Antioxidant carotenoids are found in cannabis, as well as across the fruit, vegetable, and plant spectrum and help produce yellow and orange pigmentation (in things like “carrots”). Flavonoids play a pivotal role in ensuring seeds can thrive against mold, pests, and UV damage while providing nutrient and antioxidant properties¹⁰. In cannabis, they additionally support the “entourage effect” of a high through a kind of alchemy - interacting with terpenes, cannabinoids, and our internal cannabinoid receptors to affect endocannabinoid process regulation¹⁰.
Flavonoids that specialize in red-blue color development as plants mature, and green chlorophyll expression slows down, are called anthocyanins. These cheery fellows, which differ by strain and soil PH levels, produce the gorgeous reds, pinks, purples, and blues that make the plant pop. While picking strains based on color is not an exact science, it does reveal another interesting lens for appreciating the diversity and beauty of the flower. While I can’t play favorites, here is a brief breakdown of some of the most common shades of flower alongside studied experience notes and some gorgeous buds you can get right now at your favorite NYC dispensary:
Yellow
Flower with bright yellow hairs (stigmas) often has energizing and sharper or sour smelling citrus tones, with this type of pigmentation thriving in more alkaline conditions¹¹. Super Lemon Haze is a perfect strain to help bring some more sun to cloudy days. It’s also pretty widely available in vapes, edibles and flower at The Travel Agency, Matawana, BK Exotic, and Housing Works.
Chemovar info:
19% THC
Top Terpenes - terpinolene (floral citrus/herbs, uplifting and relieving), myrcene (earthy fruit/musk, relaxing), caryophyllene (pepper, pain/anxiety relief)
Flavor notes: a bit like fresh lemonade - tart and rindy yet sweet, with a lightly herbal background
Experience notes: a great daytime strain with an initial rush of energy and creativity. Like with coffee, a few too many hits may leave you needing to get active and move around.
Orange
Buds with orange complexions benefit from a higher concentration of yellow-orange producing carotenoids and often taste like…oranges. Depending on their make-up, they tend to produce stimulating or more balanced highs. Orange Cookies by matter. (available at The Travel Agency) is a great orange-haired strain you can get locally. Typically a cross between Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) and Orange Juice genetics, this is a cross between GSC, Orange Skunk, and Herijuana.
Chemovar info:
22% THC
Top Terpenes - terpinolene (floral citrus/herbs, uplifting and relieving), myrcene (earthy fruit/musk, relaxing), caryophyllene (pepper, pain/anxiety relief)
Flavor notes: juicy orange and tangerine shine over slightly earthy undertones
Experience notes: a more balanced experience with delightful cerebral and body effects
Red + Pink
Red or pink cultivars are rare, but they can be something to take in and experience. My personal favorite that I struggle to find in NYC is Pink Boost Goddess, a relatively lower-THC flower (15%) with ample amounts of the energizing and appetite suppressing cannabinoid THCV. PBG’s floral and spice notes, paired with its unique genetic profile make it a great pairing for inspiring creativity or romance.
For something closer to home, I recommend checking out Pink Runtz by Electraleaf (available at Terp Bros, Gotham, and Housing Works Cannabis Co). While this specific run is a cross between Rainbow Sherbert and Pink Zkittlez, the Pink Runtz strain often involves a Runtz lineage (combo of Zkittlez and Gelato backgrounds) or a cross with Pink Panties or Rainbow Sherbert¹².
Chemovar info:
17% THC
Top Terpenes - limonene (citrus, invigorating), caryophyllene (pepper, pain/anxiety relief), linalool (lavender-floral, eases stress/aches)
Flavor notes: sweet and sour citrus, earthy cherry straight from the tree
Experience notes: well-balanced body and mind effects with a surprising social buzz
Blue
While you’ll be hard-pressed to find a strain that is “true blue”, the way trichomes glisten and come together with pigmentation create a not-quite purple shimmer hard to ignore. Blue-hued strains aren’t too common, and can all trace their way back to the famous Blueberry strain by American breeder DJ Short, who did some magic in combining a few Thai landraces¹³. If you’re looking for a classic and easy-to-find blue, look no further than Blue Dream, a floaty “any time of day” cross between Blueberry and Haze. I won’t spend too much time on this strain, but not because it isn’t very enjoyable. Blue Dream is a widely-available staple and one of the first strains that I (and many others) can remember remembering. California cultivator THC Design has a wonderful write up that will take you into its truly dreamy effects.
Chemovar info:
18% THC
Top Terpenes - myrcene (earthy fruit/musk, relaxing), pinene (pine, focus) caryophyllene (pepper, pain/anxiety relief)
Flavor notes: sweet and slightly spicy berries
Experience notes: anxiety and ache relief meet a contented presence
If you’re looking for something a little funkier and body-based (but harder to find), check out the rather on-the-nose Blue Cheese (Blueberry x UK Cheese). It’s no joke.
Purple + Black
Purple, long associated with cannabis and cannabis culture, tends to flourish in cooler environments¹¹. These darker-hued buds tend to produce earthy and funky fruit flavors that deliver strong mind and body relaxation, correlating to higher myrcene and “relaxing/sleepy” terpene content in some plants. Two mainstays that need little introduction and enjoy wide product and store variety are the legendary Grandaddy Purp and Blackberry Kush. These potent berry blasters help calm the mind and will lock your body down if you’re not careful.
A rarer, but delicious treat are shades of flower so purple that they have a near-black tint. Some strains, like Black Domina, are bred and grown to promote this level of rich anthocyanin production¹⁴. I’ve been fortunate to try a Black Ice (cross between Black Domina and White Widow) that looked unlike any strain I had previously encountered, and truly took my feet out from under me.
If you’re looking for a dark and mysterious flower that will work wonders on your body and mind, head to Housing Works for their Black Afcandy (Black Diamond x Purple Candy) exclusive from the fun folks at Flamer. With Black Diamond’s Black Domina and Kush lineage meeting Purple Candy’s berry sweetness, I know I’m due for a taste.
Chemovar info:
24% THC
Top Terpenes - farnesene (green apples, soothing), caryophyllene (pepper, pain/anxiety relief), limonene (citrus, invigorating)
(Expected) flavor notes: sweet, tropical fruit
(Expected) experience notes: all smiles with a knockout punch to the body
Sources
1 - “The Differences between Sativa, Indica & Hybrid.” Polln, Polln, www.polln.com/library/sativa-vs-indica-vs-hybrid-what-to-expect. Accessed 16 May 2024.
2 - Schwabe, Anna L., and Mitchell E. McGlaughlin. “Genetic tools weed out misconceptions of strain reliability in Cannabis Sativa: Implications for a budding industry.” Journal of Cannabis Research, vol. 1, no. 1, 7 June 2019, https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-019-0001-1.
3 - Watts, Sophie. “Indica and Sativa Labels Are Largely Meaningless When It Comes to Cannabis Complexities.” Dalhousie News, 7 Jan. 2022, www.dal.ca/news/2022/01/07/cannabis-labels-study-indica-sativa.html.
4 - Starrenburg, Femke. “Indica or Sativa - No Genetic Distinction after Analysing Cannabis Samples.” Bedrocan, Bedrocan, 4 Mar. 2024, bedrocan.com/international-research-shows-no-genetic-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-cannabis/.
5 - Schmidt, Elena. “Chemovars: Beyond THC, Sativa, Indica, and Named Cultivars (Aka Strains).” Certified Testing Labs: Cannabis, Hemp, CBD, Kratom & Mushrooms, 20 Apr. 2022, www.acslab.com/marketing/marketing-chemovars-beyond-thc-sativa-indica-and-named-cultivars-aka-strains.
6 - Downs, David. “Legends of 420: Cannabis’ Top 5 Strain Families.” Leafly, 19 Apr. 2021, www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/top-5-marijuana-strain-families.
7 - “Haze Aka Original Haze, Haze Brothers Weed Strain Information.” Leafly, www.leafly.com/strains/haze. Accessed 16 May 2024.
8 - “Ghost Train Haze Weed Strain Information.” Leafly, www.leafly.com/strains/ghost-train-haze. Accessed 16 May 2024.
9 - “Sunset Haze Weed Strain Information.” Leafly, www.leafly.com/strains/sunset-haze. Accessed 16 May 2024.
10 - Schmidt, Elena. “Cannabis Flavonoids: Everything You Need to Know.” Certified Testing Labs: Cannabis, Hemp, CBD, Kratom & Mushrooms, 30 June 2021, www.acslab.com/wellness/cannabis-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know.
11 - Jaramillo, Melissa. “What Do Different Colors of Weed Mean?” Weed Dispensaries, Strains, Culture & News, 27 Apr. 2024, herb.co/learn/bud-colors.
12 - “Pink Runtz - Strain Information - Cannaconnection - Strain Information.” CannaConnection.Com, www.cannaconnection.com/strains/pink-runtz. Accessed 16 May 2024.
13 - “Blueberry Aka Berry Blue Weed Strain Information.” Leafly, www.leafly.com/strains/blueberry. Accessed 16 May 2024.
14 - Greens, Robyn. “What Is Black Cannabis?” Weed Dispensaries, Strains, Culture & News, 9 Apr. 2024, herb.co/learn/black-cannabis.
