How to Find the Best Marijuana Strain for You
Did you know that there are over 700 strains of cannabis in the world? This may not sound like much, but when they’re all sitting in front of you at a dispensary, waiting for you to choose the best marijuana, it can be a bit overwhelming.
While the place you’re shopping at probably doesn’t carry all 700+, they will have a wide variety of options. Everyone is different, and each strain has its own characteristics that attract users.
The main distinguishing characteristic of a marijuana strain is its THC content. Every cannabis plant has CBD and THC cannabinoids, but the more THC in a plant, the stronger the psychoactive effects. Some people want them, and others prefer not to have any mental changes.
Out of all the possible marijuana strains, how can you find the best one for you? We’ve put together some handy tips to help you decide right here.
1. Start at a Licensed Dispensary to Find the Best Marijuana Strain for You
The first thing to know is that not all weed is created equally.
If the product is sourced from a legitimate cannabis farm, you can trust it to be high-quality and safe. Dispensaries only buy marijuana from approved cultivators. Anything they sell has been taken care of, from seed to finished product, and is free from pesticides and other harmful contaminants. Otherwise, there’s no sure way of knowing what the plant was exposed to as it grew and after it was cultivated. It’s easy for someone to grow weed illegally, contaminate it, and resell it cheaply. However, this can be dangerous and even deadly to the user. At best, you’ll have low-quality marijuana. Be safe and buy legally.
2. Decide Between Indica and Sativa
All of the 700+ strains of cannabis fall into one of two categories: Indica or Sativa. These are the biological classifications of marijuana. Each plant is distinguished by its physical characteristics. Plants with short, broad, dark green leaves are Indica, and those with tall, thin, pale green leaves are Sativa.
The type you want depends on your cannabis goals. If you’re hoping for your marijuana effects to help you relax, chill out, and sleep better, opt for Indica strains. But when you want some extra energy, creativity, and a boost of confidence, Sativa should do the trick.
Indica strains are usually recommended for people who deal with chronic pain, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Sativa strains work well for those battling conditions like depression, ongoing fatigue, and ADD or ADHD. Talk to your medical marijuana doctor about which strains are best for your unique needs.
3. Check the Terpene Profile
As you learn more about cannabis, you’ll hear the word “terpene” frequently. These are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and a few animal species.
In cannabis, terpenes determine the type of smell, taste, and colors you get from an adult plant. Think of terpenes like your DNA profile. They make each strain of cannabis unique.
When you try a new strain, if you like it, note its terpene profile. As you shop around for other strains, look for those with similar terpenes. Chances are, you’ll like those, as well.
4. Decide on Your Method
Now that you know which strains to look into and how to understand a terpene profile, the final question is which method you prefer.
Medical marijuana comes in various styles. Your dispensary experts can tell you which types are legal in your state. For instance, many states don’t allow edibles yet, while others still prohibit smoking joints.
Before you jump in and choose a method, let’s summarize the pros and cons of each one.
Smoking
Smoking your joint gives you a fast, long-lasting high. But you use combustion to burn the cannabis, which causes irritation to your lungs and creates carcinogens that you breathe in. It also produces a strong and obvious odor.
Vaping
Vaping gives you more cannabinoids than smoking and eliminates the carcinogen issue. You get a fast, nearly odorless high. The only cons would be mechanical issues from the vape pen.
Dabbing
The newest method on the weed scene is dabbing concentrates. Dabbing gives the user the benefits of cannabis in a potent, small liquid. This pro can also be a con. Strong doses of CBD and THC may be too much if you have a low tolerance.
Edibles
Edibles are cannabis-infused foods. They’re easy to make and buy, discrete, and yummy. The most important con is that you must pay attention to the serving size to ensure you aren’t overeating and, therefore, overdosing on THC.
Topicals
Also called transdermals, this method of cannabis is non-invasive and simple to use. Your cannabis is infused into a lotion, oil, or patch and applied to your body wherever you feel sore. A pro/con is that there aren’t any psychoactive effects with topicals (whether that’s good or bad is up to you).
Conclusion
With this knowledge pointing you in the right direction, you can choose the best marijuana strain for your needs.
