A recent study by the Pew Research Center stated 91% of U.S. adults believe marijuana should be legalized for recreational and medical use. Another 60% believe it should be strictly for medicinal purposes.
Whatever your reasons for smoking marijuana may be, you’re sure to come across two types of strains; Sativa and Indica.
It’s imperative to know the difference between Sativa and Indica because each strain affects your system differently. We’ll expound more in our guide below.
What Is Sativa and Indica?
Think about the first time you smoked. How was that experience? Did you feel happy and bursting with energy? Or did you feel relaxed and hungry?
Depending on your answer, you either smoked a strain of Indica or Sativa. Indica strains produce full-body effects to create a feeling of relaxation and help combat conditions such as insomnia.
Sativa strains, on the other hand, provide you with a revitalizing energy boost. It’s also known for increasing your creativity and enhancing your focus.
One of the most apparent differences you’ll also see between Sativa and Indica is the physical appearance of the plants. Sativa plants are skinny and feature light green leaves, while Indica plants have shorter bushy dark green leaves.
Choosing the Right Strain For You
Whether you’re a first-time smoker or an avid weed connoisseur, you want to ensure you have a pleasant smoke session. So that’s why you’ll need to decide whether you wish to smoke Indica or Sativa.
If you’re having trouble deciding, take a look at a few factors you should consider before purchasing your supply.
Your Aim
Knowing the feeling you want to experience will help you narrow down your options when selecting strains. If you’re smoking to help your body relax, then you’ll want to smoke Indica strains.
However, if you want to invigorate your mood and energy levels, Sativa would be the strain of choice. Speak to a dispensary employee to get further clarification on strains to help aid your decision.
If you want to enjoy the health benefits of marijuana without getting high, you can always smoke CBD pre rolled cigarettes. CBD is an integral compound found in cannabis plants along with THC.
But through an extraction process, the compounds are separated to create pure CBD items. Although there may be small amounts of THC in some CBD products, it still won’t be enough to get you high.
Tolerance Levels
Your tolerance levels are essential when deciding the type of weed you want to smoke. Not all marijuana strains have the same THC level content.
For example, a strain like Gorilla Glue has roughly 30% THC. So if you’re a beginner, you wouldn’t want to smoke a strain with such potency, because you could experience side effects such as:
- Paranoia
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Slight dizziness
Instead, you would look for plants with lower THC levels, such as Blue Dream or ACDC. These strains have more CBD than THC, making it a more pleasant experience for a beginner.
Consumption Method
When you think about marijuana, the standard consumption method that comes to mind is smoking. However, what if you don’t want to have the combustion on your lungs?
Take a look at some other methods you can use instead.
Edibles
Edibles are a preferred method of choice for those that love weed but don’t want to smoke it. You can make the iconic pot brownie or try different types of gummies at your local dispensary.
One potential drawback to edibles is the length of time they take to kick in. It can take between thirty minutes and two hours to feel the effects of the edible.
However, it can last for up to twelve hours. So if you have all day to kill, look up some marijuana edible recipes and try them out.
Pills or Capsules
Understandably, you may not want to continue making sweet treats to get high. But you can take THC-infused capsules or pills and still enjoy the effects you desire.
It’s traditionally given to those with medical ailments who may have trouble smoking marijuana. However, if this is your preferred method of recreational use, ensure you speak to your doctor for further information.
Topical Applications
Orally ingesting marijuana isn’t the only way you can feel the effects that come with it. There are also topical applications that you can use, such as:
- Lotions
- Balms
- Gels
These substances will not produce a psychoactive effect. But they may relieve pain for individuals suffering from specific physical ailments.
Marijuana Legality
There has been an immense change in marijuana laws around the country. As of right now, 18 states have legalized recreational marijuana use.
So before sparking up, ensure you know your state’s marijuana laws. Even if your product is more CBD-based, any hint of THC could be detrimental.
Weed is still illegal under federal law, so there could be legal repercussions if you get caught in a sticky situation.
Know the Difference Between Sativa and Indica Before Smoking
Smoking weed is a great way to relax your body, ease pain, or provide energy to tackle daily tasks. However, it’s crucial to know the difference between Sativa and Indica to maximize the effects of the strain.
Also, if you don’t want to smoke, there are other methods you can use to ingest weed and get high. Whatever you decide, ensure to enjoy responsibly.
To learn more about Indica vs. Sativa or other marijuana insights, feel free to visit our blog for related content.
