How Many Weed Strains Are There?
Cannabis has been around for a really long time, stretching back to our forefathers. Walking into a dispensary can be overwhelming, and the sheer number of cannabis strains and options definitely reflect how long we’ve been perfecting this plant. Some may be wondering, just how many strains of cannabis are there? (And, how many of them are actually notable?) When asking how many weed strains there are, you may get an array of answers. This is because there are different ways of classifying cannabis, and sub-categories can vary depending on who you ask. There are also plenty of new hybrid strains being bred every day, or refined by different growers. Currently, there are 779 strains that are named and recognized. Let’s take a look at how cannabis strains are classified, how hybrid strains have affected the ever-growing number of strains, and how to choose the one for you.
Classifying Cannabis Strains
Knowing how many strains there are isn’t too helpful if you can’t quite define a strain! Here are the three most common categorizations of cannabis: sativas, indicas, and hybrids of the two.
Sativas
Sativas are the most commonly recognized cannabis strains, and have tall, skinny, long leaves. Sativas are known for being daytime strains, causing users to be energized, focused, motivated, and happy. Typically, sativa strains can be used to assist with ADD/ADHD, depression, stress, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, and pain.
Indicas
Indicas are shorter, sturdier-looking plants with heftier bushes and wider leaves. Their bud has a higher density of resin, and therefore indicas tend to be better for concentrate-making. Indicas will often have opposite psychoactive effects than sativa, giving users feelings like relaxation, tranquility, and strong body effects. People will usually use indicas for sleep difficulties (due to a potentially heavy sedative effect), chronic pain, lack of appetite, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and other similar difficulties.
Hybrids
Hybrids are strains where different breeds of cannabis are crossbred to create a new species. The combined strains may be both sativa, both indica, or a combination of the two. Some used to believe hybrids were a more anecdotal classification, but hybrids genuinely differ in their chemical compositions and ratios when analyzed.
How Hybrids Have Driven Strain Number Up
Growers and budtenders are constantly trying new things, and their natural curiosity and green thumbs have led to many hybrid strains of cannabis. Each has its own unique ratio of compounds based on what two strains were bred together. Some hybrids are hybrids of two indicas or two sativas, resulting in either a pure indica or sativa that just has multiple characteristics common to both strains. Other hybrids mix the two, with some being sativa-dominant and others being indica-dominant.
Choose a Strain For You at The Kind Center
With so many strains of cannabis, it’s no surprise that many of us have trouble deciding which one will suit us perfectly. It’s wise to do your research beforehand, and gather the names of a few strains that seem to have the effects you’re looking for. Strains will often be categorized as those that make you feel happy, hungry, couch-locked, relaxed, social, focused, euphoric, or energized. If you’re still not sure, simply shop The Kind Center in-store and one of our friendly and knowledgeable budtenders can help you decide between our available strains of prepackaged flower!