Everything About Sativa Dominant Strains

Marijuana is just marijuana, right? Perhaps somebody who doesn’t use marijuana may feel like that is the case. You smoke marijuana, it makes you feel super out of it, end of discussion. Of course, if you are a marijuana user, you know that couldn’t be further from the case. There are different types of plants, different strains, and different experiences. Marijuana is not unlike coffee in that sense. Any coffee snob can assure you that not every cup of coffee is exactly the same. If you are deep in the world of cannabis, this is just business as usual. For outsiders or newbies, though, the language of the world of cannabis can be confounding, perhaps even alienating. Take, for example, a phrase like “sativa-dominant strain.” What does that mean? What is sativa, and what does it mean for a strain to be “sativa dominant”? Learning more about sativa-dominant strains won’t just make you more informed about cannabis, but also may push you toward the kind of marijuana that is right for you.

What makes a marijuana strain sativa dominant?

There are dozens of marijuana strains out there. You can classify them in different ways. One of the primary ways is by placing a strain into one of three categories: sativa, indica, or hybrid. Sativas and indicas are different types of cannabis plants. They literally have the scientific names cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Both are cannabis plants, but they are different enough to be considered different types of cannabis.

Sativas and indicas are pure, and then we have the hybrids. These plants, unsurprisingly, are created by combining sativas and indicas. There are well-balanced hybrids, which are basically 50/50 splits of indica and sativa. Some hybrids, though, are tilted in one direction more than the other. Once a plant gets up to a certain level of one type of cannabis or the other, they become, voila, “dominant.” Thus, a sativa-dominant strain is a hybrid that leans heavily toward the sativa side of things. What does that mean exactly? It depends, but we would say that sativa dominant strains are 60% sativa or higher.

What are the characteristics of sativa-dominant strains?

Sativas and indicas are different plants, and they have different physical characteristics. Sativas tend to grow taller, while indicas are denser and tend to have robust buds. That’s all well and good, and it matters when it comes to growing plants. As a company that sells seeds to people for their home plant growing, this is relevant. For now, though, let’s focus on the experience of using cannabis depending on the type of plant it is. Sativas and indicas are generally defined by specific characteristics these plants are known for. Sativas are the upbeat, daytime strains. They tend to be energizing and invigorating. Sativas have a higher psychoactive impact and can yield creative flow and a feeling of being uplifted. Indicas, on the other hand, are the relaxing strains. You feel the sensations of indicas from the tip of your head down to your toes. Indicas are soothing and calming. That also means they can tilt you toward “couchlock” or sleep. Hybrids, of course, mix the characteristics of sativas and indicas. When it comes to sativa-dominant strains, the fact that the sativa is, well, dominant means you tend to get more of those effects. You can expect a bit of the relaxation of the indicas, but the sativa of it all leans these strains toward an energizing and heady experience.

What are some sativa-dominant strains?

Obviously, there are people who dedicate themselves to categorizing different marijuana strains. Cannabis enthusiasts abound in this world. That’s good! It makes the marijuana world, which could be overwhelming, a little clearer. Growers Choice does this as well. When you click on a strain’s name in our catalog, you can read all about the strain. That includes physical characteristics, THC content, and also the makeup of the strain vis a vis sativa and indica content. If a strain is sativa dominant, we will have it listed as such. Here are a few of the popular sativa-dominant strains out there:

Amnesia Haze
Purple Haze
Strawberry Cough
Green Crack
Sour Diesel

Can you tell me about one of these sativa-dominant strains?

Let’s focus on Sour Diesel, a quintessential sativa-dominant strain. Sour Diesel is 70% sativa and 30% indica. The strain is often considered an “upper,” but not in an “amphetamine” way. This is a strain that lives up to the high-energy nature of a sativa. Sour Diesel is one of the most popular strains out there, and its 26% THC content combined with its sativa-dominant nature makes it a frequent choice for those feeling overly worried about things. Some say Sour Diesel makes them feel euphoric. It’s also sort of known for its, well, diesel qualities. Yes, some say it smells like gasoline, which some love while others are put off by. However, this is not a trait held by every single sativa-dominant strain. That’s the thing to remember. While all sativa-dominant strains are joined together by the fact they have more sativa lineage than indica, they are not all identical on top of that. One strain might be perfect for you, while another may not be your cup of tea. That’s the nature of marijuana, and that’s the nature of sativa-dominant strains.