Marijuana Strains

If you’re not part of it, you may not realize the extent of the subculture surrounding marijuana use both in the United States and around the world (Read Then and Now: Past and Present Use of Marijuana).  Before the emergence of alternative growing methods like hydroponics, illegal marijuana gardens sprang up in parks and other public places so that the growers could decrease the likelihood of being caught (Read Hydroponics: A “Growing” Problem).  Recently in California, marijuana use has been at the center of a hot political debate (Read Legalizing Marijuana: A Summary of the Debate and Medical Marijuana).  Even the market for bongs seems to have exploded with numerous artistic choices and options that are still sold under the guise of being intended for tobacco smoking only (Read Does Nicotine Addiction Run Your Life? and Recognizing Drug Paraphernalia).  Despite significant research that has linked chronic abuse of marijuana to a host of physical and mental consequences (Read Marijuana Abuse and Testicular Cancer: Recent Findings and Marijuana Use & Mental Health: A Path to Schizophrenia?), those who are hooked continue to explore ways to make the habit better for themselves.  One of those ways is growing or using different strains of marijuana.

What strains of marijuana exist?

Think marijuana is a single drug?  There are actually multiple species and strains of marijuana, which has led to some marijuana connoisseurs.  The two main species are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica with a third species, Cannabis ruderalis, having a greater number of differences from the former. Sativa plants tend to be tall, have long branches, and have large leaves.  By contrast, indica plants have wide leaves and are shorter and, for this reason, seem to be preferred for indoor growing environments.  The ruderalis type has only very small amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive part of marijuana). Marijuana strains are often divided into four categories: wild, clone, stable, and unstable.  The type of strain that often is the most profitable for growers is the stable seed strain, which involves creating a new type of marijuana by breeding selected plants over multiple generations.  When attempting to produce a new strain (often to gain the upper hand in a competitive market), a breeder may choose plants based on such properties as smell, taste, or color. 

In December 2010, CNBC reported on popular medical marijuana strains.  These included Mazar, Dr. Grinspoon, Canna Sutra, Jack Herer, White Berry, S.A.G.E. (stands for “Sativa Afghani Genetic Equilibrium”), Crimea Blue, Satori, G-13 Haze, A-Train, Purple Kush, Romulan, Blue Dreams, Lavender, Nigerian, and Vortex.  There are hundreds of other strains (not necessarily used for medical purposes) with intentionally creative names like Danky Doodle, Martian Mean Green, Sputnik, LA Confidential, Purple Skunk Dutch Treat, and Reclining Buddha to name only a few.

Can I do anything to help someone stop a marijuana addiction?

If you have a feeling that someone is in trouble with marijuana use (Read Marijuana Abuse: What Are the Signs?), you may need to recruit family and friends for an intervention, especially if the person denies that they have an issue (Read How to Deal with Denial).