Indica and sativa are terms often used to describe cannabis strains, but what do these labels really mean?

Many believe that indica strains are sedative with earthy aromas, while sativa strains are energizing with sweet aromas. However, the meaningfulness of these labels is questionable.

CANNABIS STRAIN ANALYSIS

At PURPLEFARM, we are committed to advancing cannabis research and continually seek out the latest findings. One of the most significant studies in this area was conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University and Bedrocan International, a Dutch medical cannabis company. They studied hundreds of strains labeled as indica or sativa, analyzing their chemical compounds, including major cannabinoids like THC and CBD, and terpenes, which give cannabis its distinctive aromas. They also examined their genetic profiles to identify any chemical and genetic differences.

The study published in Nature Plants, revealed that indica and sativa labels are largely meaningless. Strains labeled as indica were often as genetically similar to those labeled as sativa as they were to other indica strains.

A notable example of the inconsistency in labeling is the strain "AK 47," which won the Sativa Cup in 1999 and the Indica Cup in the same competition four years later. Furthermore, the study discovered that strain names are unreliable indicators of a plant’s genetic identity and chemical profile. For instance, two strains named "OG Kush" were more similar to other strains with different names than to each other.

HISTORY OF INDICA AND SATIVA

The use of indica and sativa labels resembles a long game of broken telephone. Originally, these terms may have described two distinct species of cannabis. Over time, hybridization has resulted in most modern cannabis being a mix of these ancestral lineages. Despite this, the labels persist and are now used to describe psychoactive effects, aromas, and morphologies.

While the study found weak correlations between these labels and a few aromatic terpenes—indica strains tended to have higher levels of myrcene, associated with sedation, and sativa strains had more sweet and herbal terpenes like terpinolene, farnesene and bergamotene—these correlations are not reliable for consistent labeling.

PURPLEFARM'S APPROACH TO CANNABIS LABELING

At PURPLEFARM, we understand the need to revamp how cannabis is labeled and to communicate its effects more accurately. The current labeling system fails to meet the standards applied to other agricultural crops. Imagine buying a honeycrisp apple only to find it’s a less crisp McIntosh—this inconsistency is frustrating, and for cannabis, it can lead to negative health outcomes.

Cannabis produces over one hundred aromatic and psychoactive compounds with distinct effects. The "entourage effect," where terpenes interact with cannabinoids to mediate psychoactive effects, adds to this complexity. Reducing cannabis to two categories does not capture its incredible versatility and potential.

At PURPLEFARM, we categorize our cultivars based on terpene profiles, informed by the Terpenes Class from the Emerald Cup. This method provides a more accurate representation of each strain's unique characteristics and benefits. By focusing on the quantities of key compounds that have medicinal effects or are known to affect consumer preferences, we offer a more reliable and informative labeling system.

This approach aligns with our commitment to leveraging the latest research to improve the accuracy and usefulness of cannabis labeling, ensuring that our customers receive the most effective and appropriate products for their needs.