Where the labels came from#
Indica and sativa began as botanical descriptions. Indica plants were short and broad, and sativa plants were tall and narrow. Growers and sellers later used the words to describe how a strain feels: indica for a heavier, calmer feel and sativa for a lighter, more energetic one.
Why the labels miss#
When cannabis is tested in a lab, the chemistry of a product often does not match what its label suggests. Two products sold as indica can differ more from each other than an indica does from a sativa. Most menus also sell hybrids, and a hybrid label tells you very little about the effect you will feel.
Choose by the effect you want#
Start with the effect rather than the label. Do you want to wind down in the evening, stay focused in the afternoon or enjoy company with friends? Ask the budtender which products are known for that effect, and ask for the lab report that lists the THC and CBD content.
Use flavour as a shortcut#
Aroma comes from terpenes, the same family of compounds that gives pine, citrus and pepper their smell. Flavour does not guarantee an effect, but it is a fast way to narrow a long menu. Read the terpene notes on each product, and see our terpenes guide for what they mean.
Start low, go slow#
Edibles and high-THC products take longer to work and can last much longer than people expect. Start with a small amount, wait, and only then decide whether to take more. Do not drive or use machinery after using cannabis.