How to Select The Right Cannabis Strain To Consume?

Cannabis is not just a plant — it’s a vast world that’s waiting to be explored by you. Unlike eating a banana, you can’t just smoke whatever cannabis you come across. Yes, you’ll get high, but are you really extracting all the fun from it? Not really. 

If you want to truly experience cannabis like the connoisseurs, you need to start caring about the strain you are smoking. Everything about cannabis, including its characteristics, aroma, flavor, and height boils down to this one thing: the strain. 

But what is a strain and how do you select the right one? Worry not, we’ve got your back. Learn everything you need to know about cannabis strains and how to find the right strain to consume in this article below. 

Introduction to Cannabis Strains 

If you walk into a cannabis dispensary, you’ll be bombarded with buzzwords, but one that perhaps matters more than the most is the strain. But what exactly is a strain, why does it matter, and why should you care about it?

Put simply, cannabis comes in many varieties or types, which are known as strains. Each cannabis strain is unique, possessing characteristics that set it apart from the rest. These characteristics include the appearance of the plant itself, the aroma and flavor of the buds, the buds’ terpenoid content, and the kind of high it produces. 

The term strain is used by our community to categorize or identify different cultivars, and no, we’re not talking about indica or sativa strains — more on that later. So, what makes a cannabis strain unique?

Cannabis has a long history and has taken centuries to evolve, and this didn’t just happen in one place. Cannabis plants evolved across the world, from the mountains of the Himalayas to the Arabian deserts, and even in the dense forests of Africa or South America.

In every location, the plant evolved to grow well in those conditions. As a result, a strain with a history tracing back to Afghanistan would have excellent cold resistance whereas one growing in Africa would have better heat resistance. These varieties were further diversified by breeders that cross-bred landrace strains to produce cultivars — thousands of them. 

These evolutionary characteristics not only gave cannabis plants their appearance and growth pattern but also affected the yield. Cannabis buds contain various compounds, including terpenes and cannabinoids (like THC and CBD). Each strain developed a unique combination of these chemicals, which give them their unique flavors, aromas, and effects.

Strain Classification Based on Cannabinoids: THC vs CBD

There are a few ways to classify strains, and one of the most basic ones is through their cannabinoid content. Cannabis plants contain over a hundred cannabinoids, but the ones that matter the most to us are CBD and THC, and each strain has a unique ratio of these two cannabinoids. 

A cannabis strain that is high in THC and contains negligible CBD is considered a THC-dominant cannabis plant. This is a strain that will get you high since THC is the active cannabinoid that messes with your CB2 receptors to produce the high. So, if you want to get high, you must choose THC-dominant strains — the higher the content, the higher you’ll be. 

On the other hand, many cannabis strains contain high levels of CBD and negligible THC amounts. Such a plant is CBD-dominant, and since CBD is not a psychoactive compound, these strains don’t produce a high. This makes CBD-dominant cannabis plants perfect for medicinal users who want to extract the various benefits of cannabis without getting high. 

The two cannabinoids are not alone; some strains possess high levels of other cannabinoids, too, and are classified respectively. And some strains may even contain CBD and THC in a 1:1 ratio — the perfect balance. Such a strain is ideal for someone looking for a high that’s also beneficial for their health. 

Strain Classification: Terpenes 

Classification based on the cannabinoid content of the plant gives you a good insight into the high or effects you can expect from a strain, but if you want to be more specific, you need to take a look at the terpenes. 

Terpenes occur naturally in plants and even some animals and these are what are responsible for giving the plants their unique aromas and flavors. Terpenes are why the orange smells the way it does. This applies to cannabis too. 

Cannabis flowers of high quality are flush with terpenes, which give them their unique flavors and aromas. Now, cannabis as a species has over a hundred terpenes, and each strain contains these terpene varieties in a unique combination and ratio. This is what makes each cannabis strain unique in terms of flavor and aroma. 

Fun fact: terpenes didn’t evolve to make your cannabis tasty. Terpenes occur in the plant kingdom to protect the plants from environmental hazards like pests, pathogens, UV light, etc. It’s a defense mechanism that happens to taste really good sometimes. 

So, if you like a particular flavor of cannabis, look at its terpene profile and you’ll see the terpene that gives it a unique flavor — it could be any terpene, including linalool, limonene, pinene, myrcene, etc. 

The flavor and aroma aren’t the only spaces where terpenes matter. Recent studies have found that terpenes, along with other plant chemicals and cannabinoids, help produce unique effects, which is known as the entourage effect. This is the effect that’s produced by a strain due to the synergy of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds. 

Sativa vs Indica vs Hybrids: Does It Matter?

You’ll find many people classify cannabis strains as Sativa or Indica (and hybrids, too), but don’t pay heed to them. This system of classification used to be all the rage a few years ago but has since been debunked. Short answer — Sativa and Indica classification does not matter, and here’s the long answer. 

The basic belief of the sativa and indica trains is based on the principle that Indica strains offer a sedative body high that’s relaxing and Sativa strains produce a more energetic head high. Additionally, it is believed that Sativa plants grow taller and have a longer bloom period, and Indica strains grow stout and mature. A hybrid strain is a mix of both.

This classification system traces its roots back to the 18th century when cannabis was introduced to North American farmers. During the century, a French biologist by the name of Jean Baptiste Lamar proposed a new classification system so it would be easier to distinguish various cannabis strains. 

Initially, this system was formulated on the appearance of various cannabis plants that were imported from India. Essentially, Lamar observed the plants closely — that was advanced science back then — and classified the plants into Indica and Sativa. 

Today, this system of classifying cannabis strains is obsolete and no longer matters. Botanists today have challenged this notion and their research concludes that cannabis only comes in one breed — Cannabis Sativa L. 

According to recent studies, this cannabis breed can exhibit different physical traits and unique effects, which are dependent on the environment it grows. Another study conducted by Nature Plants in 2021 further cemented the conclusion. 

During the study, scientists compared over 300 samples of cannabis and concluded that their genetic makeup was hardly different. According to the team, the differences were not significant enough to demand an Indica/Sativa classification. 

So, the strains have no correlation with being Indica or Sativa. Of course, the plants look different where indica strains have bushier leaves and sativa plants display long serrated leaves; however, this doesn't mean that all indicas and sativas will produce sedative and creative effects respectively. Thus, focus on the terpenes and THC content, not the Sativa/Indica classification the next time you visit a dispensary or want to grow your own buds. For more information on this, refer to Dr. Ethan Russo's interview. 

How to Decide Which Cannabis Strain to Buy?

Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at how to decide which strain will suit you best. Of course, the right strain for you is entirely subjective, but we’ll still keep this as objective as possible. We’ll focus on various factors you need to consider, including the aroma, flavor, effects, price, etc. 

The factors will be unique for you, but following the tips listed below will help you get started in the journey of finding your favorite cannabis strain. For us, it’s Purple Haze. Let’s take a look at these factors. 

1. What Would You Enjoy? 

The first question to ask yourself when deciding which strain to buy is to ask yourself what you’d prefer to enjoy. Cannabis flavors are always unique, but that doesn't mean you'll enjoy all of them. Like food and drinks, you need to find what tickles your fancy and what you’ll consider to be the right strain. 

For instance, if you like an Iced Americano, you’d prefer something more on the smoky or woody side, and if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll probably enjoy a fruity strain. So, pick between these two:

• Berries or lemons
• Cream coffee or black coffee

If you chose berries, you’d like a sweet strain, and if you chose lemon, you'd prefer something sour. On the other hand, black coffee correlates to piney or woody strains and cream to earthy and sweet strains. This is a starting point, but at least you’re getting started. 

2. What’s the Occasion?

The next thing you should consider is the kind of setting you’ll be consuming cannabis. You could be consuming cannabis alone to relax after a tough day at work or smoking a doobie with your best friend before you watch The Big Lebowski. Or are you looking for a strain to start the day with? 

Based on that, you need to shortlist strains that suit the occasion. For example, if you want to chill with your friends, you want a relaxing yet energetic strain that will not give you a couch lock — that’s probably a hybrid strain. 

On the other hand, if you simply want to relax, you should select strains that are sedative in nature and will more likely than not put you to sleep or at least make you lazy. On the other end of the spectrum are energetic strains that will make you active. You can even pick strains that will specifically increase your creativity. 

And if you are not looking for a high, don’t worry — cannabis won’t leave you out. CBD strains also come in a wide variety, ranging from strains that won’t produce any effects except work in the backend of your brain to produce the desired medicinal benefits and then some strains can calm down a panic attack. 

How do you know the qualities of the train? Read the label — that will contain all the information you need about the strain, including the kind of high you can expect. More on this later. 

3. How Stoned Do You Want to Be?

Coming to the most important question — how high do you want to be after smoking cannabis? If your answer is not much, you should stick to a strain with less than 10% THC content. On the other hand, if you want to compete with Snoop Dogg, you should get a strain with over 25% THC content. 

As mentioned earlier, strains come in a variety of THC content — some strains can produce a really mellow high and some can take you to another world and make you feel like there’s a glitch in the matrix. So, pick wisely.

It goes without saying that if you are new to cannabis, please stick to a low THC strain. It is not advisable to consume highly potent strains as a beginner. While cannabis will not kill you, smoking more than your body can handle can produce some nasty effects, including greening out, bad trips, or panic. 

So, if you are a new grower, start with a mild strain and see how your body reacts to it, and then you can slowly build your way to higher potency strains. 

4. Is It Worth It?

Next, check the price tag. If the strain is going for a discount, it could be because of a special occasion or it has been sitting on the shelf for a while and the dispensary wants to get rid of it. 

Additionally, check if you can afford the strain. Some of the best cannabis strains are also the most expensive, and unless you are looking for that particular experience, paying that much money for the strain may not always be worth it. 

Instead, look for cheaper alternatives, especially if you are a new grower who simply wants to experience. As you learn to roll your doobies, you will drop a few pieces of the buds on the floor and it’s a lot better to drop cheaper strains than an expensive one. 

Don’t Forget to Look at the Label

When picking out the strain to smoke, always remember to check the label. Remember, the entire process is very subjective and while your friend may enjoy Strawberry Cough, you may lean toward Sour Diesel. 

Thus, it is a good idea to look at the label so you can understand exactly what to expect from a particular strain. And trust this label more than anyone else — as long as it’s from a reputable manufacturer. 

Reputable manufacturers have strict SOPs in place to ensure transparent and reliable labeling, so always pick cannabis from a reputable dealer. 

The label on the cannabis product will contain a lot of information, so let’s dive in. One of the first things you’ll see on some products is the type of cannabis it is — Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid. Now, look at the effects section on the label — this will give you a much better understanding of the kind of high or medicinal effects you can expect from the strain. 

You’ll also see the cannabinoid content on the label. This is what determines how potent the strain is. For THC, the percentage can vary from 5% to 30%, and some concentrates may even go up to 80% — choose the latter at your risk. The same applies to CBD, but you’d be generally okay if you consume a strain with too much CBD. 

The next thing you’ll see is the terpene content. This is important as it will give you insight into the aroma and flavor of the strain. Look at the primary terpenes on the label to see if you enjoy them. But how do you know that? Here are common cannabis terpenes and the aroma and flavor they are usually associated with:

• Myrcene — spicy, herbal, earthy and musky 
• Caryophyllene — spicy and peppery
• Limonene — clean, citrusy, and fresh 
• Pinene — fresh, bright, and piney 
• Linalool — flowery like lavender 
• Humulene — hoppy, clove, and ginger 
• Borneol — mint with a metallic undertone 
• Eucalyptol — menthol and mint 
• Phytol — floral 
• Terpinolene — herbaceous and floral 

The other thing would be the brand that you need to focus on. You want to pick a reliable dealer, and they may not always be the most popular one. Instead, try to learn more about the dealer/grower — their philosophy, the type of cultivation method used, what they are known for, etc. 

You’ll also see the testing and lab information on high-quality products. Always select strains with this on the label, which signifies that the samples have been lab tested and the label is not full of marketing jargon. This will also ensure that you are not smoking harsh chemicals or additives that some illicit growers apply to their cannabis. 

You should also consider the harvest date and batch ID — it should be recent and the product should be far from its expiration date. 

Lastly, find the state law compliance label, which is what every cannabis should contain — this shows that the product is legal and in compliance with the state law. 

Don’t Forget to Take Notes and Experiment 

As you start experimenting with new strains, you’ll soon realize what you like and what you don’t like. But instead of going into each stressful experience like a car without headlights, you should be well prepared, and you can do so with a journal. 

Basically, keep track of all the strains you consume, including the high, aromas, flavors, brand, price, etc. This is a bit tedious but it will help you understand your preferences a lot better than just swinging it every time you visit a dispensary. And you don’t even need to have a detailed journal entry; you can take notes on your phone, too, and that should be enough. Or, you could open a diary here on Growdiaries and track everything. 

Your notes will give you a deeper understanding of what you like and what you don’t like, but you must always keep trying new strains. Don’t be like those consumers who only stick to a single strain without ever trying out other strains. Be open to new experiences, you never know which new strain will blow your mind. 

To get started, here is a list of some of the most popular cannabis strains and what they are known for:

• Sour Diesel — energizing, productive high with a sharp flavor that resembles diesel 
• Bubba Kush — relaxing, sleepy strain 
• Afghan Kush — a landrace strain that’s relaxing 
• Strawberry Cough — a sweet, strawberry-like aftertaste 
• White Widow — mood booster and a relaxant 
• Fruity Pebbles — giggle-inducing, fruity flavor 
• Grandaddy Purple — sedative strain with a touch of the munchies 
• Acapulco Gold — euphoria-like high that’s energizing 
• Blue Dream — sedative strain with a mood lift 
• Purple Kush — relaxed, happy, and sometimes, sleepy 

Summary: How to Select The Right Cannabis Strain To Consume?

In summary, if you are a new grower getting into the world of cannabis, understanding your strain is what will help you navigate this in a much better way. Every cannabis variety is a unique strain, possessing distinct characteristics, potency, flavors, and aromas. So, finding the right strain for you will help you experience cannabis in a much better way.

And it’s very easy to do. Focus on the terpenes and cannabinoids, and you’ll know what you like. Then, look at factors like your preferences, the environment you will smoke it in, how high you want to get, and if it’s a price you’re willing to pay for it. Spoiler alert: the price is usually totally worth it.