By It’s just a plant, right? How complicated is it? Well, it turns out cannabis is incredibly complicated. The more we learn, the more questions we have, and in many cases the legal market still lags far behind the science. Sativa, indica, and hybrids are lazy marketing tactics used to tell consumers how a particular cannabis strain should feel. If you’re ready to take your knowledge to the next level, dive into cultivars, chemotypes, and chemovars.
The cannabis category is complicated
Am I using the wrong terminology to classify cannabis? Sort of, but it’s not all off base. There are more precise ways to describe how a plant grows, what it is made of, and how it affects you. At the very least, it would be an interesting topic to discuss at the next smoke session.
What are the cultivars of cannabis?
You’ve probably seen the word used to describe things in greenhouses, garden stores, or wherever you might buy plants. , and other foods also have various “varieties”. This is the term used to describe plant modification. Breeds are basically like breeds, and have been developed over a long period of time.
It represents the characteristics of different plants that exist within the same species. Somewhere along the line, we started using the word “strain” instead of “variety” to describe the differences in cannabis genetics from plant to plant. Breeders repeatedly crossed strains of landraces, and each new variety was given a strain name.
Heirloom tomatoes, like beefsteak, have been crossbred to produce hybrid varieties such as Brandywine, Cherokee Purple and Black Krim. In comparison, growers bred landrace Hindu Kush to produce OG Kush and Purple Kush. increase.
In short, swapping “strains” for “cultivars” enhances your cannabis glossary game.
What are cannabis chemotypes?
“Chemotype” refers to the “chemical type” of a plant. It was coined in the 70’s as a way of grouping breeds based on breed. cannabinoid profileHowever, this first classification was slightly limited in scope. We started with three categories: High THC, High CBD and Balanced THC: CBD.
- Type 1: High THC
- Type 2: Balanced THC:CBD
- Type 3: High CBD
Chemotype classification is useful for consumers who want to know more about what to expect from their experience. Clearly, THC-high strains are much more psychotropic than CBD-high strains, but may not offer the same therapeutic benefits. It is attractive to those looking for CBD in small doses to get the edge of
Of course, we know that there are several other cannabinoids in the profile. I am working on a database.
What are Cannabis Chemovers?
The term “chemover” takes chemotypes one step further.Instead of a strict cannabinoid classification, chemovers include: terpene mixed with We classify cannabis chemovariants based on 1-2 dominant cannabinoids and 2-4 dominant terpenes.
There may be hundreds of different chemical variants in the cannabis world. We believe botanists and their researchers are working to identify them more clearly.To add a little context, consider the chemotypes above.
An example of a possible chemover classification would be:
- Type 1: High THC (20%) + Myrcene, Linalool, Pinene
- Type 2: Balanced THC:CBD (10%, 11:5) + Pinene, Linalool, Terpinolene
- Type 3: High CBD (25%) + Linalool, Caryophyllene, Limonene
When classifying cannabis based solely on chemovers, the need for “strain” names is much less. Using “Chemovar” is the most accurate and modern way to classify cannabis.
How do these classifications affect your high?
Aside from making you feel like a wizard of weed knowledge, these terms really mean something. . A cultivar is a surface-level naming convention for interchanging strains. Scientists use the term for bacterial and fungal “strains” that actually have nothing to do with marijuana.
Chemotypes are excellent identifiers for consumers wanting to know about the psychoactive potency of a breed. It has less to do with your desire for the tastiest or most aromatic varieties. Instead, it’s about what you want or need from a cannabinoid. It is very useful as a support method at the place. Educate consumers.
Not totally baked, but with the addition of chemover identification, we can take advantage of the entourage effect and how our bodies assimilate cannabinoids. endocannabinoid systemCombinations of terpenes and cannabinoids have been found to cause this phenomenon to varying degrees based on their own profiles.
Still, we still have a long way to go to fully identify what potential this holds for consumers. Certainly, those looking for specific flavors and aromas may gravitate towards specific terpene profiles. What happens if you call the chemo bar to tell the
Sounds like a dream. There are always additional variables that are difficult to track down. For example, 10 growers taking cuttings from the same mother and growing them within 50 miles of each other might give different test results. Terroir, nutritional programs, water pH levels, and other environmental conditions have a significant impact on the final product.
The future of cannabis research
The future is bright when it comes to the complexities of cannabis classification. Researchers around the world are studying cultivars, chemotypes and chemovars to better understand how cannabis’ potential can be harnessed. No doubt, one day we may be able to fully tailor precise prescriptions and dosages to various illnesses and health-related goals, eliminating much of the guesswork we still rely on today. not.
