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WHERE ARE THE SATIVA OR INDICA LABELS? Revealing The Myth


Rather than shopping for cannabis based on outdated modes of prohibition rhetoric, its time consumers reach a better understanding of the marketplace and the products therein. However, finding legitimate and trusted sources is incredibly difficult for a long list of reasons. Which brings us to the Sativa/Indica/Hybrid conversation...





SCIENCE CANNOT IDENTIFY OR DISTINGUISH SATIVA/INDICA


You may notice that we refrain from the use of sativa/indica/hybrid terms at Quantum Exotics. The reasons are numerous, centering around the scientific research and inability to identify any of these probable “man-made” terms. Nearly every modern cannabis strain has been bred and crossed on their way onward and outward, leaving a hybridized genetic for every strain available today.


Regardless of hybridization, science cannot test for, detect, or distinguish between indica or sativa, and the terms should have died right then and there. Unable to scientifically distinguish between sativa or indica, it would be nothing short of false-marketing for a brand to claim their product is one or the other. Until a day comes when the two are identified and distinguishable (a day we don't foresee happening), we will refrain from using either Sativa/Indica to label any of our products. As always, it would be nothing short of a guess to label products with these terms.




MASS CONSUMPTION MARKETING: The Sativa/Indica myth


While science has debunked the myth of Sativa or Indica years ago, it remains the top concern to many retail customers, propped up by corporate-cannabis brands with mass-consumption marketing tactics.  Since the vast majority of bud-tenders can't afford and never try most of the products they sell, the terms sativa and indica have become the lingo of corporate marketing. It allows salesmen to claim an effect and act like they have an understanding of the product, without ever trying it firsthand. A potentially dangerous combination and the de facto stance of retail stores nationwide.





A NUANCED AFFAIR & EFFECT


The high is far more nuanced than this earlier understanding allows, as modern cannabis strains are well-rounded in the effects they produce. Very rarely will a certain variety of cannabis either be extremely uplifting or extremely heavy, but otherwise the effects are often comparable. The results of modern breeding practices have combined by the best elements and effects of prior cultivars, delivering something for everyone. It's up to you to identify through experience. The same cultivar can have different effects and features depending upon where, how, and by who it was grown.

Good Fresh Hash Delivering nationwide SF LA PHI logo in cirlce with a blue eagle
Exotic Eric Making His Debut Appearance!

...as in the effects.


Even using the terminology sativa or indica to describe the effect or high produced, rather than labeling the strain or genetic itself, would be an overly simplistic binary, and an assumption that does little justice to the intricate variances of cannabis' effects. It's a lazy way to generalize a product without an honest take.



Opposite Effects


We have seen the opposite effect from a strain labeled sativa or indica too many times to take the words seriously anymore. Proving the subjective and individual experience cannabis causes, our prior understanding of cannabis is no longer valid or adequate. Don't let indica or sativa labels steer you away from trying certain strains and products as the effects are so subjective and open to interpretation that you just might find a new favorite.


Or steer things the other way and let the terms become an indication about the nature of the product and the brand who makes it. It's often the lower quality products with mass consumption ideologies who label their products with these terms.



Wrap-IT-UP


It's a pretty bad joke to see the industry steered by marketing ploys that prey upon the misinformed. And it gets worse using the cannabis communities own terminology to manipulate consumerism, once again misappropriating the plant. This misleading rhetoric does not benefit customers and is intended solely as a marketing angle to increase consumption, while packaging effects into easily marketable predictions. So, while you shop, decipher the marketing trends and find solventless products and methods that work for you and your needs.



 


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Unknown member
Sep 04

Yeah, I order flower/rosin online, I've seen the same thing in reviews, same strains with wildly different experiences. I do think it's mostly placebo. I've heard that terpenes have an affect on the high, but I've always assumed different amounts of varying cannabinoids in strains was the actual reason for any differences. The only thing confusing me is most of what I've seen is low in everything but THCA. It makes me wonder if terps do have an affect

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