1/14/2023 Jonny Potseed G.G.
Medical Marijuana Strains and Their Applications by Condition January 15, 2020/Dr. Anand Dugar/Medical Marijuana Education, Patients’ Resources When you become a medical marijuana patient, you quickly realise that purchasing your medication isn’t as simple as filling a prescription. You must choose not only the method of delivery (dried cannabis flowers versus edibles and tinctures), but also which of the medical marijuana strains is best for your condition. When you visit a dispensary, you must pick not only the method of delivery (i.e. dry cannabis flowers versus edibles and tinctures) but also which medical marijuana strain is best for you. There are numerous strains to choose from, each with a unique cannabinoid profile. It might be a little overwhelming, but you don’t have to understand the nuances of one medical marijuana strain versus the next (the doctor or budtender can help you with that). You just need to recognise the two primary cannabis subspecies: indica and sativa. Medical Indica and Sativa Marijuana Strains.
Indica strains are usually short and bushy, with wide leaves. They grow quicker than sativa plants and produce more yield. CBD and less THC than their sativa counterparts, these plants are associated with causing physical rather than cerebral effects. More CBD and less THC than their sativa counterparts, indicas cause more physical and less cognitive effects. The therapeutic effects of CBD may be inhibited by the psychoactive effects of THC, resulting in a more physical and less cerebral experience. Indicas are frequently recommended for evening use because of their potential to help you fall asleep.
If you consume medical marijuana and one of the following conditions applies, you might prefer to try a strain like this:
Popular Medical Indica Strains:
Blueberry Kush
Bubba Kush
Northern Lights
Platinum Kush
Skywalker
Common Medicinal Uses for Indicas Include:
Pain relief
Anxiety relief
Muscle tension relief
Relaxation
Sleep
Nausea relief
Some studies have shown that CBD may provide relief for insomnia, anxiety, arthritis, inflammation, and other physical conditions. Indicas are often recommended for evening use because of their potential for promoting sleep. This type of strain may be recommended if you use medical marijuana for one of the following conditions:
Anxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Cancer
Crohn’s Disease
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Inflammation
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Attacks
Parkinson’s Disease
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sleep Apnea
Sativa Strains for Medical Purposes
Cannabis sativa plants are generally tall with thin leaves. They take longer to grow than indicas, and they require more light. Because they have only trace amounts of CBD and high concentrations of THC, they tend to have a much more cerebral effect. THC is noted for feelings of euphoria, which may explain in part why sativas are energizing, mood-elevating, and often recommended for daytime use.
Popular Medical Sativa Strains:
Green Crack
Jack Herer
Pineapple OG
Sour Diesel
Super Lemon Haze
Common Medicinal Uses for Sativas Include:
Increased energy
Depression relief
Increased focus
Increased appetite
Relief of chronic pain
A sativa may be recommended if you use medical marijuana for one of the following conditions:
ADHD
Alzheimer’s Disease
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Hybrid strains are created by crossing sativa and indica varieties to produce unique hybrids. Hybrid medical cannabis strains may have a 50/50 mixture of sativa and indica, 60/40, or 90/10 ratios. If one strain is dominant, its effect will be more noticeable. Twenty-three percent of hybrid strains are created in an attempt to create a “best of both worlds” scenario, where the user can appreciate the best aspects of both parent strains. For example, a hybrid like White Widow is equally split between sativa and indica, providing anti-inflammatory benefits while also raising mood. The nausea caused by Pineapple Express can be resolved without leaving the user feeling tired or slow, in this example. Patients who require treatment throughout the day might choose a sativa-dominant hybrid in the morning (for energy) and an indica-dominant hybrid in the evening (for sleep), while treating the same symptoms.