What is Hybrid Cannabis?
If you’ve ever explored the recreational cannabis selection at your local Vermont dispensary, you’ve probably come across the term “hybrid cannabis.” Put simply, hybrid cannabis is a blend of sativa and indica cannabis strains that results in a broad spectrum of effects depending on the strain’s active compounds.
So, how do you understand the potential effects of select hybrid strains when shopping for recreational cannabis products? Our wellness guides help break down the science behind selecting the strain that’s right for you in the sections below:
Understanding the Different Cannabis Strains
There are two main types of cannabis strains (also called “chemovars” or chemical varieties): indica and sativa. The combination of these chemovars results in what are known as hybrid cannabis plants. Each one offers a slightly different effect and is used for a variety of medicinal and recreational purposes.
Indica
The Cannabis indica plant is native to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Turkey. As such, they thrive in the harsh, dry, tumultuous conditions common to the Hindu Kush mountains. Growers can tell an indica strain from a sativa strain because these plants grow faster and are usually short and stocky with bushy greens and wide, broad, chunky leaves.
Typically associated with full-body effects, indica strains are known for encouraging deep relaxation and reducing insomnia. With higher levels of CBD, indica strains are popularly used at night and in medical applications.
Sativa
Like Cannabis indica, the Cannabis sativa strain thrives in hot, dry climates; however, these plants prefer the long, sunny days offered by African, Central American, and Southeast Asian climates. Tall and thin with spindly leaves, sativa strains can grow to be more than 12 feet tall and take longer to mature than their indica counterparts.
Sativa strains are known for producing a “head high” that invigorates and energizes users, inspiring creativity and focus. Because of the stimulating impact that their higher THC content has, sativa strains are more widely used during the daytime for recreational purposes.
Hybrid
Since hybrid strains combine elements from sativa and indica plants, they are usually grown in greenhouses or farms where climate conditions can be constantly controlled and monitored. Their appearance will vary depending on the combination of the parent plants involved.
Hybrid cannabis chemovars are developed for a broad variety of purposes. For this reason, it can be difficult to predict their side effects in users without also understanding their cannabinoid and terpene content.
How to Understand Hybrid Cannabis Strain Effects
Most cannabis connoisseurs will tell you that sativa strains are more energizing while indica strains are more relaxing (hence the old adage, “Indica = in da couch.”). But the reality is that the exact effects depend on the plant’s chemical composition as well as the growing technique used.
Rather than looking at the type of cannabis strain alone, users can look to the cannabinoid and terpene profile of a given chemovar to determine its potential side effects.
Cannabinoids
There are dozens of different chemical compounds within cannabis plants known as cannabinoids. While research still needs to be done to fully understand what all of these cannabinoids do, there are two main cannabinoids that can tell a lot about a strain’s potential effects. These are:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): This is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis plants and is responsible for the euphoric state most commonly associated with cannabis use.
- Cannabidiol (CBD): Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a “high,” but may cause other physical benefits, such as pain and nausea relief, seizure prevention, and migraine reduction.
A good rule of thumb to use is that any strains with higher THC content will provide a stronger “high” sensation while strains higher in CBD content will produce milder effects.
Terpenes
While CBD and THC content can tell you a lot about a strain, recent research suggests that terpene content can also help you determine a chemovar’s potential side effects. Like cannabinoids, terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds within cannabis plants that influence the plant’s scent. They may also have some influence over the specific effects a strain produces.
Experts at Leafly report the following common terpenes:
Bisabolol: Notes of chamomile and tea tree oil come through in strains high in bisabolol terpenes. This compound is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties with potential microbial and pain-reducing effects.
Caryophyllene: A spicier variety, strains high in caryophyllene have a peppery odor and are believed to help reduce anxiety and depression. They may also help ease and improve ulcers.
Eucalyptol: If you guessed eucalyptus and tea tree oil for this terpene’s scent, you are correct. This refreshing and invigorating herbal molecule is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help fight bacteria.
Humulene: With its earthy, woodsy scent reminiscent of hops and cloves, cannabis strains with high humulene content are believed to help reduce inflammation.
Limonene: Bright, citrusy notes shine through in limonene-forward cannabis strains. These terpenes may help improve your mood and reduce stress according to research.
Linalool: Known for its floral scent, cannabis strains high in linalool are believed to help with relaxation and can also provide a mood boost.
Myrcene: One of the most common terpenes, myrcene has a recognizable earthy, herbal scent. This molecule may help reduce anxiety and insomnia for improved sleep.
Ocimene: With notes of basil, parsley, and mango, chemovars high in ocimene have stronger medicinal properties that may include alleviating congestion and fending off viruses and bacteria.
Pinene: An intense pine aroma is what wafts from cannabis strains high in pinene content. These powerful terpenes are believed to help improve memory, reduce pain, and relieve unwanted side effects of THC, such as nausea.
Terpinolene: Cannabis strains high in terpinolene may smell like apples, cumin, and conifers. The herbal molecules may have sedative, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
What are Popular Hybrid Cannabis Strains?
At Mountain Girl Cannabis, we carry several hybrid cannabis strains from local Vermont cultivators. The most popular hybrid chemovars we offer include:
Key Lime Pie
Cultivator: Mountain Grown VT
Flavors & Aromas: Peppery (High caryophyllene content)
Side Effects: Happy, sleepy, giggly
Dominant Cannabinoid: THC (20%)
About This Strain: Key Lime Pie (aka Key Lime Cookies, aka Key Lim GSC) is a hybrid cannabis strain and phenotype of the indica strain, Girl Scout Cookies. This chemovar produces full-body relaxation and is known to help relieve chronic pain and insomnia.
Fat Banana
Cultivator: Island Pond Cannabis
Flavors & Aromas: Citrus (High limonene)
Side Effects: Talkative, happy, relaxed
Dominant Cannabinoid: THC (19%)
About This Strain: A cross between OG Kush and Chiquita Banana, Fat Banana is a hybrid cannabis strain that has citrusy, herbal notes reminiscent of its namesake. The indica-dominant chemovar starts off mildly euphoric before transitioning into a deeply calming physical high. This strain is also known to stimulate the appetite.
Pineapple Cream
Cultivator: Forbin’s Finest
Flavors & Aromas: Herbal (High myrcene), citrus, pine
Side Effects: Focused, aroused, tingly
Dominant Cannabinoid: THC (14%)
About This Strain: An ideal choice for beginner cannabis consumers, Pineapple Cream is a hybrid strain created from a mix of Wedding Cake and Gelato strains. Users report feeling focused, aroused, and tingly; however, the variant is also known to help alleviate muscle spasms, pain, and depression.
Royal Gorilla
Cultivator: Island Pond Cannabis
Flavors & Aromas: Herbal (High myrcene), citrus, peppery
Side Effects: Sleepy, tingly, relaxed
Dominant Cannabinoid: THC (21%)
About This Strain: This indica-dominant hybrid chemovar is a cross between the cultivator’s Chem’s Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel strains. A potent strain high in THC and myrcene, users mostly report sleepiness, happiness, and relaxation. Medicinal marijuana patients look to this strain to help relieve symptoms associated with depression, pain, and fatigue.
Wedding Cake
Cultivator: Craft Cannabis of Vermont
Flavors & Aromas: Peppery (High caryophyllene), citrus, herbal
Side Effects: Relaxed, aroused, hungry
Dominant Cannabinoid: THC (24%)
About This Strain: A mix between the cultivator’s Triangle Kush and Animal Mints strains, Wedding Cake is a hybrid cannabis strain known to provide relaxing, euphoric, deeply calming effects for both mind and body. With its rich, tangy flavor profile and earthy, peppery undertones, this strain is a popular choice for those seeking to relieve symptoms associated with pain, insomnia, and appetite loss.
Vanilla Frosting
Cultivator: Tall Truck
Flavors & Aromas: Herbal (High myrcene), pine, peppery
Side Effects: Hungry, euphoric, relaxed
Dominant Cannabinoid: THC (20%)
About This Strain: A cross between Humboldt Frost OG and Humboldt Gelato Bx3, Vanilla Frosting is a hybrid cannabis strain that’s high in myrcene and THC. This high-potency strain is known to cause “munchies” and euphoria in consumers.
OG Kush
Cultivator: Lovely Cannabis LLC
Flavors & Aromas: Herbal (High myrcene), citrus, peppery
Side Effects: Hungry, sleepy, euphoric
Dominant Cannabinoid: THC (18%)
About This Strain: First cultivated in Florida in the early ‘90s, OG Kush’s hybrid ancestry is rooted in the Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and Hindu Kush strains from Amsterdam. Its unique terpene profile delivers a powerful lemon-pine-fuel aroma and mixed head-and-body effect. Indica-dominant, this strain is often used at night to ease stress, stimulate appetite, and relieve insomnia symptoms.
Mountain Girl Cannabis is here to help you find the cannabis profile that suits your needs. Stop by our recreational dispensary in Rutland for personalized assistance from one of our wellness guides today!
