Indica vs. Sativa: The Ultimate Stoner Showdown

For all the scientific language surrounding cannabis, the way it is sold remains surprisingly basic. Consumers encounter terms like cannabinoids, terpenes, chemovars, and the entourage effect, only to arrive at a dispensary menu organized around the same three categories that have dominated the industry for years: indica, sativa, and hybrid.

Humboldt Seed Company co-founder and chief science officer Benjamin Lind told VICE that indica and sativa are typically associated with plants that look different from one another. In botany, sativas are usually described as taller, thinner plants, while indicas are described as shorter, bushier plants. These physical differences are shaped by the environment. Sativa varieties are associated with warmer, lower-latitude climates, while indica varieties are associated with harsher conditions in high-elevation regions.

Read the full story on VICE.