What types of cannabis are there? Cannabis species, strains and varieties

The types of cannabis cause confusion, and there is no consensus on how to classify them. Even a simple internet search surprisingly turns up completely outdated information among the very first results. And that is understandable: not even scientists agree.

In today's post you will find out what types of cannabis, cannabis strains and cannabis varieties are. We will explain why “indica”, “sativa” and “ruderalis” are no longer used, and you will learn how the high-quality types of cannabis you can buy today are produced.

What types of cannabis are: cannabis species, strains and varieties

The cannabis plant is incredibly diverse in terms of its genetics and appearance. Each plant has a unique combination of genes that results in differences in its shape, size, colour, cannabinoid content and aromas. This genetic diversity allows the plant to produce a wide range of compounds and to give rise to specimens that are very different from one another.

Over the centuries, humans have taken advantage of this characteristic of cannabis to experiment with the plant through crossbreeding and genetic improvement. The result is the CBD flower you can find in our CBD shop, as well as hundreds of other types of cannabis, with and without THC, in every shape and colour imaginable.

What exactly is a type of cannabis?

When we talk about types of cannabis, we are referring to a combination of interrelated terms: cannabis species, strains and varieties. These concepts are closely linked and are used to describe the different categories that exist within the world of cannabis.

Cannabis species: Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis

All cannabis varieties, including industrial hemp and drug-type cannabis, belong to a single species: Cannabis sativa. Although there are differences between these plants, they can all interbreed and produce fertile offspring, which, by definition, makes them the same species (1). The existence of three cannabis species (Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis) is therefore completely ruled out.

Nor is it correct to separate species by the shape of weed leaves or the height of the plant (1, 2). Online, you will find pages that mention three species: sativa, *indica *and ruderalis. Although this is outdated, it is not nonsense: it has an interesting historical basis. Taking as our reference one of the most detailed current monographs on cannabis classification (1), here is a summary:

Cannabis sativa: the only accepted species

In the past, hemp was used in Europe for its fibre and to obtain seeds and oil. In 1753, Linnaeus named this plant *Cannabis sativa *(“sativa” = cultivated). Later, in 1785, the botanist Lamarck described a type of cannabis from India that was used for narcotic purposes and had large buds, calling it *Cannabis indica *(“indica” = from India). The different uses the plant was put to led it to develop genetic variations and distinct characteristics. In other words, the domestication of cannabis gave rise to apparently different plants.

But domestication, according to taxonomists and Linnaeus himself, does not give rise to new species, only to variations within the same species. For this reason, Cannabis sativa is the only accepted name for the cannabis plant, which covers both industrial hemp and the different types of weed. We go into this in more depth in our post on the differences between hemp and weed.

Cannabis indica: the type of cannabis Lamarck discovered in India

Cannabis indica is not an accepted botanical species, although it has been proposed as a subspecies to designate plants with a high THC content (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) and a moderate content of cannabidiol (CBD).

On the other hand, on a commercial level, “indica-effect” varieties are said to have relaxing body effects, for the relief of pain, insomnia and anxiety. By contrast, people also talk about “sativa-effect” varieties: high-THC varieties with stimulating, euphoric mental effects that are used to relieve stress, depression and lack of appetite. In any case, the supposed sativa and indica effects are concepts that fall outside botany: purely marketing claims that are also somewhat controversial. If you are interested, we talk about it in our post on the differences between indica and sativa.

Cannabis ruderalis: an obsolete name

Cannabis ruderalis is a species proposed by the Russian botanist Yanischevsky in 1924, based on wild cannabis specimens that grew spontaneously outside cultivated land. These plants were adapted to short seasons and therefore did not have time to grow large and vigorous. Today, the species C. ruderalis is considered not to exist (neither as a species, nor as a subspecies or variety); they are simply cannabis plants that have developed in a stressful environment (it seems that even Yanischevsky himself observed that the plants of his supposed species reached heights of 2 metres or more when well fertilised).

So how do we name wild cannabis plants? As De Meijer (4) summed up, today's *Cannabis *plant is the result of a long, extensive and complex process of domestication by humans. Current hybridisation, mixing and genetic variation are so great that any natural evolutionary pattern has been blurred. That is why it is doubtful whether “truly” wild types of cannabis exist today.

Key information: what you should take away

Since there is only one species, Cannabis sativa, when we talk about “types of cannabis” we are talking about commercial varieties, not about any botanical concept. In everyday life, strains and varieties are the most common terms used to refer to types of cannabis.

Today's types of cannabis: cannabis strains and varieties

All the types of cannabis we know have been obtained through a process of genetic improvement called artificial selection, in which growers and *breeders *cross particular cannabis plants to achieve desired traits, such as flowers with large buds, specific cannabinoid profiles (THC dominance, CBD dominance, etc.), disease resistance and yield. This is how strains such as Blue Dream CBD were created, known for its sweet, fruity flavour with notes of blueberry and berries.

This development is due to a combination of several factors, including the plant's genetics together with improvements in the conditions and techniques associated with the growing method.

Differences between a cannabis strain and a variety

Telling strains and varieties apart can be complicated, due to the lack of standard terminology and the influence of everyday language in the cannabis industry. Most of the time, the terms are used interchangeably.

In principle, cannabis strains represent a specific genetic line, whereas varieties are a subdivision based on physical characteristics and cannabinoid content. Unlike strains, varieties are not necessarily linked to a specific genetic line.

Each strain has its own name and is considered unique in terms of genetics and chemical profile: Purple Haze, White Widow...

Or at least, that is the theory. Analysis of different products from the recreational cannabis market (3) has shown that most types of cannabis with the same name have different genetics. This is because commercial names do not follow a standard categorisation. In the end, it is growers who name strains as they see fit. As a result, there are 40 Purple Haze on the market with completely different genetics.

On a commercial level, “strain” is usually used to refer to cannabis varieties, or to indicate the progeny of a particular variety: *purple strains *(purple cannabis), *white strains *(a type of cannabis with white buds)… There are several iconic cannabis strains that have earned legendary status in the global cannabis community. Some of the best known include Skunk #1, Haze, White Widow, OG Kush and Purple Haze.

Kush cannabis: learn about this Cannabis indica strain.

Breeding: how cannabis strains are created

This process of genetic improvement of cannabis is known as cannabis breeding. Modern *breeding *benefits from advances in genetics and biotechnology, but in reality cannabis improvement goes back much further: for most of the modern history of cannabis, it has been done secretly and by trial and error, in cupboards, garages and cellars.

Today, cannabis *breeding *has made significant progress thanks to the legalisation and regulation of growing in various countries. Thanks to current technology and the valuable genetic heritage of years of clandestine growing, it has been possible to develop new types of cannabis with chemical profiles never seen before. As a result, cannabis has gone from 4% to 35% THC in less than three decades.

The diversity of types of cannabis is reflected in the wide range of aromas, shapes and colours we find on the market today. Examples include strains such as: Lemon Haze CBD (citrus aroma), Zkittlez CBD (sweet like Skittles ® sweets), Gorilla Glue CBD (named after its glue-like smell) and Sour Diesel CBD (sour diesel).

How are the different types of cannabis developed?

Today's types of cannabis have been developed through artificial selection, that is, by selecting plants with the desired characteristics to produce matching offspring. Here is how the process works:

1 – Selecting the parents

Cannabis is a dioecious plant, which means it has male and female specimens in order to produce seeds and reproduce. So the first step is to select the male and female cannabis plants that will serve as parents for the cross. These plants are usually varieties with desired characteristics, such as aroma, cannabinoid content or vigorous growth.

2 – Crossing varieties

Once the parents have been selected, the varieties are crossed. This involves the controlled pollination of the female plant. The female flowers (buds) are fertilised and produce seeds. Each seed can inherit different genetic traits, which leads to a certain genetic diversity within the offspring.

3 – Observing and selecting traits

After the cross, the resulting offspring plants need to be observed carefully. Each seed has the potential to develop into a plant with unique characteristics, although they may show similarities. You will want to see whether the offspring has the specific traits you are looking for, such as higher resin production or a particular aroma. The plants that show the desired characteristics are selected for future crosses and breeding.

4 – Stabilising the genetic line

Once the plants with the desired characteristics have been selected, work is done to stabilise the genetic line. This involves making crosses between the selected plants over several generations, in order to fix the desired genetic traits and minimise possible variability.

5 – Testing and refinement

During the development of types of cannabis, thorough testing is carried out to assess the quality and consistency of the desired characteristics. This involves growing the plants under different conditions and carrying out lab tests to determine their cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

6 – Reproduction and distribution

Once the genetic line has been stabilised and refined, the new cannabis varieties are reproduced and distributed. This involves producing seeds and selling them through seed banks.

CBD flower varieties: the best strains in Europe

At Cannactiva we have developed the best CBD flower in Europe:

Classifying types of cannabis: the scientific debate

The classification of the different types of cannabis is a complex and controversial subject. There is no consensus on how to classify the different types of cannabis, and no agreement in sight. Even the father of taxonomy, Linnaeus, was reluctant to apply a binomial method to domesticated species that can take different forms from their wild counterparts, as is the case with cannabis. The debate goes back centuries: Charles Darwin had already raised it in “On the Origin of Species”.

Classifying cannabis by subspecies and varieties

In 1976, Small and Cronquist proposed grouping types of cannabis into subspecies and varieties according to their THC content and their origin (cultivated or spontaneous plants). This could be the first approach to today's idea of chemotype. They proposed:

• The “sativa” subspecies for plants with a low THC content (0.3–1%) and therefore non-psychoactive effects: *C. sativa *subsp. *sativa *var. *indica *(cultivated, with low THC content) and *C. sativa *subsp. *sativa *var. *spontanea *(wild, with low THC content).
• The “indica” subspecies for plants with a high THC content and intense psychoactive effects: *C. sativa *subsp. *indica *var. *indica *(cultivated plants high in THC) and *C. sativa *subsp. *indica *var. *kafiristanica *(wild, high in THC).

Although this designation can be found in some studies, in the vast majority of cases only the species name is used: Cannabis sativa L.

Classifying by cannabis strains

The cannabis industry makes heavy use of the term “strains” to refer to a specific genetic line or to advertise the progeny of a particular variety.

Since there is no consensus on an “official” classification, cannabis seed banks label each variety with a strain name and a code. This information goes together with data such as genetics, cannabinoid content, aroma and flowering time. This helps to tell apart the types of cannabis on offer by their characteristics, and lets growers choose seeds according to their preferences.

Using strain or variety names to identify different types of cannabis is very useful for growers.

But there is no “universal” genetic line that defines a White Widow or a Purple Haze. This is reflected in the analysis of the different cannabis varieties sold in dispensaries in the United States, which shows that each commercial strain has different genetics and composition, despite sharing the same name (3).

Each seed bank has strains and varieties with unique characteristics, which may differ from those of another seed bank, even if they share the same commercial name.

So, although the system of commercial strains and varieties is useful and is used today to, say, predict the outcome of a grow, there is no standard definition or “universal” classification of cannabis strains: each seed bank or grower uses its own.

Classifying by chemotype (cannabinoid profile)

The chemotype is a way of classifying the different types of cannabis according to their chemical profile or chemical phenotype, that is, the concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes present in the resin or essential oil.

This proposal seems to be the most widely accepted by the scientific community because it offers a standard way of distinguishing varieties. It is very useful, for example, in studies on medical cannabis. It would be a first step towards investigating how the different components of cannabis interact in its therapeutic effect, which is known as the entourage effect.

Types of cannabis: summary and conclusions

• The vast majority of scientists and experts agree that there is only one species: Cannabis sativa L. There are alternative classification proposals, such as the “indica” and “sativa” subspecies and various varieties, but the chemotype seems to be the most widely accepted approach.
• On a commercial level, cannabis strain and variety names are used. These categories are useful and practical, and widely used by growers. Each seed bank develops and names its own genetics (they are not “universal” or “standard”).
• The types of cannabis you see in shops are the result of cannabis breeding, which has made it possible to develop varieties with incredible genetic and chemical profiles.

That covers the different types of cannabis, along with all the information and controversy surrounding a subject that is not exactly brief. We hope you have learnt something on this journey through cannabis varieties. All that is left now is to experience the types of cannabis first-hand!

Frequently asked questions about types of cannabis

How many types of cannabis are there?

Types of cannabis can be classified in many ways. By botanical name, there is only one species, Cannabis sativa L. (the names Cannabis ruderalis and Cannabis indica are obsolete and not accepted). By genetics, some types of cannabis are closer to industrial hemp plants than to drug-type plants. By growing method, depending on whether it has been grown indoor, outdoor or in a greenhouse. By the effects it produces, depending on whether it is credited with an indica or sativa, sedative or energising effect. By commercial cannabis variety names, although these are not a very reliable way of grouping them. By legal status, plants with a certain THC percentage are automatically considered an illegal drug. This causes problems even for industrial hemp producers who exceed the ridiculous legal THC limits.

What is the origin of the different types of cannabis?

All cannabis plants share a common ancestor, the Cannabis sativa plant. Through farming techniques, different types of plants have been developed, with diverse genetics and phenotypes, making for an extraordinarily rich market of cannabis varieties.

What is the most potent type of cannabis?

If you think the most potent cannabis is the one with the highest THC percentage, you are probably wrong. There is no way to guess the most potent type of cannabis, because the effect depends on various factors, such as the variety and quantity of different compounds it contains (the entourage effect). Differences between individuals can also be observed, depending on the user.

What is feminised cannabis?

Feminised cannabis is a type of seed that lacks the Y chromosome. The cannabis plant, like humans, has sex chromosomes: females are XX and males are XY. The plant also has monoecious individuals that apparently have chromosomes very similar to those of females. Both males and females of some varieties can produce flowers of the opposite sex when treated with chemicals such as silver nitrate or ethephon (or even when their light regime or temperature is changed); this is called sex reversal. When a female is fertilised with its own pollen or with pollen from another female after sex reversal, the seeds produced do not have a Y chromosome. These seeds are called feminised because they are unlikely to produce males. Now, there is a possibility, although apparently a low one, that these feminised females may produce pollen or be monoecious, but in general feminised seeds promise a 99.9% chance that you will get only female plants.

What are CBG cannabis strains?

CBG or cannabigerol is one of the many cannabinoids in cannabis, considered the precursor of the cannabinoids THCA and CBDA, and discovered relatively recently. Like all cannabinoids, the plant produces it in acid form, known as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). When heated, this turns into its neutral form, CBG, through decarboxylation. CBG-rich cannabis strains are those that have been selectively bred for a higher content of this cannabinoid, such as White CBG, Super Glue CBG and Jack Frost CBG. In addition, young cannabis plants have a higher CBG content, because in more mature plants CBG is transformed into other cannabinoids.

What is autoflowering cannabis?

Autoflowering cannabis varieties are a special type of plant that does not need a change in photoperiod to start flowering. Instead, they begin to flower once they reach an age set by the variety, between 27 and 45 days.