Our CBD products are all made from hemp plants of the “Cannabis Sativa ” variety. In addition to this, there are other types such as Cannabis Indica. The latter also plays a role in hemp products for recreational use or medical purposes.
Connoisseurs are of course aware of the differences between the different types of hemp and have probably stumbled across a discussion about whether sativa or indica is better. If all of these terms are new to you, then you should read on now. Because today we are giving you a little introduction to the different types of hemp.
Discovery of different varieties of hemp
Hemp is known to be one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. It was cultivated in China and Persia thousands of years ago and played an important role as a source of grain due to its seeds. It was of further importance as a raw material because the fibers were used to make clothing, canvas, paper, ropes and much more. That's why it was cultivated not only in Asia, but also in Europe for many centuries.
However, the hemp plant was not classified for the first time until the 18th century. The Swedish researcher Carl von Linné gave it the name “Cannabis sativa L” in 1753. At that time, he had already been working with the hemp plant for a long time, which was already widespread in Europe at that time. The “L.” stands for Linné’s botanical abbreviation, which can also be found in other plants classified by him. Carl von Linné assumed that hemp was monotypic - that is, it only included a single species.
However, 32 years later, another type of hemp was discovered in India. The French biologist and botanist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck noted that the species he found differed from Linnaeus's Cannabis Sativa in several ways. He classified it as “Cannabis indica Lam.” and published a comprehensive study on the plant.
Then in 1962 a third species was found in Russia. The botanist Dmitrij Janischwesky called it “Cannabis ruderalis”.
To date, it is unclear whether there are actually three different species, all of which belong to the hemp family. Instead, many researchers believe that Indica and Ruderalis are actually just subspecies of Cannabis Sativa. They see hemp as a monotypical plant, of which there are now numerous different varieties - both for recreational use and in the industrial hemp sector. This view is reinforced by various research that shows that sativa and indica plants hardly differ genetically from each other.
Furthermore, it is hardly possible to understand which hemp varieties are native to certain countries or are simply former cultivated plants. Many varieties grow in Central Asia in particular, and it is questionable whether they are wild plants or ones that were grown there at some point and subsequently spread.
Industrial hemp vs. medical hemp & hemp for recreational use
What is clear in all the disagreement is the following: For CBD products like Bonorum, a special low-THC industrial hemp of the type Cannabis Sativa is used (you can find out more about this in the following blog post: Quality products from Bonorum ). It is cultivated to obtain flowers, leaves, seeds and fibers, which in turn are used to make various products such as CBD oils . This hemp has been allowed to be grown in Germany since 1996, but it must meet strict requirements. In addition to a low THC content, there is also a high fiber content. All varieties that meet the requirements are listed in the official EU variety catalogue. There are currently 73 varieties (as of March 15, 2021). Varieties that are currently not allowed to be grown are also listed. This is usually the case because the permitted THC limits have been exceeded several times in samples.
While only Cannabis Sativa plants are used here, users in the area of recreational use and medical cannabis can choose between Sativa and Indica. There are also countless hybrids now. The Ruderalis variety, on the other hand, has no significant importance. Whether sativa or indica strains are the better choice has long been one of the hottest discussions. And reason enough to take a closer look at the differences between the plants.
Differences between Cannabis Sativa and Indica
Origin
Plants in the sativa category come from equatorial countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Jamaica and Colombia. Indica plants, on the other hand, tend to grow in subtropical regions and are native to India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Morocco.
growth
A big difference between the two varieties can be seen in the way they grow and therefore their appearance. Sativa plants grow relatively tall and can usually reach up to 3 m. Under ideal growing conditions, even 5 m can sometimes be reached. The leaves are rather narrow and long. This type of growth results from the origin of the plant. To adapt to the local hot summers and high humidity, they have developed narrow leaves and airy flowers. This means they also defy the risk of mold.
Indica plants, on the other hand, are characterized by a shorter and bushier growth habit. Her leaves are much wider and not as long as those of the sativa strains. They also have a darker color. In this way, the plants react to the external conditions of the countries in which they are native. Temperatures are usually cooler there and the air is drier.
flowering time
Since indica strains tend to experience shorter and cooler summer periods, they also flower for a shorter time than sativa strains. The usual flowering time for indicas is between 45 and 65 days; for sativas it is 60 – 90 days. This makes the former good candidates for indoor production. If the right conditions are set, several harvests can be achieved in a row in a short period of time. Sativa plants, on the other hand, have a longer flowering period and are also well suited for outdoor cultivation. Their high resilience contributes to this form of cultivation.
Ingredients and effect
When it comes to the differences in the ingredients and effects of the plants, the discussion usually starts to get interesting.
Sativa strains are usually characterized by a high THC content and at the same time a rather low CBD content. With indica plants it is the other way around. The effect of the two varieties is described accordingly differently. Sativas are said to cause an invigorating, physical high. This has already been described with a variety of properties such as encouraging, energetic and creativity-promoting. Indicas, on the other hand, are intended to induce complete relaxation.
In fact, the latest research shows again and again that the botanical properties of the varieties are not responsible for the differences in the spectrum of effects. The well-known neurologist and cannabis researcher Dr. Ethan Russo has spoken out several times against the persistent opinion about sativas and indicas. Instead, it is much more important to examine the individual varieties closely for the cannabinoids and terpenes they contain. Because these have a strong influence on how the varieties work. So it remains exciting!
