Do Strains Matter in Cannabis Edibles?

Do strains matter in cannabis edibles?

Cannabinoids and terpenes are certainly the future of cannabis. Strain classification is severely outdated as many Indica strains may exhibit the same traits as a Sativa strain and vice versa.

Not to mention, there are almost no 100% Indica or Sativa strains in existence as almost all cannabis is considered a hybridized landrace strain.

This is true, not just for cannabis edibles, but also for cannabis flower that is consumed by smoking or vaporizing. Learn more about why the cannabinoid and (limited) terpene content is far more important within cannabis edibles.

Is There a Difference Between ‘Sativa’ Edibles and ‘Indica’ Edibles?

The major difference between these two types of cannabis products is the levels of THC which does not have anything to do with the plant’s biological classification. Some Sativa strains may have very similar levels of THC to an Indica strain and when infused, the cannabinoid content is what gives the edible its effects and potency.

Strain classification has almost nothing to do with the overall effects of cannabis edibles. Many cannabis consumers may get swept up in a product known as a “Sativa” or “Indica” edibles, but, the fact of the matter is that strain classification will have an incredibly small effect, if any, on cannabis edibles.

Cannabinoids and terpenes are the future of cannabis. Strain classification is severely outdated as many Indica strains may exhibit the same traits as a Sativa strain and vice versa.

Cannabis edibles are dosed with the THC content in mind. As we’ve seen, THC and other cannabinoid content may be very similar between strains that are classified on different ends of the Indica/Sativa spectrum.

Store-Bought and Mass-Produced Cannabis Edibles

Contemporary edibles production mainly uses THC/CBD isolate or distillate. Using coconut oil, cannabutter, or even cannasugar is the minority within the world of mass-produced cannabis edibles.

What is THC/CBD Distillate?

This type of cannabis concentrate is incredibly potent, with minimum THC/CBD levels at approximately 90%. Maximum THC/CBD levels in this type of cannabis extraction can reach 99%. THC or CBD distillate is usually found in a device that makes dosing very precise.

What is THC/CBD Isolate?

THC/CBD isolate is usually found in a crystallized powder, sold in small amounts, or, mixed into a tincture/oil that can be ingested orally. THC/CBD isolate is flavourless and can be used in edibles.

Within THC and CBD isolate, there are very minuscule traces of other cannabinoids and terpenes. At 99% pure tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), THC or CBD isolate is ideal for medical users who need the greatest benefits from cannabis.

Although isolated or distillate THC and CBD may contain small levels of other terpenes and cannabinoids, added after the extraction process, the THC level is truly what matters when looking at store-bought cannabis edibles. Terpenes and cannabinoids added to THC/CBD distillate may also encourage the entourage effect.

Do Strains Matter in Store-Bought Cannabis Edibles?

The THC level within mass-produced cannabis edibles also plays a role in the marketing of these products. Some companies may even label edibles as ‘Sativa’ and ‘Indica’ purely based on the THC levels, or even the terpenes added after the extraction process, rather than the actual strain the THC came from. With many consumers understanding little about the process of cannabis edibles, this somewhat misleading practice will continue.

Store-bought and mass-produced cannabis edibles are not a bad thing, however, many consumers may be somewhat mislead as to what gives these products their effects. These types of edibles can be of great benefit for those who need an extremely accurate dosage and consistency in their cannabis edibles.

Cannabinoid and Terpene Content is What Really Matters in Edibles

Homemade edibles from dried cannabis flower will often lose the majority of the terpenes through the decarboxylation process. The mason jar and sous-vide decarboxylation methods are arguably the most efficient ways to keep some of the terpenes intact while decarbing.

Cannabis edibles made from distillate or isolate, no matter what strain the THC/CBD is from, will be almost identical in terms of potency. Once you have determined your own appropriate dosage, these types of cannabis products become an incredibly easy way to make edibles.

Homemade cannabis edibles are incredibly easy to make. Try our 4 ingredient cannabis gummy recipe for a simple cannabis edible.

Other cannabis concentrates such as shatter, kief, and rosin, to name a few, should be decarboxylated before infusing into an oil or butter.

Learn how to decarboxylate kief here.

Final Thoughts: Do Strains Matter in Cannabis Edibles?

Classification, between Indica and Sativa, refers to the plant morphology, rather than the effects a cannabis consumer will get from a particular strain.

In 1753, cannabis was officially classified in the Western hemisphere by Carolus Linnaeus as Cannabis Sativa. Linnaeus is well-known as the “father of taxonomy” by many and his system of classification placed plants and other organisms within a hierarchical structure within nature.

In 1785 however, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed that there were, in fact, two separate classifications of cannabis. This is where we get our two main strain classifications from today. In 1785, there were only the original “landrace” strains of cannabis which made classification incredibly easy. Nowadays, there are literally thousands of cannabis strains available, some of which have been cross-bred numerous times.

Within homemade cannabis edibles, there are several variables that decide the overall potency. Strain type should be considered one of the least important variables within cannabis edibles. The most important variable for homemade cannabis edibles is the THC (and the other cannabinoid) content of the dried cannabis flower (or cannabis concentrate) being used.

Many different variables may affect the potency and effects of cannabis edibles for any one individual.

These variables include:

The Time of Day the Edible is Consumed
How the Edible was Produced and Prepared
The Individual’s Endocannabinoid System and How it Reacts to Cannabis
The Expectation of the Consumer

Homemade cannabis edibles are easy to master once a few simple processes are learned. Decarboxylation and infusion techniques are two base techniques that every cannabis edibles creator needs to know.

With our help, learn to:

Thank you for reading “Do Strains Matter in Cannabis Edibles”. Sharing this on social media by using the icons below helps us to grow and provide cannabis information and research such as this on a regular basis.