UPG Presents Types of Medical Marijuana Strains
What Strain Is Best for Me?
Looking at all of the medical marijuana strains that might be helpful for your condition can be overwhelming. Different medical marijuana strains can treat so many conditions and illnesses. Whether you are purchasing from dispensaries or growing at home, there are hundreds of types available. Hw do you know which one is right for you? There is no sure-fire answer since everyone has a different experience and reaction, but knowing the basics about medical marijuana strains can help.
Indica And Sativa Medical Marijuana Strains
Medical marijuana is based on two different species of marijuana, Indica and Sativa (as well as hybrids that mix the two). Medical marijuana strains come from breeding and cross-breeding these plants for different qualities, including the strength of the “high” that gives pain relief, the yield of the plant, and the plant’s tolerance to different environments. Dispensaries will always tell you what strain you are buying; in fact, it is required to be labeled on the jar. In general, Indica medical marijuana strains will provide strong “body effects” which are good for pain relief.
It is important to keep in mind that a very strong or “heavy” high is sometimes called a “body stone,” meaning that patients should not plan on being active on the day they use it. Sativa strains will provide strong “mind effects” that are good for relaxation and conditions that affect the mind. Hybrids try to capture the best of both these strains.
Medical Marijuana Strains: Relief By Any Other Name
On your first trip to the dispensary, you will probably notice (or have noticed already) the creative names that medical marijuana strains have. This can be entertaining, but it makes it hard to pick a strain – can something called White Widow really relieve muscle spasms? Patients and researchers say that it can so try to put aside the names and focus on what really counts – symptom relief. Here are a few of the most popular medical marijuana strains to try based on the conditions they treat.
Cancer: Arizonan Western Light Purp (indica/sativa), Cinderella 99 (sativa/indica)
Chronic Pain: Afghani #1 (pure indica or indica/sativa), Big Bud (indica/sativa)
Depression: Blueberry (indica/sativa), OG-18 (indica/sativa)
Glaucoma: Pluto OG (indica), most other indica strains
Headaches: White Gold (indica/sativa), Super Lemon Haze (indica/sativa)
Insomnia: Northern Lights (indica/sativa)
Joint Pain: Purple Kush (indica)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Island Sweet Skunk (sativa/indica), Sour Diesel
Muscle Spasms: White Widow (indica/sativa), Black Domina (indica), Apollo 11 (sativa)
Nausea: Dutch Haze (sativa/indica), Kandy Kush (indica/sativa)
This is only a partial list. Just because certain medical marijuana strains are not on this list for a certain condition does not mean that they will not be effective. The active ingredients in medical marijuana strains, THC, Cannabinol (CBN), and Cannabidiol (CBD), are what treat the symptoms and they are present in all strains, whether sativa, indica, or hybrid.
If your preferred strain is not available or you have not found a preferred strain yet, there is no reason to panic. While medical marijuana strains have different effects from person to person, the basic ingredients are the same so all medical marijuana strains should be able to offer at least some relief. If you get stuck, contact United Patients Group or ask a dispensary staff member for advice.
