Cannabis sativa L. (“cultivated hemp”) is a herbaceous plant of the Cannabaceae (or Cannabaceae) family. Described by the famous taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, it is considered for a long time as the only species of the botanical genus Cannabis from which all the existing varieties of marijuana would be descended.
Cannabis sativa or indica
Today, scientific research on the 3 well-known varieties of cannabis plants, indica, sativa and ruderalis, allows to demonstrate real phenotypic and genetic differences between these 3 types of hemp. To classify them as 3 distinct species seems then more relevant. A To date, it remains however difficult to give a taxonomic classification in unison. In fact, several research studies on this subject are contradictory. To make simple we will speak about the hybrids with dominant sativa, indica and rudéralis. These are derived from crosses of varieties commonly referred to as cannabis sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis respectively, rather than from subspecies derived from Cannabis Sativa L.
The origins of Cannabis Sativa L
Originally,
Cannabis
Sativa L. was mainly found in equatorial countries like Colombia, Mexico, Thailand and some European and African countries. However, the interest that man has shown since its discovery and its excellent ability to adapt to the environment have led to its rapid export throughout the world. Today, this dioid annual plant (male and female cultivated plants) can be found in many temperate countries.
Currently cannabis sativa is distinguished from indica, by consumers, for its very specific characteristics (height and effects). But, initially, Cannabis Sativa L. aroused the curiosity of the man for the richness and the robustness of its fibres. Its name comes from Latin and is literally defined as “cultivated hemp”. In some regions of France, this type of cannabis intended for the textile or building industry is then called chènevis (name given to hemp seeds).
Originally, its THC content (the most concentrated cannabinoid in a feminized marijuana plant) was very low (rarely more than 5%). However, this plant was already used during shamanic rituals and / or religious ceremonies. Its international use as a “drug” will come later. The vulgar name of cannabis sativa (to distinguish it from cannabis indica or ruderalis) will come with it.
The phenotype of cannabis sativa: seeds, leaves, flowering…
One of the most striking phenotypic (appearance) characteristics of cannabis sativa is its size. A plant of this type measures on average 2 or 3 meters. It can reach, in optimal conditions, up to 6 meters high.
Its main stem is fluted and hollow and branches out into few branches. The leaflets of its leaves are long and fine (very differentiable from the leaves of the indica cannabis which reminds those of the maple) and of light green color.
The flowers of sativas are generally long and airy and airy. They extend all along the branch. As opposed to the dense heads that form in clusters at the internodes of an indica variety.
The sativa phenotypic characteristics would come from its geographical origin.
The cultivation of cannabis sativa
If like all the plants, the cannabis sativa can be cultivated inside (indoor culture), an outside culture (outdoor) is more specific with its dizzy height.
The life cycle (from seed to flower) of sativas is quite long and is characterized by an important development. In equatorial regions, the photoperiod being what it is (duration of the day almost identical to that of the night), growth and flowering are naturally almost simultaneous. A feminized cannabis sativa plant will see its development increase by 200 to 300% during its bloom. Thus, to obtain a good return at the time of an indoor culture of this cannabis, for a recreational or therapeutic use, it will be necessary to avoid a too big vegetative growth. It is then necessary to quickly lower the light/dark ratio during the flowering phase. Thus, the energy spent by the sativa plant will be used to make large resinous flowers and not for leaf development.
Flowering times (until full flower maturity):
- sativa: about 10 weeks for a hybrid and up to 18 weeks for landraces.
- indica : around 7 weeks.
Probably because of their height, the flowering time of sativas is generally long.
For growers, being able to intervene on the luminosity (indoor cultivation) is therefore a determining factor for obtaining a good harvest not too late. The size of the pure lines of sativa requires a surface of culture too important to be in inside. In order to solve this problem, many selections and crosses aiming at balancing the interesting characteristics of sativas, indicas and ruderalis, gave birth to multiple hybrids. Thus, feminized varieties of cannabis with a dominant sativa and a shorter life cycle were born (Lemon Haze). Since then, their number has only increased. Today a new range of varieties is proposed with the opening of Europe to
cannabis CBD
(legal hemp with cannabidiol).
Cannabis sativa in France
In France, an ordinary person does not have the right to cultivate cannabis, whatever the species. It is however quite possible to find seeds of cannabis sativa or indica sold as seeds of collection. These seed banks offer 3 distinct types of seeds:
Feminized seeds
Feminized seed : a feminized seed allows to obtain a female plant. The use of such a seed is mainly designed for recreational or therapeutic use of cannabis. It is indeed these flowers full of resin which will be the objective of this culture.- Regular seeds: a regular seed will give a male or a female plant. Both are essential for obtaining new seeds. This type of seeds is more and more abandoned by the cultivators / consumers since the arrival of feminized seeds. Direct consequence of their lottery regarding sex. However, a regular seed is still essential to make new crosses leading to new varieties.
- Feminized autoflowering seeds : An autoflowering seed is a genetic characteristic “borrowed” from cannabis ruderalis (wild hemp). It is particularly interesting in the sense that it generates an individual with growth and flowering almost independent of the photoperiod. Its life cycle is more or less genetically predetermined. The use of these auto seeds is very appreciated by the budding growers. The generated plant is indeed discrete. For as much, it keeps perfectly the specific characteristics of the variety of weed chosen. In addition, it produces a rather good yield in proportion to its small size.
The effects and organoleptic qualities of cannabis sativa
Like all varieties of weed, cannabis sativa has a large number of principles more or less active. These molecules act independently or synergistically (entourage effect). Unfortunately, scientific knowledge and research on cannabis has been hampered by legal restrictions. Indeed, the latter prohibit the cultivation and possession of weed plants. Therefore, they hinder attempts to understand its products and their effects in humans.
Despite a lack of knowledge about the functioning of these molecules in the body, some of their characteristics are revealed.
Cannabinoids
These are active compounds produced by the trichomes of a cannabis plant. There are no less than 70 in all among the different varieties of existing weed. They are found, respectively, at more or less important contents according to the plants. Few of these organelles are clearly identifiable. But, we know that the cannabinoids THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most synthesized by the plant. They are therefore the most studied at present for their respective virtues.
THC produces a psychoactive euphoric effect. As opposed to CBD (cannabidiol) which produces a non-psychotropic relaxing effect. Both cannabinoids have their own effects. They therefore have an influence on the overall effect induced by weed consumption, depending on their proportions. The species of Cannabis Sativa L. described by Carl Linnaeus actually produces little THC. But today, cannabis sativa strains are generally the most potent weed in THC (at the expense of CBD).
Terpenes
Cannabis resin contains, like many other plants, terpenes. These metabolites are mostly responsible for the quality of the organoleptic properties of cannabis flowers. They would have an important role in the entourage effect (collaboration between active molecules). Despite their wide dispersion in cannabis strains, some terpenes are found so much in a variety of weed that they become its signature scent by subtly combining with others. It is in particular the case with the sativas, with the more extended aromatic profile than with the indicas.
Among this plurality, we find 2 well known terpenes and representative of hybrids with dominant sativa just as famous. On the one hand the limonene, which brings a smell of citrus fruits characteristic of the
Lemon Haze CBD
. And linalool, which gives a floral smell with a spicy note to the Amnesia Haze CBD. In a more general way, the terpenes produced in the resin of the sativas varieties confer rather floral and tropical flavours.
Flavonoids
They are widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Their main characteristic is to determine a color to the flowers. Thus, they attract pollinators and allow fertilization. The famous variety Purple Haze and the unique Orange Bud feminized owe their name partly to the particular color of their flowers. Flavonoids would also have a role in the entourage effect.
The ratio THC / CBD has a significant action on the type of effect felt by a cannabis consumer. But, the other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids present in the product also have a determining role on this effect. They extend, optimize or facilitate it directly or indirectly. Contrary to the sensations provided by indicas which tend to the relaxation of the body, to the “body stone” or to the couch-lock, the varieties of cannabis sativa stimulate the spirit. Fans talk about a real “brain high” that would encourage creativity after a skunk consumption.
In France, in 2021, the presence of THC in a variety of cannabis sativa or indica defines it as narcotic. Only CBD products (flowers, seeds, leaves, oil, …) from a legal CBD sativa or indica variety (THC<0.2%) are tolerated.
FAQ: Cannabis Sativa
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