Food 1st Nutrition

Written by Sarah West, RDN, LDN

Cannabis has been discussed, cultivated, and used for thousands of years—but the language we use to describe it hasn’t kept pace with modern science. Terms like sativa, indica, hemp, and marijuana are still everywhere, yet they often confuse more than they clarify.

If you’ve ever felt lost trying to understand what type of cannabis you’re buying, you’re not alone. The good news? There is a better way. Let’s break down what’s outdated, what actually matters, and how science is giving us clearer, more useful categories.

It’s All Cannabis

Despite the many names we use, everything ultimately comes from the same plant: Cannabis.

The Basics of the Plant

Scientists classify living organisms using a hierarchy. Cannabis fits into that system like this:

• Family: Cannabaceae
• Genus: Cannabis
• Species: This is where things get messy, but most experts today treat cannabis as variations within a single species: Cannabis sativa L.

(Quick science note: “Genus” refers to a group of closely related plants, while “species” is the most specific category below that.)

Broad Leaf vs. Narrow Leaf Cannabis

Instead of thinking in terms of indica versus sativa, botanists often look at leaf morphology:

• Broad Leaf Cannabis
  Thick, wide leaves; typically shorter, bushier plants.
• Narrow Leaf Cannabis
  Long, slender leaves; often taller and lighter in structure.

These physical traits can hint at a plant’s geographic origins, but they do not reliably predict effects. How a cannabis plant makes you feel has far more to do with chemistry than appearance.

Cannabis Dominance: What Really Matters

The effects of cannabis are driven primarily by phytocannabinoids, the natural chemical compounds produced by the plant.

Two of the most well-known are:

• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary intoxicating compound.
• CBD (cannabidiol): Non-intoxicating; commonly associated with relaxation, inflammation support, and moderation of THC’s effects.

One of the most useful ways to describe cannabis is by its CBD:THC ratio, such as:

• 1:1 – roughly equal CBD and THC
• 20:1 – high CBD, very low THC
• 5:1 – moderate CBD, low THC

But cannabinoids aren’t the whole story.

Other Compounds That Matter

• Terpenes: Aromatic oils responsible for scents like citrus, pine, or mint—and they can influence perceived effects.
• Flavonoids: Plant compounds that contribute color and may provide antioxidant activity.

Together, cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids create a plant’s chemical profile, which is far more informative than calling something an “indica” or “sativa.” This concept is often described as the entourage effect, where compounds interact rather than act in isolation (Goldstein, 2018).

Why “Sativa” and “Indica” Don’t Work

The classic shorthand—sativa equals uplifting, indica equals relaxing—sounds helpful, but it falls apart under scientific scrutiny.

Originally, these terms described plant shape and geographic origin, not effects. After decades of extensive cross-breeding, modern cannabis plants are genetically complex. A plant that looks like a traditional sativa may have a chemical profile associated with sedating effects, and vice versa.

In other words: appearance is not destiny.

Hemp vs. Marijuana: Too Broad and Too Political

The terms hemp and marijuana were created for legal and political purposes, not scientific accuracy.

In the U.S.:

• Hemp is defined as cannabis containing 0.3% THC or less by dry weight.
• Marijuana refers to cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC.

Same plant. Same species. Different THC content.

The problem? THC percentage alone tells you nothing about CBD, CBG, terpenes, or overall effects. As a result, “hemp vs. marijuana” is a poor system for understanding what the plant actually does.

A Better System: Classifying by Chemovar

Modern cannabis science favors the term chemovar, short for chemical variety. This approach focuses on chemical composition, not plant shape or legal classification.

Chemovar vs. Chemotype

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not identical:

• Chemotype: Refers to the dominant chemical compound a plant produces.
• Chemovar: A broader term that includes the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds.

For consumers and clinicians, chemovar is far more useful because it better predicts real-world effects.

Why “Strain” Is Outdated

“Strain” is a term borrowed from microbiology, where it’s used for bacteria and viruses. When applied to cannabis plants, it lacks scientific precision and consistency.

If we want accurate, meaningful communication, chemovar is the modern and appropriate term.

The Five Main Cannabis Chemovars

Cannabis is often grouped into five primary types based on dominant cannabinoids:

Type I: THC-Dominant

• High THC, low CBD
• Often referred to as “high-THC varieties”
• More than 0.3% THC by dry weight
• Commonly associated with intoxicating effects

Type II: Balanced THC:CBD

• Roughly equal THC and CBD
• Often preferred by people seeking THC with less intensity

Type III: CBD-Dominant

• High CBD, very low THC
• May qualify as hemp under U.S. law
• Commonly used for non-intoxicating applications
• Includes fiber varieties used for textiles and supplements

Type IV: CBG-Dominant

• High CBG, very low THC
• Often used for fiber or specialty extracts
• May also meet hemp criteria

Type V: No Detectable Cannabinoids

• Produces no measurable phytocannabinoids
• Used for industrial fiber and seed production
• Hemp seeds (hemp hearts) are a nutrient-dense source of plant protein and omega-3 fats

The Bottom Line

The old categories—indica, sativa, hemp, marijuana, and strain—are too simplistic for today’s cannabis landscape. They emphasize appearance or legal definitions rather than what truly matters: the plant’s chemical makeup.

By learning to focus on chemovars, cannabinoid ratios, and terpene profiles, consumers can make more informed choices rooted in science—not guesswork.

Now you’re ready to think about cannabis more clearly and critically, and you’re already ahead of the curve.

References

• Goldstein, B. (2018). Cannabis Is Medicine. Little, Brown Spark.
• Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1344–1364.
• Small, E. (2015). Evolution and classification of cannabis sativa (marijuana, hemp) in relation to human utilization. Botany, 93(5), 293–300.
• McPartland, J. M., et al. (2019). Cannabis chemistry and taxonomy. Handbook of Cannabis. Oxford University Press.