Prior to a tour, I always like to speak with my guests on the phone to assess their interests and desires when touring. One question I always ask with caution is “Are you a regular smoker?” Most of the time people answer with a simple “yes” or “no,” and sometimes they say “I’m not going to answer that.” Totally fair. Once I establish their relationship with cannabis, I follow-up the question “Do you know what you like to smoke?”
Legal fears with cannabis have created a culture of silence and the simple question “Do you know what you like to smoke?” is usually followed up with the responds “Whatever I can get.” Cannabis in Colorado and the hundreds of strains available in the market are changing the game, whereby now you can explore different strains to give you the desired effect you’re looking for.
Looking for a euphoric, daytime, clear-headed high? We’ve got that! Looking for a euphoric, pain relieving, body buzz? We’ve got that! Looking for a stony, heavy, sedating high? We’ve got that too! No matter what the desired effect you are looking for there is a strain out there for you!
At the beginning of a tour, I always start with an education on cannabis. From where the industry started to specific strains and effects, I dive into “Let’s talk about what you like to smoke.” Marijuana is broken down into two subcategories: Indica and Sativa. Indica is usually associated with a body high and sativa in usually associated with a head high.
Indica is a strain that generally gives someone a laid back feeling, I remember indica as, “in the couch.” Of course, there are varying degrees of this feeling, with some strains making you feel heavy and sleepy, while other strains leave you with a light, clear-headed body buzz. For some people, certain indica strains can mimic the feeling of having a glass of wine in the evening. Calming and relaxing. According to theweedblog.com, indica, “relieves body pain, relaxes muscles, relieves spasms, reduces seizures, relieves headaches and migraines and relieves anxiety or stress.” If I am feeling extra restless, a strong indica strain (like many Kush strains), knocks me out for an evening of dreamless sleep.
Sativa strains generally give you energy and are considered more of a daytime high. Some sativas make me feel like I can conquer the world, one fabulous conversation at a time. Others give me so much energy, I feel like I have had 3 shots of espresso in one sitting. Theweedblog.com states the effects of sativas as: “Feelings of well-being and at-ease, uplifting and cerebral thoughts, stimulates and energizes, increases focus and creativity and fights depression.”
Now that we have established the differences between indica and sativa let’s talk about hybrid strains. Hybrids are a mix of indica and sativa strain plants. Some of these strains are an even split 50/50 and other hybrids vary in percentage differences. With so many strains to choose from, how are you going to know what you like to smoke? Let your nose do the picking! Everyone’s body chemistry is different and the effects of strains will vary from person to person so go with your nose. Typically if the smell of the flower (bud) is favorable to your nose then it will pair well with your body chemistry.
With so many strains available and with the changing cannabis culture, it is only a matter of time before YOU KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE TO SMOKE!
Co-written with The Cannabis Lover