Exploring the Main Types of Cannabis: Sativa, Hybrid, Indica and Hemp

This entry was posted on Mar 29, 2023 by Dominique M.

We’re exploring the various types of cannabis including sativa, hybrid, indica and hemp. Discover our favorite strains in each category.

At Ivy Hall, we like to say, “it’s not about feeling ‘it’—it’s about feeling good.”

We strive to give every customer the tools they need to live out that motto in the way that works best for them while enjoying some sublime sensory experiences along the way. Regardless of if this is your first time or you are a seasoned consumer, our goal at Ivy Hall is to always make sure when you leave one of our sensory dispensaries, you are equipped to enjoy your experience.

Part of giving our customers the tools is also understanding that the Illinois cannabis industry is exciting and always evolving, but we recognize it can also be a lot to any consumer. With new products being launched every week like fast acting edibles from brands like Wana or WYLD, infused pre-rolls from Ozone, cannabis beverages such as Senorita or even amazing award-winning strains from Revolution – the options continue to grow.

Ivy Hall’s approach to cannabis appreciation is rooted in our love of everything that makes cannabis unique: the colors, the smells, the flavors, the ritual of partaking, as well as each stage of the mental, emotional, and physical experience thereafter.

As the great Oprah said “Education is key” and we couldn’t agree more. Before we get into the various forms of cannabis, it’s important to shine a light on the different types of Cannabis we offer at our Illinois Ivy Hall dispensaries because cannabis overall is for everyone but more importantly, what type works for you.

There Are Four Main Types of Cannabis, Including

Cannabis Sativa

This type of cannabis is known for its uplifting and energizing effects! When growing, typically Sativa plants are tall and thin with narrow leaves. Cannabis sativa is native to countries near the equator and thrive in warmer conditions. Because of their enlivening effects, sativa is known as the best strain for productivity and active relaxation. It’s the strain you want to smoke to get an extra boost of focus, help dream up your next creative idea, or simply feel more plugged in to the physical experience of an activity like hiking or dancing with friends.

Here are some popular Sativa Strains that can be found at our Ivy Hall dispensary locations!

Durban Poison from UpNorth

 

Considered one of the world’s topmost cannabis strains, Durban Poison is often referred to as the “espresso” of pure Sativas. Its highly desired uplifting effects provide a clear-headed high known to boost productivity, creativity and outdoor activities like hiking. Its creamy citrus flavor and sweet anise aroma are sure to keep users grinning for hours.

Animal Cake Reserve from Ozone

Animal Cake is a widely popular cannabis strain known for its unique aromatic blend of herbs, pepper, and citrus. Its earthy, floral, and slightly chemical flavor profile makes it a distinctive choice. This strain is ideal for those dealing with insomnia and muscle spasms.

Jack Herer from RYTHM

RYTHM Sativa Dominant Premium flower boasts an impressive selection of strains that are carefully cultivated and expertly cured to provide optimal potencies, lush aromas, and rich flavors. One such strain is Jack Herer, a classic sativa-dominant hybrid created by combining Super Skunk with Northern Lights and Haze. This mind-elevating strain is known for its distinctive sweet-tart lemon-berry scent, making it a popular choice among cannabis enthusiasts.

Vivid Sativa from Lowell Farms

Get ready to power through your entire day with this specially created blend of pungent strains. The energizing effects provide a pleasant boost to your energy levels, while hints of berry, pepper, and citrus add a unique and refreshing flavor profile. Perfect for social gatherings and beyond.

Mac and Cheese from Revolution

Obtain laser focus without sacrificing relaxation with this Sativa-leaning varietal that features a pungent and spicy papaya aroma. Enjoy the perfect balance of energizing effects and relaxation that helps you power through your day, and enjoy the unique and delightful aroma in the process.

Cannabis Indica

This type of cannabis is known for its relaxing and sedating effects. It is typically short and bushy with wide leaves. Indica strains often produce a deeply soothing, almost meditative body high. The highest THC indica strain options are even known for inducing “couch lock” that will put you in “classic stoner” mode. Cannabis consumers often select cannabis from the indica strains We carry at Ivy Hall to relax, stimulate appetite, induce sleep, and ease stress.

Here are some popular Indica Strains that can be found at our Ivy Hall dispensary locations!

Butterstuff Reserve from Ozone

Butterstuff is an exotic and potent flower that boasts a colorful appearance, with a taste and aroma that is undeniably loud. Its complex flavor profile features subtle hints of nut, fuel, garlic, and cream, culminating in a truly unique experience. Enjoy the relaxing and sedative effects that Butterstuff has to offer, perfect for a cozy night in or for unwinding after a long day. Get ready for a spacey high that is sure to make you feel fantastic.

Blue Face from Fig Farms

Fig Farm’s signature Blueface, a Hybrid cultivar resulting from a cross between Face-Off OG and Animal Mints’ Blue Phenotype. Savor the complex yet delightful taste that this strain has to offer, with distinct woodsy, citrusy, and spicy notes that culminate in a pungent exhale flavor. Its blue and dark purple hues make it visually stunning, and the potent high that accompanies it is sure to make it a fan favorite.

Dark Karma from Fig Farms

With its tendency to fade to dark colors and its lineage tracing back to the ‘Instant Karma’ strain, Dark Karma is a fitting name for this distinctive strain. Although its banana aroma is robust, its name belies its exceptional qualities. Dense and chunky, Dark Karma’s batches are dominated by large flowers, making it a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts.

Wedding Cake Reserve from Ozone

Indulge in the uplifting effects of Wedding Cake, an indica-dominant hybrid strain that’s known for its relaxing and euphoric properties. A unique blend of Cherry Pie and Girl Scout Cookies, Wedding Cake offers a rich and tangy flavor profile that’s infused with earthy and peppery notes, making it a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts. Medical patients also benefit from the strain’s ability to alleviate symptoms often associated with pain, insomnia and appetite loss.

Figment from Fig Farms

Get lost in the incredible potency of Figment, a Hybrid strain created by Fig Farms. Experience the calming cerebral effects, blissful euphoria, and full-body relaxation that it has to offer. Enjoy its sweet flavors of confetti cake, candy grapes, and herbal lavender, which make for a truly unique and satisfying experience. Figment is a masterful blend of Purple Fig X Animal Mints Bx1, which results in the ultimate cannabis strain that’s sure to impress even the most discerning of cannabis connoisseurs.

Cannabis Hybrid

As the name suggests, these are strains that are a combination of sativa and indica varieties, created with the aim of combining the best characteristics of both. Interesting fact about Hybrids is that there’s no biological difference between sativa and indica plants. While the effects they create couldn’t be more different, their basic biological compatibility means they can be easily crossbred to create so-called hybrids. The effects of hybrid cannabis strains are eclectic and diverse. Because there are so many ways to mix and match the characteristics of the cannabis plant, each strain is totally unique.

Sativa dominant strains like Jenny Kush from Aeriz tend to promote deep focus and creativity. While a pure sativa might leave you energized and euphoric, you might find it difficult to stay on task. Sativa hybrids allow you to be uplifted and focused on whatever you want to accomplish.

Indica dominant hybrids like Afternoon Delight from RYTHM are excellent at helping you relax and unwind, but unlike pure indicas, they don’t tend to be couch lock inducing heavy hitters. Instead, hybrid indicas create a gentle relaxation that pairs well with yoga and restful strolls through the woods.

Here are some popular Hybrid Strains that can be found at our Ivy Hall dispensary locations!

Pineapple Express from Cresco

Pineapple Express is a flavorful and balanced hybrid strain, delivering the perfect combination of anxiety relief and physical relaxation. With its large and resinous buds, Pineapple Express is known for its unique aroma of sweet pineapple and refreshing cedar, making it a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts. Whether you need to reduce stress throughout a busy day or just want to relax and unwind, Pineapple Express is an excellent choice.

Mandarin Zkittlez from Ozone

Experience a potent and euphoric rush with Mandarin Skittlez, a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts. This hybrid strain is known for its relaxing and blissful effects that sweep through the body and mind, providing the perfect state of calm. It’s a great option for anyone dealing with symptoms of insomnia or mild depression. The strain’s aroma, which features a unique blend of citrus, pine, spicy notes, and sweet undertones, adds to its overall appeal.

Gorilla’d Cheese from Revolution

Revolution has garnered more than 20 High Times Cannabis Cup wins, making it one of the most recognizable cultivators in the industry. One of its most impressive strains boasts an unmistakable pungent and cheesy aroma, combined with a high quantity of resinous trichomes that provide an instantly noticeable effect of relaxation. The strain is a testament to the skillful cultivation techniques at Revolution and the team’s unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Jenny Kush from Aeriz

Jenny Kush is a hybrid cannabis strain named in memory of the late cannabis activist Jenny Monson. Originally bred by Rare Dankness Seeds, all proceeds go to the Jenny Kush Foundation supporting her children. With its earthy and citrusy aroma, Jenny Kush delivers a balanced high due to its combination of Amnesia Haze and Rare Dankness #2, making it perfect for day or night use.

Jet Fuel from 93 Boyz

Jet Fuel is the ultimate diesel hybrid, combining some of the most renowned strains to deliver a potent THC level of 20%. The strain is created by crossbreeding Aspen OG with High Country Diesel, delivering a hybrid strain that thrives in a 9-10 week flower period. Jet Fuel pays homage to its lineage, bringing the best elements of SFV OG Kush and East Coast Sour Diesel to the forefront.

Suggested Reading: 93 Boyz Illinois’ First Black-Owned Cannabis Brand

Hemp

A strain of cannabis sativa that is grown specifically for industrial use, such as for paper, textiles, and biofuel. This type contains very low levels of THC, the compound responsible for the “high” found in marijuana. Like all Illinois dispensaries, at Ivy Hall, we don’t carry hemp products but deem it essential when exploring the fascinating world of cannabis and educating consumers on it because we know that there are so many great new opportunities for hemp in the future.

Visit Ivy Hall for the Best Strains in Illinois

Best Strains in Illinois

From invigorating sativa strains, to calming indica varieties, and even hybrid combinations that marry the two together – your friendly sensory dispensary has a wide selection to choose from. Find the perfect strain for you today and enjoy the amazing effects of cannabis! See you soon friend!

Avatar photo
Dominique M
Author

Retail Operations and consumer hospitality expert with a passion for community building within retail and e-commerce spaces to cultivate high class experiences within the cannabis industry.

This entry was posted in Cannabis 101 and tagged .