Sativa Strains Guide: Essential Tips for Beginners

Cannabis is a special kind of recreational product that can be enjoyed, smoked, eaten, or even drunk. Recognized all around the world for its psychedelic effects on the body, cannabis is enjoyed all over the world despite much controversy and regulations regarding its use.

Cannabis sativa is the most common strain, loved for its high THC level, which evokes pleasurable highness in certain people. For beginners interested in expressing the full-body highness of the sativa plant strains, here’s all you need to know. But first, what is sativa?

What is sativa?

Cannabis sativa is a cannabis strain that encompasses plants that produce a stimulating experience when ingested. Sativa strains are derived from sativa plants that are usually tall and thin with long leaves. Unlike their counterparts, sativa has a longer growth cycle and is produced sparsely. There are sativa plants with lower THC strains, but a majority of these strains have high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and low levels of cannabidiol (CBD).

History of the Cannabis Sativa Plant

The first history of cannabis sativa is traced back to 5000 BC, when it was believed to have been found in Central Asia. The plant was used for the production of oil and fiber as its medicinal uses were yet to be discovered. Cannabis was also recorded as a medicinal drug used to cure different health problems during the Emperor Shen Nung era.

In 1753, Carl Linnaeus discovered the first cannabis species, which was indigenous to Eastern Asia and was widely cultivated for its oil. However, there were recorded cases of this species being used as a recreational drug at religious events.

William Brooke O’Shaughnessy also mentioned sativa in 1841 and highlighted its multiple therapeutic benefits. During the mid-1900s, cannabis gained the limelight in the movie Reefer Madness, where it was once demonized as a drug that causes mental disorders. The following year, the United States ruled out the Marijuana Tax Act, placing a tax on the sales and use of marijuana.

Decades later, multiple scientists isolated the acidic components of cannabis sativa—Adams and Todd isolated cannabidiol (CBD) and Mechoulam (THC). Their transformative research served as a template for further research and recreational use of sativa.

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What are the Key Characteristics of the Sativa Plant?

There are multiple species of the sativa plant, and each contains different acidic components that yield a varying degree of highness. The following are some of the key characteristics of the sativa plant:

THC and CBD

Most pure sativa strains have a high level of THC, which is a key component responsible for the high effect you experience after ingesting. The more THC content a sativa strain has, the stronger the psychedelic effects you are bound to experience. In addition, research has shown that THC offers additional benefits to the body and has been proven to reduce nausea, improve appetite, and manage insomnia. Sativa plants also contain cannabidiol (CBD) in lower amounts.

Sativa CBD is an active component in medicinal products and is used in balms and salves to treat certain skin conditions. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory treatment for joints.

Terpenes

Like CBD and THC, many top sativa strains contain terpenes, which are responsible for the taste and quality of sativa products. Hence, strong Sativa strains tend to have higher terpene contents. Common terpenes found in sativa plants range from citrus-scented Linalool to pine-scented Pinene.

Leaves

Sativa leaves are usually long and narrow. They thrive in warm climates and can either be deep green or light green. The hollow stem can have 3 to 4 ridges lengthwise.

Height

Sativa plants are tall and can be between 3 and 10 feet in height. The entire plant can grow from seed to full maturity in 2 to 3 months.

Flower

The flowers of strong strains of sativa are bell-shaped and appear in round clusters. They can either be green or yellow and begin flowering from May to October.

What Are the Legal Considerations for Growing Sativa?

The sales, growth, and use of cannabis sativa have been met with different legal restrictions in different countries. Due to the presence of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other psychoactive compounds, several acts were developed. The SEC. 7606 of the farm bill authorized hemp research and legalized hemp cultivation that regulates cannabis research. Alongside, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 removed cannabis as a controlled substance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list. While there are multiple regulations legalizing the use of cannabis, there are still restrictive laws against the use of cannabis.

Growing Tips for Sativa Plant Strains

Cannabis can be a challenging crop to grow and is not considered beginner-friendly to grow. To cultivate good strains of sativa, here are some growing tips:

Weather

Cannabis sativa thrives well in temperate regions as it is sensitive to cold and frost. The optimal day temperature is 26–30°C, and a temperature range above this threshold can stifle its growth. At colder temperatures (below 20 °C), the plants can experience temperature shock and die.

Sativa seed

Cannabis sativa seedlings must be planted 5–6 mm deep in enriched soil, preferably containing compost. It should be monitored carefully and watered regularly for about 3 to 10 days with a nozzle. Cannabis sativa tends to grow sporadically and thus should not be grown in small containers.

Soil’s PH

While growing sativa-dominant strains, the soil’s PH should be between 6 and 7. Also, the soil should drain well and constantly adjust by adding either lime or lemon to increase the PH or iron sulfate to reduce the PH. Avoid poorly drained and aerated soils like sandy and clay soils.

How to Store and Maintain Sativa Plant Strains

To preserve the quality of your strong strains of sativa, you should endeavor to store them properly. Under the right storage conditions, you are assured of the best possible experience.

Since cannabis degrades easily, the cannabis flower should be consumed within 6 months of harvest, while cannabis-infused products should be consumed within 3 months of purchase. Exposing your plant strains to light or heat can dry out the flower buds and may even force the THC to convert to other compounds. Keep your best sativa strain fresh by storing it in an airtight container and using desiccants to trap atmospheric moisture that can make your sativa musty.

Top Sativa Strains Lists for Beginners

Now that the acts regarding cannabis prohibition have been removed, cannabis production has tripled in number, with different strains being grown daily. As beginners, there is a long list of Sativa strains to choose from that are associated with different effects. Here are some of the top strains to choose as a beginner:

What to Look for in the Top Sativa Strains

Over the past few years, the cannabis industry has experienced a vast degree of interbreeding to produce a strain that outperforms its predecessors. Usually, newer strains are grown to contain higher THC and terpene levels.

Beginners looking to venture into the top sativa strains should look for the CBD, THC, and terpene levels. These compounds indicate how high you get and how it tastes and feels. Top strains often cost more and can come in vapes, tinctures, or edibles.

Sativa Strains 101