Cannabis is the root of all weed, but not all weed is created equal. Different species and preparations of the plant produce a wide spectrum of effects—ranging from uplifting and energizing to calming and deeply relaxing. The term marijuana typically refers to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, or seeds harvested from various types of the Cannabis plant. What makes each type unique lies in how it’s cultivated, processed, and which strain of the plant it comes from.
Delta 9 THC
At the core of weed’s effects is THC (Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound responsible for altering mood, perception, and cognition. It’s what gives cannabis its signature high. On the flip side, CBD (cannabidiol)—another major compound—won’t get you high, but it’s widely recognized for promoting relaxation and may help ease pain and discomfort without the cerebral buzz.
The way cannabis affects you depends on multiple factors: the strain itself, how it’s prepared, the way you consume it, and your own body’s metabolism and tolerance. This guide breaks down the key differences, helping you navigate your choices and find the type—and format—that fits your needs best.
Like many botanical species, cannabis comes in a wide array of strains, typically grouped into sativa, indica, or hybrids.
- Sativa strains are known for their energetic, cerebral high—perfect for daytime use or creative boosts.
- Indica strains tend to bring on a mellow, full-body calm, often used for stress relief and sleep.
- Hybrids combine characteristics from both ends of the spectrum, with most modern strains leaning toward hybrid genetics to balance or amplify specific effects.
Forms of Weed
Cannabis is available in several forms:
Flower
Commonly referred to as weed or pot, this is the raw, dried form of cannabis in its most familiar state. It’s made from the buds and leaves of the female Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica plants, and is known for its strong, unmistakable aroma—both when fresh and especially when smoked. Unlike the scent of common culinary herbs, cannabis carries a pungent, skunky edge. On the illicit market, it’s sometimes adulterated with kitchen herbs like oregano or parsley to stretch or disguise the product.
Weed is most often consumed by smoking it in joints—hand-rolled cigarettes made using rolling paper. One way to tell a joint apart from a traditional hand-rolled tobacco cigarette is its bumpy texture, created by the loose cannabis inside.
Cannabis is also frequently mixed with rolling tobacco, whether moist and sticky or dry and crumbled from commercial cigarettes. This combination is known as a spliff. When marijuana is packed into the emptied shell of a cigar, it’s called a blunt.
Inhalation methods vary, with some users opting for pipes, bongs, or water pipes, while others prefer more traditional tools like the chillum—a straight, conical pipe often crafted from clay or stone. Modern methods include vaping, where THC oils are inhaled using electronic devices or vape pens.
Edibles
Cannabis isn’t just for smoking—it's also commonly consumed through food, where it's known as an edible. Brownies and cookies are classic favorites, but today’s edibles come in all shapes and flavors, from chocolates and gummies to hard candies and gourmet treats. In culinary form, cannabis can be used much like any other herb—blended into oils, baked into pastries, or infused into savory dishes.
The magic happens through a process called infusion, where the psychoactive compounds in cannabis—mainly THC—are activated and bonded to fats like butter or oil. This activation process, known as decarboxylation, involves heating the raw plant material to trigger chemical changes that make it psychoactive and effective when ingested.
Once the cannabis has been decarboxylated, it’s typically infused into a fat-based ingredient, like cannabutter or cannabis oil, which is then used to prepare edibles.
Many users turn to edibles for potential relief from symptoms like nausea, chronic pain, insomnia, epilepsy, and mental health issues such as PTSD or depression. However, dosing can be tricky—overconsumption may lead to adverse effects like disorientation, drowsiness, anxiety, nausea, or even temporary cognitive and motor impairment. For that reason, edibles are best approached with mindfulness and patience, especially for first-time users.
Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are potent extracts created by isolating and refining the most cannabinoid- and terpene-rich parts of the plant. This process results in products with significantly higher potency than traditional flower, offering a more intense experience in a smaller dose.
A range of techniques can be used to create concentrates, including dry sifting, dry ice extraction, water filtration (like ice water hash), heat and pressure (rosin pressing), and solvent-based methods that utilize either flammable or non-flammable substances. The end result can take on various textures—from sticky waxes and syrupy oils to glass-like shards or crumbly solids.
How you use a concentrate depends on its consistency. One of the most popular consumption methods is dabbing, where the product is vaporized on a heated surface and inhaled for rapid, powerful effects.
Wax / Shatter / Oils
Shatter is a brittle, glassy cannabis extract known for its transparent appearance and snap-like texture. It’s typically consumed by heating it on a hot surface—such as a dab nail—and inhaling the resulting vapor.
Wax has a softer, more pliable consistency, often compared to butter or thick frosting. It’s commonly used in dab rigs, pipes, or bongs for a potent, flavorful hit.
Oil, a fluid cannabis concentrate, is one of the most versatile forms. It can be vaporized with a vape pen, dropped under the tongue for fast absorption, mixed into edibles, or encapsulated for convenient dosing.
Capsules
Cannabis concentrates can also be packaged into capsules for easy, smoke-free consumption. Much like edibles, these capsules must pass through the digestive system and be metabolized before the effects are felt, resulting in a delayed onset but often longer-lasting relief.
Tinctures
Tinctures are liquid cannabis extracts typically blended with a carrier like alcohol, oil, or even herbal teas. They're most commonly taken sublingually—by placing a few drops under the tongue for fast absorption—but can also be mixed into foods or drinks for a more gradual effect.
Hash
Hashish—commonly known as hash—is a concentrated form of cannabis made by compressing the resin collected from Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plants. The result is a dense, oily solid often shaped into blocks or slabs.
To consume it, hash is typically heated and crumbled, then mixed with tobacco or flower and rolled into joints. It’s also frequently smoked on its own using a pipe, bong, or traditional chillum for a rich, potent experience.
Distillate
Distillate is a clear, golden oil produced through a refined extraction process that isolates key cannabinoids while filtering out plant impurities. Highly versatile and potent, it’s commonly used in vape cartridges, but can also be infused into edibles, topicals, and other cannabis products for a controlled, concentrated dose.
Rick Simpson Oil
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a potent form of cannabis distillate named after its originator, known for its high THC content and thick, dark consistency. It’s often promoted for its potential therapeutic value in addressing conditions like skin cancer, asthma, inflammation, depression, and certain infections.
Preliminary studies suggest that THC and CBD extracts may offer supportive benefits when used alongside treatments such as radiation therapy, though further research is needed to fully understand their medical potential and efficacy.
Strains Of Weed
Weed typically comes from two primary species of the Cannabis plant—Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa—each offering distinct characteristics and effects. The type of strain, along with how it’s consumed, plays a major role in shaping the user’s experience.
More recently, a third species, Cannabis ruderalis, has entered the scene. Though naturally lower in THC, it’s often bred into medical strains or hybrids for its unique traits, like fast flowering times. Most cannabis on the market today is a hybrid, combining genetics from both indica and sativa plants to create customized effects.
Many users choose their strain based on the type of experience they’re looking for—whether it's relaxation, mental clarity, pain relief, or a creative lift. While certain strains are commonly associated with particular effects, individual responses can vary widely. Factors like dosage, tolerance, and method of consumption (smoking, vaping, eating, etc.) can significantly influence how cannabis affects the body and mind.
Although everyone's experience is unique, each strain type tends to follow certain general patterns in how it affects mood, energy, and the body.
Sativa
Cannabis sativa hails from warm, sun-drenched regions like Mexico and South Africa, where it thrives as a tall, slender plant with narrow, finger-like leaves. It requires specific light cycles to flower—typically needing more than 11 hours of darkness per day to trigger blooming.
Sativa strains generally feature lower THC levels and higher CBD content compared to indica, resulting in a more balanced cannabinoid profile. Known for their uplifting, energizing effects, sativas are often used during the daytime to promote alertness, focus, and creativity. Many users describe the experience as a clear-headed or "cerebral high," in contrast to the heavy, body-centered sensation associated with indica strains.
Because of their stimulating properties, sativas are commonly chosen by individuals dealing with depression, fatigue, or low motivation. Some also report symptom relief from ADHD and mood-related challenges, making sativa a popular option for those seeking a functional, mood-boosting lift.
Indica
Cannabis indica traces its roots to the rugged Hindu Kush mountains near Afghanistan, where it adapted to colder, harsher environments. As a result, the plant grows short and bushy, with broad, dark green leaves and dense buds that tend to cluster together.
Indica strains are known for producing high levels of THC and minimal CBD, giving them a reputation for being especially potent. The effects are deeply relaxing—often sedative—and many users find themselves drawn to the couch or ready for bed shortly after consumption. This is why indica is frequently chosen for evening or nighttime use, offering a full-body high that promotes calm and stillness.
Thanks to its soothing, sleep-inducing qualities, indica is a popular option for people dealing with insomnia, chronic pain, or general restlessness. In fact, recent research suggests that those seeking relief from sleep issues or discomfort often report greater success with indica-dominant strains compared to sativas—likely due to its stronger THC concentration and tranquil effects.
Hybrid
Hybrid strains are created by crossbreeding Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica plants to blend traits from both lineages. The goal is to combine the uplifting qualities of sativa with the calming effects of indica, resulting in a more tailored and balanced experience.
Today, most commercially available strains are hybrids rather than pure sativa or indica. These hybrids are typically labeled according to their dominant influence—sativa-leaning hybrids tend to promote energy and mental stimulation, while indica-dominant varieties are more associated with body relaxation and stress relief.
By combining characteristics from both ends of the spectrum, hybrids offer versatility and can be selected based on the desired mood, time of day, or specific symptom relief.
Summary
Hybrid cannabis strains provide a flexible and well-rounded experience by merging the defining traits of both indica and sativa varieties. Whether you're seeking calm, focus, inspiration, or a mood boost, hybrids are designed to match a wide range of goals and personal preferences.
These strains also offer a diverse palette of flavors and aromas—from bright, fruity notes to rich, earthy tones and piney finishes—adding depth to every session. With countless combinations available, there's a hybrid out there to suit nearly every lifestyle, vibe, and desired effect.
FAQ
How long does marijuana stay in your system?
The length of time cannabis remains detectable in your body varies based on factors like usage frequency, dosage, and individual metabolism. For occasional users, THC may be present in urine for up to 13 days. However, for frequent or heavy users, traces can linger in urine and hair for up to 90 days.
How long do edibles take to work?
Edibles typically have a slower onset than smoking or vaping, but their effects can be stronger and last longer. Research suggests that it may take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes after consuming a THC-infused edible to begin feeling the effects, depending on your digestive system and tolerance.
Can marijuana be addictive?
Yes, it can. While many users do not develop dependency, studies show that around 30% of cannabis users may experience marijuana use disorder, especially with prolonged or heavy use.