Nevis, West Indies: Cannabis chemovars labeled as ‘indica’ and ‘sativa’ do not possess distinguishing genetics or effects, according to a literature review published in The Journal of Cannabis Research.
Researchers affiliated with the Medical University of the Americas in the West Indies reviewed findings from 28 peer-reviewed papers evaluating the chemical composition and effects of cannabis plants labeled ‘hybrid,’ ‘sativa,’ and ‘indica.’
Consistent with prior research, they determined: “Consumer-facing indica/sativa/hybrid labels do not consistently predict genetic ancestry, major cannabinoid content, terpene profile, or human outcomes. … Instead, indica, sativa, and hybrid are broad marketing categories that sometimes correspond to differences in product composition.”
A prior review paper published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research similarly determined that the interbreeding of cannabis plants has resulted in a dearth of pure ‘indica‘ or ‘sativa‘ chemovars. “Categorizing cannabis as either ‘sativa‘ or ‘indica‘ has become an exercise in futility,” the study concluded. “Ubiquitous interbreeding and hybridization render their distinction meaningless.”
Full text of the study, “Do consumer-facing ‘indica,’ ‘sativa,’ and ‘hybrid’ labels predict cannabis composition or effects? A systematic review,” appears in The Journal of Cannabis Research.