What is Cannabis Sativa?

As a plant that dates back to well over three thousand years ago, the cannabis Sativa variety of marijuana has long blessed the world with its amazing psychoactive effects and bountiful health benefits. Despite marijuana being known primarily as an illegal substance today, it wasn’t always like this. In fact, marijuana and the cannabis plant itself has widely been considered as one of, if not the oldest agricultural product to be cultivated by humanity.

As such, there is undoubtedly a rich and interesting history behind this wondrous plant. The background surrounding cannabis is something that every person should familiarize themselves with. Today, we are going to be talking about the cannabis Sativa, one of the two main species of marijuana used for consumption and the very first kind of cannabis to be discovered early on. 

Background and Origins of the Cannabis Sativa

The first species of cannabis to have been discovered by early civilizations was the cannabis Sativa. This was later separated into two main components: the Sativa and Sativa L. varieties, the latter which refers to the Industrial Hemp marijuana plant. Centuries ago, people found out that the cannabis Sativa plant was indigenous to places across Central and Southern Asia as well as the Indian subcontinent. It was prominently indigenous to the mountainous regions of China during the Neolithic period, where it naturally grew under the hot and sunny days. Other places where it was extensively used were Japan, India, Iran, Korea, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka among others.

 People were quick to make use of the cannabis Sativa plant for a number of reasons. Ever since civilizations started cultivating this plant, it was constantly used as a source of food and fibers. Tribes usually harvested the seeds of both these varieties of plants in order to reap the nutrition and minerals from it. Whether it was boiled into various beverages or mixed into their meals, they found various ways to consume cannabis. Also, hemp was used mainly for its industrial and commercial value. The strong and rich fibers of the hemp variety of cannabis Sativa were used to weave and produce various tools such as ropes, clothes, fishing nets, sacks, fabrics, and many other things. 

Of course, one other use of cannabis Sativa during the early years was for medicinal purposes. Early shamans believed that due to the psychoactive effects that came with smoking it, deities and gods resided inside the plant, giving it the ability to transport them into another dimension. As such, Sativas were often used during healings and ceremonies in order to treat various health conditions experienced by local villagers.  

These traditions continued on for centuries until the trading industry eventually spread the cannabis plant all over the world. This opened up the door to new opportunities for the economy, especially in Europe and the United States. During the late 1700s, the cannabis Sativa and hemp varieties were formally classified as such and, thus, began the Industrial Hemp era of the world. 

Cannabis Sativa Today

In today’s world, there are countless strains that carry pure Sativa or Sativa-dominant genetics. It is considered equally as popular and sought after as its counterpart, the cannabis Indica species. Of course, each of these species carries a very unique set of effects and growing capabilities that distinguish it from one another. Here are some of the qualities that Sativa and Sativa-dominant strains display:

Appearance:

In terms of appearance, the Sativa plant usually displays a very tall and lanky structure. Sativa and Sativa-dominant hybrids will usually grow up to heights of around 12 to 16 feet in height. This is much taller than what people would normally get from Indica strains. The skinny plant structure of cannabis Sativas gives it a very loose and somewhat “wavy” appearance. It is much less compact and dense than what you typically see from Indica strains.

These plants also grow thin finger-like leaves that stretch out in all directions, giving it a look that resembles a fan. The majority of the plant is colored in a very bright and vibrant shade of green. Oftentimes, these strains also display subtle hues of yellow if they are grown under certain conditions. The marijuana buds of Sativa strains grow into plump and hearty sizes. These buds are spread across the whole length of the Sativa plant’s branches, which are strong and sturdy enough to support the weight.    

Growing information:

Sativa strains and Sativa-dominant hybrids will usually take much longer in terms of the flowering period. The average time that it takes for Sativa strains to fully flower and mature is around 12 to 16 weeks. One main thing to remember when cultivating Sativa seeds is that they need to be exposed to long hours of sunlight in order to fully reach their maximum potential in terms of appearance and potency. During their vegetative stages, around 13 hours of sunlight is needed while the flowering stage requires the usual 12:12 ratio of direct light and darkness. 

Growers typically choose to cultivate Sativa strains outdoors due to the heights that they are able to reach. Additionally, the outstretched structure of Sativa plants allows every leaf and bud to absorb the long hours of sunlight in a day. If you live in places with rainy climates, then make sure your indoor setups have high ceiling rooms. LED lights work brilliantly for these strains as they do well to simulate the sunlight given under tropical weather.

Common effects and medical properties:

These strains will typically display a higher THC content as compared to its CBD levels. This means that while some Sativa strains do contain a respectable amount of CBD, the THC levels tend to be substantially higher. The effects of these strains can be described as causing a “cerebral high” rather than getting users physically stoned. It normally targets the mind and induces a number of hazy and somewhat trippy effects. Here are some of the most common Sativa-induced effects:

• Energizing
• Euphoric
• Mental high
• Stimulates the mind 
• Sharpens the senses and focus
• Boosts creativity and morale
• Promotes happy and uplifting thoughts
• More sociable and talkative

Because of these effects, Sativa strains are usually considered more for daytime use because of the high energy levels you get after smoking a Sativa joint. Additionally, people often cite that the increased productivity that they feel makes it much easier to get through the day.

These strains are also as useful in the medical sector as they are for recreational purposes. Because of the vibrant and euphoric mindsets that people develop while under the influence of Sativa strains, they are often used to mitigate the symptoms of mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and high levels of stress. Furthermore, anyone who feels fatigued and sloppy will find comfort in this strain as it brings their bodies back to their normal states. 

Choosing between Sativas and Indicas always boils down to what you need. Of course, each of these varieties of cannabis serves their purposes well. If you wish to feel energized and uplifted, then we recommend choosing a Sativa strain. Some of the best Sativa strains and Sativa-dominant hybrids include Sour Diesel, OG Kush, Durban Poison, Acapulco Gold, Green Crack, and Lemon Haze. All of these and more are made readily available at Crop King Seeds! So if you want high-quality weed seeds that guarantee you potency and freshness every time, then order your packs of weed seeds now!