Cannabis is full of "bro-science" terms that have stuck as fact, and some of the most common catchwords uttered by cannabis consumers and professionals are misnomers. Sure, it sounds a little snobby to point it out—it's just weed after all—who cares? But just because we can, let’s go over a few funky falsities cannabis enthusiasts just can’t seem to kick, and their more accurate alternatives.
Cannabis Strains
Aside from the most obvious usage in referring to injuries (such as sprains or muscle tears), "strain" is primarily used in microbiology to describe a specific genetic variant within a species of bacteria or virus. Think SARS-CoV-2, for example, which is a strain of the coronavirus.
The word has been used incorrectly in cannabis for a long time. Maybe it will take on a new definition in the dictionary. Or perhaps people just like the association with a virus? Personally, I'm not a huge fan. I'm guilty of using it from time to time, but it’s simply inaccurate. Here are a few more precise terms:
Cannabis Varieties
In the plant world, different species often evolve and adapt to their environments, producing various varieties. These are not separate species, just plants with distinct characteristics. "Varieties" is my preferred way to describe cannabis' "strains," as it’s far more scientifically accurate.
Cannabis Cultivars
Theoretically, we should all be referring to the human selected hype strains as cannabis cultivars. I get it—cultivar sounds a little pretentious—but it’s the correct term for plants that humans have intentionally bred. The word itself is a combination of cultivated and variety, meaning cultivars are intentionally bred for certain characteristics, as opposed to plant varieties, which evolve naturally.
As a bonus, you'll sound a lot cooler at the dispensary if you ask what cultivar they recommend.
Cannabis Phenotypes
Quite possibly the most abused "bro-science" term out there, phenotype is often misused. Phenotypes refer to the physical characteristics an organism displays, which are determined by the interaction between its genetic makeup and its environment.
In cannabis, it's often used to refer to differing characteristics displayed by plants with different genetics. Can't blame breeders for trying to sound smart, but in the long run, it’s just flat-out wrong.
Let’s dig in. If a farmer grows a Runtz plant in Southern California and its flowers stay green, while a farmer in Maine grows the same cutting and it turns purple—those are phenotypes. Two different physical characteristics displayed by the same plant. Think of it like a palm tree in California vs. a palm tree in Maine—different phenotypes.
In cannabis bro-science, when a pollen chucker takes two plants and crosses them—and the offspring display a wide range of characteristics from both parents—growers often call the different plants phenotypes. The difference is, each of those plants is genetically different, which goes against the whole idea of a phenotype, which is supposed to describe characteristics of the same plant. I get it, "pheno" has a nice ring to it, especially compared to what it should technically be called. Genetic variation.
Genetic Variation
Cannabis seeds on the market are often polyhybrids. For example, the variety Runtz was created by pairing a Zkittlez plant with a Gelato plant. Zkittlez itself is a hybrid of Grape Ape and Grapefruit, while Gelato is a hybrid of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. All four parents listed in the creation of Runtz are polyhybrids that were likely created from yet other polyhybrids.
When Zkittlez is crossed with Gelato, there’s a pile of different genetic variations that can emerge from the cross—characteristics that may even come from many generations back. These differing plants are not phenotypes—they are genetically distinct plants. Someone found one they really liked and called it Runtz.
Polyhybrids do not show consistency between plants when bred, and if you tried to make your own Runtz, you'd have to do some serious digging to find the exact cut that has blown up the streets. Just don’t call them all phenotypes. Thats why we make F1's.
When producing F1 seeds, each of the parents is inbred over generations until the gene pool is very small. When plants are crossed, the offspring display predictable and consistent physical characteristics, with very little genetic variation.
Indica and Sativa Cannabis
I’ve already covered this previously, so I’ll keep it short. All cannabis plants are hybrids of many different varieties, from many different corners of the globe. Fat-leafed, short, squat plants are not indicas, and long, slender-leafed, gangly, long-flowering plants are not sativas. They are all hybrids. The terms had a time and place, but that time is over. A budtender has no idea if a plant came from the Hindu Kush when they label it an Indica at the shop—it's just a marketing gimmick.
In reference to the effects of cannabis, try using terms like uplifting and energizing versus sedative and relaxing—and remember, every body is different, so its effects on you could be drastically different than advertised. Using terms that once represented the geographic origins of plants is no longer relevant for describing effects.
Let’s Get Weed Legalized
I know, I’m a hypocrite—I just used the word weed. But seriously, the more educated the cannabis community becomes, the better suited we are to get cannabis legalized nationally. Using bro-science terms only damages the credibility of people who may actually know what they’re talking about. And let’s face it, there are plenty of "experts" in the community who are complete idiots, so impress them with some real knowledge.