Last reviewed October 18, 2026
The different kinds of weed are usually grouped three ways: by type (indica, sativa or hybrid), by strain (a named variety such as Blue Dream), and by form (flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vapes or edibles). When people ask about kinds of weed, they usually mean the first: indica vs sativa vs hybrid.
Indica vs sativa vs hybrid
| Indica | Sativa | Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | Short, bushy, broad leaves | Tall, thin, narrow leaves | A cross of both |
| Origin of the name | Named by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785, from plants collected in India | Named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 | Modern breeding |
| Commonly described as | Relaxing, “body” effect | Uplifting, “head” effect | A mix, depending on the parents |
| Share of today’s market | Most strains sold now are hybrids of some kind | ||
A caution on those descriptions: indica and sativa are reliable labels for how a plant grows, but not for how it will feel. Research suggests the effect depends more on a strain’s cannabinoid and terpene content, and on the person, than on the label. Treat “indica” and “sativa” as a rough starting point.
Strains
A strain is a named, bred variety, like Blue Dream, Death Bubba or Purple Punch. Each has its own aroma and makeup. Many share parents: Blue Dream, for example, is a cross of Blueberry and Haze. Strain names aren’t regulated, so the same name can vary between growers.
Grades
Many Canadian online stores grade flower with letters such as AAA and AAAA. It’s an informal scale, not an official standard. Higher grades generally mean denser, better-trimmed buds with more visible trichomes and stronger aroma.
Forms
- Flower: dried buds to grind and smoke or vaporize.
- Pre-rolls: joints rolled for you.
- Concentrates: extracts such as shatter, cured resin, live resin, diamonds and rosin.
- Vapes: 510 cartridges and disposables filled with cannabis oil.
- Edibles and tinctures: THC taken by mouth. Slower to start and longer lasting.
Common questions
Is sativa good for daytime?
Many people choose sativas for daytime because they’re commonly described as uplifting. Since the label doesn’t reliably predict the effect, try a small amount first and see how a given strain suits you.
Where does the word “indica” come from?
From India. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck used “Cannabis indica” in 1785 for plants collected there.
What came first, indica or sativa?
The name sativa came first: Linnaeus used “Cannabis sativa” in 1753. Indica was named about 30 years later.
What is a hybrid strain?
A cross between indica and sativa parents. Hybrids can lean either way, depending on their genetics.
