# Is the distinction between sativa and indica supported by research? Or is it marketing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623 "2022-08-30T21:06:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/61 "2022-09-01T20:35:36Z")
That is cheap… The place by me has flower starting out at $120 per ounce - their tagline on billboards is “Home of the $15 eighth” and they do a "buy four, get the fifth for a penny, which is a 20% discount if you want to be seriously couch locked. 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/62 "2022-09-02T04:02:27Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > As far as pricing goes, here in Chicago, checking the website of the nearest dispensary, for recreational use, the prices I see are $160-$270/oz of flower, or $202-$341/oz with taxes. What’s funny is, I pay pretty much the median of that on the black market in Texas. My brother pays about half that for nearly the same quality in Oklahoma’s medical market. If you don’t care about quality, there are places that would give you an ounce of pre-rolls for free with any purchase. Oklahoma is crazy. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/63 "2022-09-02T12:53:03Z")
Oh, really? You must not live in California, then, because I do, and legally sanctioned cannabis costs a lot more than it does from off the street, upward of $10 a gram for flower, and hashish from the dispos around here is rarely less than $30 a gram (the same gram used to run between $10-$15 on the clandestine market). ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/64 "2022-09-02T14:28:45Z")
Rly: > [@wguy123](#): > > In WA state, it is cheap. Of course, I haven’t bought any on the “black market” for a long time, but it is a lot less than back when I was in college. You can get an _ounce_ for $40 in Spokane, WA stores. I buy much smaller quantities, but it is still cheap. > > Edit to add: I just checked one online store and they have $30 ounces. Not going to vouch for the quality at that price point, but I don’t know how you get less expensive than that. Come to WA and you can buy an ounce for $30, take it back to CA and make bank 🙂 And I am being very sarcastic and not suggesting anyone do anything illegal. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/65 "2022-09-02T14:33:32Z")
$50-70 for 3.5 grams of flower seems to be the norm at the only place anywhere near me (New Jersey). Pre-rolls (1 gr) are $20 a pop. I didn’t see anything on the web site that indicates anything larger than an 1/8 oz. for sale Seems way out of line compared to the rest of the legal states. Competition is just getting started as licenses as being slowly issued by the state. I haven’t bought weed in 40 years but do partake on occasion with friends who buy on the black market. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/66 "2022-09-02T15:02:07Z")
> [@El\_DeLuxo](#): > > Oh, really? You must not live in California I live in Santa Barbara. The biggest dispensary here has $12 grams of flower and $8 one gram prerolls. In my admittedly limited experience, LA and SF prices are typically a lot cheaper. If you don’t mind telling us (I understand if you don’t want to do so) where are you? Have you checked weedmaps? ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2022, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/67 "2022-09-03T02:34:12Z")
Since the factual question has been answered. This question brought back memories of green weed growing everywhere during the monsoon (which is almost ending in India now). Vacant land, dilapidated buildings, road sides : Indica would grow wild everywhere. The monsoon does magic to plants in a tropical country. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/68 "2022-09-04T19:01:17Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I am SO jealous of those that live where it’s legal and can choose between the various types and strengths of pot. The first time you walk into a dispensary is magic. It’s been years and I still feel like I’m a kid in a candy store! I hope it comes to you soon. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2022, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/69 "2022-09-04T23:33:06Z")
Just talked to my mom who gets medical marijuana in MO. It’s edibles so I can’t compare how it relates to smokeable in grams. Bottom line… $87/month. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/70 "2022-09-05T18:21:40Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > The first time you walk into a dispensary is magic. It’s been years and I still feel like I’m a kid in a candy store! Occasionally, depending on the store, I get more of an “Apple Phone” vibe than a candy store one. They tend to be very antiseptic, and there are gadgets (e.g. batteries for vapes) on prominent display. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/71 "2022-09-06T11:30:28Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > The first time you walk into a dispensary is magic. I remember nearly crying, I was so happy. The goofy smile stuck on my face made the bud tender crack up when she realized my card was brand new. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/72 "2022-09-06T11:42:35Z")
When weed was made legal in Michigan they didnt open up dispensories for over a year, so illegal speakeasy dispensories popped up all over Detroit. Former gang members opened up shop in empty strip malls and the cops did nothing to stop them. Still haven’t. White people from the burbs were then going down and scoring weed without any danger from the black gangs. They were business people first. Some are still openly operating and not charging taxes. I don’t go there anymore myself, but it was fun and exciting to take my older friends down to the hood and score. I know people from Ohio who go there to score pounds cheaply. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/73 "2022-09-06T11:50:33Z")
Michigan is light years ahead of Pennsylvania. My brother places an order and pays online. It gets delivered to his door an hour later. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/74 "2022-09-06T11:54:22Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > I do base my dispensary purchases partially on sativa vs. indica and customer feedback, but I realize it’s mostly confirmation bias. I put more weight into price and THC concentration. Note the bolded part here: > [@](#): > > there are biochemically distinct strains of Cannabis, but the sativa/indica distinction **as commonly applied in the lay literature** is total nonsense and an exercise in futility. I’m certain that there _are_ differences between _sativa_ and _indica_. They’re different strains with different biochemical compositions. It would be surprising if they had identical effects. What Russo is saying, and what I believe to be true, is that the differences described in “lay literature” (i.e. stoner urban legend, weedbro marketing copy) are all total nonsense because they don’t know what the objectively real differences are, which is because nobody knows. But it’s very likely that _you_ detect a subjective and qualitative difference that makes a strain better (or at least different) for _you_. If enough of you were systematically surveyed about those differences then we might learn exactly what causes them, but nobody has enough incentive to invest in that kind of study. So we’re stuck with word-of-mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/75 "2022-09-06T12:09:01Z")
Its also why back in day you smoked some before you bought it. Or other people you trusted vouched for it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/76 "2022-09-06T12:37:00Z")
The thing I miss from pre-MMJ days is hanging out with my dealer. He didn’t want his neighbors wondering about short visits, so he’d always roll one. If you were just a customer, he’d roll out of your bag. If you were a friend, like I was, he’d roll out of his bag. He usually had something he needed my help with. Once he had purchased a new kitchen sink. The guy at the store told him he’d need a basin wrench, so he bought one, but he had no idea how to use it. I spent 90 minutes scrunched under his sink, but that bag was free. I guess I could go visit him, but he’s an hour drive away and it would be awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/77 "2022-09-06T14:07:35Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I’m certain that there _are_ differences between _sativa_ and _indica_. They’re different strains with different biochemical compositions. I agree there are differences between different strains of marijuana, including Sativa v. Indica. But without proper chemical assays of the strains (information not available to the public), the real differences are not known, just guessed at. And then the assayed strains would need to be properly run through well-sampled double-blind studies to correlate specific assayed chemicals with specific effects (moods). Otherwise, you’re just relying on anecdotal feedback from a small sample of friends and/or dispensary customers (e.g. _purple porcupine sweat makes me happier and more productive than 10lb gorilla sledgehammer, and with fewer munchies_). As it stands now I believe the best you can say in a broad way is that Indica is generally more sedative than Sativa and Sativa is generally more stimulating than Indica. With proper testing and dissemination of data to the public and dispensaries, more specific causes and effects of various strains could and should be available and understood. Until then, I just base the strain I purchase loosely on Indica = more relaxing; Sativa = more uplifting, but I place more weight on THC concentration and price. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/78 "2022-09-06T14:16:30Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > I agree there are differences between different strains of marijuana, including Sativa v. Indica. But without proper chemical assays of the strains (information not available to the public), the real differences are not known, just guessed at. 🤷‍♂️ I agree with your rephrasing of my post. This is almost exactly what I said. > [@Tibby](#): > > As it stands now I believe the best you can say in a broad way is that Indica is generally more sedative than Sativa and Sativa is generally more stimulating than Indica. Even that generalization (IMO) is completely lacking in support beyond anecdotes and gossip. It’s extremely likely that there’s a difference between the two strains, but there’s no support at all as to what that difference is, or whether everyone experiences it the same way. Further complicated by the fact that most commercial weed is hybridized to nonstandard degrees. So you’re usually getting both strains in uncertain proportions. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/79 "2022-09-06T14:22:16Z")
It’s an industry that that has the potential to be accurately based on science, but for now it’s mainly an art. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623/80 "2022-09-06T16:03:49Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > for now it’s mainly an art. And I am a patron of the arts! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623.md?page=5)