Every time you choose between sativa and indica, you're using words with a surprisingly long history. These terms were around long before modern dispensaries, and they started as ways to describe plants, not experiences. Knowing where they came from adds a little depth to every shopping trip.

Where "sativa" came from

The word sativa comes from Latin and roughly means "cultivated." In the 18th century, the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus used the name Cannabis sativa to describe the hemp plants grown widely in Europe for fibre, rope and seed.

Where "indica" came from

A few decades later, the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck described Cannabis indica, based on plants from India. He noted they looked different from European hemp and were known for their psychoactive properties.

How the plants differ

Over time, growers and botanists noticed physical differences between plants associated with each name:

• Sativa-type plants tend to grow tall and slender, with long, narrow leaves and airy buds. They are often linked to warmer regions closer to the equator and tend to take longer to flower.
• Indica-type plants tend to be shorter and bushier, with broad leaves and dense buds. They are often linked to mountainous regions of South and Central Asia, where shorter seasons favoured faster-flowering plants.

From botany to buying

As cannabis culture grew in the late 20th century, these botanical names took on a new role. Consumers and sellers began using "sativa" for strains associated with uplifting, energetic effects and "indica" for strains associated with relaxing, body-focused effects. That shorthand stuck, and today it's how most menus are organised.

Exploring sativa vs indica at Kush Station

History is fun, but the real test is in the jar. Kush Station makes it easy to compare sativa vs indica for yourself, with strains from multiple BC farms, graded as craft, AAAA, AAA, AA and popcorn. Mix-and-match bundles let you line up a few of each and notice the differences in aroma, bud structure and experience.

The modern twist

Decades of crossbreeding have blended these lines so thoroughly that most modern cannabis is some kind of hybrid. Today, many experts say a strain's THC, CBD and terpene profile is a better predictor of how it will feel than its sativa or indica label. The old names remain useful as a starting point, and they carry a lot of history.

BC's place in the story

British Columbia has its own chapter in cannabis history, with generations of growers building the province's reputation for quality flower. Kush Station, a Canadian-owned shop based in Burnaby, BC, carries that tradition forward by sourcing from multiple BC farms.

Delivered across Canada

Orders ship by Canada Post Xpresspost to every province, usually within one to three business days, with tracking, in plain, non-revealing packaging packed to contain odours. Orders of $150 or more ship free. Budtenders are available daily from 6 AM to 6 PM PST, live chat runs seven days a week and email support is at help@kushstation.co.

Taste the history

Cannabis is for adults only, so make sure you meet your province's minimum age. Sign up with Kush Station, claim your $30 in Kush Points and put a little history on your shelf.