The Sativa Scam: Why Legal Weed Makes You Sleepy Now

About this video

• Video Title: The Sativa Scam: Why Legal Weed Makes You Sleepy Now
• Channel: Senior Savvy Cannabis
• Speakers: Catherine Goldberg
• Duration: 00:11:56

Overview

This video explains why sativa strains purchased from legal dispensaries often don't provide the energizing effects they once did. Catherine Goldberg discusses the historical differences between sativa and indica plants, the impact of modern crossbreeding, industry focus on profit over quality, the role of terpenes and harvest timing in effects, and offers advice for consumers seeking energizing cannabis.

Key takeaways

• Sativa vs. Indica Dichotomy is Misleading: The traditional classification of cannabis strains as sativa (energizing) or indica (sedating) is no longer reliable due to extensive crossbreeding.
• Industry Practices Affect Potency: Legal cannabis industry's focus on profit leads to shortcuts, such as harvesting plants too early or too late, which affects cannabinoid profiles (e.g., THC degrading into sedative CBN) and terpene expression.
• Terpenes and Harvest Timing Matter: While terpenes like pinene and limonene are associated with energizing effects, and myrcene with sedation, the stage at which the plant is harvested (clear, milky, or amber trichomes) significantly impacts its final effects, with later harvests leading to more sedative outcomes.
• Finding Energizing Sativas: Consumers can look for "craft cannabis" from small or family farms, check terpene profiles (avoiding myrcene as a dominant terpene), and consider vaporizers over smoking to preserve terpene efficacy. Growing one's own cannabis or sourcing from legacy growers are also options.