What Is Medicinal Cannabis, and How to Choose a Medicinal Cannabis Strain?

Two cannabis plants and a question mark against the black background

Medicinal cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, refers to cannabis when it is used to treat or relieve a complaint or condition, rather than for recreational or spiritual purposes. Any type of cannabis which contains an effective amount of cannabinoids can be considered medicinal cannabis if it is used for that purpose.

Choosing to use medicinal cannabis (also known as medical marijuana) can be a very easy decision to make. Choosing which variety can be more complicated. Many patients, and many of our customers, had never grown or even tried cannabis before discovering it as a medicine.

Even for people who have, it’s not that simple. Although any type of cannabis can be medicinal or recreational, knowing what works for recreational and social purposes does not mean knowing the best variety of cannabis for different medical needs.

Bottles of medicinal cannabis and Bedrocan and Stichting Mediwiet logos

What is medicinal cannabis prescribed for?

In the Netherlands, which has had a medicinal cannabis program since 2003, cannabis is prescribed for the following symptoms (among others):

  • Muscular cramps and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury
  • Nausea, reduced appetite, weight-loss and weakness caused by cancer or AIDS
  • Nausea and vomiting as a result of medication, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy for cancer, hepatitis C, HIV, or AIDS
  • Chronic pain, especially when related to the nervous system or caused by nerve damage
  • Therapy-resistant glaucoma
  • Tourette’s Syndrome

In the rest of Europe, many countries now have some form of medicinal cannabis program. These range from only permitting products containing cannabinoids (such as Sativex) to being able to obtain cannabis flowers with a prescription. In the latter case, cannabis can be prescribed for people suffering from:

Some countries, such as Germany, do not restrict the conditions for which medicinal cannabis can be prescribed. There are numerous other medicinal benefits to cannabis, and research into this area continues to expand.

Is indica or sativa best for medicinal use?

When asking yourself ‘how do I choose a medicinal cannabis strain?’ it is useful to have a basic understanding of the differences between indica strains and sativa strains in terms of their medical applications.

As a very simple guide, here are the most common medicinal uses for indica and sativa cannabis:

Indica-dominant cannabis is commonly used medicinally for:

  • sedative, ‘stoned’ feeling
  • sensation centred in the body, which relaxes as muscle tension is reduced
  • muscle spasms and tremors (for example caused by  multiple sclerosis and  Parkinson’s disease),
  • chronic pain
  • arthritic and rheumatic stiffness and swelling
  • insomnia, anxiety and related conditions
Various cannabis plants against the white background

Our top five indica cannabis strains are:

  1. Master Kush (90 – 100% indica) – regular seeds; feminized seeds; automatic seeds
  2. Shiva Skunk (85% indica) – regular seeds; feminized seeds; automatic seeds
  3. Big Bud (85% indica) – regular seeds; feminized seeds; automatic seeds
  4. Sensi Skunk (80% indica) – regular seeds; feminized seeds; automatic seeds
  5. Super Skunk (80% indica) – regular seeds; feminized seeds; automatic seeds

Sativa-dominant cannabis is commonly used medicinally for:

  • cerebral, energetic ‘high’ effect experienced in the mind as well as in the body
  • treatment of nausea (for example caused by chemotherapy or HIV/AIDS medications)
  •  appetite stimulation
  •  migraine headaches
  •  depression
  • chronic pain and similar symptoms
Various cannabis strains against the white background

Our top five sativa cannabis strains are:

  1. Jamaican Pearl (85% sativa) – regular seeds; feminized seeds
  2. Michka (80% sativa) – regular seeds; feminized seeds
  3. Northern Lights 5 x Haze (70% sativa) – regular seeds; feminized seeds
  4. White Diesel Haze (70% sativa) – automatic seeds
  5. X Haze (60% sativa) – feminized seeds

Can hybrid cannabis be used medicinally?

When indica is crossed with sativa, the result is a hybrid (or ‘cross-bred’) cannabis strain. Most commercially available cannabis seed strains are hybrids. The examples above are, strictly speaking, also hybrids. However, when the make-up of the strain heavily favours one type of cannabis over the other, they are described simply as indica or sativa (or indica-dominant and sativa-dominant).

Balanced hybrids exhibit characteristics from both types of cannabis. This can be an advantage, for example when medicinal cannabis has been prescribed to relieve chronic pain, something for which both indica and sativa strains are suitable. Adding sativa genes to an indica strain can aid mental clarity and decrease sedative effects; introducing indica to sativa strains can lower the tendency of pure sativas to occasionally stimulate anxiety.

The entourage effect

The different medicinal effects of indica and sativa strains were previously thought to be determined by the levels of the two best-known cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Indica strains were believed to contain more CBD (cannabidiol) and less THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Sativa varieties were believed to have the opposite, greater amounts of THC and less CBD.

Both cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which acts as a kind of ‘caretaker’ for many of the body’s functions. The ECS includes cannabinoid receptors which are found throughout the brain and body. This is why cannabis has so many different medicinal applications.

In the last few years, new research indicates that within large sample sizes of indica and sativa strains, THC and CBD levels are roughly the same. However, the same research showed that levels of terpenes and terpenoids (the elements responsible for scent and flavour, among other things) do vary from indica to sativa strains. Terpenes are also thought to affect the type of effect that cannabis can have, from sedative to stimulating.

Together, cannabinoids and terpenes make up a whole greater than the sum of their parts. This synergy is known as the entourage effect. Research into the entourage effect is still in its early stages. A study from 2019 suggests it is likely that terpenes and terpenoids act upon the brain pathways involved with the effects of cannabis, or perhaps affect how THC is metabolised.

Various cannabis strains and seed packages against the white background

Is THC or CBD better for medicinal cannabis use?

Although the effects of their levels in indica and sativa strains are still in question, it is fact that these two cannabinoids have very different effects. Most important for medicinal users is often the psychedelic aspect. THC is very much a psychoactive substance, providing the mind-altering effects that cannabis is both praised and pilloried for. CBD is more effective on the body, providing relaxation. CBD also mediates the effects of THC, counteracting potential unwanted effects such as anxiety.

As the popularity of cannabis as a medicine grows, so too does the number of patients who prefer to consume their medicine with little to no psychoactive effects. Sensi Seeds has responded to this demand with the introduction of several strains that are high in CBD and low in THC.

Our top CBD strains are:  

  1. Skunk Dream CBD (THC/CBD – 26:1)
  2. Black Lights CBD (THC/CBD – 1:1)
  3. Himalayan CBD (THC/CBD – 1:2)
  4. Alpine Delight (THC/CBD – 1:30)
  5. Afghan Pearl (THC/CBD – 1:1)

Was cannabis the first medicine?

Cannabis is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, medicines used by humankind. The oldest written reference to it is found in a Chinese medical text dating from 200 – 300 BCE. There are claims that the text, and therefore the established medicinal uses of cannabis, date back to 2800 BCE. This is based upon when the supposed author, Emperor Shen Nong, was reportedly ruling China.

Closer investigation reveals he was a semi-mythical figure. It is more likely that the text was the work of a group of scholars who wanted to promote their work by giving it a divine and ancient provenance.

Since this discovery, cannabis has been explored as a medicine by almost every civilization around the world, and its potential benefits for humankind continue to evolve.

Black and white photo of Dr Lester Grinspoon sitting at the table

Consult your medical practitioner first

Sensi Seeds is not a medical practice (as you’ve probably noticed). We do not and cannot give medical advice. We have had all of the articles on our blog checked and reviewed for accuracy by a qualified MD, and we regularly update them.

Nevertheless, information provided anywhere on this website is for purposes of interest only, and should not be taken as a diagnosis or prescription, or in any way seen as a substitute for a qualified medical practitioner.

It is also important to remember that just as every person’s physiological make-up is slightly different, the subjective experience of using cannabis medicinally is also different for everyone.

Sensi Seeds varieties offer a wide range of choice for medicinal growers to select the best types of cannabis for their requirements. Our unparalleled collection of strains was selected by the Dutch government as the basis for their medicinal cannabis program, and has been described by the late Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry Lester Grinspoon M.D. as ‘the most comprehensive cannabis gene-bank in the world.’

Please leave your feedback

Has one of our strains really helped you? Do you think there should be a (legal) difference between medicinal and recreational cannabis use? Are there any medicinal uses of cannabis that you’d like to see covered on the blog? Let us know in the comments below.

  • Disclaimer:
    This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your doctor or other licensed medical professional. Do not delay seeking medical advice or disregard medical advice due to something you have read on this website.

Comments

7 thoughts on “What Is Medicinal Cannabis, and How to Choose a Medicinal Cannabis Strain?”

  1. J ai recommencé à consommer du cannabis pour ne plus recourir aux opioïdes (morphine, fentanyl) et corticoïdes pour mes douleurs chroniques depuis mon accident de moto de 2008. J ai réessayé progressivement à m autosuffire depuis 2021 et virer je l espere définitivement les médicaments hard depuis la 1/03/2023… et espere ne plus y avoir recours. Je teste d autres manières que fumer également car j ai stoppé le tabac également… ce qui m interesse au quotidien est d apaiser mes douleurs chroniques et pouvoir encore rester un minimum autonome sans crier de douleurs toutes les 5minutes… tout en conservant de la mémoire pour continuer a gérer ce qu il me reste de vie sous douleurs physique quasi permanentes.
    Je réapprends grâce à vos graines… les douleurs redeviennent encaissables sans être shooté aux médicaments hard… et oui suivant l intensité des douleurs et efforts à fournir, j apprecie des taux différents de THC, CBD, Autres… pas envie ni besoin d etre ko, juste pouvoir revivre un minimum.
    Merci Sensi Seeds

    1. Mark - Sensi Seeds

      Good afternoon Brian,

      Thank you for your comment,
      You might also enjoy our new N13 Grow Report 🙂
      Thanks again, and I hope you continue to enjoy the blog.

      With best wishes,

      Mark

  2. Leaf Expert

    Great article and everything is detailed described! I’ve read some information about this: there is a huge need for more guidance, I believe every dispensary should have a nurse available for consults. Some dispensaries and budtenders are very knowledgeable and some are not. Even patients who do research ahead of time on Leafly or similar apps can find themselves overwhelmed by the options. Add in the very individualized reactions to products and there is great potential for unmanaged symptoms. I think it’s great that you are researching this.

  3. Lynn R. Allen

    Very useful article for medical use. Have been a registered medical cannabis patient since it became legal In my state of Michigan in 2008. I would enjoy the opportunity to purchase Sensi Seeds and hope to have further dealings with your Swedbank.

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    Sensi Seeds

    The Sensi Seeds Editorial team has been built throughout our more than 30 years of existence. Our writers and editors include botanists, medical and legal experts as well as renown activists the world over including Lester Grinspoon, Micha Knodt, Robert Connell Clarke, Maurice Veldman, Sebastian Maríncolo, James Burton and Seshata.
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    Sanjai Sinha

    Dr Sanjai Sinha is an academic faculty member at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. He spends his time seeing patients, teaching residents and medical students, and doing health services research. He enjoys patient education and practicing evidence-based medicine. His strong interest in medical review comes from these passions.
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