If you've spent any time browsing a dispensary menu, you've seen products labeled sativa, indica, or hybrid. These categories started as a simple way to describe how the plants grow, but over time they've come to stand in for the kind of experience people expect from a strain.

Traditional plant characteristics:

• Sativa plants tend to grow tall and lanky with narrow leaves, and are traditionally associated with more uplifting, energizing effects.

• Indica plants tend to grow shorter and bushier with broader leaves, and are traditionally associated with more relaxing, sedating effects.

• Hybrid strains are bred from a mix of sativa and indica genetics, aiming to combine characteristics of both.

In practice, a strain's actual effects come down to its specific cannabinoid and terpene profile more than its sativa/indica/hybrid label alone — two "indica" strains can feel quite different from one another. Check each product's lab results and start with a small amount to see how it affects you personally.