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What is Strain?
The term strain became widely used in the cannabis industry to describe different cannabis types. However, it has no scientific foundation and its use is incorrect. The word is most commonly used when referencing viruses or bacteria with genetic mutations, such as COVID-19 or influenza. These mutations cause the virus or bacteria to behave abnormally, which is not the case with cannabis. Cannabis breeders and growers are only working with heredity variations to unlock each plant's full potential. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to use the word “strain” when labeling cannabis.What is Cultivar?
Cultivar is a hybrid word of cultivated and variety, and it is the scientific term for labeling different cannabis plants. Cultivar represents a plant that has been cultivated to have specific characteristics, such as its physical appearance or effects after consumption. The cultivar used in the cannabis industry has been used to describe a plant's genetics and how those genetics have been selectively bred to provide maximum potency, flavor and aroma.Strain vs. Cultivar: Understanding the Difference
The difference between strain and cultivar can be simplified by how they describe variations. The word strain implies that a plant has mutated from its original genetics, while cultivar encompasses selective breeding methods by humans to produce a positive outcome in crops. For example, an apple orchard farmer would grow an identical apple to the one they grew last year, with the same sweetness, crispness and texture, but in a larger yield. Whereby, a cannabis cultivator would breed plants to be stronger, more potent or flavorful, giving some cultivars more awe-inspiring names such as "Gorilla Glue" or "Blue Dream."