Hybrids
Cannabis Hybrids are plants that have been cultivated using a combination or mixture of different cannabis cultivars. This is done to target certain therapeutic, sensory, or horticultural characteristics that they can inherit from their ‘parent plants’.
A hybrid is the term given to cannabis plants whose parents belonged to different 'subspecies'. By breeding cannabis ruderalis, sativa and indica plants in different conditions and concentrates, hybrid plants with a variety of individual effects and life cycles are produced.
How many hybrid medical cannabis cultivars are there?
Too many to count. In the past 60 or so years, cannabis breeding techniques have been developed to their current state of sophistication, and with it, many hybrid cultivars have been produced. Today, there are thousands upon thousands of known cannabis hybrids in existence, many of them classed as medical cannabis options.
Are hybrid strains better than pure strains?
Pure cannabis strains possess specific physical properties and effects that can only be found in them, while hybrids often try to combine the best qualities of two (or more) plants into one. Some patient swill benefit from the effects of a certain hybrid strain, while others may find 'pure' (or landrace) strains more effective for their unique health needs.
To find out if you are eligible for medical cannabis treatment in the UK, check out our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker.
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help. In addition to this medical cannabis glossary, we have an extensive blog and education hub to explore, both filled with resources that UK medical cannabis patients, prescribers, and educators have been asking for.