By Luke Sumpter


Cultivars, chemovars, and chemotypes. Do you know what these words mean? And what about the differences between them? Discover their definitions, why we need to embrace these terms, and how they’ll benefit the entire industry, from researchers to consumers.

Cannabis seems simple, right? At face value, this humble herb appears like just another plant. But in truth, cannabis is one of the most multifaceted species that humans grow. It doesn’t take long after your first toke to stumble across a vast lexicon that describes the herb itself, all of the different varieties, a long list of growing methods, and even different ways to take it.

Adding to the confusion are the thousands of cannabis “strains” available from seed banks, coffeeshops, and dispensaries. As far as popular culture goes, this widespread classification provides a good description of what each variety offers. Strains that lean toward the “indica” end of the spectrum are known for their stoning and physical effects, whereas those leaning toward the sativa end are viewed as energising and cerebral.

But things move fast in the cannabis industry, with science driving rapid developments. While the term “strain” served a purpose for several decades, it has certainly run its course. The complex nuances of cannabis require more in-depth descriptions and categorisations. Not only do terms such as “chemovar” and “chemotype” provide more insight for researchers, but they offer consumers more reliable information when it comes to buying buds and seeds. Continue reading as we break down why it’s time for new terms, what each of these descriptions means, and why they’re important.

Current Cannabis Classification: A “Strain” on the Industry?

There are thousands of cannabis strains available. Some of the biggest names on dispensary shelves include White Widow, Amnesia, OG Kush, Northern Lights, and Haze. This astounding number of varieties stems from decades of selective breeding and hybridisation. Breeders are constantly identifying desirable traits and crossing different specimens to amplify them. The result? A massive catalogue of cannabis varieties.

The concept of strains is so ingrained in the cannabis industry that it seems immune to scrutiny. Sure, this method remains the most popular way to name and categorise cannabis varieties, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect the true chemical profile, and therefore effect, of each type. While this might not cause an issue for the gung-ho recreational user, it’s not ideal for consumers looking for a consistent and reliable experience.

The lack of consistency resulting from this blurry classification system can leave consumers either gullible or confused. For example, you could walk into one dispensary and pick up a strain named White Widow, and then head into another outlet in the next neighbourhood, pick up the same strain, and experience a different effect. A host of variables can alter the chemical composition in the same cannabis strain, including genetic variability and environmental factors.

Current Cannabis Classification: A “Strain” on the Industry?
  • Cannabis Researchers Call for New Terminology

Some cannabis experts are highly critical of the “strain” classification system, and are calling for new ways to label the herb. Dr Ethan Russo, a neurologist and cannabis researcher, has called the idea of strains “nonsense” and states it’s a term better reserved for bacteria. Medical cannabis expert Arno Hazekamp has also weighed in on the debate, reporting that this vernacular system of strain categorisation developed independently from scientific and taxonomic systems[1].

Hazekamp points to several core reasons as to why the concept of strains emerged. As opposed to reflecting a difference in chemical composition, it likely came about as a form of jargon that added a sense of sophistication to cannabis culture[2]—not dissimilar to the way wine connoisseurs describe different wines. He also points toward marketing as a source. Because cannabis generates big bucks, the explosion in strain names likely reflects breeders and growers’ desire to create a niche for their particular product.

Does this mean we should stop using strain names altogether? Not necessarily. These titles serve as a good way to differentiate between characteristics on a basic level. Although they’re not the most accurate, they have a place in outlets such as Dutch coffeeshops and hobbyist seed banks.

However, alternative terms might serve a better purpose for medical users, researchers, and more serious recreational users. As long as consumers are aware of the differences between these terms, they’ll avoid confusion and develop a keener eye when it comes to browsing. To get a glimpse into the future of the cannabis lexicon, keep reading to discover the meaning of alternative terms for describing cannabis strains.

Cultivars vs Strains: What’s the Difference?

Chances are you’ve come across the word “cultivar” while shopping around for cannabis seeds. But how does this word help when it comes to classification? Well, it’s short for “cultivated variety”. If you’re a keen gardener, you’ll have seen this term in seed catalogues and garden centres. As a horticultural term (not a taxonomic designation), it simply refers to a plant selected or tweaked by humans over time.

Selective breeding enables growers to hybridise plants to strengthen specific traits. Not only does this produce plants—including vegetables, cannabis, and fruits—with different characteristics, but it also creates more stable varieties. Cultivars are distinct variants that exist within the same species. They either come from a clone/cutting of the same cultivar, or stable seeds that have been backcrossed for genetic stability.

So, how does a cultivar differ from a strain? Somewhere down the line, cannabis breeders and growers started using the incorrect term “strain” in place of the horticulturally correct “cultivar”. The word “strain” occurs most commonly in the fields of virology and microbiology, where it describes genetic variation within microorganisms. You might sometimes see the word related to breeding outside of the world of cannabis, but here it mostly describes progenies resulting from genetic modification. Overall, the word “cultivar” doesn’t help to improve the classification of cannabis varieties per se, but it does a lot to clear up and correct nomenclature.

Cultivars vs Strains: What’s the Difference?

What Are Cannabis Chemotypes?

“Chemotype” stands for “chemical type”. The term first emerged in the 1970s when cannabis scientists sought an easy way to group cultivars together based on their primary cannabinoid. The botanist Ernest Small devised three different chemotypes revolving around the two most prominent cannabinoids in the herb:

Type 1 This chemotype contains high levels of the psychotropic cannabinoid THC. The vast majority of modern cultivars autumn into this category. These plants are sought after by recreational users looking to get high, as well as those that use the herb for holistic purposes.
Type 2 This chemotype features a balanced ratio of THC and CBD. Cultivars with this balance are becoming more popular among both recreational and holistic users. They offer a noticeable psychotropic effect, but equal quantities of CBD blunt the peak effects of THC and may reduce negative psychological side effects.
Type 3 This chemotype possesses high levels of CBD alongside low levels of THC. As such, these varieties produce little to no psychotropic effect. Both recreational and holistic users find the clear-headed effects useful and functional.
What Are Cannabis Chemotypes?

As you can tell, chemotypes are a simple and almost reductive way to categorise cannabis varieties. This method cuts straight to the chase and focuses solely on the dominant cannabinoid. While it misses out on some finer details, it immediately lets consumers and researchers know what they’re dealing with in terms of psychotropic effects.

The three chemotypes above could help consumers in several ways. Users with little preference when it comes to flavour and aroma could simply select a variety based on chemotype to keep things simple. That way, they could get a good idea of the experience that awaits, without getting lost in the world of “strains” and “cultivars”.

But there are more than just three chemotypes! Furthermore, researchers are studying the effects of lesser-known cannabinoids that will eventually receive their own chemotype designation, making matters even more organised and straightforward for consumers and researchers alike. Below are the remaining two chemotypes at present:

Type 4 This variety packs high levels of CBG (cannabigerol). Known as the “mother cannabinoid”, the acid form of this compound—CBGA—serves as the chemical precursor to both THC and CBD. CBG is non-psychotropic, and ongoing studies are exploring its anti-inflammatory potential.
Type 5 This chemotype contains—wait for it—no cannabinoids whatsoever! Although this might seem disappointing and useless to some, the type-5 chemotype serves an important purpose. These varieties come in handy when researching and developing new cannabis products. For example, the lack of cannabinoids opens the doorway to producing strains with high levels of terpenes, which may prove useful in clinical settings.

Cannabis Chemovars: A More Accurate Means of Classification

“Chemovar” stands for “chemical variety”. This might sound similar to the definition of chemotype, but this classification goes into much finer detail. Whereas chemotypes describe only the dominant cannabinoid within a variety, chemovars reflect 1–2 of the most abundant cannabinoids and 2–4 of the most dominant terpenes.

Including a larger array of phytochemicals within this definition gives both the consumer and researcher a much clearer idea of the possible effects. Arno Hazekamp has published papers exploring the concept and utilisation of chemovars. He states that medical cannabis researchers face significant challenges that stem from the “single compound–single target” paradigm of pharmacology. While this outlook might help to determine the effects of isolated phytochemicals, it doesn't consider the potentially profound interactions that occur between cannabis-derived compounds.

Cannabis Chemovars: A More Accurate Means of Classification
  • “Chemovar” Considers the Entourage Effect

The term “entourage effect” describes how cannabinoids and terpenes synergise. Dr Ethan Russo has played a large role in popularising this theory, and his paper “Taming THC”[3] documents possible terpene and cannabinoid pairings. For example, studies are exploring the ability of the linalool to enhance the effects of CBD, and pinene to optimise the effects of THC.

Classifying cannabis varieties into known chemovars would do away with the inconsistency of “strains”, while providing much more information than the chemotype model. Hazekamp states that by identifying and quantifying all of the major chemical components in cannabis varieties, we can successfully classify cultivars into a small number of unique groups. This would help consumers get their hands on a more honest and accurate product, and help researchers truly understand the unique effects produced by different chemical mixes.

The idea of chemovars remains in the early stages. Researchers are aiming to first group varieties based on their chemical profiles, and then discover which chemovars work the best for certain conditions. So far, cannabis scientists have determined that terpinolene-predominant chemovars elicit energising effects, whereas those higher in caryophyllene and myrcene are being explored for their ability to reduce headaches.

The chemovar classification will certainly help researchers understand the effects of cannabis better, but how can they help you when shopping for flower or seeds? As producers, seed banks, and coffeeshops continue to see the value in lab testing, they're obtaining more data about their products, in turn giving their customers access to information that will help them immensely in selecting the right product.

We’re quite a way off from this destination right now, but there are signs that this transition is in the works—and it’s a switch that will benefit everyone. Think about this; instead of relying solely on names like “White Widow” or “OG Kush” and hoping you get the effect you’re after, you could see something like “Chemovar Type II: 9% CBD, 10% THC, myrcene and linalool dominant” alongside their famous titles.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabis: From Cultivar to Chemovar II—A Metabolomics Approach to Cannabis Classification https://www.liebertpub.com
  2. Exploring the Sativa Indica dilemma https://www.researchgate.net
  3. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: