Foundations
Understanding Cultivars
A cultivar is a cultivated variety — the cannabis equivalent of a grape varietal. It shapes aroma, appearance and character.
What a cultivar is
Cultivar is short for 'cultivated variety'. It describes a plant selected and propagated for a consistent set of traits: structure, colour, aroma and chemical composition.
The names you see on packaging — Gelato 41, Sour Diesel, Zkittles — are cultivar names, much like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir in wine.
Lineage
Lineage records the parent cultivars used in a cross. It helps explain why two products smell or look related, and it is a useful reference point when you find something you enjoy.
Why growers matter
The same cultivar can present differently depending on cultivation environment, harvest timing and cure. This is one reason a brand's selection standards matter as much as the name on the jar.
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Classification
Indica, Sativa & Hybrid
These are widely used commercial classifications. They describe plant morphology and market convention more than any guaranteed outcome.
Composition
Cannabinoids: THC & CBD
Cannabinoids are the primary compounds measured and reported on New York cannabis labels.
Sensory
Terpenes & Aroma
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found throughout the plant world. They shape how a cultivar smells and tastes.