A reader makes a key distinction:
I have found that the type of marijuana I smoke has a direct correlation to whether or not I get the munchies, or “couch lock.” If I smoke high grade sativa strains such as Jack Herer or Sour Diesel, it suppresses my appetite, I get no paranoia, and in fact I get a nice boost of energy. There is nothing like a couple of puffs followed by a walk on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with nothing else to do or worry about. So consider: this “evil” drug means I eat less and do more exercise.
If I smoke indica strains, however, I’m generally useless and want to eat everything in site. I find I get the giggles a bit more on indica strains, but I’ll pass that up to avoid couch lock and the munchies.
Updates from two readers:
The differences between Indica and Sativa strains of weed is everything. Being able to tell the difference between the two and then refining your selection even further based on THC content, can really allow you to tailor your smoking experience to any particular situation or desired type of high. Your reader is right on about the benefits of both types and I really think dissemination of this knowledge would really help a lot of users in areas where weed is legal. And that is the key – marijuana must usually be legal for all of this to matter because legality brings transparency and more choice. (Unfortunately I live in North Carolina, so my selection is determined by whatever current crop my grower just harvested.)
The other:
I absolutely agree that strain matters. I’m a pretty avid runner, putting in anywhere between seven to 15 miles a day. I always smoke before I run. Always, but only sativa. Sativa makes me want to exercise (my personal favorites are G.C. and Blue Dream) while Indica has the opposite effect. The best part of my run is when I start feeling a “runner’s high” around mile three. My thing is: why should I wait until mile three to experience that?
The Dish 