Medical Cannabis for Cancer Patients: A Practical Guide
Medical cannabis for cancer patients can ease nausea, appetite loss, and some pain, but it does not treat cancer. Learn forms, dosing, risks, and legal basics.
What Is an Indica Dominant Hybrid?
An indica dominant hybrid is a cannabis cross with more indica lineage than sativa lineage. Labels show the split as a ratio, such as 70/30 indica to sativa. Breeders build these crosses to hold indica traits while pulling in traits from the sativa side. Traits from the indica side include a short plant, wide leaves, a 7 to 9 week flowering time, and a body effect. Traits from the sativa side can include higher resin output and longer flower time.
The words indica and sativa come from 18th century plant taxonomy. Modern lab tests show the labels do not track chemical content. Two strains with the same ratio can test at different terpene levels and different THC levels. Treat the ratio as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Ratio Ranges
- 90/10 or higher: near-pure indica lines, such as Hindu Kush and Northern Lights.
- 70/30 to 80/20: the standard indica dominant range. Examples: OG Kush, Bubba Kush, Granddaddy Purple.
- 60/40: mild indica lean. Examples: Blueberry, Purple Punch.
- 50/50: balanced hybrid, not indica dominant.
Common Indica Dominant Hybrids
- OG Kush: Chemdawg x Hindu Kush. THC 19 to 26 percent. Terpenes: myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene.
- Northern Lights: Afghani x Thai. THC 16 to 21 percent. Terpenes: myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene.
- Granddaddy Purple: Purple Urkle x Big Bud. THC 17 to 23 percent. Terpenes: myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene.
- Bubba Kush: OG Kush x unknown indica. THC 18 to 24 percent.
- Ice Cream Cake: Gelato 33 x Wedding Cake. THC 20 to 25 percent.
- GMO: Chemdawg x Girl Scout Cookies. THC 20 to 27 percent. Terpenes: caryophyllene, limonene.
THC ranges shift with grow conditions and test method. A lab COA for a specific batch is the only number worth trusting.
Terpenes and Effect
Myrcene is the terpene most tied to the indica label. It carries an earthy, herbal aroma. Strains that test above 0.5 percent myrcene get sold as sedating. Linalool adds a floral note and shows up in strains such as LA Confidential. Caryophyllene adds a pepper note and binds CB2 receptors.
Human studies on the entourage effect are few. Reported effects include relaxation in the body, dry mouth, red eyes, appetite increase, and sleepiness at high dose.
Onset and Duration
- Inhaled: onset 2 to 10 minutes. Peak 15 to 30 minutes. Duration 2 to 4 hours.
- Oral: onset 30 to 90 minutes. Peak 2 to 3 hours. Duration 6 to 8 hours.
Indica dominant hybrids at 20 percent THC and up can cause dizziness and poor coordination. Do not drive after use.
Dose
Start at 2.5 to 5 milligrams of THC for edibles. Wait 2 hours before a second dose. For inhaled flower, 1 to 2 puffs is a starting point. Users with high tolerance often take 10 to 25 milligrams per session. Tolerance builds in 1 to 2 weeks of daily use.
Growing Notes
Indica dominant plants stay short, often 2 to 4 feet indoors. Use a 5-gallon pot. Flower under 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. Hold daytime temperature at 68 to 78 F and drop it 10 F at night. Keep humidity at 40 to 50 percent in flower to limit mold. Beginner yields run 1 to 2 ounces per plant under a 200 watt LED.
Buying Checklist
- Read the THC and CBD numbers on the label, not the strain name.
- Check the harvest or package date. Terpenes fade after 6 months.
- Ask for a COA that covers pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials.
- Store flower in a sealed glass jar at 60 to 70 F, away from light. A 62 percent humidity pack keeps it from drying out.
Law
Cannabis law in the US varies by state. About half of states allow adult use. Federal law lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug. Check state rules before you buy, carry, or travel with product.