With cannabis becoming more mainstream, how it’s grown, and the effects of its cultivation have given rise to one of the most debated topics among enthusiasts: the choice between sun grown and indoor grown cannabis.
Have you considered how the environment your cannabis is grown in could impact its flavor, potency, and overall quality? Or do you know what factors to weigh when deciding between indoor or sun grown cannabis? Or do you think how your cannabis is grown is inconsequential as long as it gets you high?
Questions like these are what enthusiasts are grappling with – not all cannabis is created equal, and the way it’s grown can make all the difference in your experience.
Photo by Cannabis Tours, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Your preference for indoor or outdoor grown cannabis matters more than you think.
And it’s one that is hotly contested with strong opinions on both sides. Each method has its positives and negatives, and understanding them will help you make a more informed decision about how you use the plant. So, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur, neophyte, or someone who cares about how you use the plant and the environmental and ethical implications of your use, keep reading.
By the end of the article, you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes indoor different from sun-grown cannabis, some tips, common pitfalls you should look out for, and how to pick the best cannabis for your needs and values based off some studies.
How strong a strain is, is usually associated with THC levels, but it’s necessary to consider the broader chemical profile, including cannabinoids and terpenes.
Photo by Pavel Ševela, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Indoor grown cannabis usually has a higher THC concentration because of the controlled environments that optimize for that. But, sun-grown cannabis usually offers a richer and more complex profile of cannabinoids and terpenes, which might lead to a different type of potency. For instance, sun grown cannabis has a broader range of cannabinoids, like C4-, and C6-THCA, and a higher amount of terpenes like beta caryophyllene and alpha humulene, which can have a huge impact on the overall experience of your high, even if the THC levels are lower.
Indoor and sun grown cannabis are equally potent, just in different ways.
So, really think about how you want your high to feel.
If you just want high THC strains purely for the potency, then indoor cannabis plants are more suitable for your needs. If you want a full spectrum experience and to enjoy the benefits of the cannabinoids and terpenes, outdoor grown cannabis plants are probably more suitable for you.
Whether you want the high from an indoor plant or outdoor plant, knowing this difference will empower you to make the right choice for you.
The same applies to the environmental impact both have.
Indoor cannabis farming is enormous. It accounts for 1% for the U.S’s total electricity usage, which is roughly about the size of a city like San Francisco or Austin’s annual electricity use. And contributes significantly to the industry’s carbon footprint.
This is because of the constant need for artificial lighting, climate control, ventilation systems, and ventilation systems just to keep the growing conditions optimal.
Photo by Richard T/ pexels.com
However, sun-grown cannabis just needs the sun, and decent environmental conditions to grow, which leads to a much lower carbon footprint.
Both share water usage and land impact challenges, but the higher energy consumption that indoor grown cannabis needs has a pretty substantial environmental cost. It’s easy to overlook because of all the cool branding and advertising around products that rely on indoor cannabis plants, but, just consider it before getting your next concentrates.
Or, find products that are sourced from sun grown plants – it’ll be just as powerful, but a different kind of high.
In the end, choosing between sun grown or indoor cannabis is more than just a matter of preference – it’s about the unique experience each method provides.
Indoor grown cannabis is bred in a controlled environment precisely for potency and delivers consistent results. And sun grown cannabis produces a broader spectrum of flavors and effects that many find more authentic and holistic. Understanding this difference can help you choose the one that aligns with your needs, values, and desired experience.
Whether you seek potency, sustainability, or a more holistic approach from your cannabis use, the way your cannabis is grown plays a huge part in shaping your journey.
Joel Darkwah is a marketing writer. He is obsessed with working out, eating right, spirituality, and his little siblings.
