trumie04 said:

Unless you know the person who grew it, you probably won't be able to tell what type it is until you smoke it.  The color/density/smell/etc. are all dependant on many factors.  Some of which include genetics, plant stresses, how the plant was grown, amount and type of lighting used.  Unfortunatly, there is really no way, by simply looking at it, to determine if it is indica/sativa.  I've seen some pretty dense sativas and some very fluffy indicas, so it all depends.  Sorry if that doesn't help you find out what you have, but there is really no way by looking at it.

Generally speaking, if you look at the trichomes (THC crystals) with a microscope or jeweler's loupe (magnifying glass), you can get a little insight on what you have.  If the trichs are more clear/white then the bud will have a sativa-ish undertone.  If they are more amber/darker then it will have a more indica tone.  Keep in mind that the genetics will play a bigger role than simply looking at the trichs, but at least it is a hint at what you have.

Here is a pic of what I'm talking about:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/trumie04/THC.jpg

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It'll give them a hint to the type of stone, but the color of the trichs has nothing to do with what type of MJ it is

emeryg89 said:

The high will tell you more than anything. Most bud you buy is neither indica or sativa, but a very good mix of the two. People just grow the seeds they get, plants get cross-polinated, buds grow seeds, of both strains, and smokers grow these seeds they obtain. Unless you purchase your seeds from a reputable vendor (or buy from someone who does) you'll probably never know. Probably the best way to decide what type of bud is what, is by the experience and not the appearance. Apparently real indicas possess more resin and THC while real sativas have more cannabinoids (ratio-wise, and also depends on growth factors, but I am speaking in manner of their natural habitat, sativas being more temperate climates, and indicas being more arid and warmer climates). This means indica will be a more up, energized, probably more trippy buzz, than sativa with the intensly relaxed, slow-motion, body buzz of sativa. Might be wrong though, never know ;-)

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emeryg89 said:

I thought I had been correctly schooled that indicas were from hotter climates (i.e. indian desert and surrounding territory) and sativas from more northern regions. Indicas, in natural completely flowered state were denser and resinous, sativas in the same state were taller, more expanded, with looser buds. In cooler, more northern climates, (outdoors) the climate produces larger amounts of cannabinoids in respect to THC (THC being the stimulant ingredient of cannabis). This is why low doses of any cannabis will produce an up and energized feeling, while heavier doses leave one sedated and lethargic... the cannabinoids, being sedative in nature outweigh the THC in effect in larger doses because enough of the chemicals have been consumed to balance the stimulant effect. Indica in hotter climates would possess more THC to cannabinoid ratio, resulting in a more stimulating buzz. How am I backward?


Maybe my research has been incorrect.

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i italicized some of your mistakes, not all.  Cannabinoid profile is semi-strain dependant(along with flowering days{actually it has more to do with total # of darkness periods, not days}).  And can be affected by Altitude, not northern climates.  THC is the main drug (not stimulant) used in pot, but there are many others, and not all are 'stony'.

Keep reading though, just find some different sources.

emeryg89 said:

This means indica will be a more up, energized, probably more trippy buzz, than sativa with the intensly relaxed, slow-motion, body buzz of sativa.

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