Believe it or not, some marijuana strains can turn purple! But, how cannabis gets its color depends mostly on genetics and the environment. However, what causes that exact color?
Read on to find out.
Typically, plants are green. So, to change their color, there must be changes in their genetic code, aka their genetic building blocks. One example of a genetic building block is anthocyanins. They are flavonoids (the chemical responsible for the color in plants) that are a part of a family responsible for causing red, blue, and purple pigments in flowers, red cabbage, blueberries, and all the other plants with these colors.
In cannabis, the plant’s color depends on the level of anthocyanins in that particular strain. That’s why a strain like Grandaddy Purple (hence also the name) is consisted of lavishing swirls of deep lavenders and pastel purples.
It can be argued that many marijuana breeders attempt to “produce” these kinds of colors because it makes us sway over the pretty colors.
HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT A MARIJUANA STRAIN TENDS TO TURN BLUE, RED OR PURPLE?
Many strains have the genetic predisposition to contain high anthocyanin levels. One indicator of the color is the name of the strain. Just have a look at Granddaddy Purple, Purple Kush, Purple Urkle, etc.
Although one must be careful – not all strains will have purple hues, under the right conditions, these strains may have a more vivid color than others.
On the contrary, plants with low anthocyanin have higher chances of higher carotenoids, which are the chemicals in plants that create yellowish tones and earthy, golden tones.
HOW DOES MARIJUANA ACTUALLY TURN PURPLE?
If you were paying attention in biology class, you know that chlorophyll is the secret ingredient to the green color of plants. This compound is of great importance during photosynthesis, where plants transform sunlight into energy.
However, as marijuana matures, it produces less chlorophyll, and if the plant has high anthocyanins, the strain will be covered in purple, red and blue tones. And if the plant is low in anthocyanins and high in carotenoids, it will have an earthy, golden-like color.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE PLANT’S COLOR
- Temperature: in order to have a cannabis plant dipped in purple, blue and red hues, there has to be a presence of a cooler climate since the production of chlorophyll is paused during autumn.
- The pH level: The higher the pH level, aka the more acidic an environment of the plant is, the more chances there are for the marijuana plant to be red or pinkish.
Similarly, in neutral pH environments, there is a higher chance for the plant to turn purple, and if there’s a higher pH level, then the plant will showcase blue hues.
Finally, the plant will be yellow if the environment is more alkaline.
DOES THE PURPLE COLOR AFFECT POTENCY?
The short answer is not quite. The explanation is that although the purple-colored marijuana strains can have stronger hues, that doesn’t mean their potency is higher. On the contrary, having the marijuana plant exposed to harsher temperatures means less THC, although this isn’t scientifically proven.
There are a lot of reasons why someone would start medicating with cannabis. Marijuana has a wide range of medicinal benefits. – easing anxiety and depression as well as improving appetites and lowering pains in the body.
But, it can also be tricky for beginners to get it right the first couple of times. So, what should you pay attention to at the beginning of your canna journey?
Here are 5 things to help you have a safe experience with weed if you’re a beginner:
1.Start with a small dosage
One of the biggest rookie mistakes while smoking is taking too much. If you’re not sure how much to consume, something between 2-3 milligrams is a good idea. It’s always a good idea to start with a bit less, and even microdosing is a good idea.
If you’re more experienced with how it affects you, you can adjust your dose and increase bit by bit until you find what works for you.
2.Foster a positive setting
Many studies show that the setting is highly important when experimenting with psychedelics and weed. So, consuming marijuana in a setting that makes you feel calm and restful while having an open and relaxed state of mind is key to a positive weed experience.
One thing that is true for marijuana is that it adopts the same thinking pattern you have. So, if you are naturally calm and relaxed while consuming it, chances are you will likely be chill while on it.
3.If you experience some side effects, it’s best to wait it out
Usually, if you take too much weed, there are chances of side effects showing up. In those moments, there are several meditation techniques and breathing exercises that can work wonders for you. Just wrapping yourself in a blanket, laying down, or doing yoga has the power to calm down what then seems like a restless mind.
4.But if that doesn’t work for you, try some good old pepper or lemon juice
Flowers and fruit, as well as marijuana, have terpenes in them. Terpenes are these little aromatic compounds that give the smell and taste of plants as well as promote feelings of relaxation and grounding to the mind – just like aromatherapy.
5.Try CBD
Many people prefer CBD over THC since they are very different compounds. Although they are both active components in cannabis strains, they work differently in the body.
Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause a high, and consuming CBD is a good way to induce feelings of calm and therapeutic state in the body. There’s also mounting research that CBD lowers tension and anxiety.
There are two ways you can consume CBD – one by smoking strains that are high in CBD or chewing gummies with CBD in them as well as applying products that have CBD in them – like oils or tinctures.
Luckily, CBD is available in many of the local coffee shops in Amsterdam, but nowadays, you can find it in commercial stores too.
Frequently Asked Questions:–
Qn1. What are purple strains?
Popular Purple Weed Strains:-
Granddaddy Purple (GDP).
Grape Ape.
Purple Haze.
Mendocino Purps.
Obama Kush.
Qn2. Are purple strains stronger?
The levels of cannabinoids in a marijuana plant are relatively steady regardless of color. Purple plants aren’t any stronger than green ganja, blue bud, or the rarer pink pot. It can be fun to pull out a bag of bud so colorful it looks like a character from the Muppets, but you won’t get a higher THC concentration.
Qn3. What is responsible for this weed color transformation?
Anthocyanins are responsible for giving purple cannabis strains their vibrant color. They are water-soluble pigments that are present in many plant. They are responsible for giving blueberries their blue color, red grapes their red color and blackberries their black color.
Qn4. Is it legal to smoke in Amsterdam?
In a nutshell, the answer is no! Although marijuana rules in the Netherlands are more liberal than in many other nations, don’t assume that this means you can smoke anywhere and whenever you want.
Qn5. What about hash cakes and other types of cannabis?
One should always be careful about what they have ordered in any late-night coffeeshops in Amsterdam, this is because you should know in what quantity you have been consuming while you are there.
It is considered that half a hash cake is usually more than enough for non-regular marijuana users, or we might say for beginners. When you don’t feel anything after 15 minutes, don’t be tempted to consume the other half immediately.
The chemical takes a long time to enter your bloodstream and don’t try to overeat the hash cakes beyond your capacity. The impact can be moderately psychedelic and disorienting. Try ordering something to eat or drink if you feel that it has a high effect on your mind.
Qn6. What is Glowing Green Fingers in Dutch?
We all know about the coffeeshops that make the Netherlands famous. However, the country also has a thriving cannabis cultivation culture. As growers in the country have such a wide selection available to them behind a counter, their standards are high when it comes to selecting strains to grow at home. Out of the thousands available, they often choose varieties that are productive, potent, and fast! Still, they have a soft spot for longer-flowering Hazes and White Widow, as these have long been popular among Dutch smokers and growers.
Qn7. Who has the best weed in Amsterdam?
This has to be one of the most common questions we’re asked. And believe me, the team at GreenHouse-Effect.Amsterdam takes the question very seriously. Frankly, we lose sleep over it. We are constantly pounding the pavement to survey the inventory. We have visited every shop, and will keep visiting every shop.
