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A cultivated variety of cannabis with stable, distinguishable traits maintained through selective breeding, similar to strain.
Cultivar is the botanical term for a cultivated variety of a plant that has been selectively bred and maintained for specific, desirable traits. In cannabis, a cultivar is essentially what most people call a strain. The term has been adopted by industry professionals who argue it is more scientifically accurate than the informal word strain.
In traditional botany, the word strain refers to a genetic variant of a microorganism like bacteria or viruses, not a plant variety. Using cultivar aligns cannabis terminology with the rest of the agricultural world, where cultivated apple varieties (Fuji, Gala) or grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay) are all properly called cultivars. This shift in language reflects the cannabis industry's push toward professionalism and scientific rigor.
For consumers, cultivar and strain refer to the same thing: a named cannabis variety with a specific set of characteristics. Whether the label says OG Kush (strain) or OG Kush (cultivar), you are getting the same genetics. The terminology change is more about industry standards than consumer experience. That said, seeing the word cultivar on packaging often signals a brand that takes a more sophisticated, science-forward approach to cannabis, which can be an indicator of quality and attention to detail.
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