Just like most living beings, the cannabis plant has male and female genders. This difference is crucial for cultivation, as only female plants produce buds with high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Only female plants are capable of generating potent flowers with high THC content. Male plants have limited value for consumption, as they have very low concentrations of psychoactive cannabinoids.

Differences between the sexes

Morphologically and genetically, male and female cannabis plants have distinct characteristics. The sex of the plant is determined by heteromorphic chromosomes: males have XY chromosomes (heterogametic), while females are XX (homogametic).

In practice, female plants have pistils — small white threads that emerge from the stem nodes — visible already in the first weeks of growth. Their flowers contain high levels of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, elements responsible for their therapeutic and recreational effects.

Males, on the other hand, develop pollen sacs in a structure called the stamen. When open, they release pollen into the air to fertilize females. Since they have low concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, males are less utilized in medicinal and recreational markets, being more common in industrial applications.

Utility of the plants

Female plants have widely spread uses. Thanks to the high concentration of cannabinoids, they are applied in treatments for conditions such as insomnia, migraines, colic, anxiety, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, among many others.

This variety of applications is due to the interaction of cannabinoids with the Endocannabinoid System, responsible for maintaining the body's balance and regulating physiological functions involving systems like the endocrine, cardiovascular, and immune.

Males are more valued in the industrial sector. They produce strong and rigid fibers used in the manufacturing of textiles, paper, absorbents, bricks, concrete, fertilizer, mortar, and even chemical raw materials such as paints, sealants, and plastics.

Is using male plants in cultivation good?

For medicinal and recreational purposes, males are undesired. Besides not producing THC-rich flowers, they can pollinate females, compromising the harvest's quality. Once fertilized, female plants redirect energy to seed production instead of flowers, reducing the buds' potential.

Another issue is space: male plants compete with females, hindering full development. For this reason, experienced growers prefer to use feminized seeds, ensuring the predominance of female plants in cultivation.

How to identify male and female cannabis

The most effective way to distinguish the sexes is by observing the plant nodes, where branches connect to the stem. Males develop pollen sacs, while females have stigmas — the small white threads responsible for capturing pollen.

It is ideal to perform this identification between the fourth and sixth week of growth, before the start of the reproductive cycle.

Other uses of males

Despite being underexplored, males can also be utilized in alternative preparations. They contain cannabinoids in smaller quantities, but can still be used for making infusions, juices, and even the so-called 'cannabis milk'.

It is also possible to extract cannabis oil from males, using methods like QWISO (extraction with isopropyl alcohol) or infusion in vegetable oils, such as olive oil and coconut oil.

Hermafrodite plants

In addition to male and female plants, there are also hermaphrodite plants, which have sexual organs of both genders. This phenomenon usually occurs when a female plant is subjected to excessive stress, such as physical damage, nutritional deficiencies, pests, diseases, or extreme weather conditions.

Hermaphrodites pose a risk to the entire cultivation, as they can pollinate other plants. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the plantation and remove specimens showing this characteristic.

With information from El Planteo