Cannabis indica Lam. (sometimes classified Cannabis sativa spp. indica) is a putative species of Cannabis, although not all botanists agree that it should be treated as separate from Cannabis sativa L. ([1]). Schultes described C. indica as relatively short, conical, and densely branched, whereas C. sativa was described as tall and laxly branched ([2]). According to Anderson, C. indica has short, broad leaflets whereas those of C. sativa are relatively long and narrow ([3]). Cannabis indica plants conforming to Schultes's and Anderson's descriptions may have originated from the Hindu-Kush mountain range. Due to the often harsh and variable climate of those parts, C. indica is well-suited for cultivation in temperate climates.

Wide-leafed Cannabis indica plants in Afghanistan and Pakistan are traditionally cultivated for the production of hashish. Pharmacologically, the wide-leafed "indica" landraces tend to have a higher cannabidiol (CBD) content than "sativa" drug strains ([4]). Although most commercially available "indica" strains have been selected for low levels of CBD (which is not psychoactive), some users report a less "cerebral" and more "stoning" effect from "indica" than from "sativa". Differences in the terpenoid content of the essential oil may account for some of these differences in effect([5, 6]). Common "indica" strains for recreational use are 'White Widow' and 'Northern Lights'.

A recent genetic analysis included both the narrow-leaflet and wide-leaflet drug "biotypes" under C. indica, as well as southern and eastern Asian hemp (fiber/seed) landraces and wild Himalayan populations ([7]).