True; Less potent. That is at the f1 stage. Some of the autos out now are back crossed or crossed with other strains. They keep the plants that are auto(s) and breed with same or a different indica/sativa. Grow out and keep the auto(s) and breed again and so on. I, myself, did not even like the idea of autos. (ol'hippy in me!) But a friend of mine gave me 2 auto seeds (Ns short ryder). I grew them outside. Stayed short 1.5' -2.5' harvested in 8-9 weeks. Harvest was 2.5oz per plant average. Personally, I would NOT use for any of my indoor grows! But they do have a place in the cannabis world. Harvest way before natural harvest dates/days in fall. My first harvest; outdoors; full sun;ect. was in May!! Planting date is some locations! Would also do great in a pot on a porch, balcony or any other place you can find with full sun. City dwellers grow dream! If needed, it could be placed in a landscaping of a home, blending in with the rest on the plants and no one would notice. (mine was in a pot next to the pool with in some landscaping. Swimmers, visitors never asked, saw, anything.) Smoke was nice, tasty, and did the job! I did compare it with my best true breeds or hybrids in a blind/not knowing group of friends. They really could not tell a difference in high(s) but I know it did take just a little product to achieve that high. There is a website dedicated to only autos out there. Know the auto your getting! Height of finished plant; timing of harvest ect...
Good luck,