You will want to try these 6 CBD strains
Lawrence Ringo at work on CBD plants.
Cannabis contains hundreds of different chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. The two most studied and best understood are THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and Cannabidiol, or CBD. THC, as most people know, is the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects (euphoria, increased creativity, increased relaxation) or “high” associated with cannabis, although it has also been shown to contain anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Whereas, CBD is less psychoactive, or even non-psychoactive, depending on the strain.
Strains high in CBD possess significant medical benefits, including relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, seizures, spasms and other conditions. The ratio of THC to CBD appears to play a role in determining the specific therapeutic benefits for each individual—the two work together to regulate one another and produce a synergy of effects.
CBD garden
Scientific and clinical research—much of which was sponsored by the US government—highlights CBD’s potential as a meaningful treatment for a range of conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, schizophrenia, depression, PTSD, antibiotic-resistant infections, and other neurological disorders. CBD has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-cancer properties are currently being investigated at major academic research centers in the United States and abroad.
Many cannabis users are only now becoming aware of the benefits of CBD-rich strains and products. Several of these new strains are being crossed with old favorites leading to ever wider selection. After decades in which only high-THC cannabis was produced, numerous CBD-rich strains are now reaching cannabis users worldwide.
Here are 6 CBD strains that are commercially available providing both home growers and licensed cultivation centers with predictable results
1. CBD Critical Cure
Barney’s Farm - 80 I / 20 S - Calming, relaxing, analgesic effects - Sweet, earthiness
Barney’s Farm created the Indica-dominant CBD Critical Care by crossing the legendary Indica Critical Kush with Shanti Baba’s CBD Enhanced strain. Clinical studies Indicate that a balance of THC and CBD provides the most pain relief, and the cannabinoids work together to enhance other effects. This variety achieves serious levels of CBD while still packing enough synergistic THC to provide maximum therapeutic effectiveness.
GROW
This is a fast-flowering strain that produces huge, heavy buds full of resin that will need to be supported in the final weeks of flowering. The Indica characteristics come through in the plants’ height, finishing at about three feet (1m). Flowering is 55-60 days, or end of September outdoors. Expect a yield of about 2 ounces per square foot (600g/m2).
CONSUME
CBD Critical Cure has an intense and earthy flavor, with an added hint of sweetness. The CBD and THC work together beautifully to increase the therapeutic benefits. Tests on this strain Indicate you should expect about 8% CBD and 5% THC, making it an excellent choice for combatting anxiety or pain with far less psychoactive effect than most contemporary Indica strains. This variety will take the edge off what ails you.
CANNABINOID PROFILE
Thc: 4.9 - CBD: 7.05 - CBG: 0.39 - THCV: 0.05 - CBN: 0.03 - CBC: 0.09
2. CBD Therapy
CBD Crew - 50 I / 50 S - Earthy, Truffle, Fruity
CBD Therapy is a low THC and high CBD cannabis strain, solely derived from recreational high-THC strains. Fully tested in both the USA (WercShop) and Europe (Fundacion CANNA, Spain) CBD Therapy received positive feedback from growers and medical users alike. The strain took four years to stabilize through rigorous testing to ensure high CBD to THC ratios, but there may be some variability seed to seed. CBD Crew extensively tested the latest cop—they found that 50-75% of the seeds produced will have very low CBD to THC ratios (some as low as 20:1) while 25-50% of the seeds will have slightly higher THC, some as high as 2:1. Despite this variation, CBD levels will always be significantly higher than THC with all seeds.
GROW
Those looking to grow a CBD-rich plant, similar to Charlotte’s Web, should con-sider CBD Therapy. The strain is recommended for beginning growers because it grows well both indoors and outdoors, is resistant to pests and disease and is easy to extract. Flowering time is 8-9 weeks with ripening taking place in late September or early October depending on latitude. Growing indoors may increase the THC percentage slightly. Plant height is typically 1.5 meters with a moderate to high yield depending on the conditions and the grower. The plant’s shape is often wide like a pine but the shape can always be manipulated as it grows. The buds are long, bulbous and compact and many turn pink.
CONSUME
CBD Therapy’s flavors range from fruity to an earthy truffle taste. There is no high to speak of, so users can perform daily activities while medicated. The effect calms nerves and reduces anxiety and worry. The unusually high CBD content in conjunction with the other cannabinoids in the plant make it perfect for those suffering from MS, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, inflammation, anxiety, depres-sion or epilepsy, or those who are susceptible to the psychoactive effects of THC.
3. Chocolate Tonic
Purple Caper Seeds Rx - 65 S / 35 I - Numbing and relaxing - Chocolate, pine, citrus
Originally a regional strain, native to the Bay Area, Chocolate Tonic is now is available worldwide. This strain originated from a CBD project designed to help patients with fibromyalgia, cancer, seizures and chronic pain. The breeders crossed a high THC father (Chocolate Kush) with a high CBD mother (Cannatonic). These strains were chosen for their high cannabinoid content, vigor and yield. The result, Chocolate Tonic, contains up to 17% CBD.
GROW
Chocolate Tonic can be grown indoors or out, in a hydro, soil or Sea of Green environment. It takes on a Christmas tree shape with little branching, so is best pruned from above. The crystals form to the tips of the leaves and frosty, compact, apple-green buds develop. Chocolate Tonic is a strong grower that can withstand heat and drought, though it is prone to powdery mildew in some environments. Because it is a hearty strain it is great for beginners and commercial growers. The strain takes 65-75 days to flower and requires 12 hours of darkness in order to do so. It has high to very high yield. Outdoor time of ripening is mid-October, in the Bay Area. Plants can reach heights of 10 feet outdoors.
CONSUME
Chocolate Tonic is a wonderful strain for pain management. Pain relief is almost instantaneous but the numbing and relaxing qualities are often sleep inducing, so users should be cautious when driving or operating heavy machinery. The medicinal effects last up to three hours. Chocolate Tonic has a chocolate, piney flavor and sometimes citrus fuel flavor.
4. Ringo’s Gift
Sohum Seeds - 50 I / 50 S - Up, awake - Sweet, lemon
Ringo’s Gift from the Southern Humboldt Seed Collective in California’s Emerald Triangle boasts very high ratios of cannabidiol. This strain’s mother is AC-DC, a Cannatonic phenotype from Spain, which was crossed with Harle-Tsu, a Harlequin x Sour Tsunami hybrid originating in Humboldt. The strain’s name honors its breeder, Lawrence Ringo, as it was his last CBD creation and the culmination of careful breeding for consistently high ratios of CBD to THC.
GROW
This outdoor variety thrives in soil, producing long, spaced branching that benefits from regular removal of yellow leaves. She’ll go 9-10 weeks of flowering with an average of 63 days, or mid October. Plants reach an aver-age 6 feet (2m) and generate moderate yields. These thick bushes with thin light-green leaves produce chunky, compact, bulbous green and gold buds that will thank you for some supports. Ringo’s Gift does well in most conditions, tolerates temperature changes, and shows some resilience and resistance to pests and diseases. All that makes this a good choice for the commercial cultivator looking for a high-CBD strain.
CONSUME
The pungent smell of Ringo’s Gift in the garden becomes more sweet and lemony in the cured bud. Lemon comes through in the flavor, too, with fruity, tropical fuel dominating. The alert and awake high has a quick onset and carries the sought-after CBD properties of anxiety and pain relief. This uplifting strain is a wellness booster that is conducive to work, play, music, art, and other productive, creative activities. Research Indicates CBD acts as an antiepileptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic, antispasmodic, and neuroprotector, making this a key addition to the medicinal toolkit.
CANNABINOID PROFILE
THC: 0.6 - CBD: 9.50 - CBG: 0.26 - CBDV: 0.024 - CBN: 0.06 - CBC: 0.07
5. Sour Tsunami 2
Sohum Seeds - 50 I / 50 S - Up, alert, active - Earthy, chocolate
A balanced strain that “washes over you like a cool wave,” Sour Tsunami 2 was bred to provide pain relief without the “clogged head” or couchlock that can so often accompany the best analgesic strains. This California variety’s father is a Harle-tsu (Harlequin female x Sour Tsunami male) crossed with a mother from Humboldt whose lineage includes NYC Diesel, Sour Diesel, Ferrari clone, and Albion Sour Diesel. The result is a 50/50 hybrid with serious CBD levels.
GROW
Southern Humboldt Seed Collective recommends growing Sour Tsunami 2 outdoors in the sun and soil. She will generate moderate to high yields in all cli-mates but does better with heat than cold. The plant’s dense branching forms a pine-tree shape laden with thick, long buds of green compact flowers. Any yellow leaves should be removed promptly. Expect heavy leafing 2 weeks before harvest. Flowering time is 9 weeks, with a mid-October harvest in Humboldt. Aroma in the garden is earthy but not too strong. This is a good choice for commercial cultivation.
CONSUME
Sour Tsunami 2 produces a dense flower, creating a creamy, earthy aroma and flavor with a hint of chocolate. Nine times out of ten, the plant will also produce solid CBD levels and a mild, mellow creeper high that lasts 1-2 hours. The CBD concentration can decrease inflammation, reduce anxiety, and treat many types of seizures. This is a good strain for physical activities and creative endeavors such as music and art.
CANNABINOID PROFILE
THC: 6.0 - CBD: 9.82 - CBG: 0.39 - THCV: 0.30 - CBN: 0.03 - CBC: 0.21
6. Suzie Q
Burning Bush Nurseries - 50 I / 50 S - Therapeutic - Earthy/musky
Created in 2014 and still rare today, Suzy-Q is a CBD super star. Each of her parents were themselves bred to create a high-CBD offspring. Developed by Northern California’s Project CBD from unnamed landrace genet-ics obtained in California but of unknown origin, Suzy-Q boasts the highest CBD level of any strain they have ever tested, with a CBD:THC ratio of 50:1. Burning Bush Nurseries named the strain Suzy Q out of a desire to “conjure up a powerful image that would evoke thoughts of marijuana and spirituality.“
GROW
Suzy Q does well indoors or out but is best adapted to a mild, Mediterranean climate.
These light green plants have a mostly up, moderately bushy profile that forms a rounded cone. Suzy Q’s loose, bulbous buds exhibit prominent orange hairs with touches of neon green. Leaves are thin and somewhat pointy. As a slow grower and low yielder, she does best as a multi-branch plant, showing growth patterns similar to the short internode spaces and thin branching of purple strains. The breeder recommends topping the plants once and using light nutrients with additives to emphasize her terpenes. She bounces back vigorously from pruning. Flowering time is 10 weeks, but peak CBD production is at 9 weeks. Expect plants to double in height during flowering, typically starting at 2 feet (60cm) and ending at 4 feet (1.2m), or 6-8 feet (2-2.5m) outdoors with a mild smell. This is a fine choice for commercial CBD extraction.
CONSUME
Suzy Q’s flavor and aroma are earthy and musky with a touch of skunk and dark licorice. Her dominant terpene is Myrcene, the same one that gives green hops their aroma. As a CBD strain with a 50:1 CBD:THC ratio, there is no high to speak of, but Suzy-Q has an enormous capacity to alleviate a wide variety of medial aliments. This variety is particularly well-suited for treatment of cancers and seizure disorders or anyone who needs therapeutic relief but prefers to save the high for other occasions.
Learn how to #GROWYOUROWN
Beyond Buds, Next Generation & Marijuana Grower’s Handbook
The official course books at Oaksterdam University
