There are many hundreds of medical cannabis strains from which to choose, so it can be hard to decide. To help you, here are five of our favourite high CBD / low THC strains that are great for medicinal use.
1. Green Crack
Green Crack is a Sativa dominant strain that was named by rapper Snoop Dogg who championed its moreish qualities and likened it to a strong cup of coffee in the morning.
Green Crack is indeed a potent weed that will undoubtedly get you high, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used to treat medical conditions. Green Crack’s strong cerebral effect is perfect at treating depression, fatigue, as well as long-term chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia and ME.
Effects
Smoking Green Crack is always an enjoyable experience. Users say it has a tropical twist with a mango flavour, with notes of pine and citrus. Side effects are rare and mild, but smoking may induce dry eyes and occasionally increase anxiety – this is thanks to the energising properties that make it such an effective way of treating depression. Green Crack is also particularly suitable for baking sweet treats such as brownies or space cakes.
Growing
Green Crack can be grown indoors or outside, but it does well outside if there is well-fertilised soil and plenty of sunshine. However, it rarely grows taller than 200 cm so is also suitable for indoor cultivation where space may be limited. And it’s rapid flowering means that it is possible to get several crops in a season.
2. Sour Diesel
With petrol notes and hints of orange, Sour Diesel is an iconic strain that is noted for its ability to counteract the symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress and chronic pain.
Effects
Sour Diesel gives powerful energising and euphoric effects. And these effects are long-lasting, making it suitable for daytime use.
Growing
Derived from Chemdawg, and a close cousin of OG Kush, Sour Diesel is a type of weed that produces generously acidic and resinous buds. You can tell the time for harvest as these buds often take on rosy hues when they are ripe. However, we strongly advise you to be patient and wait until the last possible minute before harvest as it will then be extraordinarily good with a superb flavour that lingers long in the mouth.
It is a good idea to pinch and train the plants during the vegetative phase because they are prone to stretching, so they need to be guided to increase the yield. If you don’t have much space, try putting rooted clones straight into the flowering phase. This will result in compact plants that won’t be taller than 100 to 125 cm.
Sour Diesel is classed as easy to grow as it is very forgiving of errors and is a robust and vigours strain.
3. Northern Lights
The Northern Lights female is another iconic strain that has been crossed several times each time with further improvement. This pure Indica, which has the best characteristics of this variety, both in terms of taste and effects, is also highly prized for combating stress, pain and anxiety. Its psychoactive effects sink firmly into the entire body, relaxing your muscles and soothing the mind in a blissful euphoria.
Growing
Northern Lights is a medium-sized plant with broad leaves that grow bushy all around, while the buds are mainly concentrated around the side / main stems. The buds have a fluffy texture and are covered with a thick layer of very sticky resin. They have a wonderfully sweet and fresh smell. By smoking them, there is a wonderful citrus and musk pine flavour, which makes them more pleasant to consume.
Effects
The Northern Light produces a buzz stone effect typical of Indica; it is better to stay on the sofa and let it do everything else.
Tip: buy these Northern Lights seeds
4. Cannatonic
Cannatonic was one of the first high-CBD strains and was awarded third place at the 2008 High Times Cannabis Cup in the Sativa category. It helps relieve a wide range of medical conditions, including nausea and vomiting, spasms, pain, addiction and cravings, psychiatric symptoms and autoimmune diseases and inflammation.
Growing
Cannatonic is an Indica / Sativa variety that can be cultivated indoors (where the plants will need a flowering time of approximately 67 days) and outdoors. The strain is a CBD Variety with a similar proportion of THC and CBD.
Effects
Cannatonic has intense fruity flavours with cherry and strawberry dominating subtle notes of diesel and chestnut. The effects are cerebral and mind-numbing but allow you to remain functional while feeling the benefits of a warm euphoria.
Tip: buy these cannatonic seeds
5. Harlequin
Harlequin CBD is the result of a cross between a Harlequin and a Black Domina. It presents an exceptional CBD – THC ratio with a very low THC level between 0.2 and 0.5% and a very high CBD level between 15 and 17%.
Harlequin was specially designed to meet the needs of therapeutic cannabis users who prefer to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.
Effects
Although famous for being a CBD strain, Harlequin nonetheless has a notable Sativa uplift, effective at melting away anxiety and pain while reducing stress and tiredness. Harlequin is best known as a medical variety rather than a recreational drug, but it’s soothing yet energising effects make it a favourite for daytime smokers.
Growing
Harlequin is one of the fastest weed strains around, reaching harvest in as little as six weeks. Harlequin thrives indoors or outside but does exceptionally well when grown in a hydroponic set-up. Harlequin is Sativa-dominant so is compact and stocky compared to leggy Indicas.
