When we think of weed, we typically think of THC. THC is psychoactive where CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. Even though CBD doesn’t get you “high” like THC does, it does have it’s own benefits. It can help with problems like:
Finding CBD-dominant strains are great for patients needing to keep a clear head while treating their symptoms. Here are 10 CBD-Dominant strains you should consider:
1. Harlequin (Sativa, THC: 10%, CBD: 15%)
Harlequin is a CBD-rich strain whose popularity predated the recent wave of non-psychoactive medical CBD strains like Charlotte’s Web. Harlequin is the sativa-dominant product of several different landrace strains: 1970s favorite Colombian Gold, Thai and Swiss sativa landraces, and a Nepali indica variety. These patchwork genetics may account for the strain’s name — “harlequin” originally referred to the brightly-patterned costumes of traditional Italian clowns of the same name. Harlequin is approximately 75% sativa, although it lacks the characteristically strong cerebral sativa high due to the mitigating presence of CBD. The standard ratio of CBD to THC in Harlequin is 5:2. Cannabis lab Analytics 360 has measured samples of this strain at between 4% to 10% THC and 6% to 15% CBD. Harlequin has won multiple Cannabis Cup awards for its CBD content in both bud and concentrate form.
2. Ringo’s Gift (Hybrid, THC: 1%, CBD: 20%)
If you’re interested in complex strains with rich backgrounds, Ringo’s Gift is for you. Developed by unknown breeders, it was named after cannabis activist and CBD pioneer Lawrence Ringo. Both ACDC and Harle-Tsu have been crossed to create this strain that’s rich in benefits and is awesome in flower, oil, or shatter form.
The potency of this strain is outrageous, but maybe not in the way you are anticipating. THC levels only reach about 1%, with CBD skyrocketing into double digits with ease. Several phenotypes of this plant are available, making her numbers vary depending on what you find. These airy and light buds are mint green with bright orange pistils and super frosty trichome coverage. Hash and mint will dance along your tongue and in the air around you, creating a classic and fresh experience.
3. Sweet and Sour Widow (Indica, THC: 11%, CBD: 8%)
A strain for all occasions, Sweet and Sour Widow comes to us from CBD Crew out of Barcelona. Their intention was to essentially produce a CBD enhanced version of White Widow and did so by crossing that plant with another unknown strain. The result is a 1:1 variety that is great for recreational and medical users alike.
Perfect for beginners and great for experienced users who want to take the edge off, Sweet and Sour Widow clocks in right around 8% THC with a matching level of CBD. Nugs take on their name in terms of flavor and smell, as sweet onion, wet earth, and a woodiness contribute to this complex strain’s characteristics. You’ll generally find flowers to be fluffy and round with bright orange hairs and lovely sparkling trichomes.
4. Stephen Hawking Kush (Indica, THC: 12%, CBD: 14%)
Innovative breeders Alphakronik Genes have proven their genius with Stephen Hawking Kush. This heavy indica was bred for high CBD content and is a cross between CBD-rich HarleTsu and the colorful Sin City Kush. Stephen Hawking Kush is one in a conceptual series of strains by Alphakronik, dubbed the “Great Minds.” With more CBD than THC in its genes, SHK is an ideal strain for relieving pain and tension while sustaining focus and productivity. SHK offers three distinct phenotypes, all bearing similar flavors and effects.
SHK’s flowers make it clear that this is one exception strain. The medium-sized buds are almost spherical in shape and display the loose, ragged bud structure often associated with pure sativas. The fluffy leaves are a dusky olive green and are threaded through with corkscrewing orange and pink pistils. More often than not, leaves also display vibrant shades of dark blue and purple; these dramatic colors come about when pigments called anthocyanins are agitated by colder than average weather during the growing process. A blanket of glassy white trichomes covers these already-colorful bud, making them very sticky to the touch.
5. ACDC (Hybrid, THC: 6%, CBD: 20%)
ACDC is much different than most cannabis strains due to its extremely low THC level and its extremely high CBD level. With the THC at 1 to 6 percent, there’s almost no psychoactive effect. CBD levels, however, sit at around 20 percent which is much, much higher than the average level of just 0.05 percent.
A cross between Ruderalis and Cannatonic, this strain is an evenly balanced hybrid at 50 percent Sativa and 50 percent Indica. In some instances it has shown to lean slightly Sativa as well. This strain has won several Cannabis Cup awards due to the high CBD content.
6. Cannatonic (Hybrid, THC: 6%, CBD: 20%)
As more studies are done on the effects of CBD, more breeders have begun to breed CBD rich strains. For many the idea of a strain with a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD may sound ridiculous, but Resin Seeds strove to achieve this in their strain Cannatonic. Their final product ended up being a 50/50 hybrid strain that barely achieved a THC percentage higher than 6 percent, however, it’s CBD content tested between 6 and 17 percent.
A powerfully relaxing strain, Cannatonic is very uplifts and focuses the mind. These effects are slightly overshadowed by the strong warming and numbing sensations that flow over the body. Great for those that need pain relief in the morning or afternoon, the strain may also calm muscle spasms, migraines and headaches. It may calm nausea, anxiety, stress and mood disorders.
7. Harle-Tsu (Indica, THC: 1%, CBD: 24%)
Harle-Tsu is a potent Indica-dominant hybrid strain of cannabis first grown by the Southern Humboldt Seed Collective. By crossing two very potent strains, Harlequin and Sour Tsunami, these growers brought into existence incredibly powerful medicine. In most harvests, Harle-Tsu has been tested to have a CBD:THC ratio exceeding 20:1. This incredibly potent medicine is sure to have your ailments all healed up without sending your mind on a crazy trip through the cosmos.
Harle-Tsu flowers are quite pretty. As this flower is quite popular amongst medical and recreational smokers alike, Harle-Tsu has been photographed innumerous times. The buds of Harle Tsu look like little clusters of grapes in shape, as they grow in elongated and conical patterns. The color can vary based on harvest, phenotype, and temperature, but Harle-Tsu flowers are typically olive green in color with yellow-orange hairs and a thick coating of off-white trichomes to boot.
8. Canna Tsu (Hybrid, THC: 11%, CBD: 11%)
Although her breeders have yet to be named, Canna-Tsu is building her own reputation as an incredible hybrid that’s full of benefits. A combination of Cannatonic and Sour Tsunami, this strain is quite popular along the West Coast. Both medical and recreational users rave about her blend of effects, making Canna-Tsu a hot commodity.
THC levels aren’t crazy high here, but that’s probably one of her strongest selling points as users of all experience levels can enjoy her with ease. Hitting a high of 11%, her CBD content is roughly the same. Buds can be fairly dense with wiry orange pistils and a very light coating of white trichomes that tops off the look. Flavors and aromas are lovely with Canna-Tsu, as citrus, earth, pine, and a creamy note nearly make your nostrils tingle.
9. Sour Tsunami (Sativa, THC: 10%, CBD: 13%)
Sour Tsunami is a well-balanced, CBD-rich strain that is 60 percent Sativa and 40 percent Indica. Many CBD strains are Indica-dominant, but this one edges towards Sativa. This strain is a cross between Sour Diesel, NYC Diesel, and a local California variety, Ferrari.
The THC is low at 10 percent and the CBD is very high at 11 to 13 percent and some concentrates may have CBD as high as 30 percent. Sour Tsunami is one of the first to become famous for high CBD.
10. Pennywise (Indica, THC: 15%, CBD: 15%)
If you were traumatized by Stephen King’s It and its killer clown villain, the name of this strain might set you off. Not to worry, though, as the CBD hybrid Pennywise is more likely to help you relax than it is to cause a panic attack. Pennywise is a mostly-indica strain created by Subcool’s The Dank Seeds as a cross between landrace-derived Harlequin and TGA’s own Jack the Ripper. Harlequin imparts a high CBD content, making this a soothing and therapeutic bud. Its THC content has been measured at between 12% and 15%.
When trimmed, flowers of Pennywise tend to be small to medium in size and adhere to chunky, irregular-sized formations. The buds mostly have an indica-inflected structure, with a dense and compact center but with some phenotypes shows off loose, more sativa-inflected leaves. The leaves themselves are a pale sea green and are twisted through with brown and orange pistils. A high volume of cloudy white trichomes coats these already-colorful flowers, adding a pale white sheen.
Sources:
- All Strain statistics and descriptions have been sourced directly from WikiLeaf, a great strain database.
- Top 10 list provided by Leafly
