High CBD Cannabis Strains

In the realm of cannabis breeding, a notable shift from the norm is currently occurring. Traditionally, the cannabis genetics market has predominantly concentrated on the creation of strains with high levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC, a distinct cannabinoid, is accountable for inducing a psychoactive impact when cannabis is consumed through smoking, vaporization, or eaten.

We know that cannabis has over 100 different cannabinoids, most of which are not psychoactive. Despite their lack of ability to get people ‘high’ the other cannabinoids are useful, and play other beneficial roles in our vital well being. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that has a wide range of medical uses. CBD is a natural anti inflammatory, and although not completely ‘proven’ it is thought that CBD may in the future play a role in shrinking some tumours. CBD seems to help people suffering with insomnia, and also people that are in pain. As well as this, CBD is also an antipsychotic.

By now we could have had all sorts of strains on the market that are high in individual cannabinoids, each one possibly beneficial to our health in a number of ways. But as it stands, most strains on the market are predominantly high in the psychoactive compound THC. Ironically, it is the groups of people that want cannabis to be seen as illicit, that have really pushed the market to produce high THC strains. A prohibited/ semi prohibited market, demands higher prices. This has lead to the consumer wanting ‘more bang for their buck’ in a given strain. The breeders have responded to this, by giving their customers what they want. The out of proportion amount, of high THC strains on the market, is absolutely a consequence of the irrational fears of many authorities around the world; who seek to hinder the use of cannabis, and also the research.

Recently, we have seen a huge surge in the numbers of strains, that now have a CBD heavy cannabinoid profile. Some of these strains can either have a balanced CBD:THC ratio. While other strains can even have a dominant ratio of CBD:THC.
 

Initially within the European seed market, the Resin Seeds strain Cannatonic emerged, showcasing a notable capacity for substantial CBD content. While Cannatonic stands as an impressive strain, its cannabinoid profile can occasionally yield mixed outcomes. Resin Seeds has subsequently introduced the Hammershark strain to its offerings. While primarily a high THC strain, approximately one in five instances may yield a CBD-dominant Hammershark phenotype. Among Resin Seeds' offerings, Dieseltonic is the most dependable high CBD strain, consistently presenting a high CBD phenotype around 50% of the time.

Without a doubt, the market leaders in the realm of high CBD strains, are CBD Crew.
CBD Crew are a collaboration between Mr Nice Seeds, and also Resin Seeds; and are of extremely good reputation as you can imagine with both of these companies at the helm; and they are way ahead of all the other seed companies out there in this respect. CBD Crew have kindly allowed many other seed companies to use some of their genetics for their own high CBD crosses. Currently, CBD Crew have collaborated with Barney’s Farm, Dinafem, and Dutch Passion, to help them produce high CBD strains for their own catalogues.

You can read below, about some high CBD strains that make up, many of the high CBD crosses on the standard seed market.
 

Harlequin: A clone only strain coming from the California bay area. This very popular medicinal plant, high in CBD; is a specific phenotype selection of a strain, that was bred specifically with hash production in mind. Harlequin is a sativa dominant. The indica genes come from Nepal, while the Sativa part of the equation has its roots in Colombia, Switzerland, and a strain from the Thailand/ Laos Border. All the strains making up Harlequin are high altitude strains. This strain is approximately 75% Sativa, and 25% Indica. She has a very sweet taste, and takes between 60 and 70 days to flower. Harlequin Flowers are very dense, and can take nearly 3 times as long to dry as most other strains.

During the vegetative cycle, Wilson Linker of Steep Hill Lab conducted cannabinoid testing on harlequin leaves. Five weeks into the vegetative growth phase from a clone, gas chromatography analysis indicated that the harlequin leaves retained a THC content of 2% and an impressive CBD content of 4%.

Sour Tsunami: Sour Tsunami was one of the first attempts at breeding a high CBD strain.
She was developed by Lawrence Ringo of the Southern Humboldt Seed Company. Sour Tsunami can produce a cannabinoid profile with a makeup of almost twice as much CBD to THC (roughly 7% CBD to 4%CBD). This results in a strain that is good for reducing inflammation, and also anxiety.
 

Charlotte’s Web: Charlottes web is a high CBD strain that has recently been the focus of media attention in Colorado, USA. This strain was named after Charlotte Figi, who was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome (or, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy). Two physicians which Charlotte was under the care of referred Charlotte to the Stanley brothers (Colorado’s largest cannabis producer). The Stanley brothers used the, at that point unnamed Charlottes web strain, to treat Charlotte. They were effective in reducing the number of seizures which she was having from 300 grand mal seizures per week, to just 3 or 4 per month!

In the regular European seed market CBD Crew have the largest number of high CBD strains in their catalogue, compared to any other company on the market. They have developed a catalogue of strains with a balanced THC to CBD ratio. Most of their strains have about 5% or 6% of THC and CBD in their makeup. Some of the strains they offer in a feminised format are Critical Mass, Mango Haze, Nordle, Shark Shock, Skunk Haze, and Yummy. It is worth noting, that their feminised Medi Haze strain usually produces a plant, with double the amount of CBD to THC. CBD Crew also have a high CBD auto flowering strain in their catalogue; a collaboration with Grassomatic Seeds called MED GOM 1.0 Auto.

In addition to CBD Crew, several other companies offer CBD-rich genetics. Reggae Seeds presents their Juanita La Lagrimosa Strain, which undergoes flowering within 60 - 65 days and yields a cannabinoid profile slightly leaning towards more CBD than a 1:1 ratio. Generally, she falls within the 1:1 THC to CBD range.

Positronics have also recently released Black Widow CBD. A high CBD cross of the infamous Black Widow, and a CBD Crew strain; this lady finishes in 55- 60 days.

In a collaboration with CBD Crew, Barney’s Farm now have two high CBD strains on the market. The CBD Blue Shark has a balanced THC:CBD content of 6.5%. She is an indica strain that flowers in 60 - 65 days. She is a cross between Blue Cheese, and CBD Crew’s CBD Shark. Barney’s have also released the CBD Critical Cure strain. Another collaboration with CBD Crew, this strain is a cross of Barneys Farm Critical Kush, and also the main CBD Crew breeding mother plant. CBD Critical Cure is an indica strain that flowers in 60-65 days. She has a Cannbinoid profile that is very slightly THC dominant. Usually this strains will have a cannabinoid profile or 6.5% CBD to 8.5% THC.

BC Bud Depot also have recently released a high CBD strain, their CBD God. CBD God is a cross between the hugely popular BC God Bud strain, and the Harlequin Bx4. The CBD content of this strain varies a little bit; but in tests it has been shown to always contain between 4% and 16% CBD.

Dutch Passion in collaboration with CBD Crew, have released three new strains that are high in CBD. Their strain CBD SkunkHaze is a 50/50 Sativa indica crossing. producing a balanced CBD:THC ratio of around 5%:5%; and takes around 10 weeks to flower. Dutch passion’s CBD Kush is 60% Indica, and 40% Sativa. this strain is capable of producing a balanced cannabinoid profile, of around 7%:7%; takes only 9 weeks, and also stays relatively short (around 100cm) Dutch Passion’s most recent release in high CBD cannabis seeds, is a strain called ComPassion, again this strain produces a balanced cannabinoid profile of around 6% to 6%; and takes between 8 and 9 weeks to flower.
 

Cali Connection have released their first high CBD strain. CBD OG is exactly as she sounds. A high CBD cross of the Tahoe OG Kush strain, the CBD OG can produce plants that have a CBD dominant cannabinoid profile; showing nearly 3 or 4 timse as much CBD to THC (Quoted as 10-12% CBD, and roughly 3-7%THC) The CBD OG flowers in 65 days.

Dinafem Seeds' Critical Mass CBD is the result of crossing their Critical Mass strain with one of CBD Crew's breeding males. This strain exhibits an even THC:CBD ratio of 5%:5%, leaning towards an indica-dominant profile, and boasts a flowering period of 55 days.

In 2014 Paradise Seeds have released two strains high in CBD. Firstly they have released Durga Mata 2 CBD, a plant capable of a slightly higher amount of THC to CBD (8.5% CBD : 7 % THC.) Durga Mata 2 CBD flowers in 7 - 8 weeks and has a good yield. The second high CBD strain from Paradise Seeds is a high CBD version of one of their most popular strains, Nebula. Nebula 2 CBD can produce a cannabinoid profile of 7%THC:6% CBD, and flowers in 60-63 days.
 

Royal Queen Seeds now have two high CBD strain in their catalogue. Euphoria is a cross between Great White Shark, and a CBD dominant plant. She produces a cannabinoid profile of 7% CBD: 6%THC; is Indica dominant, and finishes in 8 Weeks. Euphoria also has a very short height of between 60cm and 100cm. The second high CBD strain from Royal Queen Seeds is the Painkiller XL. Painkiller XL is capable of a balanced ratio of CBD:THC, both registering at around 9%. This sativa dominant strain finishes in 9 weeks and has a good yield.

Sin City Seeds presents a selection of high CBD strains in their collection that are worth exploring. Among these, their HarleSin strain emerges as a cross between the previously mentioned Harlequin and another CBD-rich strain, AC/DC. HarleSin showcases a CBD:THC ratio of 2:1 (10-15% CBD and 5-8% THC) and completes its flowering phase within 8 - 9 weeks. Another standout is Sin City Seed's Treasure Island, a high CBD strain boasting an impressive 4:1 CBD:THC ratio, complemented by a flowering period of 8 - 9 weeks.

CBD Seeds (not to be confused with CBD Crew) have a high CBD strain known as One to One. One to One has a balanced ratio of THC:CBD; and finishes flowering in 8 weeks, with a good yield.

TGA Subcool’s strain Pennywise has a balanced ratio of THC:CBD, and is capable of producing these cannabinoids in whopping 12%-15% levels! Pennywise is an indica dominant strain that flowers in 60 - 67 days. the taste can vary between coffee, peppery, and lemony bubblegum flavour.

With many of the worlds largest breeders switching some of their attentions to high CBD, or CBD dominant strains. It looks as though they are here to stay. We look forward to many more exciting developments in this realm of cannabis breeding.