When it comes to diseases that can be treated with CBD, the list does not end by naming just a few. Cannabidiol is a potent treatment medication for a number of health disorders, physical and mental. The medicinal benefits of cannabis plants were realized from the ancient periods, and no doubt the plant was so popular in the field of medicine.
However, the governments aren’t that easy on Cannabis regulations, especially on high THC cannabis. In 2018, the US government legalized the production, sale, and transport of CBD products that are obtained from hemp plants that have minimal THC content.
The market demand that CBD has, as well as its medicinal benefits, have encouraged cultivators to specifically breed high quality CBD strains.
Top CBD Strains You Can Buy Online
Here is a list of popular CBD strains that are used in various medicinal applications.
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web CBD strain reached the CBD markets for the first time in 2011 and the brand’s strain has an interesting story behind its name. The stigma surrounding the use of medical cannabis to treat children that existed at that time was broken by an interesting incident.
Charlotte Figi, a young girl who had Dravet’s syndrome, a severe epileptic disorder was treated by high CBD strains produced by the brand and the treatment saw immense success. The frequent seizures, the girl had t suffer from were significantly reduced on using the high CBD strain and the parents of the girl lauded the brand with praise. The CBD strain was then named after Charlotte Figi.
Whatever is the back story behind the strain, there is no denying that its appreciable potency interests CBD users. The strain contains 17% CBD and a minimal amount of THC. Caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, and bisabolol are some of the important terpenes in the CBD strain.
Cannatonic
The CBD strain is also known as CBD queen for it was in use before most of the CBD strains that are in use today. It was, in fact, Cannatonic that started the present CBD movement. The CBD strain that is a cross between G13 Haze and Mk Ultra was developed by Resin seeds, a genetics company based in Spain. The CBD strain was introduced at the annual cannabis event held in Spain, Spannabis.
The strain contains 17% CBD and THC percentages below 6%. Lab test results list myrcene, limonene,b-caryophyllene, etc as the major terpenes in the CBD strain. The characteristic terpene profile of the CBD strain gives it a citrusy and earthy flavor.
AC/DC
AC/DC cannabis strain was created by a successful cross between two high CBD strains, Ruderalis and Cannatonic. The CBD has a high CBD to THC ratio that is about 20:1 and contains about 16 to 24% CBD and 2 to 6% THC.
Its high CBD content indicates that AC/DC CBD strain can be successfully used for pain relief, and to treat seizure, anxiety, etc. Terpenes with high abundance in AC/DC strains include b-pinene, a-pinene and caryophyllene. The terpenes give a sweet flavor to the CBD strain.
Harlequin
Harlequin high-CBD strain is a descendant of Swiss Sativa, Nepali indica, Colombian Gold, and Thai Sativa. The CBD to THC ratio of the strain is 5:2 and lab tests that analyzed the strain samples found that the CBD content in the strain is about 8 to 16% while its THC content is between 4 and 7%.
The perfect balance between CBD and THC in Harlequin makes it a suitable therapeutic that can be used to treat several medical conditions including chronic pain, anxiety, stress, fatigue, etc. Terpenes in the high-CBD strain include b-caryophyllene, myrcene, a-pinene, etc, and the terpene profile gives the strain an earthy flavor with light mango and citrus flavors.
Ringo’s Gift
This high CBD strain is a cross between Harle-Tsu and AC/DC, two strains famous for their high CBD percentages. There are a few variants of the strain, with some having 1:1 CBD to THC ratio whereas some have ratios that reach about 25:1.
Ringo’s gift CBD strain is named after its original breeder, an expert in CBD genetics, Lawrence Ringo. The high CBD strain is used to treat a number of mental and physical conditions. It can be used to treat mental disorders like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, and physical disorders like inflammation, headaches, muscle pain, arthritis, etc.
Its terpene profile includes caryophyllene, myrcene, and pinene. The tangy flavor of the strain is due to its characteristic terpene profile.
Harle-Tsu
Harle Tsu high-CBD strain is a cross between Sour Tsunami and Harlequin male clone. It was cultivated for the first time in Northern California. The average CBD content in the Harle-Tsu CBD strain is about 18%. The CBD to THC ratio of the strain is 20:1 thinning the possibility of it causing a high in the users.
It has a rich terpene profile that includes terpinolene, humulene, pinene, ocimene, and myrcene. The combined effect of the cannabinoids and terpenes in the CBD strain makes it an excellent medication for various disorders including inflammation, epilepsy, chronic pain, etc.
Sour Tsunami
The Sativa-dominant CBD strain was created after multiple steps of crossing between CBD strain types. It is regarded as one among the first cannabis strains created solely for medicinal purposes. Despite its complicated lineage, this high-CBD strain is quite popular for its therapeutic benefits, with test results proving that the CBD percentages in the strain will be about 10 to 11%. Major terpenes in Sour Tsunami strain are terpinolene, b-caryophyllene, myrcene, etc, which give the strain a distinct aroma of chocolate and diesel.
Pennywise
The Indica-dominant hybrid is created by a cross between Jack the Ripper strain and Harlequin strain. Its CBD to THC ratio is 1:1, making it an excellent therapeutic to treat disorders like depression and PTSD. It has a sweet flavor profile with hints of pepper. Four phenotypes of the CBD strain are available, with some appearing round while some have fingerlike projections. It takes about 60 to 67 days for Pennywise to flower.
Remedy
The high-CBD strain is derived from Cannabis indica indicating that it is best for reducing muscle tension, relaxation, and handling sleep issues. The strain is a cross between Afghan Skunk and Cannatonic but its CBD ratio is higher than that of Cannatonic.
The buds of the strain have a tint of yellow and carry a lemon-pine aroma. Users who wish to get the best benefits out of CBD, without having to experience the jarring experience caused by high THC content, can confidently go ahead with Remedy high –CBD strain. It will take between 6 to 8 weeks for the CBD strain to flower in indoor gardens.
Breeding Of High-CBD Strains
High CBD strain refers to pure or hybrid varieties of Cannabis plants that have high cannabidiol content. It hasn’t been many years after the discovery of the therapeutic benefits of CBD, which explains why significant efforts to breed high-CBD strains were not made historically. However, things are different after the discovery of the multiple therapeutic benefits of CBD and its legalization as per the US Farm Bill.
Here are the steps involved in the breeding process
Selection Of Parent Plants
The first step in breeding high CBD strain is the selection of suitable parent plants. Select a female plant that does not produce enough CBD and a male plant that produces a high amount of CBD. To get male plants, you may grow some from the seeds.
F1 Cross
As the next step, you have to breed the selected parent plants, and the process is known as the F1 cross.
F2 Cross
In the F2 cross, the resultant strains of the F1 cross and bred with each other to produce the F2 generation. To get a high CBD strain with growth characteristics and terpene profile hardly altered, you may cross the F2 generation plants with F1 generation plants in a step known as backcrossing.
Backcrossing ensures the similarities of the terpene profile and growth characteristics of the hybrid with the original strain.
Growing Conditions For High CBD Strains
To cultivate the highest quality high-CBD strains, the soil, irrigation and various other factors have to be given proper attention.
Temperature
The optimal temperature for the germination of cannabis seeds is 65 to 70 . The emergence of the seeds out of the soil will be delayed when the temperature is low. The seeds are generally planted at depths of 0.75 -1 inch, and in case you choose a direct seeding approach, the soil temperature of 50 is considered acceptable. To avoid the chances of delayed seed emergence, it is best to plant them after the late frost risk common in mid-May or early June.
Soil
Well-drained, aerated soils are best for cannabis cultivation. The ideal pH level of the soil is 6.0 – 7.0, and if the pH level drops below the optimal level or rises above the level, it might cause a nutrient deficiency in the plants. Clay soil that has high water retention ability holds higher levels of calcium, and they do not prove good for cannabis cultivation.
Humidity
Semi humid conditions with a 60-80 temperature range are suitable for cannabis cultivation. Although over-irrigation is detrimental to cannabis growth, it requires adequate moisture especially in the early stages.10-14 inches of rainfall is ideal for cannabis growth but excess rainfall can lead to stunted growth and loss of yield. Depending on the conditions of the geographical location of the farm, irrigation may be necessary.
Nutrients Required
The nutritional needs of cannabis depend on what stage of its life cycle it is currently at. Nitrogen is essential, especially in its vegetative state whereas the flowering stage requires phosphorous and calcium more.
Adopting the best breeding strategies by providing optimal farming conditions ensures the yield and potential of high CBD strains.