Ten of the Best CBD Hemp Strains

By Emmabonny
Source: community.today.com

The hemp plant—and its various associated names—is known for having over 85 naturally occurring chemical compounds. Though THC is typically the compound sought after by most recreational users, CBD is typically what gives the plant itself its unique medicinal value.

CBD, which is shorthand for ‘cannabidiol’, interacts directly with your body’s naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors to potentially help to relieve pain and promote overall wellness. CBD has been uniquely isolated by several different researchers to help treat individuals who are suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, schizophrenia, diabetes, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and numerous other conditions.

The use of CBD is currently allowed in some form or another in 33 states. Though many of these states require you to get a prescription from your doctor, the use of this potentially healing chemical has been quickly generating momentum. In order to treat many of these aforementioned conditions, patients, doctors, and farmers alike have all been looking to grow high CBD strains of hemp that are both high in cannabinoid and low in THC content.

Specifically speaking, for a hemp strain to be considered ‘high’ in CBD content, it needs to have a CBD level of at least 4%. This is distinctively higher than basically all kinds of hemp that could be found in the wild, and achieving such levels has been a result of ongoing efforts and selective breeding. Though most hemp farms have only been operating for three or less years, each generation of hemp plants has been proving itself to be better than the year before. The strains of hemp that are currently available are undeniably better than they have ever been.

Keeping these things in mind, here are ten of the best CBD hemp strains currently available on the market:

1. Berry Blossom

There are a few things that make Berry Blossoma particularly great strain of high cbd hemp. Born and bred in the great state of Colorado, this hemp strain is 100% organic. Furthermore, the breeders were able to produce a respectable amount of CBD—between 13%-16% per crop—while also being able to exclude almost all of its THC content. Additionally, Berry Blossom has been noted by farmers to produce remarkably great yields, and has been praised by wellness professionals for being able to produce particularly good outcomes.

2. Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is another great strain from Colorado. It was originally bred by the Stanley Brothers who sought to create a strain of marijuana that has exceptionally high in CBD and low in THC in order to help treat people who are suffering from cancer and other conditions. The 20% CBD by volume positions it among the highest in the industry. The strain itself is named after a 5-year old girl named Charlotte who was able to effectively use the (non-psychoactive) plant’s oil-based extract to help her overcome the 50 seizures a day she was experiencing caused by Dravet Syndrome.

3. ACDC

This particular strain has won numerous awards at the highly prestigious Cannabis Cup. These awards have come largely because of its creators’ ability to achieve the highly sought after 20:1 CBD:THC ratio. ACDC has been praised for its usefulness in treating patients who suffer from chronic anxiety. The plant itself has a fairly unique genetic makeup; it is a hybrid strain that utilized 50% sativa and 50% indica genetics, yet, it has still been able to eliminate an overwhelming amount of its original THC content. ACDC is a perfect example of how CBD-heavy hemp strains have been able to improve with each passing year.

4. Harlequin

Though this particular strain has a bit more THC than some of the other ones mentioned in this article—recorded as having about 15% CBD and 6% THC by volume—it has been the strain of choice for many who have been searching to find an effective painkiller. Harlequin’s genetics are sativa-dominate, and uniquely international. This uplifting strain can trace its origins to its ancestors originating in Colombia, Nepal, and even Switzerland, making it a sort of United Nations of hemp.

5. Jamaican Lion

Jamaican Lion is a unique strain because the amount of CBD it ends of having is highly dependent on when you decide to harvest it. If you harvest it in the 8^th week, the CBD:THC ratio has been claimed to be about 1:1. But if you wait until the 9^th week to harvest it, the strain becomes much more CBD dominate, with some batches having tested as high as 13% CBD. Jamaican Lion, which comes from a hybrid of Mountain Lion and Yarders, has been reported by users to promote cognitive wellness, clarity, and relief from anxiety.

6. Cannatonic

Cannatonic is an interesting strain of hemp that has been particularly popular in both California and Michigan. The CBD levels produced by Cannatonic have varied tremendously among different growers and conditions, but have been reported to be anywhere between 5%-17% by volume. The parent strains of Cannatonic are MK Ultra and G13 Haze, and the final product has been applauded for its ability to help individuals focus, relax, and feel uplifted upon consumption.

7. Sour Tsunami

As the name might imply, Sour Tsunami has proven itself to be quite the storm when it comes to the breeding of hemp plants. The strain itself has genetic ties to four distinctive ancestors including Sour Diesel, NYC Diesel, Double Diesel, and Ferrari. Sour Tsunami has been noted for its ability to treat a number of different conditions including back pain (what the original breeder uses it for), insomnia, chronic pain, depression, and anxiety.

8. Avi-dekel

This strain has been admired by breeders everywhere due the fact that while it is able to possess an impressive 16% CBD content by volume, it is also able to possess essentially 0% THC. In fact, the company that has been able to create Avi-dekel has been so successful that they have even granted special permission by the normally ridged FDA to further explore its potential medical uses. Along with Charlotte’s Web, this strain has been uniquely noted for the progress it has made with regards to cancer treatments.

9. Stephen Hawking Kush

Named after the genius himself, Stephen Hawking Kush has been widely praised for its ability to help users simultaneously relax and feel a tremendous amount of pain relief. Though its genetics mostly trace back to indica plants, users rarely report feeling sleepy. Instead, words that have been commonly associated with Stephen Hawking Kush have been soothing, relaxing, and happy.

10. Pennywise

Pennywise—named after the clown from Stephen King’s classic novel “It”—is a genetic cross between the popular strains Harlequin and Jack the Ripper. Both of these strains are genetically indica-dominant, and users have reported feeling relaxed, happy, euphoric, and able to function. Pennywise has also been reported to help individuals suffering from chronic pain and other persistent conditions.

There are just a few of the many remarkable strains of CBD-dominant hemp that have been developed over the last few years. Currently, hemp botantanists are focused on creating even higher levels of CBD, without crossing the THC threshold. As time goes on, more genetic crosses will emerge, each with their own variety of benefits. 

To learn more about CBD, cannabinoids or hemp genetics, we check out Project CBD on the web.