Top Picks — High CBD Strains
So, consumers are able to benefit from the bodily effects of cannabis without affecting their headspace. High CBD strains are most commonly used for medical purposes, but they may also benefit anyone else looking to use cannabis products without getting high.
Located off of 495 in Lowell, MA, Smyth Cannabis Co. is the most popular dispensary for high CBD strains in Andover, Ayer, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Nashua, Dracut, Groton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Littleton, Lowell, North Andover, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Wakefield, Westford, Wilmington, Woburn and the surrounding towns.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, CBD is an active ingredient found in cannabis. CBD does not contain THC. And unlike THC, CBD does not have any psychoactive properties. So, CBD alone will not make a consumer feel high.
How Does CBD Work?
Humans brains have our own internal endocannabinoid systems that we use to maintain homeostasis. This system also allows us to process cannabinoids through a network of neurotransmitters and receptors.
THC activates the CB1 receptors in our brain, whereas, CBD restricts activity in the CB1 receptors. They produce opposite effects. Additionally, CBD also binds to other parts of the body (including 12 targets in the brain alone) to make you feel good.
Because of the way that they interact with both our endocannabinoid systems and each other, at least a small amount of THC does need to be present in order for the benefits of CBD to reach their full potential. But luckily, products high in CBD are readily available at your local dispensary. Here are our favorite high CBD strains of marijuana:
5. Charlotte’s Web | Hemp CBD
Charlotte’s Web is actually a strain of hemp originally bred with cannabis to create a new strain with higher CBD and lower THC than most other marijuana strains on the market. This strain contains less than 0.3% THC and is non-intoxicating. Its name pays tribute to a young girl named Charlotte Figi who was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy. Her physicians and parents say her seizures were dramatically reduced by her consumption of medical marijuana when she was just five years old.
- Breeder: Stanley Brothers of Colorado
- Cross: Industrial Hemp x Unspecified Cannabis Strain
- Tastes Like: Sweet, Woodsy
4. Ringo’s Gift | Hybrid
This high CBD strain was named after Lawrence Ringo, a cannabis activist and pioneer community known as the “Father of Cannabis.” Ringo’s Gift comes in many different phenotypes with different ratios varying from 1:1, all the way up to 24:1. A 13:1 ratio of CBD to THC is standard for Ringo’s Gift. In short, this strain is known to help consumers sleep.
- Breeder: Southern Humboldt Seed Collective
- Cross: Harle-Tsu x ACDC
- Tastes Like: Earthy & Woody
3. ACDC | Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
ACDC is a high CBD strain popular with medical patients. The CBD to THC ratio is about 20:1. Commonly used to combat the negative side effects of chemotherapy, it produces almost zero intoxicating effects for most consumers.
- Breeder: Resin Seeds
- Cross: Cannatonic x Ruderalis
- Tastes Like: Earthy & Woody
2. Stephen Hawking Kush | Indica
Named after the famous scientist, Stephen Hawking Kush was bred as a party of Alphakrokik Genes’ series of high CBD strains known as “Great Minds.” There are 3 known phenotypes of SHK, all with similar flavor profiles. Above all, the relaxing effects of this strain help to suppress nausea and alleviate pain.
- Breeder: Alphakrokik Genes
- Cross: Harle-Tsu x Sin City Kush
- Tastes Like: Fruity w/ Notes of Mint
1. Sour Tsunami | Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
Sour Tsunami was one of the first cannabis strains bred to to be high in CBD, as opposed to THC. Its characteristic dark green and purple buds produce a gassy, diesel flavor profile. Like other high CBD strains, sour tsunami is used to treat pain without making consumers feel the “high” of a strain higher in THC.
- Breeder: Southern Humboldt Seed Collective
- Cross: Sour Diesel x NYC Diesel
- Tastes Like: Gassy; Musky
Where to Buy High CBD Strains
Again, THC must be present in order for CBD to be fully efficient. So you’ll need to visit a local dispensary to purchase a high CBD strain of marijuana.
High CBD strains are most commonly used for medicinal purposes, although their bodily effects can be beneficial to recreational consumers, as well. For this reason, consumers without a valid MA medical marijuana card may have the best luck finding a high CBD strain at a dispensary that has dual licensure to sell both medical and recreational products.
Hemp CBD vs. Cannabis CBD
The CBD products you see available over-the-counter in stores are derived from hemp, not cannabis. Unlike cannabis, the hemp plant does not contain any THC. Consequently, CBD products purchased anywhere other than a marijuana dispensary are not likely to yield any noticeable results, because they do not contain THC.
The 2018 Farm Bill made certain hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC are still considered marijuana, and therefore federally illegal. Cannabis (including all its active ingredients) is legal in Massachusetts for both recreational and medical use.
Check Out Smyth Cannabis Co. For High CBD Strains in Massachusetts
Our 15,000 square foot cannabis growing facility is controlled to the last detail. Our flower is always properly cured and hand trimmed for quality, and we grow dozens of strains at maximum strength and efficiency. So, check out our menu to see what’s available in our Lowell, MA dispensary or find it in a store near you!
