CBD Weed Strains List: Hemp and CBD-Rich Cannabis

Quick answer

A CBD weed strains list splits into two groups. Hemp flower holds 0.3% delta-9 THC or less by dry weight. CBD-rich cannabis holds more THC and sells under state cannabis law. Hemp names to look for include Cherry Wine, Lifter, Elektra, Suver Haze and Sour Space Candy. CBD-rich cannabis names include ACDC, Harlequin, Cannatonic, Pennywise, Ringo's Gift and Charlotte's Web. Potency moves by batch. Read the lab report, not the strain name.

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Hemp CBD flower

These cultivars come from hemp breeding programs. Growers report CBD from 12% to 20% of dry weight. Delta-9 THC stays under the federal 0.3% cap. Total THC after decarboxylation can run higher than the delta-9 number on the label, so check the total THC column.

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• Cherry Wine: earthy and floral. Reported CBD 14% to 20%. THC under 0.3%. Used in joints and tincture.
• Lifter: citrus and pine notes. Reported CBD 16% to 20%. Terpinolene and myrcene show up in lab reports.
• Elektra: sweet and fruity. Reported CBD 15% to 20%. A cross of ACDC and Early Resin Berry.
• Suver Haze: peppery. Reported CBD 15% to 20%. Heavy resin on the flower.
• Sour Space Candy: sour and sweet. Reported CBD 14% to 20%. A cross of Sour Tsunami and Early Resin Berry.

Hemp flower smokes harsh when it dries out. Buy a lot with a harvest date and a test report from an ISO 17025 lab.

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CBD-rich cannabis strains

These strains carry CBD and THC together. Ratios run from 1:1 to 20:1 CBD to THC. State dispensaries sell them. They are not hemp.

• ACDC: reported CBD near 19% and THC near 1%. A phenotype of Cannatonic. Low psychoactive effect for most users.
• Harlequin: reported CBD to THC between 1:1 and 5:2. Aroma of mango and pine. Myrcene leads the terpene profile.
• Cannatonic: reported CBD to THC from 1:1 to 2:1. Parent of ACDC and several high CBD lines.
• Pennywise: reported near 1:1. A cross of Harlequin and Jack the Ripper.
• Ringo's Gift: reported CBD near 18% and THC near 1%. A cross of Harlequin and ACDC.
• Charlotte's Web: bred for low THC. Reported CBD 13% to 20%. Hemp growers now sell related cultivars under the same name.
• Nordle: reported 1:1. An indica-leaning line from CBD Crew.
• Sour Tsunami: reported near 1:1. Parent of Sour Space Candy.

Strain names are not standardized. Two lots with the same name can test at different ratios. Treat the name as a starting point.

How to read a CBD strain label

1. Check total THC, not just delta-9 THC. Total THC equals delta-9 THC plus THCA times 0.877.
2. Check CBD in mg per gram. A 20% CBD flower holds about 200 mg per gram.
3. Check the harvest or test date. Cannabinoids drop as flower ages and dries.
4. Check the lab name and the batch number. A strain name is not a test result.
5. Check terpenes if the report lists them. Myrcene, pinene, limonene and caryophyllene drive aroma.

US rules

The 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as Cannabis sativa L. with delta-9 THC at or below 0.3% on a dry weight basis. Hemp flower above that limit is a controlled substance at the federal level. State rules add license terms and testing terms. Cannabis with more THC stays illegal under federal law and legal in some states under state programs. The FDA has not approved CBD for food or supplements. Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved CBD drug.

What to ask at the store

Ask for the batch test report. Ask for the total THC number. Ask for the CBD to THC ratio. Ask when the flower was harvested. Ask how the shop stores it. Flower kept in a sealed jar away from light and heat holds potency longer than flower left in open air.