When it comes to finding the best industrial hemp strains you will find that these strains all have some things in common. Like the amount of total CBD that is contained in their buds. The other factor to what makes some of the best strains is not the strain itself but the proper care taken to cure the hemp flower properly.
How Has This Plant Changed How We Look At Hemp?
CBD has changed the face of the self-care industry forever. From a niche product only found in small health food stores and smoke shops a few years ago to an international phenomenon. CBD and hemp induced products can now be found virtually everywhere with an almost endless variety of ways to use it. Millions of people around the globe now use CBD daily and swear by it as their go-to for handling a wide assortment of issues from anxiety and depression to cancer and epilepsy. This is all due to a humble plant that is known as industrial hemp.
What Is Industrial Hemp?
Industrial hemp is the name of a variety of plants from the Cannabis Sativa family. More often it is just referred to simply as hemp and is the basis for most of the CBD products found these days. Beyond that hemp is a plant that humans have been using for over 10,000 years. There is evidence to suggest that it was the first spun fibers and was used by ancient people as a source of food, building materials, medicine, and animal feed. The word canvas is directly derived from cannabis as hemp was the basis of sails used during the “Golden Age of Sail.” Even the declaration of independence was written on hemp paper. In the early 1900s, hemp was vilified by many people as some strains were grown to be high in THC, which is a cannabinoid that produces a euphoric effect known as “high.” Many governments around the world banned the usage of hemp and enacted tough laws creating a stigma that exists to this day. In 2018 the Farm Bill was passed in the US which effectively made hemp and hemp-derived products once again legal. This, along with other movements has led to the explosion in popularity of the CBD and other cannabinoids found within the hemp plant. Now you can get all the benefits without the high THC from what we would consider the best industrial hemp strains available today and do it 50 state legal!
What is CBD?
CBD is the shortened form of a compound called cannabidiol, a cannabinoid that is prevalent in many forms in the Cannabis Sativa plant. CBD and THC are probably the two most popular, but there are others, such as CBN, CBG, and CBC. Cannabinoids have been found to react with a system present in most living things called the endocannabinoid system or ECS for short. The ECS is essentially responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body and does so normally using naturally produced compounds called endocannabinoids. However, studies have shown that the ECS receptors will also use cannabinoids in much the same way. To put it in simple terms the ECS helps the body to more effectively heal itself and having an abundance of cannabinoids allows it to do so that much more efficiently.
How Do We Get CBD?
CBD is extracted from the hemp plant using a variety of processes. No matter which process is used, it removes the CBD and other cannabinoids, terpenes, amino acids, and essential oils. These extracts are then usually further refined into what most know as CBD distillate, CBD isolate, CBD gummies, and all of the other CBD products we are familiar with. There are many hemp strains out there that have been specifically bred to be high in CBD and very low in THC, which not only makes them legal but does not have any euphoric effects when ingested.
Most Popular Industrial Hemp Strains
Bubba Kush has 5.8% CBD content while still falling under 0.3% THC. It also contains high levels of compounds such as limonene, farsenene, linalool, myrcene, and b-caryophyllene. These other flavonoids and terpenes lead to a rich aromatic smell and they also contribute to the amazing medicinal properties.
Cherry Blossom is named as such because of the berry, floral, and fruit fragrances that permeate the senses. Cherry blossom has less than 0.1% THC, but has a high total cannabinoid content at 22.4%. It is a very potent strain with a slow onset.
Cherry Wine is considered one of the best industrial hemp strains for its sweet cherry aroma followed by notes of black pepper and cheese. It hits the legal requirement of having less than 0.3% THC while containing 15.4% CBD. It also contains high levels of compounds such as farsenene, limonene, myrcene, linalool, and b-caryophyllene. This blend of compounds leads to a rich aromatic smell and amazing medicinal qualities.
Easy Rider is a super chill and relaxed strain from a combination of the AK-47 and Lowrider #2 strains. With brightly colored nugs it gives off the strong aroma of tropical fruits. It has much lower CBD concentrations than most hemp strains, making it an excellent choice for users with a low tolerance but still seeking the beneficial effects of cannabis.
Hawaiian Daze has gained itself a cult-like following. It has an aroma profile of citrus notes and sour diesel. Having a rich CBD content of 10% with less than 0.16% THC. This great-tasting strain has the support of hundreds of users and comes highly recommended by the community.
Hulk is aptly named as it is very cannabinoid strong with an overall content of 20.35% and 16.33% CBD. It has a funky skunk-like smell with a flavor profile of citrus and over-ripened fruits. The Hulk lives up to its name by being very potent while promoting energy and creativity but still helping to relieve anxiety and pain.
Sour Space Candy offers an aroma profile of citrus notes and sour diesel that are reminiscent of sour candies. It contains less than 0.15% THC and has a rich CBD content of 15.26%. Sour Space Candy has a strong following for its very heady effects and its ability to “unleash your inner child.”
Special Sauce has a very strong cannabinoid content of 14.32% and 12.81% of that being CBD. It has a flavor of citrus and overly ripened fruits and a funky skunk-like scent profile. Special Sauce is aptly named in that it is an extremely potent strain. Not only does it help to relieve pain and anxiety, but it also promotes energy and creativity.
