Popular CBD & CBG Hemp Flower Strains

Sour Space Candy is a high CBD hemp strain that mixes the Early Resin Berry and Sour Tsunami strains. It is immensely popular among CBD enthusiasts for its unique flavor profile and its remarkably high CBD content (16-17%). Some growers and sellers claim that the strain can contain in excess of 20% CBD.

Sour Space Candy proved its bona fides as a top CBD strain when it placed 3^rd in the 2020 High Times Hemp Cup.

Dominant terpenes in Sour Space Candy

The dominant terpenes in Sour Space Candy that render its intoxicating scent are myrcene, caryophyllene, and terpinolene. Its aroma has been described alternately as “herbal” and “fruity.” Appearance-wise, the buds prominently feature various shades of green, purple, and orange.

Typical effects of Sour Space Candy

Seasoned CBD users looking to take advantage of the mental health-promoting action of the cannabinoid often report experiencing greater anxiety-clearing, calming effects when consuming Sour Space Candy compared to other strains. Marked improvements in the ability to focus are also commonly reported by users.

Suver Haze is another ultra-impressive strain that, like Sour Space Candy, contains up to 20% CBD. For cannabis users who use CBD as medicine, sourcing CBD from rich sources like Suver Haze provides more “bang for your buck” as you are getting higher amounts of the therapeutic cannabinoid.

Oregon CBD, the same cultivators who developed Sour Space Candy, also cultivated Suver Haze. The strain is a mix of two parent strains, Suver #8 and Early Resin Berry, making it a “half-sister” to the first strain on the list above.

Dominant terpenes in Suver Haze

Scent-wise, Suver Haze is unique. It has a sweet, fruity makeup with hints of black pepper. Purples and oranges are the strain’s primary colors. With a similar terpene profile to Sour Space Candy, Suver Haze’s main terpenes include myrcene, farnesene, and caryophyllene. Farnesene, a more uncommon terpene in cannabis products than the other two, might exert anti-inflammatory action in the body, one of the most popular benefits that many CBD users seek.

Typical effects of Suver Haze

Due to its “intoxicatingly” calming effects, many cannabis users who experience insomnia find that enjoying Suver Haze before bedtime helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.  

The strain won top awards at the 2019 Cultivation Classic, an elite, science-based annual craft cannabis competition.

The aptly named Lifter strain is actually a combination of the above-mentioned Suver Haze and Early Resin Berry strains.

In terms of its aromas, Lifter offers CBD users a surprising change of pace because it has notably high levels of limonene, a health-boosting terpene typically associated with citrus fruit peels.

Lifter generally registers CBD content at roughly 16-20%, slightly lower on average than other top-performing CBD strains but still much higher than the average cannabis plant.  

Dominant terpenes in Lifter

With its unique pharmacological action in vivo, limonene has been shown to offer remarkable immunomodulatory (i.e. immune system-enhancing) properties in addition to the calming and anti-inflammatory effects of Lifter’s other cannabinoid constituents. In times like these, we could all use a pick-me-up for our immune systems to stay combat-ready.

Regarding terpene content, Lifter contains myrcene and caryophyllene in spades. It also features significant quantities of ocimene which is typically less abundant in other strains. Ocimene is yet another CBD terpene that has been shown to exert remarkable anti-inflammatory effects.

Users describe Lifter’s smells as alternately “sweet” and “citrusy” (likely due to its higher concentrations of ocimene and limonene).

Typical effects of Lifter

The Lifter strain, as the name suggests, is more invigorating than the other premier CBD strains that made this list, which are generally better indicated for relaxation rather than stimulation. Many users, therefore, prefer to enjoy their Lifter buds to start the day off with an energizing kick rather than in the evening to wind down.

As one of the first strains to make a name for itself in the emerging CBD flower market, Special Sauce is an OG in the CBD game.

The 2020 incarnations of Special Sauce that are widely available for commercial purchase are combinations of the original Special Sauce strain and the ever-popular Early Resin Berry.

The CBD content of Special Sauce registers around 18% with small percentage deviations between batches.

Dominant Terpenes in Special Sauce

The name “Special Sauce” may refer to the confoundingly unique set of terpenes that give the strain its “magic.” The dominant terpenes in Special Sauce are caryophyllene, farnesene, and phytol. We explored the therapeutic benefits of caryophyllene and farnesene earlier. Phytol is another terpene that offers impressive benefit by working on the GABA receptors in the brain (the same neurotransmitter receptor sites associated with the sedative effects of alcohol) to promote deep relaxation.

Typical effects of Special Sauce

When the more than 20 unique terpenes in Special Sauce work together in the body, they produce a powerful “entourage effect,” a term used to described the synergistic activities of various cannabinoids that work together to amplify their respective effects in the body. The entourage effect may explain why so many users fall in love with Special Sauce CBD flowers. The difficult-to-nail-down aromas of Special Sauce have been described as “earthy” and “hoppy.” Regardless of the descriptors, Special Sauce has an undeniably unique flavor that many repeat users find attractive.

Hog is a rare CBD treat – an indica strain cultivated from an exotic combination of a pair of uncommon Hindu Kush strains. In 2002, a THC-rich version of Hog won in the Best Indica category of the highly competitive High Times Cannabis Cup.

The Afghani and Hindu Kush genetics that Hog owes its heritage to are widely considered to be premium cannabis breeding materials due to their superior indica DNA. CBD users can enjoy the benefits of Hog without an unwanted intoxicating effect because Hog’s CBD strain contains less than 0.3% THC.

Hog’s total cannabinoid content comes in around 23% (meaning a quarter of the nugs by weight are made of the “good stuff”). Of the total cannabinoid content, about 17.5% is CBD.

Taste-wise, Hog has been described as “smooth” and “sweet” by users. Countless reviews from Hog strain enthusiasts have cited its impressive ability to eliminate fatigue, leaving users feeling full of life even after a tough day on the job or after an intense gym session.

Awesome Blossom’s charm extends well beyond its rhyming name. The strain is a cross between its two parent strains, T1 (Trump 1) and Berry Blossom. It is undeniably one of the most popular CBD strains that is sold commercially, and for good reason.

As the name suggests, Awesome Blossom offers users a flowery, aromatic smell with frequent reports of raspberry hidden within the flavor profile. Its alluring scent is often cited as one of the strain’s best features. Awesome Blossom also has a vibrant color pattern, with prominent oranges and purples.

Dominant terpenes in Awesome Blossom

Lifter fans will immediately recognize the terpene profile present in Awesome Blossom, as it shares the same dominant terpenes of Caryophyllene, Ocimene and Myrcene. This will be welcome news to those who suffer from inflammatory issues as well as anxiety and sleep issues.

Awesome Blossom’s overall cannabinoid content is usually around 22% with a highly respectable ~17% CBD content. Because Awesome Blossom is known to induce deep relaxation, it is most commonly consumed before bedtime as a sleep aid.

Elektra is an electric mix of Early Resin Berry and ACDC strains. 

In lab tests, Elektra generally measures at around 16% CBD by volume. Some tests have rendered higher percentages, but the strain generally does not exceed 17% CBD. In terms of total CBD content, Elektra rates at 16.2%.

Dominant terpenes in Elektra

The strain’s terpene profile is unique. While it contains large quantities of myrcene and caryophyllene (relatively common terpenes for CBD), Elektra also features a substantial amount of pinene – a little-known terpene that has multiple therapeutic properties as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-allergen.

The unique terpene content contributes to the unparalleled scent of the strain, which has been alternately described as “chocolatey,” “citrusy,” and, of course, “piney.” Elektra’s nugs are dense, sticky, and moist. The color profile is rich in green with a liberal smattering of orange.

Aside from the reigning kings of the cannabis compounds (THC and CBD), cannabis users are increasingly exploring what the other hundreds of cannabinoids contained within the hemp plant have to offer. The answer, as it turns out, is a lot.  

One cannabinoid that has become an area of intense interest among medical researchers, medical marijuana patients, and casual users alike is called cannabigerol, also known by its acronym, CBG.

While CBG is not psychoactive (i.e., no “high”), researchers are hopeful of the compound’s potential medical uses. In one study, for example, a team found that CBG decreased inflammation markers associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). More study is needed, but the results so far are promising.

Several cannabis cultivators have begun large-scale breeding operations to produce high-quality CBG strains for commercial consumption.

A powerful combination of “The Wife” and Afghan Skunk, the T1 hemp strain has become incredibly popular due to its attractive CBD to THC ratio and dominant citrus and fruity flavors. If you are a fan of heavy couchlock strains, T1 is likely to keep you relaxed and calm for hours on end.

Dominant terpenes in T1 (Trump 1)

In addition to the ubiquitous myrcene and caryophyllene terpenes, the T1/Trump 1 hemp flower strain also boasts high levels of pinene and humulene. Many CBD users are on the lookout for humulene because they have learned about its powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, as well as its ability to work as an appetite suppressant. This terpene has been studied extensively by scientists. A 2007 study compares humulene’s anti-inflammatory properties to that of steroid treatment, while another study shows humulene’s effectiveness in reducing inflammation when applied topically.

Typical effects of T-1 (Trump 1)

Because of its high CBD content paired with an extremely low THC level, T1 allows you to remain creative and focused throughout, and is beloved for its ability to lend to intense concentration and clarity without the heady effects. T1 starts you off with a sense of well being and stress relief, melting away stress to give rise to an open state of mind without focusing on mental clutter.

Always an incredibly popular strain when we are lucky enough to have it in stock, Stormy Daniels is a powerful fusion of T1 and Cherry Blossom. With a unique and robust terpene profile combined with a typical 32:1 THC to CBD ratio, Stormy Daniels is one of the most powerful strains currently on the market.

A deep green flower with lots of red hairs all over, the intoxicating aroma of acai berries, honey and pine dominate.

Dominant terpenes in Stormy Daniels

The T1/Cherry Blossom cross that birthed Stormy Daniels created a unique terpene profile that typically includes Myrcene, Pinene, Limonene, and Bisabolol. Bisabolol (also known as levomenol) is a naturally occuring terpene that has been used for hundreds of years in topicals and skin products due to its perceived ability to heal small skin irritations and reduce inflammation. This important terpene also lends a floral scent to products it is used in.

A 2014 study concluded that bisabolol is an anti-inflammatory that can help reduce cytokine production, which we discussed in a blog post about CBD and COVID-19. Another study found that bisabolol is a powerful anti-inflammatory when applied to the skin or taken internally.

Typical effects of Stormy Daniels

Most users of the Stormy Daniels hemp flower strain find it to be incredibly calming, relaxing and conducive to participating in social interactions, possibly even creating a slight euphoria.

In addition to melting away stress, other users report a significant reduction in inflammation throughout the body after taking a few hits of Stormy, an especially welcome effect for those suffering from arthritis and autoimmune disorders where inflammation causes chronic pain.

Created for its peak CBD resin production, Boax is a cross between the well known Hindu Kush and Otto II, which itself is a fairly rare hemp hybrid that is prized for its high CBD content as well as the elevated levels of the terpene farnesene, a major anti-inflammatory.

Boax buds are typically dense with deep greens and purples running throughout and have a sweet yet very earthy taste.

Dominant terpenes in Boax

Growers love Boax for its broad and rich terpene profile which is reported to help boost the entourage effect. Those terpenes typically includes pinene, farnesene, myrcene and ocimene. This powerhouse combo leads to focused relaxation and is frequently credited for its powerful ability to reduce inflammation and quiet the mind.