Best CBD Strains: High-CBD Flower and How Ratios Work

According to Leafly, most strains are bred for potency and high THC, with less than 1% CBD. CBD strains are the exception. Health Canada explains that THC is the compound behind the high, while CBD does not produce a high or intoxication. It also notes that cannabis with less than 0.3% THC in its flowers and leaves is classified as hemp.

Leafly sorts strains into 3 broad groups by their cannabinoid numbers:

A ratio compares CBD with THC. A 1:1 product has equal amounts of CBD and THC; a 20:1 product has 20 times as much CBD as THC. Health Canada says there is some evidence that CBD may block or lower some of THC's effects on the mind when the CBD content is the same as or higher than the THC content. Canada's lower-risk cannabis use guidelines go a step further and recommend choosing products with low THC content and high CBD to THC ratios.

The catch is that a CBD strain is not THC-free. A 1:1 strain contains as much THC as CBD, so it can still be intoxicating. This guide to CBD vs THC covers both compounds in more detail.

ACDC is a CBD-dominant strain made from a phenotype of Cannatonic, and Leafly says it produces little to no intoxicating effects. Leafly files it as a hybrid, and its listing sits firmly in the high-CBD, low-THC group. Reviewers describe it as relaxed, focused and uplifted, with woody, earthy and pine flavours; the most reported negatives are headache, feeling anxious and dry mouth.

Ringo's Gift crosses Harle-Tsu with ACDC and is named for the late Lawrence Ringo, a cannabis activist and CBD pioneer. It is the clearest example of why ratios matter: Leafly says it comes in several phenotypes, from a 1:1 CBD to THC version to ratios as steep as 24:1. Reviewers tag it relaxed, focused and uplifted, with nutty, earthy and woody flavours.

Charlotte's Web is described by Leafly as both a sativa strain and a hemp cultivar, specifically bred by the Stanley Brothers of Colorado for high CBD and low THC. Leafly notes that its genetics are proprietary and are used to make extracts. Reviewers tag it focused, relaxed and uplifted, with pine, woody and floral flavours. See the Charlotte's Web strain profile.

Harlequin is a sativa known for reliably producing CBD, and its Leafly listing shows more CBD than THC. It descends from Colombian Gold, a Nepali indica, and Thai and Swiss landraces. Leafly describes its effects as clear-headed, reviewers tag it focused, relaxed and uplifted, and the flavour runs from earthy musk to sweet mango. It is also a parent of Pennywise. More in the Harlequin strain profile.

Cannatonic is a mostly CBD strain made by crossing MK Ultra with G13 Haze, and it is the parent of ACDC. Leafly describes a relatively short-lived, mellow high, a slightly earthy smell and a sweet citrus flavour. Reviewers tag it relaxed, focused and uplifted. Its listing shows more CBD than THC, though the split is less lopsided than ACDC's. Read the Cannatonic strain profile.

Pennywise is a high-CBD indica that crosses Harlequin with Jack the Ripper, which explains its clown name from Stephen King. Leafly says it has a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC, so it sits in the balanced group rather than the CBD-dominant one. Its purple-fringed flowers give off notes of coffee and pepper with hints of lemon and bubblegum, and reviewers tag it relaxed, sleepy and focused. See the Pennywise strain profile.

Even a CBD-rich strain can contain enough THC to affect you, especially balanced ones, so start with a small amount. The lower-risk guidelines advise not driving or operating machinery for at least 6 hours after using cannabis.

Leafly notes that CBD levels can vary from crop to crop and even plant to plant, so the strain name alone does not tell you the ratio. Look for lab-tested products that clearly state THC and CBD numbers for that batch. The GasDank menu carries lab-tested products, its flower comes from small-batch growers, and every batch is checked before it goes on the menu. Menus change, so the CBD page shows what is on it right now. Delivery is same day across Toronto and the GTA, usually within 1 to 2 hours, with mail order across Canada. Customers must be 19 or older (21 in Quebec), and ID is checked.