Harlequin Strain: CBD to THC Ratio, Lineage and Effects

Harlequin is a sativa-leaning strain best known for its high CBD. Leafly calls it renowned for its reliable expression of CBD and lists its ancestors as Colombian Gold, a Nepali indica, and Thai and Swiss landrace strains. AllBud names Colombian Gold, Thai and Swiss landrace parents and classes it as a sativa-dominant hybrid, about 75% sativa. None of these listings names an original breeder.

In Canada, Simply Bare sells a certified organic Harlequin in Ontario and BC and describes it as a 1:1 cultivar bred from Colombian Gold and Thai landrace. The indica vs sativa vs hybrid guide explains what the sativa label does and doesn't tell you.

Leafly describes flavours ranging from earthy musk to sweet mango, and its reviewers most often pick woody, earthy and spicy or herbal notes. AllBud lists citrus, earthy, mango and sweet aromas, and Simply Bare describes musky earth with hints of mango. The buds are described differently: AllBud calls them dense and heavily coated in trichomes, while Simply Bare credits Colombian Gold for Harlequin's light, fluffy structure.

Myrcene leads the terpenes in both Leafly's lab data (then pinene and caryophyllene) and Simply Bare's batch results (then farnesene, caryophyllene and bisabolol).

Start with what is known about CBD. Health Canada says CBD is not intoxicating and may reduce some of the effects of THC, but it does have an effect on the brain. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction adds that more research is needed to confirm CBD's potential medical use. Harlequin also contains THC, so it can still impair you.

As for how it feels, Leafly describes clear-headed effects and the ability to relax without sedation, and its reviewers most often tag Harlequin as focused, relaxed and uplifted. AllBud lists body high, creative, focus and uplifting effects. The negatives Leafly users report most are feeling anxious, dry mouth and headache, and AllBud adds dry eyes, slight nausea and, in harsher cases, headaches.

These are crowd-sourced impressions, and Health Canada notes that everyone's response to cannabis differs and can vary from one time to the next. For medical questions, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

It depends on the batch, and listings disagree. Leafly shows about 9% CBD and 5% THC. Simply Bare gives ranges of 7 to 10% THC and 10 to 14% CBD for its flower, and its posted flower batches tested at 8.7 to 9.5% THC and 9.6 to 11.9% CBD. AllBud gives 7 to 15% THC and calls the ratio roughly 1:1.

If lower THC is what draws you to Harlequin, read the label rather than relying on the name. Health Canada's lower-risk advice is to choose products with a low amount of THC and an equal or higher amount of CBD, and to start with 1 or 2 puffs of a product with 10% THC or less, allowing up to 30 minutes for the full effect. Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines say high CBD to THC products typically carry less severe health risks, which is not the same as none, and advise against driving for at least 6 hours after using any cannabis.

Leafly lists Pennywise and Nova as Harlequin offspring, and its lab data shows the same top three terpenes (myrcene, pinene and caryophyllene) in two other well-known CBD strains. More options are in the guide to high-CBD strains.

Stock changes often, so check the sativa flower menu for what is available today; the menu carries lab-tested products. GasDank delivers same day across Toronto and the GTA, usually within one to two hours, and ships by mail order across Canada. Toronto and Mississauga orders have a $40 minimum and free delivery from $80, outer GTA orders a $60 minimum and free delivery from $160, and mail order ships free from $150 with no minimum. You must be 19 or older (21 in Quebec), with ID checked at the door.