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Best Medical & Best Recreational Cannabis Strains 2019: A Neat Cheat Sheet

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The two general classifications of cannabis are medicinal cannabis and recreational cannabis. Experts believe it how you used the strain that makes it different. Cannabis contains a number of cannabinoid compounds and each one has effects different from the other. Some compounds are more psychoactive than therapeutic and vice versa.

It’s not as easy as classifying cannabis as medicinal or recreational cannabis strains because a strain can be both. You can use a strain for its potent analgesic effects of a strain while enjoying an easy high. But for the purpose of classifying strains, we have ten of the best medicinal and ten of the most popular recreational strains for you.

What Makes a Strain Medicinal and Recreational?

A cannabis strain with more therapeutic effects with very little to almost absent psychoactive effects are usually classified as medicinal. These strains usually have more CBD or cannabidiol, a compound that gives cannabis its medicinal properties.

CBD strains can help with several physical and mental conditions including anxiety and depression. It can also help you fall asleep so you can put an end to sleeplessness and insomnia. CBD can also be effective in many types of pain including chronic pain, headaches, migraines and back pain.

Meanwhile, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is a cannabinoid compound that is prominent in strains classified as recreational strains. THC causes psychoactive effects which cause the recreational high. THC also has medicinal effects as it can help with pain, nausea, vomiting, stress, lack of appetite and fatigue. However, THC has more prominent psychoactive content making it more preferred as a recreational compound.

When it comes to usage, patients, the elderly, young people and those with mental and physical conditions are recommended to use medicinal strains rather than recreational strains. These people will be able to get relief for their condition without dealing with a psychoactive high.

On the other hand, seasoned smokers are more of recreational cannabis users and would prefer to use recreational strains even for the relief of medical conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz6QveHJ4y4

Top 10 Medicinal Cannabis strains to check out

ACDC is a very popular high CBD strain that’s the favorite of patients all over the world. It is a sativa-dominant strain and a phenotype of Cannatonic which means this strain is a good medicinal strain with very little to no psychoactive effects.

When put under the test, ACDC has a THC: CBD ratio of 1:20 with THC as high as 19%. You can use ACDC to relieve conditions such as stress and depression with its powerful natural mood-elevating effects.

This strain is an effective strain for dealing with all kinds of pain including headaches, muscle pains and strains, migraines, back pain and many more. Pain due to inflammation can be reduced with this strain. You can also count on ACDC to help you with physical and mental fatigue.

But just like other medicinal strains, ACDC’s use is not free from side effects including dry mouth and dry eyes, anxiety, slight paranoia, and minimal headaches. These side effects may still be reduced by taking ACDC moderately.

Cannatonic is a fantastic hybrid strain made by combining a female MK Ultra and a G13 Haze male. This is a therapeutic strain due to its very low THC that’s just slightly above 6% and moderate amounts of CBD at 17%.

Don’t be afraid of the name of this strain because it is not what you think. The high CBD content allows you to use this for a number of medical conditions including all kinds of pain such as muscle spasms, migraines, and headaches. This strain is also good for anxiety and stress plus can help with depression and sleep.

Cannatonic should be used cautiously. Despite having high CBD content, this strain also has some side effects when used. Remember that using this strain can give you side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, and headaches. You may also experience slight anxiety and paranoia which can be frightening especially if you are new to consuming this strain. 

Critical Mass is a mixture of an Afghani and a Skunk #1, two very powerful strains with comparable therapeutic effects. The most impressive characteristic of this strain is its big, dense and juicy buds. These buds are so heavy that usually, growers need to support the branches of Critical Mass to hold the buds’ weight.

Because of the size and weight of these buds, Critical Mass is susceptible to mold and mildew. But this may be avoided by growing this strain indoors in low humidity and to provide proper watering schedules only when the soil is dry and not when wet or moist.

Critical Mass offers a relaxed feeling which will keep you happy, euphoric and hungry. Most who take this strain also experience total relaxation and may tend to sleep before the effects of this strain wear off.

This strain is popular for its natural analgesic effects. It can put an end to pain especially headaches, muscle pains, and strains. It can reduce inflammation and this also contributes to the strain’s analgesic effects. You can manage arthritis, migraines and chronic pain when you use Critical Mass as a medicinal strain.

You may also use Critical Mass’ natural mood-elevating effects to help you deal with depression and stress. And because of its relaxing effects, you can conquer insomnia and sleeplessness.

Harle-Tsu is a strain with towering CBD levels. It was made by combining a Sour Tsunami with a Harlequin giving this strain 20x more CBD than its THC content. If you’re growing this strain, you can expect that Harle-Tsu seeds have a 75% chance to have high CBD features.

Harle-Tsu has an overall relaxing feeling. You will feel as if you’re floating on air. There is a feeling of happiness and an uplifting experience when you take this strain even for therapeutic purposes. There is also a sense of creativity and focused energy which creative users are looking for.

You can use Harle-Tsu for pain and inflammation. This strain’s potent anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce pain especially in conditions like arthritis, migraines, muscle strain and muscle pains and chronic pain. Stress and depression is no match for Harle-Tsu. You can also use this to fight mental and physical fatigue. 

Some side effects common in Harle-Tsu users include severe dry mouth and slight dry eyes. These are due to this strain’s moderate THC levels. This can also cause headaches, dizziness and slight paranoia.

Harlequin is a strong sativa-dominant cannabis strain popular for its CBD levels. This was created by combining the potent genes of a Columbian Gold, Nepali indica strain, Thai and Swiss landrace strains.

Because of its impressive genetics, it has a higher CBD ratio CBD: THC 5:2. You can use this strain for pain due to its good analgesic effects. You can also use this for stress and depression and also for physical and mental fatigue.

This strain causes relaxation but despite this, you will remain focused, uplifted and energetic. There is a sense of happiness which you won’t find in other strains. And of course, beware of some side effects including severe dry mouth and dry eyes, dizziness, headaches, and anxiety.

Pennywise is an indica strain with a high CBD content. This was made by crossing a Jack the Ripper and a Harlequin, two very strong strains when it comes to therapeutic and recreational effects.

Pennywise comes in four phenotypes and you can easily identify the different phenotypes by the size and shape of the plant’s buds. The buds smell is a combination of coffee and pepper with bubblegum and lemon undertones.

This strain oozes CBD and despite its scary name, it has been classified as a relaxing strain. The THC and CDB ratio is 1:1 which means the psychoactive effects are mild and relaxing. The Jack Ripper’s effects have rubbed on this strain and this is why it has focused relaxed happy and euphoric effects. But you can’t help sleeping after taking this strain because it comes with total relaxation and sleepiness at the end of the day.

As a therapeutic strain, you can use this strain to relieve stress and depression. It also comes with potent mood-elevating effects to relieve these negative mental conditions. It is also great with pain such as headaches, muscle pains, muscle strain, arthritis, and chronic pains.

If you are undergoing chemotherapy and suffer from lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, Pennywise can also help with insomnia due to its top relaxing effects. Some side effects of Pennywise include severe dry eyes and dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, and anxiety. Be very careful not to overdose, take only a moderate amount of this strain to avoid becoming too sedated.

  • Ringo’s Gift

Ringo’s Gift is a strain named after Lawrence Ringo, a cannabis activist and a CBD supporter from Southern Oregon and Northern California. This strain is a CBD-dominant strain that comes from the combination of Harle-Tsu and ACDC.

Ringo’s Gift provides a fantastic mix of cerebral stimulation and overpowering relaxation. You will also love its sweet, earthy and flowery flavors that will make you want to use this strain again and again.

Ringo’s Gift has a CBD of 15.8% and only a mere 0.6% THC. This is why its part of the menu of every coffee shop in the Netherlands and in Barcelona dispensaries. You’ll get a mellow combination cerebral activity and relaxing full-bodied relaxation minus the couch-lock effects. 

This hybrid is used for its anti-inflammatory effects. You can end pain just like headaches, migraines, arthritis and muscle pains and strains. This strain can put an end to stress and depression because of its uplifting and relaxing effects. And because of its relaxing effects, Ringo’s Gift can also stop insomnia. You can finally get that good night’s sleep and uninterrupted sleep with this strain. 

Stephen Hawking Kush is a part of a group of strains created after the names of popular scientists. It was named after popular physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking. This is an indica created made by combining a Harle—Tsu and a Sin City Kush. These two very potent strains have created a hybrid with three known phenotypes.

Stephen Hawking Kush has high CBD and a fantastic cherry and berry taste and aroma. It comes with a minty note adding to its impressive relaxing effects. This strain can also cause a sleepy, euphoric and focused effects, something you’ll love to experience again and again.

And when it comes to its therapeutic effects, Stephen Hawking Kush is a potent pain reliever. This also helps relieve insomnia with its overpowering relaxing effects. It is your strain that will reduce mental and physical fatigue. 

Sweet and Sour Widow is an indica-dominant strain with a 1:1 CBD: THC ratio. It comes with a balanced cannabinoid content with a light onion-like smell. The psychoactive effects of this strain are quite mild. Therefore it’s perfect for novice users. Patients with mental and physical fatigue can find relief from this strain.

Sweet and Sour Widow comes from the combination White Widow and an unknown sativa strain which enhances its CBD effects. This indica offers a relaxing effect, uplifting and happy. You will feel focused, energetic and ready to do anything.

 Aside from fatigue, this strain can help you deal with depression and stress, will improve pain such as headaches, muscle pains, muscle strain, and chronic pains. You can use this to improve poor appetite which is common in people who are undergoing chemotherapy. And if you find it hard to sleep, this strain can help you deal with insomnia and sleeplessness.

  • Valentine X

Valentine X is a strain named after St. Valentine, the patron saint of people suffering from epilepsy.  This is a hybrid cannabis strain with a 50% indica and 50% sativa content. The THC ratio of Valentine X with CBD is 25:1, therefore, expect this strain to be a good treatment for conditions like seizures, inflammation, and cancer.

Valentine X can deal with stress naturally, there’s no need to take synthetic medications to take care of anxiety. You can use this for all kinds of pain including headaches, muscle pain, and chronic pain. If you are suffering from mental and physical fatigue, this strain can stop fatigue and give you renewed energy.

Some important precautions when taking medical cannabis

Here are some important things to consider when consuming medical cannabis

  • Consult a cannabis-friendly doctor about your condition.
  • Follow your doctor’s prescription to the T. Remember that this strain is what your doctor thinks that will benefit you the most.
  • Take note of any side effects that you might experience when taking this strain.
  • And if there are any side effects, remember these and consult your doctor about these.
  • It’s good to start with a small dose and gradually build up your dose until you have reached your prescribed dose.
  • For any allergies, discontinue taking this strain and immediately report this to your doctor.
  • Never change your dose or discontinue your medication abruptly.
  • Choose the best mode of consumption. You might want to smoke cannabis or settle with a mild edible. This is completely up to you.

Top 10 Recreational Cannabis to get you high

  • Blue Dream

Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant cannabis strain which has originated from California. This strain has gained immense popularity among all the West Coast strains because of its very potent recreational effect and medicinal qualities.

The Blue Dream offers a balance of full-body relaxation as well as gentle cerebral energy. Whether you’re new to taking cannabis or you’re a seasoned smoker, you will surely like the level effects of Blue Dream.

This hybrid boasts of a calm euphoric effect. Because of the growing popularity of this strain, growers and breeders have developed a number of phenotypes. Some phenotypes have a more indica effect and appearance while the sativa genes are not so prevalent.

Blue Dream comes with a sweet, ripe berry aroma coming from its parent Blueberry. This strain will help you cope with stress and depression using its natural mood-enhancing effects. You can also count on Blue Dream for its effects on pain as it can stop headaches, muscle pains, and chronic pain. If you feel fatigued and seems to have difficulty functioning, this strain can energize you so y you can work on different tasks and projects at hand.

  • Girl Scout Cookies

GSC is a combination of an OG Kush and a Durban Poison. This combination has created a strain with a massive reputation. It is not just popular in its hometown California but also in different countries all over the world.

GSC is a hybrid with a sweet, earthy aroma. It has overpowering euphoria, therefore, it’s not for people who are new to smoking cannabis. It offers full-body relaxation, therefore, you can use this to reduce pain, nausea, inflammation, and loss of appetite.

This strain has several phenotypes, each one with a fantastic effect and unique appearance. Just a few of GSC’s phenotypes include Thin Mint and Platinum GSC. This strain has lovely green calyxes covered in purple leaves.

  • Gorilla Glue Strain

Gorilla Glue or Original Glue (GG4) is a potent hybrid that gives users heavy euphoria and total relaxation. You will be ‘’glued’’ to your seat because of GG4’s satisfying effects. One of the most noticeable features of this strain is its large, chunky buds covered with resin. These buds are pungent, sour and ready to take you to the stratosphere and back.

Gorilla Glue was made by crossing a Chem’s Sister, Chocolate Diesel, and Sour Dubb. And because of its powerful genetics, you can expect a winning strain. GG4 has won different awards like Michigan and Los Angeles High Times Cannabis Cups in 2014 and the Cannabis High Times World Cup held in Jamaica in 2015.

Gorilla Glue comes with a 27 to 30% THC and thus it is effective for the relief of pain especially chronic pain, muscle pain, muscle strain, headaches, arthritis and more. You may also use this strain for the relief of nausea, vomiting and poor appetite.

  • OG Kush Strain

OG Kush was initially grown in Florida after being derived from a Northern California strain and a Hindu Kush strain. The result is a strain with an impressive terpene content with a complex smell and taste reminiscent of spice, fuel, and skunk.

OG Kush is known as one of the ancestors of West Coast strains. It is still used to make numerous popular strains. Just some of its offspring are GSC and the potent Headband strain. And some of the phenotypes of OG Kush include SFV OG, Ghost OG, and Tahoe OG.

OG Kush will give you a relaxed and euphoric effect. You will feel uplifted, happy and hungry. For a recreational strain, it can give you a relaxing high but people also use this strain for its medicinal effects.

You can use OG Kush to relieve stress and depression. It comes with natural mood-elevating effects to help you conquer negative thoughts. It is for pain with the ability to block headaches, muscle pains, arthritis, and chronic pains. This hybrid strain will also help you deal with insomnia and can treat physical and mental fatigue.   

  • Sunset Sherbet

Sunset Sherbet is an indica-dominant hybrid strain that is very potent with a moderate THC amount of 19%. This strain lives up to its name with a delicious honey aroma and a ripe fruity taste which eventually develops into a pleasant earthy aftertaste.

The most noticeable feature of the Sunset Sherbet is its distinct nugs shaped like a Christmas tree. It has bright green and orange foliage, enormous flowers and require a spacious environment to grow.

Sunset Sherbet was created by combining the genes of a Girl Scout Cookies and a Pink Panties. This strain can cause euphoria, happiness, and relaxation. You will also feel creative and uplifted as expected of an indica dominant strain.

And when it comes to therapeutic effects, you can use this strain to help you with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. It has very powerful relaxing effects that will improve your mood. You can also use this to deal with sleep disorders, end insomnia and improve sleep quality.

Gelato is a hybrid strain made by combining a Sunset Sherbet and a Thin Mint GSC. Judging from its parents, you can immediately tell that this comes with potent effects due to its high THC content.

Gelato has large dark buds decorated with fiery orange pistils. A lovely crystal coat covers the buds which will give you an endless supply of delicious resin. You will experience heavy euphoria as you use this strain. But for seasoned users, the powerful effects are a delight.

You will love its relaxing effect along with its euphoric, uplifting and creative characteristics. You will feel a fantastic creative effect which will let you ride the high. And despite its heavy THC content, you can count on Gelato to help you deal with stress and depression. This strain is also for pain as it can stop headaches, muscle pains, and strains, chronic pain, and arthritis.

And because of its relaxing effects, this strain may be used to conquer insomnia and sleeplessness. Gelato is not for beginners and for the faint of heart either. This should be used in moderation.

  • White Widow

White Widow is a famous strain locally and internationally. It is a balanced hybrid strain made in the Netherlands by very popular breeders.

White Widow got its potent effects from its parents Brazilian sativa landrace strain and a South Indian indica strain. This strain is the star of most coffee shops in the Netherlands because of its very powerful effect and delicious aroma and taste.

White Widow offers euphoria and an impressive burst of energy. You’ll be able to improve self-confidence and enhance your creativity when you’re with White Widow. This is why it’s a preferred recreational strain for parties and events.

This hybrid strain can help fight stress and depression naturally. It will let you deal with pain because of its powerful natural analgesic properties. You can use this to deal with insomnia and sleeplessness. Take note that just like Gelato, you should consume this strain moderately. Its potent effects can be too much especially when you are new to taking cannabis or medical marijuana.

  • Wedding Cake

Combine a GSC and a Cherie Pie and you’ll get cake, lovely Wedding Cake. This strain is a wonderful sweet treat with pepper and sweet earthy flavor. Recreational cannabis users enjoy its dank flavor and extreme THC at 25% or even higher.

Wedding Cake has a relaxed, euphoric and happy effect. You will also feel creative and uplifted, perfect as a daytime strain or when you need to calm down and work.

And don’t underestimate its therapeutic effects as well. It may be used to stop stress and depression with its potent natural mood-elevating effects. And if you need relief from pain, you can use this strain’s natural analgesic effect which can stop headaches, muscle pains, and chronic pains. And if you need help with sleep and relaxing, you can also trust Wedding Cake to deliver.

  • Trainwreck

Just by its name, you can already tell that this strain can give you potent recreational effects. Trainwreck is a very strong hybrid with very powerful sativa effects. It was made by combining a Mexican sativa and a Thai sativa.

It has a lemon, sweet, spicy and pine aroma and taste that keeps consumers on their toes. The effects of Trainwreck start fast described as a surge of euphoria, creativity, happiness, and awakening. You can count on this strain to help you deal with conditions like PTSD, ADHD, anxiety and also for pain. 

Remember that Trainwreck is a potent strain and thus require moderation. You must have experience using this strain because it can be too extreme especially when you are new to consuming cannabis. 

  • AK-47

AK-47 sounds like an intense strain but actually, it comes with relaxed and mellow effects. This hybrid offers a steady and a longer-lasting cerebral high that will keep you alert. You will find this handy for social activities and events that require you to perform and meet people.

AK-47 was made by combining a Columbian, Thai, Mexican and Afghani landrace strains and these are reasons why this is a favorite among users and growers. You will enjoy AK-47’s delicious earthy, sweet, floral and sour notes.

This hybrid is the recipient of several Cannabis Cup awards all around the world. Its towering THC content can make you feel happy, euphoric, relaxed, uplifted and creative. When it comes to medicinal effects, AK-47 won’t fail to impress you. This strain is effective for stress and depression. You can also use this to fight pain, especially chronic pain, physical and mental fatigue ad insomnia.

Some important things to remember when taking recreational cannabis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CgXDhBBd5c

Remember the following when taking recreational strains

  • Buy only from reputable dispensaries online or offline.          
  • Choose from the many modes of consumption. You must use the right one that will work for you best.
  • Take note of the special rules regarding cannabis use, possession and growing.
  • Use recreational strains only inside your home or in designated areas. Even if recreational cannabis is legal in your area, there’s no reason not to follow rules.
  • Use only a moderate dose. As much as possible, consume recreational weed only in your home, in a friend’s home or a familiar environment.
  • Couch-effects are common for high THC strains so use these strains cautiously.
  • In case you feel a couch-locked effect, just relax and ride the effects.
  • Recreational cannabis varies in effects so be sure to make recommendations and talk to people who have used the strain before.
  • Prepare snacks and drinks because some cannabis strains cause the munchies.
  • Consider taking cannabis only when there’s little work to be done the next day so you can sleep and take a full rest before you return to work

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