Medical Marijuana Strains Guide: Top MMJ Strains of 2023
Are you interested in using some medical marijuana strains to relieve symptoms from a diagnosis? You’ve come to the right place!
Currently, in the United States, medical marijuana is legal in 36 states and Washington D.C. If you just qualified for medical weed, you might be overwhelmed with all of the options available. Don’t worry.
We’re going to go over the characteristics of strains, what conditions you can treat, and the best strain for health to buy in 2023.
What are the characteristics of a medical cannabis strain?
Most people think that cannabis strains with only high percentages of CBD use for medicinal purposes, but that’s not 100% true.
All weed strains can be used as medical cannabis strains. To determine what has the best marijuana medical benefits for you, you have to consider the medical condition you’ve been diagnosed with.
You can break down medical cannabis strains into four main properties; indica, sativa, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). The percentage of each creates different effects when consumed.
Let’s take a closer look at the types of medical marijuana!
Indica
When the strain is indica dominant, you’ll have a sedating, relaxed head and body high. These types of marijuana strains work well to relieve symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, inflammation, or chronic pain.
Sativa
If the weed is sativa dominant, the effects are more uplifting and energizing. Sativa dominant strains are good to use for those with depression, nausea, migraine, mood swings, and trouble focusing.
THC
When weed strains contain a high percentage of THC, it’s more of a psychedelic experience. THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid, which makes people energetic, happy, and giggly.
You should use high THC cannabis strains when you suffer from chronic pain, depression, anorexia, and epilepsy.
CBD
A medical cannabis strain that’s high in CBD is the most commonly used medicinal weed type. This is because of the vast medical benefits of CBD. These marijuana strains don’t give you a head buzz, so it’s easier to use during the day.
The effects of high CBD strains are blissful, relaxed, and calm. Patients can use CBD to treat anxiety, depression, inflammation, migraine, chronic pain, PTSD, and many other conditions.
What are medicinal strains prescribed for?
In the states where it’s legal, doctors can recommend their patients use a medical cannabis strain to relieve the symptoms of their diagnosis.
Each state has its own requirements on which conditions qualify, but these are the most commonly weed-treated medical conditions.
- Cancer
- HIV or AIDS
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Glaucoma
- Alzheimer’s diseases
- Parkinson’s disease
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Nausea
- Cachexia
- Insomnia
Medical strains don’t necessarily cure the patient’s disease, but it makes the symptoms more manageable.
Many doctors recommend patients use marijuana because it’s more natural and doesn’t interact poorly with other medications.
There are various reported cases where pharmaceutical medicines weren’t helping the patients, but medical weed strains did. Let’s look at a few examples.
Charlotte Figi was only 3 years old when she experienced her first seizure. She was then diagnosed with Dravet’s syndrome, an uncommon form of epilepsy.
Her medications were so intense on her little body that doctors put her into a medically induced coma. Charlotte’s family turned to medical cannabis strains to help their daughter. In the first week of using, she didn’t have one seizure.
At 16 years old, Kristen Peskuski was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, quickly developing into an autoimmune disorder. She was bedridden for 4 years, and the doctors believed she might die soon.
Kristen wanted to get her life and health back, so she looked towards medical cannabis strains to help. After a month, she felt drastically better with little pain. Later on, she gave birth to a healthy baby, which was deemed impossible by doctors before using cannabis.
These are just a couple of the inspirational stories of consuming special strains. You could be the next one!
Best medical marijuana strains of 2023
We’re going to go over some of the top medical weed strains from the Wellness collection at Homegrown Cannabis Co.
CBD OG Kush feminized
- Mostly indica
- THC: 1%
- CBD: 15%
CBD OG Kush feminized seeds is a medical marijuana strain from an award-winning lineage. One of its parent strains, OG Kush, was ranked number one in “Best Cultivars of All Time” in High Times.
CBD OG Kush is known to create a trance-like effect that puts your mind at ease. Your body will be relieved of pain, and the CBD and indica enter your system.
It’s a good strain to use during the day because you won’t be glued to the couch after consuming. Rather, you’ll have the mental clarity to focus on tasks.
This medical cannabis strain is used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and appetite loss.
CBD Mexican feminized
- Mostly sativa
- THC: 7%
- CBD: 8%
The herb from CBD Mexican feminized seeds creates a mellow buzz. When consumed, the medical marijuana strain will take you to a state of euphoria, which increases focus, creativity, and productivity.
This strain is ideal for a wake and bake or an afternoon pick me up. These THC and CBD levels aren’t too intense, so it’ll be alright to use during the day. The sativa lending aspect surges your body with energy.
The plant from CBD Mexican feminized seeds can be used for various ailments, including depression, stress, anxiety, migraines, chronic pain, and nausea.
CBD Cream & Cheese feminized
- Mostly indica
- THC: 22%
- CBD: 18%
The harvest from CBD Cream & Cheese feminized seeds is for those who’ve used other medical marijuana strains before but need something stronger. With a generous amount of THC and CBD, you’ll feel the effects immediately.
This is the only cannabis strain on the list with a higher THC level than CBD, which creates a more cerebral high. Once the CBD and indica kick in, you’ll get an overall sense of relaxation.
This strain works well to relieve symptoms of depression, PTSD, anxiety, nausea from cancer treatments, muscle spasms, chronic pain, stress, and epilepsy.
CBD Haze autoflower
- Hybrid
- THC: 7%
- CBD: 8%
The plant from CBD Haze autoflower seeds has a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio, creating a balanced high. Both percentages are on the milder side so that you won’t get any overwhelming effects but still feel the benefits.
The THC content helps to clear your head and aids in promoting focus and motivation throughout the day. The CBD side is therapeutic, which helps with body pains, anxiety, and stress.
When you consume it, you’ll feel more open and friendly without a worry in the world. Since it’s a true hybrid, you get benefits from all sides.
CBD Haze autoflower strain can relieve symptoms of a variety of conditions. Use this herb if you need to treat more than one diagnosis or just want a mild effect.
CBD Harlequin
- Mostly sativa
- THC: 1%
- CBD: 18%
The herb from CBD Harlequin seeds was one of the original high CBD strains to become popular. When consumed, you’ll feel calm and a slight cerebral buzz.
The good vibes will take over your body and your headspace. You’ll feel relaxed in your joints and have mental clarity. Since it’s mostly sativa, you’ll still be alert so that you can use this medical marijuana strain during the day.
You can consume this marijuana strain to help treat depression, stress, inflammation, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Gary Payton feminized
An exceptional choice from our best medical marijuana strains list is Gary Payton feminized seeds, resulting from crossbreeding Y Griega and Snowman. Named after the NBA Hall of Famer, the hybrid delivers potent effects due to its high 21% THC content.
With a 50:50 sativa and indica ratio, the herb offers mental and physical sensations. You feel energized and creative.
Users claim that smoking the buds improves moods, boosts energy, and enhances focus, motivating and making them optimistic and happy. Gary Payton’s effects may relieve stress, anxiety, and pain.
These feminized seeds are perfect for newbies and seasoned growers as they flourish indoors and outdoors. Hot and warm temperatures are ideal for the strain to thrive.
Traits summary:
- Type: Balanced hybrid
- THC: 21%
- CBD: 0.5%
Durban Poison feminized
Durban Poison feminized seeds originate from Durban, South Africa. The strain is a pure landrace sativa, making it highly potent.
Smoking the buds gives you a cerebral buzz that energizes and makes you happy and sociable. You feel creative, and your perception of colors heightens, enabling productivity.
The mental stimulation and increased vigor potentially help relieve pain and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression without knocking you out.
Outdoor cultivation is perfect, as the plants can reach ten feet in height. Expect a bountiful yield.
Traits summary:
- Type: Mostly sativa
- THC: 17%
- CBD: 0.2%
How to choose the best medical marijuana strains for you?
As mentioned above, you need to choose a marijuana strain with the correct profile for your condition.
You can also look to buy hybrid marijuana strains, which are balanced between all four factors. This gives you the benefits of them all without one element being too intense.
Sometimes you have to do a little trial and error to determine what works for you. Some weed strains are too intense to be consumed during the day, and others aren’t potent enough for your symptoms.
Always speak to your doctor about using medical marijuana and which strains will work best for your specific condition.
Why grow your own medical cannabis seeds?
In the states that allow it, you should 100% grow your own medical cannabis strains. Why?
First, it’s a lot cheaper to cultivate seeds as opposed to buying from a dispensary. Second, you’ll always have an ample supply of medical marijuana at home, so you don’t have to worry about running out to the store.
Another reason to grow is that the action of cultivating is also therapeutic. The slight physical movement and mental clarity can relieve symptoms of medical conditions. It can reduce anxiety, get you up and moving to help with pains, and free your mind.
Key takeaways
Medical marijuana strains have been seen as an alternative treatment for some medical conditions. Depending on your diagnosis, look for medical weed with the correct profile of THC vs. CBD and indica vs. sativa.
Homegrown Cannabis Co. has a large variety of medical marijuana seeds for salethat’ll produce healing marijuana for a variety of medical conditions. So what are you waiting for? Order your Wellness collection now and have a harvest of medical marijuana in a few weeks!
About the author: Derek LaRose
Also known as Kronic from The Cannabis Kronicles, Derek LaRose is a young ambitious cultivator and a staple educator for indoor cultivation.