There may be times when you want or need to grow your own cannabis from seeds. It’s a great way to gain more control over your supply, or produce the exact strain you need. This is particularly true for medical cannabis patients who rely on specific effects.
In this article, we discuss what you need to know about medical seeds; from great strains to grow at home, to commonly asked questions about growing medical cannabis seeds.
What are Medical Seeds?
Medical seeds are cannabis seeds specifically bred to produce plants rich in specific cannabinoids and terpenes commonly sought after by medical marijuana patients.
Many medical patients use seeds to grow their own plants at home, which helps them get the desired effects when treating their specific health conditions.
Medical seeds are bred to produce medical-grade marijuana that is high in THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids and terpenes believed to have therapeutic and medical benefits.
How are Medical Seeds Different from Regular Cannabis Seeds?
Although some patients and legislation differentiate between “medical seeds” and “recreational seeds,” at their core, they are all simply marijuana seeds.
Growers typically choose to focus on a few key factors when cultivating medical cannabis seeds, allowing them to produce flower that gives patients the relief they need:
- THC levels: Medical cannabis seeds may have varying THC levels. Depending on the needs of the patient, that could mean higher or lower concentrations of THC.
- CBD levels: Higher CBD levels are common among medical cannabis strains.
- Varying Effects: The effects of a particular strain may vary depending, in part, on the cannabinoid and terpene ratios. Medical seeds may be bred and selected on this basis.
- Cost: Cannabis seeds come in a wide range of prices. Because medical seeds are deliberately bred to produce potentially therapeutic plants, these seeds may be more costly than recreational seeds.
Pros and Cons of Choosing Medical Seed
If you’re thinking about using medical seeds for your home grow, consider the following pros and cons of cultivating your own medical marijuana.
Pros of Cultivating Medical Cannabis at Home
- Long-term savings: While setting up a home grow may be expensive, it can ultimately save you money by growing the appropriate amount of cannabis based on your needs. This may be especially true for those who require high dosages.
- Quality: Growing your own marijuana from medical seeds can allow you to grow your preferred quality and potency of cannabis.
- Access to desired strains and effects: By growing your own cannabis you can always have access to the specific strains and effects you want and need.
Cons of Cultivating Medical Cannabis at Home
- Legality: Depending on where you live there may be strict laws and requirements surrounding the home cultivation of cannabis.
- Effort: Growing cannabis from seeds can require significant amounts of time and effort, especially if starting from scratch. A great deal of care and consistency is needed to ensure the medicinal plants are of the highest quality.
- Initial cost: While the long-term cost of a home grow can save money, the initial cost of setting up a grow operation can be expensive.
- Growth time: It can take several months for a cannabis plant to mature, so growing your own supply from medical seeds requires patience and planning to ensure a steady supply.
How to Choose Medical Seeds to Grow
Many new and passionate home growers wonder, “How do I choose which cannabis seeds to get?”
When choosing medical cannabis seeds there are several factors to consider.
- Strain: One way to choose the right medical seeds for your needs is to select a strain that you know works well for your condition and delivers the desired effects.
- Terpenes: The specific terpenes present in a strain can also influence its effects, so consider the terpene profile to determine the right seeds.
- Recommendations: Reading reviews from other cannabis users can give you an idea of the effects of a particular strain, as well as how it has worked for others.
- Category of strain: Indica strains are often associated with more body sensation effects, while sativa strains are typically more stimulating. Understanding your specific needs can help narrow down your options.
- Cannabinoid content and ratio: The ratio of THC to CBD in a strain can influence its effects. Higher THC levels can lead to more psychoactive effects, while higher CBD levels may help offset some effects of THC.
10 Popular Medical Seeds
Ice Cream Cake
A possible cross between Wedding Cake and Gelato #33 (or Dream Cookie and Cheese Cake depending on the cultivator).
- Characteristics: This strain offers a sweet, creamy, and nutty aroma with hints of vanilla.
- THC to CBD ratio: Ice Cream Cake is typically a high-THC strain with little to no CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 28% of users report Ice Cream Cake is effective for anxiety, 21% for stress, and 17% for pain.
Blue Dream
A cross between Blueberry and Haze, Blue Dream (or Azure Haze) is a well-known strain
- Characteristics: This strain delivers sweet, berry flavors and a sugary aroma with hints of earthy pine.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of Blue Dream is typically around 17-24% THC and 1-2% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 37% of users report that Blue Dream is effective for stress, 31% for anxiety, and 28% for depression.
A cross between OG Kush and Durban Poison, GSC is a popular strain amongst cannabis enthusiasts.
- Characteristics: This strain can have a sweet earthy aroma with hints of mint and spice.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of GSC is typically around 18-28% THC and 1-2% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 36% of users report GSC is effective for stress, 28% for depression, and 28% for anxiety.
OG Kush
A classic strain with a strong, pungent aroma, OG Kush is known for its powerful effects.
- Characteristics: This strain may have a strong pungent aroma with hints of pine, citrus, and other kush flavors.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of OG Kush is typically around 18-23% THC and 0-1% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 39% of users report that OG Kush is effective for stress, 30% for anxiety, and 29% for pain.
Gelato (Gelato #41)
A cross between Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint GSC, Gelato is known for its sweet, fruity flavor and balanced effects.
- Characteristics: This strain typically has a sweet, fruity aroma with hints of berry and citrus and is known for its pleasant body high.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of Gelato is generally around 18-25% THC and 0-1% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 24% of users report Gelato is effective for stress, 21% for stress, and 20% for depression.
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is a classic cross of Chemdawg and Super Skunk with a pungent aroma, strong effects, and sharp, citrus flavor.
- Characteristics: This strain generally has a fragrant, fuel-like aroma with cerebral, euphoric effects.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of Sour Diesel is typically around 18-22% THC and 0-2% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 36% of users report Sour Diesel is effective for stress, 28% for anxiety, and 27% for depression.
Northern Lights
Northern lights is an award-winning indica strain with a sweet, spicy aroma and is known for its relaxing effects and sedative properties.
- Characteristics: This strain is known to have a sweet, earthy aroma that is very smooth on the exhale.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of Northern Lights is typically around 15-20% THC and 0-1% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 41% of users report Northern Lights is effective for stress, 33% for anxiety, and 32% for pain.
Cannatonic
Cannatonic is a hybrid strain known for it’s balanced CBD-to-THC ratio and relaxing effects.
- Characteristics: This strain generally has a sweet earthy aroma with hints of citrus and pine, along with slightly purple trichomes.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of Cannatonic is typically around 5-10% THC and 5-15% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 47% of users report that Cannatonic is effective for pain, 43% for stress, and 41% for anxiety.
Harlequin
Harlequin is a sativa-dominant, CBD-rich strain known for its uplifting effects.
- Characteristics: This strain tends to have a sweet, tropical aroma with hints of mango and citrus.
- THC to CBD ratio: The THC to CBD ratio of Harlequin is typically around 5-10% THC and 8-16% CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 48% of users report Harlequin is effective for pain, 40% for anxiety, and 40% for stress.
Black Magic Kush
Black Magic Kush is a hybrid strain known for its relaxing effects and sedative properties.
- Characteristics: This strain tends to offer sweet and herbaceous aromas with hints of berry and citrus.
- THC to CBD ratio: Black Magic Kush is a high-THC strain with little CBD.
- Use Case / Effect: According to Leafly, 37% of users report that Black Magic Kush is effective for anxiety, 25% for insomnia, and 25% for stress.
Medical Seeds FAQ
Am I allowed to grow my own medical cannabis seeds?
This will depend on the laws in your state. In some places, it is legal for medical marijuana patients to cultivate their own cannabis at home, while in others, it is still illegal or restricted. It is necessary to check the laws in your area before growing your own medical cannabis seeds.
Are there feminized medical marijuana seeds?
Yes, feminized medical marijuana seeds are available. Feminized seeds are bred to produce only female plants, which are the plants that grow psychoactive-producing buds.
Do medical seeds have specific requirements compared to recreational weed seeds?
Medical seeds, like recreational seeds, may each have different requirements for the conditions they need to thrive. For example, some strains may require a specific temperature range or humidity to grow properly. It is essential to research the particular requirements of the medical seeds you are planning to cultivate.
What is the growing time for medical seeds?
The growing time for medical seeds can vary depending on the specific strain and growing conditions. On average, it can take 3-4 months for a cannabis plant to mature from seed to harvest.
When should medical seeds be harvested?
The timing of the harvest will depend on the specific strain and the desired effects. If in doubt, many cultivators harvest the buds when the trichomes (the small, crystal-like structures on the surface of the buds) are mostly cloudy, as this shows that the THC levels are at their highest.
Conclusion
Medical cannabis seeds may not be the right choice for everyone, as home cultivation can be a costly, time-consuming, process with potential legal or bureaucratic obstacles.
However, growing your own plants with medical seeds can be a convenient way to maintain access to your desired strains, ensuring you always have a supply of flower that can deliver your desired effects, potency, and the right quality cannabinoid ratios.
For those that want to access medical-grade cannabis without the time and effort of growing their own, NuggMD is a convenient service that allows potential patients to easily connect with licensed medical marijuana doctors from the comfort and privacy of their own home.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
