Harlequin Strain Details & CBD Content

Known for its very high CBD content, Harlequin strain is very popular among medical cannabis users in part to its low THC content. Low THC and high CBD means a lot of benefits without the compromise of being too intoxicated. In Seattle of 2012, Harlequin won the Cannabis Cup award for the best CBD in the form of oil giving more credit to this strain capabilities and properties.

Harlequin is also classified as a sativa being 75% sativa and 25% indica meaning that it doesn’t have the sedative effects of an indica, the relaxing benefits of its CBD levels and its somewhat stimulating effects coming from the sativa genetics.

Lineage & Appearance

Harlequin comes from a combination of 3 landrace strains, Swiss Sativa, Colombian Gold and Thai. The Swiss Sativa is a mystery as to which one but being from Switzerland its capable of growing in colder climates which offers a diversity in genetics. The Colombian Gold has been used to make numerous other popular strains like Skunk and the Thai strain supplies a sweet and earthy taste and has been used to make other strong sativas like the Haze Strain.

This cannabis strain looks a lot like Haze too in that it has bright green colors throughout, very dense buds, bright orange pistils and some frosty trichomes.

Flavors & Aroma

After cracking open one of the flowers of Harlequin you’ll smell the aroma of Earthiness and a fruity floral scent.

The flavors of Harlequin are similar to the aroma with a deep, smooth earthiness and citrus highlights. The strain was originally bred for making hash so its no wonder why it has a hash like taste afterwards.

Harlequin Strain Effects

The effects of the Harlequin strain are not like most cannabis strains since its high in CBD and low in THC (the component responsible for the high). You’ll notice an effect but it wont be a “high” like strains with twice as much THC content. Aside from it having high CBD levels the low THC means its great for using during the day. It will get you elevated and medicated at the same time without being too “stoned” making it ideal for medical patients or daily users.

The CBD provides a relaxed feeling to the body & mind while the THC is just enough to give you a boost in energy. Many of the other effects are similar to other sativas like happiness, euphoria creativity and focus. Its great to be able to have this option of medicating to achieve these effects without having potent THC levels in order to do so. The combined physical relaxation and mental stimulation makes Harlequin a favorite among many.

The only common downside are like most other cannabis strain with dry eyes and dry mouth.

Harlequin CBD & THC Content

THC is often counteracted or balanced with the presence of CBD. Being that the THC is already so low ranging from 5% to 10% THC and its balanced out very well with the 9% to 13% CBD content. Its almost a 1:1 ratio cannabis strain and depending on the breeder, sometime it is.

Pro Tip: If the high from too much THC is having negative effects, you can come down from the high gently by taking CBD oil in liquid form or smoking a strain with high THC levels like Harlequin.

Medical Benefits

Just about everything associated with the medicinal benefits of cannabis is a property of the Harlequin strain. Since very few strains have such a high CBD level (aside from Super Silver Haze, ACDC and Pennywise to name a few) this one cover many of the medical effects that patients are looking for.

• Muscle cramps & spasms – in combination with soothing the nerve endings and its anti-inflammatory benefits, this can help sooth muscle cramps from things like sports and prevent muscle spasms.
• Pain relief – Its believed that CBD helps numb the nerve endings which cause pain.
• Lethargy & fatigue – The boost of energy, creativity and focus all help stimulate the mind & body. These benefits are mostly from the small amount of THC content.
• Depression & anxiety – In the same way that it stimulates the mind, the cannabinoid receptors help normalize the brains functions and produce positive chemicals like serotonin which help create the “uplifting, happy” effects.
• Inflammation – THC & CBD work in conjunction to help neutralize the proteins which can cause inflammation
• Nausea & loss of appetite – THC can help act as an appetite stimulant to if the body isn’t hungry for one reason or another THC can help increase that appetite. It also acts to sooth the nerve endings in the digestive system that can be responsible for nausea.

Commercial Uses

Being one of the few cannabis strains with low THC levels and high CBD content its one of a handful of strain perfects for the daytime use medicinal market. This section of the industry makes up a large section of the market where many users still want to be functional throughout the day but still enjoy the benefits of cannabis.

Every product imaginable from oils to dry bud can help satisfy this section of the market. There are just as many needs to be fulfilled in this sector as there are patients. Harlequin produces the following terpene profile:

• Limonene
• Pinene
• Humulene
• Myrcene
• Caryophyllene

How to Grow Harlequin Strain

One of the great things about Harlequin, aside from the benefits it provides, is that its easy to grow… and it grows fast. When growing the Harlequin strain be sure to have plenty of overhead space since this strain can grow over 6 feet (2 meters) in as little as 7-9 weeks. In this time it can produce 500-800 grams of flower per plant.

It can be grown both indoors or outside and is very resistant to mold, bacteria, viruses, fungus, mildew, mites and spiders making it a very hearty strain. Basically very hard to mess up. It also comes as an autoflower which makes it even easier to grow on top of everything else. This means that it will produce flowers on its own in normal conditions without having to do any manual or special lighting periods.