What’s the Best Medicinal Cannabis Strain?

Northern Lights cannabis is one of the most widely acclaimed indica strains. Because of its potent indica genetics and remedial capacity, Northern Lights is often prescribed to medical patients. Looking back, it’s one of the most awarded strains at cannabis cups, so much that at several occasions there have been calls to retire this strain from competition so that other strains can shine in the spotlight. 

One of the Best Indica Medicinal Strains in the World

Perhaps it’s worth looking at one of the three fundamental breeding strains in cannabis history when we want to answer a question such as which is the best medicinal strain. It’s widely considered that the three fundamental strains for breeding include Skunk #1, Haze and Northern Lights. Of the three, Northern Lights is known to have some of the most powerful therapeutic qualities. 

Medical patients report that Northern Lights helps with depression, anxiety, stress, pain relief, insomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite, and more. The strain produces euphoric effect felt in the entire body; it soothes the muscles and calms the mind. Therefore, it’s also a popular choice among recreational users. 

Since the 1980s, Northern Lights cannabis has served as a standard by which other Indicas are judged during competitions. One of the most trusted and sought-after cannabis cultivars, NL has itself firmly dominated the various cannabis festivities year after year. It has reaped awards and accolades at numerous occasions. Just as an example, the predominantly indica plant has won the 1990 High Times Cannabis Cup and was the best indica in 1988 and 1989. 

This perfect Afghanica genotype was initially bred in Seattle, and then widely commercialized by Sensi Seeds in 1985. Northern Lights has Afghan-Thai landraces in its genetic makeup; it’s 95% indica and 5% sativa to be more exact. It took years of selection and back-breeding between some of the finest varieties of Northern Lights, before Sensi Seeds was able to adapt the genotype for easy indoor cultivation and make it available for every grower out there. 

Some of the main traits of the Northern Lights cannabis strain include the short time needed to flower and its abundant resin production. NL plants are compact, fast and quite dense. Its frosted buds emit timid honey-musk aroma with earthy undertones. With its glittering green and dark-violet colors, it’s the picture-perfect marijuana plant. Best of all, crops are capable of yielding fruits several times during the year, both if you are growing from seed or clone. The strain is exceptionally resilient to mold and infections as well. 

Can anyone beat Northern Lights cannabis? Maybe the answer is some of the other cultivars this particular cannabis strain has given. For instance, Northern Lights is in the genetic combo of Super Silver Haze, another renowned strain that has collected many many awards over the decades. This sativa-dominant strain has won the High Times Cup thrice in a row, between 1997 and 1999. The recreational benefits of SSH are clear, though, like other hazes, it's a potent strain with strong therapeutic effects such as reducing stress and alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Finally, there won’t be one single best strain that can help treat all medical conditions. If someone needs epilepsy treatment, Tangerine Kush or Charlotte’s Web will likely better do the job. And so is the case for many other diseases. But all hail Northern Lights for the moment. It’s one damn good classic strain that has medicated so many people. 

Also read on Soft Secrets: 

- How to Grow Northern Lights Cannabis? 

- What Are Cannabis Landrace Strains? 

- When Can Medicinal Cannabis Help?