Best Strains for Making Cannabis Edibles

By Leafy Mate October 17, 2022

When looking for the best strains for edibles, you’ll want something potent that targets your specific needs.

Whether you need help conquering social anxiety, chronic pain, or headaches, choosing the right strain, edible type, and dosage is of the utmost importance.

Follow along as we go over the effects of marijuana edibles on the human body and the top strains to try for your next experience.

What are edibles?

Cannabis edible products contain cannabinoids that you can consume by eating or drinking.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis that can affect your mind and body after you consume edibles.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid that makes an individual feel high.

Edibles come in many different forms and flavors that will delight your taste buds and your sweet tooth, including:

cannabis beverages
milk chocolate bars
dark chocolate candy
savory snacks
sweet edibles
salted peanut flavors
fruit flavors
hard candies
blue raspberry
peanut butter

How do they work?

Edibles are consumed and digested, encouraging the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to do its job. The endocannabinoid system comprises an extensive network of chemical signals and cellular receptors densely packed throughout our brains and bodies.

The “cannabinoid” receptors in the brain — the CB1 receptors — outnumber many other receptor types in the brain.

They regulate the body through immediate feedback, turning up or down the movement of whichever system needs to be adjusted, whether hunger, temperature, or alertness.

Our bodies produce molecules called endocannabinoids to stimulate these receptors, which have a structural similarity to molecules in the cannabis plant.

The endocannabinoid system regulates learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating. This vital system is currently at the center of renewed international research and drug development.

Edible Dosage

When trying marijuana in edible form for its recreational or medicinal properties, begin with a low dose, then increase the quantity depending on comfort levels.

You can exponentially increase the amount if unsatisfied with the desired effects after the first use.

You can also boost your dosage of cannabis edibles slowly over a few weeks to reduce discomfort and ensure safe cannabis consumption.

Marijuana and health conditions

Medical marijuana commonly possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can quickly help with chronic pain management.

Cannabinoid receptors (CBD and THC) bind to the brain and peripheral nerve cells and help regulate how you see and feel the pain to reduce symptoms.

Certain strains have been known to reduce anxiety and depression, promote creativity and motivation and increase appetite while reducing nausea.

Are edibles legal?

Yes. Cannabis-infused edibles are legal in certain states within the United States as long as they are produced by licensed cultivators and manufacturers of cannabis or industrial hemp.

We suggest checking your local laws to know what is allowed in your state for eating cannabis.

Do I need a Medical Card?

In recreational states, a medical marijuana card is not required to purchase and possess vegan edibles. However, some states will require a person to register before getting edibles. Leafy DOC can help you obtain a medical card in certain areas.

LeafyDoc is supported in the following states: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

Click here for more information, and check out the simple steps below.

Book your Appointment

Skip unnecessary trips to the doctor’s office and complete your appointment from the comfort of your home. You’ll need to provide your primary medical history and book your appointment.

Match with a Doctor

Connect with the correct state-certified physician and easily talk to your provider on mobile phones or tablets. The provider will evaluate your condition and address any questions or concerns.

Get your Medical Card

Your cannabis card coach will be available to address any questions you may have and support your upgraded lifestyle. Depending on your residence, you will either register with your state or receive your medical card directly in the mail or via email.

Traveling with Edibles

When bringing weed on a plane, flying with edibles is the easiest. Passengers are allowed to bring food for personal use on planes, so it’s a simple packaging situation, and you’re a gummy bear, or other edibles can take off alongside you in your carry-on bags.

You can easily place vape carts in a carry-on; however, keep them below three ounces. Cannabis tincture and concentrate can also be concealed, but flowers would be difficult to get by TSA agents due to smell and size.

What is a Strain?

Cannabis strains are a pure or hybrid genetic variation of the plant Genus Cannabis. There are three species: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. Ruderalis is not as popularly known; however, it is a derivative of cannabis with the lowest THC levels.

Although they are popular among the cannabis community, hybrids are not considered a species as they are made of Sativa and Indica, with typically one or the other dominating the gene pool.

Those within the cannabis community report nearly eight hundred unique weed strains worldwide, but that number has increased steadily. Different strains are created yearly as botanists experiment with crossing classic marijuana strains with hybrids to change their genetic qualities.

Top 12 Strains for Weed Edibles

These are twelve popular strains among recreational and medical marijuana users. This list includes high THC and high CBD strains, those that offer a body high, uplifting cerebral effects, and more.

OG Kush

OG Kush originated on the West Coast and was first grown in Florida.
It is a popular strain with 18 percent THC and zero CBD content.
It crosses Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and the Hindu Kush.
OG Kush is a balanced hybrid breed and an excellent strain.
The flavor is sweet citrus, while the aroma of OG Kush is piney with a strong diesel smell.
It has an average of eight to nine weeks of flowering time indoors.
OG Kush treats stress, depression, anxiety, nausea, chronic pain relief, and appetite loss.
Users say OG Kush produces a euphoric, happy high leaving you carefree and hungry, and will provide symptom relief from acute pain.

Skunk No. 1

Skunk No. 1 originated in California and was later brought to the Netherlands.
It has 17 percent THC and 1 percent CBD.
Its parent strains are Afghani, Acapulco Gold, and Colombian Gold.
It is a balanced Hybrid breed.
The flavor aroma is overwhelming and skunky, with a hint of tobacco.
It has an average of nine weeks of flowering time indoors.
This marijuana treats chronic illnesses, depression, anxiety, and appetite loss.
It produces an uplifting, creative cerebral high that leaves you relaxed and hungry.

Cannatonic

Cannatonic originated in Spain and later cross-bred in US government labs.
It is known as the CBD Queen with 9 percent CBD and 4 percent THC
It’s a cross of MK Ultra and G13 Haze.
It is a balanced 50/50 Hybrid.
The flavor is sweet citrus, while the aroma is earthy.
It has an average of eleven weeks of flowering time indoors.
This strain is famous for medicinal cannabis use to treat muscle spasms, migraines, fatigue, and chronic pain.
It produces a powerful, uplifting, and energetic high, leaving you highly relaxed.

Harlequin

Harlequin originates from Columbia, Switzerland, and Thailand.
It is a CBD strain with nine percent CBD and five percent THC
It has many parent strains: Colombian Gold, a Nepali pure Indica strain, and Thai and Swiss landrace Sativa strains.
It has an earthy, musky aroma with mango flavors.
It’s used for medical reasons to treat chronic pain, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, and ongoing anxiety.
This one provides relief from medical conditions while still maintaining an energetic, focused high

White Widow

White Widow originated in the Netherlands.
It has a lower 15 percent THC and one percent CBD.
It’s a cross between Brazilian landrace Sativa and South Indian Indica.
It’s a hybrid breed.
The flavor of White Widow is spicy and herbal with an earthy aroma.
The White Widow strain will make you feel euphoric, energetic, and social and help relieve migraine pain.

Blue Dream

Blue Dream originated in California, on the West Coast.
It has 18 percent THC and low CBD.
It’s a cross of Blueberry and Haze.
Blue Dream is a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain.
Flavor and aroma boast sweet berries.
It has an average of 65 days of flowering time.
This strain is used to treat nausea, depression, and chronic pain.
Blue Dream produces a relaxing, body-high, and balanced cerebral stimulation.

Island Sweet Skunk

Island Sweet Skunk was first bred at Federation Seed Company in Canada.
It has 18 percent THC and one percent CBD content.
It’s a cross between Skunk No. 1 and Sweet Pink Grapefruit.
It’s a popular classic Sativa strain.
It smells sweet and skunky with a slight grapefruit taste.
The average flowering time indoors is seven to eight weeks long.
It’s used to treat anxiety, inflammation, and muscle spasms.
It produces an uplifting, energetic, and creative high, which is excellent quality for cannabis edibles.

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies originated in the Bay Area of California.
It has 19 percent THC and 1 percent CBD.
Its parent strains are OG Kush and Durban Poison.
It is an Indica dominant hybrid breed.
The flavor is sweet and minty with an aroma of vanilla.
It has an average of ten weeks of flowering time indoors to reach its prime age.
This cake strain is used to treat muscle spasms, nausea, appetite loss, and depression.
Users say it produces a happy, cerebral high, leaving you pain-free and euphoric.

Grandaddy Purp

With a high THC percentage and heavy, cerebral high, Grandaddy Purp is among the most often used Indica strains.
It’s an excellent strain for use at night due to its relaxing and comforting effects.
When taking cannabis edibles of this purp around bedtime, you’ll be sure to feel some relief from neuropathic pain.
If your chronic pain keeps you awake at night, we recommend trying this medical marijuana strain.

Afghan Kush

Afghan Kush is a landrace strain, which means it’s a natural strain grown on Earth before humans got involved in the cultivation process. It’s equal parts THC and CBD, providing a peaceful yet long-lasting high.

This medical cannabis is known for significantly improving muscle spasms and pain associated with the peripheral nerves. It’s well-known medical marijuana for neuropathic pain due to its stress-relieving qualities and smooth flavor profile, perfect for adding to a tea bag.

Super Silver Haze

This hybrid cannabis strain is 70% Sativa-dominant and curated as a combination of Northern Lights, Haze, and Skunk No. 1.
It’s the best strain for neuropathy due to the light and euphoric high. It promotes creativity and a sense of well-being.
There is anecdotal evidence that this marijuana strain can relieve depression and migraine-related pain symptoms.
It is an excellent choice for daytime smokers to help relieve nerve pain while motivating them to get moving.
Due to being Sativa heavy, take it easy at first as this citrus strain can cause mild paranoia.

ACDC

This medical marijuana strain is a relaxing, CBD-heavy hybrid plant. It has a unique flavor profile that’s both earthy and sweet.

It offers a feeling of happiness and relaxation while relieving some peripheral neuropathic problems and chronic pain.

There’s a subtle high association, but you should remain clear-headed without as much pain in the muscle tissue from nerve damage.

What strains are best for pet edibles?

These strains will be high in CBD and low in THC. Canines are much more sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC than humans, so the best CBD dog treats will not contain THC cannabinoids.

CBD-rich cannabis products can help an anxious pet with stress, relieve nausea, promote joint health in senior dogs, inflammation, arthritis, anxiety, depression, moodiness, and general pain relief to improve your dog’s health.

Can Spicy Weed Strains Be Used for Making Cannabis Edibles?

Yes, you can use spicy weed strains for making cannabis edibles. These strains can add a unique and flavorful kick to your homemade treats. Whether you’re making brownies, cookies, or gummies, using spicy weed strains for you can take your edibles to the next level.

Tips for Making the Best Edibles at Home

Decarb before adding ground cannabis flower. If you don’t, the marijuana edibles will not taste ideal and will be less potent because the cannabinoids do not have time to activate entirely. Low heat is the way to go with this process for the best marijuana and delicious recipes.
Get the grind right. A hand grinder or coarse coffee grinder is suggested for optimum results when grinding your hemp.
Be patient when straining the cannabis oil. A cheesecloth, gravity, and time are the three ingredients needed to strain your marijuana-infused butter properly. Do not squeeze the cloth at the risk of adding excess plant matter to the coconut or olive oil.
Mix the batch well. Remember to occasionally stir before consuming edibles for an even level of THC potency and flavors when making baked goods and cannabis products.

Conclusion

For a cannabis edible, a lot of factors come into play. Potency, THC and CBD content, mental and physical effects, and flavor are all essential to buying or making marijuana edibles.

Many consumers buy directly from a dispensary, but if you buy online without help, it’s crucial to understand the dosage and the way edibles work in your body. Before you enjoy cannabis edibles, we recommend talking with a health professional or experienced budtender first.

Leafy Mate