Strain Type: Two strains, CBD rich. Strain Lineage: Unknown

Medicinal Uses: Low Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Body relief without mental intoxication, Insomnia, Muscle Spasms, Nausea, MS, Gastrointestinal Issues, Arthritis.

PCC Report:

Despite the recent rise in popularity of CBD rich strains, many patients still remain unaware of their benefits. At Berkeley Patients Care Collective, we consider it of the utmost importance to educate ourselves and our patients to the best of our abilities in order to better understand what cannabis can do for us. For this reason, this weeks review will take a good hard look at two CBD rich strains: ‘Harlequin’ and ‘Terpene Queen’.

Harlequin - CBD rich strain.

After a toss of the coin I pick up my sample of Harlequin for a quick once over. Upon first appraisal, I’m struck immediately by it’s appearance: dense and chunky, with buds larger than golf balls, but just as round. Trichome coverage is impressive, specifically as I pull apart the bud, displaying a ripe amber sheen hinting at a well finished flower. The scent that accompanies my examination is sweet and slightly earthy, with an underlying spiciness. Harlequin’s look and smell seem a bit contrary to me, I am anxious to see how it will affect me.

 

 

Before I can get to testing, I need to take a look at our other sample: Terpene Queen. Unlike Harlequin, I am not immediately struck by its appearance, nor overly impressed with the amount of trichome coverage. I am, however, blown away by the complexity of scents emanating from the bag. Bright and floral with just a touch of sweetness, Terpene Queen’s smell is more easily compared to that of a french perfume than a cannabis strain. The overabundance of terpenes bodes well: they each have their own medicinal effect as well as imparting their own scent.

Although it is difficult to resist immediately sampling them both, I decide its best to take it slow and make sure not to miss any of the subtleties in affect. First is my coin toss winner, Harlequin. To keep things easy, I roll my usual joint. The dry-pull yields a more saturated melon flavor, with a tickle of spiciness at the end. The smoke is enjoyable, but nothing of note, the onset of effect however is quite fast and certainly worth remark. A general easing of the body, coupled with mild mental relaxation, makes for a very medicinally beneficial herb. The high is functionally clear, the hallmark of CBD, tempered with deep physical relief, allowing the patient to focus as needed without impediment. Because of Harlequin’s significant pain-relieving physical effect, and overall benefits as a relaxation aid, I would recommend it for evening use, a way to unwind after a long day and take care of the aches and pains.

While I was excited to try Harlequin, the smell of Terpene Queen still had me dreaming. It seemed only right and fair to roll a joint, the better to appreciate the subtleties in flavor. Despite my efforts, I find the taste to be much less complex than the smell, while still remaining enjoyable. The effect was something different entirely: a more subtle physical effect paired with an uplifting and almost completely clear mental stimulation. While this may not sound ideal to some patients, it is perfect for those who desire relief without the risk of feeling over-medicated or out of sorts. Although it doesn’t energize me like some Sativa’s, Terpene Queen offers an alternative for days when I desire something on the milder side.

Terpene Queen - CBD rich strain

After a thorough testing of both, I feel they each have their own benefits. Both exhibit the characteristic pain-relieving and high-functioning clear effect of CBD, just expressed differently. While I found the physical heaviness of Harlequin to be excellent for the evening, I found the relaxing aspect of it to be too much for the day, where I preferred the clarity of it’s counterpart Terpene Queen. I feel both have really whet my appetite for CBD, I look forward to seeing what else will come of it.