Strain Highlight: Northern Lights

Hey folks! It’s time again for another blog post from Cobourg’s one and only locally owned and operated cannabis retailer! This week, we’re going to be jumping into another strain highlight to learn more about the myriad different varieties of cannabis that permeate the regulated cannabis market. We’ve covered some winners so far, and this time will be no exception as we dig into a cannabis strain that is synonymous with the heydays of cannabis culture: Northern Lights.

Origin Story

                One of the interesting things about Northern Lights (along with certain other strains) is that the original genetics for this bad boy are fully rooted in an inbred landrace (naturally occurring) strain, in this case: the Afghani strain which hails from, you guessed it, the mountains of Afghanistan. Northern Lights was originally bred in the pacific northwest in the 1970’s before making its way to Amsterdam where it was a huge hit since it’s about as close as one can get to an absolutely pure indica in terms of effect. If you were looking for a sedative strain back in the day, original Northern Lights was the way to go.

                That being said, these days most versions of Northern Lights will have a touch of sativa added to them, usually in the form of another landrace strain called Thai. I suppose modern sensibilities call for a less sedative approach to the world, but many old school smokers still yearn for that “Pure Indica” experience of the original Northern Lights.

                Regardless of which variety of Northern Lights you manage to track down, you’ll be treated to a quality experience that has stood the test of time.

Effects

                Due to being an inbred strain meant to capitalize on the heavy body and sedative effects of the indica variety of cannabis, the original Northern Lights hits the way you’d expect: your body will feel like it’s sinking into whatever surface you’re sitting/laying on while your mind closes out the chatter of the world around it. A sweet dive into a temporary oblivion, if you will.

                Meanwhile, the modern variety of Northern Lights is quite a bit lighter in that regard, owing to the addition of the Thai sativa genetics. One can still expect a predominantly indica-based experience with all that entails, but it shouldn’t leave you catatonic in quite the same way.

                That wraps up our little highlight of Northern Lights; a staple of the legacy and regulated markets that will continue to be beloved by stoners old and new alike. Stay frosty!

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