Compassion and Skill

Patients in Michigan have access to cannabis strains with some of the highest percentages of CBD. When comparing results from all the cannabis cups that have happened worldwide, three out of the four strongest CBD strains tested came from Michigan.

The most potent CBD strain was Cannatonic by IDK Organic Farms and Detroit Nutrient Company, whose flower tested at 20.8 percent CBD and 0.8 percent THC. The third most potent CBD strain was Perkins Cut Cannatonic by Mota Rebel Genetics with 18.8 percent CBD and 0.7 percent THC. Lastly, the fourth most potent strain was CBDee’s #18 from Pure West Compassion Club with Light Sky Farms at 18.6 percent CBD and 0.7 percent THC.

The demand for high-CBD strains continues to grow around the world, and it’s interesting to see how growers in Michigan are able to provide patients with all these life-saving, high-potency CBD flowers. Curious why Michigan is leading the CBD game, CULTURE decided to chat with the growers of the strongest recognized CBD flower in the world, Cannatonic.

We talked to Tommy, the Sole Proprietor of Detroit Nutrient Company and Eric, the Owner of IDK Organic Farms to get more insight into how they collaborated on Cannatonic and more. Tommy and Eric shared that Michigan produces the most potent CBD flower because cannabis growers are meeting the demand of their patients. They said, “All kinds of people in Michigan are suffering from many different diseases. Epilepsy patients, insomnia patients even suffering veterans with mystery gastrointestinal diseases that conventional medicine or even the V.A. can’t help.”

Tommy and Eric also pointed out that sick patients in Michigan are very progressive and willing to try unconventional medicine to help with their ailments. Patients in Michigan are using cannabis for medicine, not just recreation.

In order to create this potent strain to meet the demand, Tommy and Eric gave most of the credit to the genetics. However, it was their growing technique that gave them the ability to produce a higher CBD percentage than what others were able to achieve. The pair stated, “Several people have tried growing this cut using hydroponics and synthetic nutrients; in fact it was told to us that the only way to achieve a CBD of 19 percent was by using hydro, Eric called bullshit to that. Eric was able to achieve a CBD of 20.8 percent using organic living water only soil.”

While attaining a high-CBD strain is one of this team’s specialties, they explained how other strains might work better for different patients and ailments. They said, “If one strain doesn’t work, maybe they should try a different strain or different ratios. [For] example, Chematonic by IDK Farms has tested with several different ratios like 2 to 1 (18 percent CBD to 10 percent THC), (18 percent THC to 11 percent CBD) or even 1 to 1 (9 percent THC to 10 percent CBD). Different ratios work better for different people depending on their particular ailment.”

In the end, it’s Tommy and Eric’s approach that allows them to yield such quality product, “At Detroit Nutrient Company and IDK Organic Farms we believe in the Organic Way. If it’s not organic then it’s not medicine. That includes no pesticides, herbicides or synthetics!”

Overall, it appears the relationship between open-minded patients and compassionate, skilled growers is what makes Michigan the current leader in producing high-CBD strains.