When most people think of cannabis, two compounds usually come to mind: THC and CBD. They are the market-driving cannabinoids, the ones that have defined conversations around cannabis quality and potency for decades. But they are only part of the story.

Cannabis produces dozens of cannabinoids, each with unique effects, aromas, and potential benefits. As cultivators and consumers learn more, it is becoming clear that the future of cannabis is about the entire spectrum, not just two molecules.

THC and CBD: The Basics

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound most associated with the cannabis high. It binds with receptors in the brain and body to create euphoria, relaxation, or stimulation depending on the dose, environment, and the individual.

CBD (cannabidiol) is non-intoxicating and has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation, calm anxiety, and balance the effects of THC. Many people seek out CBD for wellness without the strong psychoactive experience.

Beyond the Big Two

CBG (cannabigerol): Sometimes called the “mother cannabinoid” because other cannabinoids are derived from it. CBG shows potential for focus and calm while also being studied for digestive health.

CBN (cannabinol): Often associated with aged cannabis, CBN may play a role in sleep and deep relaxation.

THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin): Found in smaller amounts, THCV has gained attention for its clear-headed, energetic feel and is being studied for metabolic health.

CBC (cannabichromene): Less well known but promising, CBC has shown anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in early research.

The Entourage Effect

Cannabinoids rarely act alone. When THC, CBD, and these minor cannabinoids interact with terpenes and flavonoids, they create what researchers call the entourage effect. This synergy is why two strains with the same THC percentage can feel completely different. The whole chemical profile, or chemovar, is what defines the experience.

Our strain Prism is a perfect example. In 2023, it won the Golden Bear Best of California award at the CA State Fair Cannabis Awards, recognized for a cannabinoid profile that tested around 26% THC with an unusually high 6.9% CBGa. That combination, along with its terpene expression, strong in Ocimene, made Prism stand out among hundreds of entries. Awards like this highlight why looking beyond THC and CBD matters. The entire spectrum of cannabinoids can shape both experience and therapeutic potential.

Why It Matters

Understanding cannabinoids helps us make more informed choices as consumers and cultivators. For medical patients, it can mean finding relief with fewer side effects. For recreational users, it opens up new ways to explore flavor, mood, and creativity. For breeders, it provides a roadmap to create the next generation of strains bred for specific experiences.

At Nimbus, we see cannabinoids as part of the bigger picture of cannabis: a plant that is as complex as it is inspiring. By paying attention to the full spectrum, we can unlock new flavors, effects, and wellness potential while continuing to push cannabis forward.

Breeding the next generation of Cannabis Strains

At Nimbus, breeding is about discovery. A single seed can unlock a new expression of cannabis. Whether it’s a flavor bomb, a powerful effect, or a combination that surprises us.

You’ve probably heard the words cultivar, strain, and even chemovar thrown around. They’re often used interchangeably, but each carries a slightly different meaning.

Cultivars, Strains, and Chemovars, What’s the Difference?

• Cultivar is short for “cultivated variety.” It’s a horticultural term used across all of agriculture in tomatoes, apples, cannabis, you name it. With cannabis, a cultivar usually means a line that’s been intentionally selected and stabilized for traits like flavor, cannabinoid potency, or yield.
• Strain is the traditional cannabis culture word. It describes a specific variety that carries certain recognizable traits, whether Sativa, Indica or hybrid. Names often come from origin stories, breeders, or standout characteristics. Some classic examples would be the OG Kush, Trainwreck or Gelato.
• Chemovar is a more recent scientific term, combining chemical and variety. It refers to the plant’s unique chemical profile of not just THC and CBD, but the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that shape how a strain smells, tastes, and feels. For patients and consumers, chemovar can be a more precise way to understand effects.

The Art (and Work) of Pheno Hunting

Once a breeder makes a cross, the real work begins: pheno hunting. This means germinating and growing out dozens or even hundreds of seeds from that cross, then evaluating each individual plant (each phenotype) for the traits you want.

One might have the resin production you’re looking for. Another has the perfect terpene expression. A third might hit with the potency or effect that makes it stand out. Selecting the “keeper” plants takes patience, intuition, and years of experience.

Some breeders now use advanced tools like genetic mapping and metabolomics to speed the process, but at its core, pheno hunting is still an art form. It’s about tasting, smelling, and seeing what makes a plant exceptional.

Shaping the Experience

At Nimbus, we see breeding as a way of shaping experiences. Whether it’s a fruit-forward sativa built for creative mornings or a resin-dripping indica hybrid for evening relaxation, every decision in the breeding process ripples forward to the people who eventually light it up.

The choices breeders make define the medicine, the flavors, and the highs of tomorrow. For us, that means carefully hunting phenos, selecting only the best, and sharing the results through small-batch craft flower.

The future of cannabis is written one seed, one phenotype, one generation at a time, and we’re just getting started.

Cannabis Taxonomy 101: From Seed to Harvest

Cannabis is one of the most versatile plants on earth. It has been cultivated for thousands of years! For food, fiber, medicine, and its unique psychoactive properties. But behind every jar of flower or pack of pre-rolls lies a fascinating journey of plant development. In this post, we’ll walk through the major life stages of the cannabis plant, from seed to harvest, and highlight the role each part plays along the way.

Seeds: The Blueprint of Life

Every cannabis strain we love begins with a seed no bigger than a pea. Inside its protective coat is an embryo carrying all the genetic information needed to produce a new plant. Once given the right mix of warmth, moisture, and darkness, the seed cracks open and reveals its radicle, the first tiny root that anchors the plant into the soil!

Germination and Seedling Stage

During germination, the radicle grows downward while the stem and first leaves push upward. When the tiny plant emerges, it enters the seedling stage. Seedlings display their first leaves, called cotyledons; small, rounded leaves that look very different from the iconic serrated cannabis leaves we all recognize. But don’t worry, you aren’t growing lettuce! For the next two to three weeks, the seedling focuses on building strength and stability.

Vegetative Growth

Once established, cannabis shifts gears into vegetative growth. This is when plants grow tall, branch out, and develop their lush, fan-shaped leaves. In this stage, growers at Nimbus pay close attention to light levels, nutrients, and thoughtful pruning techniques, to encourage strong structure. With a plant from a seed, a healthy vegetative period usually lasts four to six weeks, depending on genetics and environment.

Pre-Flowering and Flowering

As plants mature, they enter pre-flowering, a transitional stage where you find out if you have a male or female plant, and the earliest signs of buds appear. Once the light cycle changes, cannabis begins its flowering stage. Here, energy shifts from building stems and leaves to producing buds rich in the cannabinoids and terpenes we are obsessed with. Resin glands swell, trichomes frost over, and the plant’s distinctive aromas intensify. Flowering usually lasts six to eight weeks, though some cultivars take longer.

Harvest and Beyond

Timing harvest and curing the plants is both a science and an art. Harvest too early, and the buds lack potency; too late, and cannabinoids may degrade. When harvested at the peak of maturity, the flowers are dense, resinous, and packed with compounds that shape their effects. Drying and curing complete the process, transforming raw buds into the finished product enjoyed by patients and consumers alike.

Appreciating the Whole Plant

Understanding cannabis from seed to harvest gives us a deeper appreciation for the plant’s complexity. Each stage has its own agricultural challenges and its own rewards, and the choices we make as cultivators shape the quality of the final flower. At Nimbus, we celebrate not just the finished product but the journey—the biology, craft, and care that goes into every plant.