Best Strains for Extraction: 8 Picks for Resin and Cannabis Oil

The best strains for resin extraction and cannabis oil are heavy trichome producers with strong terpene profiles, like Passion Fruit Punch, Gorilla Breath, Zkittlez and Lemon Garlic OG, plus CBD-rich picks such as Early Amnesia CBD, Chocolate Skunk CBD and ErdPurT for medical oil. Cannabis does a lot of jobs: it can be a way to kick back, get lifted, or boost creativity and focus, and it has medicinal properties too. You can smoke it, vape it, eat it or infuse it into topical skincare.

Researchers have found more than 80 compounds unique to the cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. The best known are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant's most famous ingredient, and CBD, which is commonly sourced from hemp, a form of Cannabis sativa that contains only small amounts of THC.

CBD is widely used by people dealing with insomnia, muscle pain, poor appetite or depression, and it's being studied as a complement to treatment for conditions like cancer, epilepsy and diabetes, among others. With that in mind, here are some of the best strains for making cannabis oil.

Chocolate Skunk CBD

Chocolate Skunk CBD was born from a selection of Chocolate Skunk, where breeders hunted for a phenotype with THC and CBD as balanced as possible while holding on to all of its aromatic character.

It's easy to grow, yields generously and delivers a relaxing, long-lasting effect that suits medical use. It also has sweet aromas and flavors.

Passion Fruit Punch

This strain is a serious resin producer thanks to an extremely high trichome count, which brings sweet, tropical, berry-like notes. What makes it stand out is its parentage: the exotic Purple Punch crossed with Geist OG, a combo that works for pretty much any extraction method on the market. And if you want to learn how to make cannabis oil, this is a no-brainer pick.

Early Amnesia CBD

If you're after the properties of cannabis oil, Early Amnesia CBD from Dinafem Seeds is a great choice. It comes from a cross of Original Amnesia and CBD Auto. It's a feminized strain with a fairly high CBD content.

It grows tall and stretched like a typical sativa, but with lots of branches and tighter node spacing, which is more of an indica trait.

Early Amnesia CBD also kept Amnesia's signature aroma and flavor: citrusy, fruity notes that make it a great strain for resin extraction.

Where it does differ from its parents is the effect. Amnesia is famous for being potent enough to live up to its name, but Early Amnesia CBD's high CBD content makes it much gentler, more relaxing and more fun.

Three Blue Kings

Cannabis oil has plenty of benefits, and this cross of a legendary California three-way (Headband x Sour Diesel x OG Kush) with the famous Blue Dream is a textbook example of a strain that makes the most of its resin.

Three Blue Kings is a super-productive plant with an ultra-intense aroma and a very particular terpene profile. Thanks to its classic Kush heritage, you'll pick up a strong earthy taste on the palate.

Heads up, though: it packs around 24% THC. Still, if you want to learn how to make cannabis oil, it's a strong candidate for therapeutic use and can work really well in oils and lotions.

Gorilla Breath

This strain descends from Gorilla Glue. It'll add a kick to any edibles you make, and it also yields top-shelf resin for extraction.

With potent genetics like these, your buds turn frosty white early in flowering, and the trichomes multiply like crazy as the buds fatten up.

It's also one of the strongest strains around, with THC levels that can hit 27%, producing a very powerful, long-lasting and clear-headed cerebral high. We recommend it for making medical cannabis oil.

ErdPurT Regular

This Ace Seeds strain comes from a cross between Erdbeer and Purpura Ticinensis.

That killer pairing produces a plant with a classic Afghan structure, a short flowering time and medium yields. It stands out for its high CBD content, and for its aromas of roasted coffee and wild berries. Its effect is moderately potent, relaxing and creative, and it's highly valued for medical use.

Zkittlez

Zkittlez is one of the most delicious strains out there and a grower favorite thanks to its intense fruity aroma.

Crossed with OGKB (OG Kush Breath), it becomes a seriously impressive plant that churns out dense, sticky buds, perfect for cannabis resin extraction.

Lemon Garlic OG

For anyone who likes making hash, pulling resin or simply enjoying the properties of cannabis oil, Lemon Garlic OG is an amazing strain.

It has a very loud, sour aroma: garlic mixed with pine-scented floor cleaner, plus citrus on top. In fact, a single hit of Lemon Garlic OG fills your whole mouth with an intense garlicky aftertaste that lingers. The high is very strong, so it's not for occasional smokers or beginners.