Northern Lights: The Complete Guide

On this page

History & origin · Genetics & phenotypes · THC and cannabinoid profile · Terpenes & aroma · Effects & experience · Medical use · Cultivation notes · The NL family · Comparison · Northern Lights in Switzerland · FAQ.

History: from Seattle to Amsterdam

The original Northern Lights lineage was created in the late 1970s on an island near Seattle, Washington. A breeder remembered in cannabis folklore only as «The Indian» crossed eleven Afghani-landrace indica phenotypes over several generations and stabilised them as NL#1 through NL#11.

In the early 1980s the clones reached Neville Schoenmakers, founder of «The Seed Bank of Holland» (later Sensi Seeds). Schoenmakers brought the genetics to Amsterdam and crossed NL#5 with a Thai sativa landrace to improve flowering time and stability. That combination became the commercial «Northern Lights» known worldwide today.

Northern Lights won the High Times Cannabis Cup in 1988, 1989 and 1990 — a record for the era. By 1992 NL was the standard indica reference across Europe and North America and became parent of hundreds of hybrids, including Shiva Skunk, Super Silver Haze, Northern Lights Haze and countless «Kush» crosses.

Genetics & phenotypes

Official genetics: Afghani Indica × Thai Sativa landrace. Indica share ≈95%, making Northern Lights one of the most indica-dominant commercial strains. The Afghan component delivers compact growth, fast flowering and heavy resin; the Thai genetics add stability and a touch of clarity to an otherwise dense indica profile.

Of the eleven original phenotypes, NL#1, NL#2 and NL#5 survive in modern genetics. NL#5 is considered the most commercially valuable cut — mother of nearly all modern «Northern Lights» versions and parent of Sensi Seeds classics like Shiva Skunk (NL#5 × Skunk #1) and Northern Lights Haze (NL#5 × Haze).

Original NL clones still exist in specialised European and American gene banks; commercial seeds are typically back-crossed F1 or S1 versions — very close to the original but not 100% identical.

THC, CBD and cannabinoid profile

Average THC content: 16–21%. By modern standards this puts Northern Lights in the moderate range — well below high-potency hybrids like Gorilla Glue #4 or Girl Scout Cookies. CBD typically < 0.2%.

Secondary cannabinoids: CBN (0.3–0.8%, higher than in many other strains), CBG (0.2–0.5%), trace CBC. The relatively high CBN — a degradation product of THC — contributes to the pronounced sedative effect, especially in late-harvested or slightly aged flowers.

Northern Lights is one of the few classic high-potency strains that remains manageable for less experienced consumers. The THC-to-terpene ratio delivers a predictable, body-led high without strong psychedelic character.

Terpenes & aroma

Dominant terpene: myrcene (often 0.8–1.2% of dry mass), followed by α-pinene, β-caryophyllene and limonene. Myrcene is the classic indica terpene and one of the main drivers of sedative, muscle-relaxing effect.

Aroma in the jar: sweet-earthy with a clear pine note (pinene), background of damp soil and a subtle citrus tip. When vaped the sweet-earthy axis comes forward; in a joint pine and spicy caryophyllene dominate.

More detail in our terpene profiles: myrcene, pinene and caryophyllene.

Effects & experience

Onset: 5–10 minutes when vaped, 30–60 minutes orally. Peak at 30–45 minutes (inhaled). Main duration: 2–4 hours, comedown another 1–2 hours — Northern Lights has one of the longest comedowns among classic indicas.

Initial phase (0–20 min): mild euphoria, calm mood, warm body sensation. Main phase (20–120 min): deep body-stone, muscle relaxation, heaviness in the limbs, marked sedation. Comedown (120–240 min): rising drowsiness, gentle drift to sleep.

Northern Lights is the classic «night strain». For day use or creative/social activities it is poorly suited. Sativa-dominant alternatives for daytime: Sour Diesel, Jack Herer or Durban Poison.

Medical use

Northern Lights is one of the most frequently prescribed strains for sleep disorders, chronic pain, muscle spasticity (MS), restless-legs syndrome and severe stress states. The myrcene-CBN profile produces a marked sedative component regularly described in patient reports as «a reliable sleep strain.

Thanks to its moderate THC and relatively low psychedelic component, Northern Lights is particularly suited to older patients or those new to medical cannabis. In Canadian dispensary statistics, NL regularly ranks in the top 3 strains prescribed for insomnia and fibromyalgia.

This content does not replace medical advice. For medical use in Switzerland see cannabis prescription Switzerland and cannabis for sleep.

Cultivation notes (overview)

Indoor height: 90–120 cm (compact, ideal for SOG/SCROG), flowering: 6–8 weeks — one of the fastest indicas. Yield: 450–550 g/m². Outdoor harvest window in the northern hemisphere: late September to early October.

Northern Lights is decidedly beginner-friendly: high mould resistance, robust response to nutrient and climate swings, predictable flowering phase. These traits explain why NL remains the number-one indica parent strain for commercial hybrids.

In Switzerland the private cultivation of THC-bearing Northern Lights (> 1% THC) without medical prescription is illegal. CBD-dominant NL phenotypes under 1% THC are legal and widely available on the Swiss indoor market under names like «Northern Lights CBD.

The NL family: successor strains

Northern Lights is parent to an entire generation of modern classics: Shiva Skunk (NL#5 × Skunk #1) — spicier, even heavier in the body. Super Silver Haze (NL × Haze × Skunk) — the gold standard for tropical sativa hybrids. Northern Lights Haze (NL#5 × Haze) — a clearer, more creative version of the original.

Many «Kush» and «auto» lines also carry NL genetics: Critical Kush (NL × Critical Mass), Northern Lights Automatic and countless indica-dominant autoflowers rely on NL as a stable genetic backbone.

If you like Northern Lights, also try White Widow, Granddaddy Purple and OG Kush.

Comparison: Northern Lights vs. similar strains

NL vs. White Widow: White Widow is more hybrid and somewhat more functional during the day; NL is more pure indica, more sedating and heavier in the body.

NL vs. Granddaddy Purple: GDP is sweeter, more fruity (berry, grape) and visually more striking; NL is earthy-piney with a longer body-stone.

NL vs. Gorilla Glue #4: GG4 is markedly more potent (25–30% THC), aromatic diesel; NL is more moderate (16–21% THC), more manageable and more classic for sleep.

NL vs. Girl Scout Cookies: GSC is more hybrid with a pronounced head-high at the start; NL is directly physical, with no sativa lead-in.

Northern Lights in Switzerland: availability & law

The psychoactive original version of Northern Lights (16–21% THC) is not available on the open Swiss market — access only via medical cannabis prescription. Since the 2022 Narcotics Act revision, without a special BAG permit.

On the open Swiss market, CBD-dominant Northern Lights cuts («Northern Lights CBD») are widespread. The myrcene-pinene profile is preserved, THC stays below 1%. Because of the pronounced sedative terpene signature, these CBD versions are particularly popular among consumers with sleep problems.

For CannabisClub members with Swiss residency, medical THC prescriptions are heavily discounted. More in our THC strains, indica strains and medical cannabis hubs.

FAQ

Sources & references

• Legal framework for hemp and cannabis products — BAG / OFSP / UFSP / FOPH
• Cannabis and cannabinoids: research and limitations — NCCIH