Cherry #3
A CBD-dominant hemp cultivar with unverified pedigree and variable phenotypes across seed lines.
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Cherry #3 is a real, widely-grown CBD hemp cultivar—but 'Cherry #3' isn't a locked clone; it's a name applied to multiple seed lines by different vendors. Its exact origins are genuinely disputed, with no primary breeder documentation. Its effects are unstudied in clinical settings. Buy the lab report, not the story.
What we know about Cherry #3
Cherry #3 is a CBD-dominant hemp cultivar widely grown in the US industrial hemp industry since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp cultivation [1]. It is reliably CBD-dominant, typically testing 12–18% CBD and 0.15–0.30% THC by dry weight Strong evidence[2], keeping it within the federal 0.3% THC limit for most harvests. The plant produces a sweet, fruity aroma commonly described as cherry or candy-like, and some phenotypes show red or purple-tinged bracts and pistils Anecdote.
Unlike strains discussed in the recreational cannabis world, Cherry #3 exists primarily as seed lines, not locked clones. Different seed nurseries sell plants under this name that can vary noticeably in height, aroma intensity, and exact cannabinoid ratios. If you are buying seed or clones, genetics matter—but 'Cherry #3' alone does not guarantee consistency without a traceable parental record.
Lineage: what is claimed vs. what is verified
The most common origin story attributes Cherry #3 to selection from Cherry Wine, itself said to derive from The Wife × Charlotte's Cherries, by hemp breeders working in Colorado, Oregon, or the Carolinas in the mid-2010s Disputed. However, we have found no primary breeder documentation (seed registry, patent, or publicly archived breeding notes) that supports any of these claims No data.
What we can say is that 'Cherry' hemp cultivars (Cherry Wine, Cherry Blossom, Cherry #3, and others) share aroma characteristics and cannabinoid profiles, suggesting shared ancestry or common selection pressure Weak / limited[2]. The exact pedigree of any Cherry #3 seed lot is effectively unknown without vendor documentation.
If lineage matters to you, ask your seed seller or nursery for written parental documentation. Most will not provide it—a sign that the record does not exist or is not being maintained.
Chemistry: cannabinoids and terpenes
Cannabinoids. Cherry #3 is a Type III (CBD-dominant) chemotype. Industry and published lab reports show typical dry flower CBD at 12–18% and THC at 0.15–0.30%, yielding a CBD:THC ratio of roughly 20:1 to 30:1 Strong evidence[2]. Minor cannabinoids include CBG (usually <1%) and trace CBC. Late-harvest material—especially under stress—can exceed the 0.3% federal THC limit, a well-documented risk across CBD hemp cultivars Strong evidence[3].
Terpenes. Reported dominant terpenes are myrcene, β-caryophyllene, and α-pinene, with α-humulene and α-bisabolol as common minors Weak / limited. The distinctive cherry-candy aroma is not explained by any single terpene and likely arises from minor volatile esters and their interactions; this specific mechanism has not been formally studied in Cherry #3 Weak / limited.
Note: the widely repeated claim that >0.5% myrcene determines a strain's indica effects is marketing folklore without peer-reviewed support. See The Myrcene 0.5% Threshold.
Effects: what is studied vs. what is claimed
There are no clinical trials of Cherry #3 specifically. Any claim that this cultivar produces a particular effect—anxiety relief, sleep aid, pain reduction—is anecdote, not evidence Anecdote. Do not confuse vendor marketing with science.
CBD itself (the compound, at pharmaceutical doses) has clinical evidence for anxiety and seizure disorders [4][5]. However, a joint of Cherry #3 flower delivers CBD at far lower doses (typically 20–50 mg per smoking session) than clinical trials, which use 300–1000+ mg per day of purified CBD Strong evidence. Extrapolating laboratory CBD findings to smoking flower is not straightforward.
Because Cherry #3 contains real (though legal) THC, heavy consumption can produce a positive urinary drug test Strong evidence[6]. Do not assume 'hemp' or 'low-THC' means 'undetectable.'
Growing Cherry #3
Cherry #3 is generally considered forgiving by hemp growers. Anecdotal cultivation reports include:
- Structure: Medium to tall plants with moderate internodal spacing; responsive to topping and light training.
- Flowering time: 8–9 weeks indoors; outdoor harvest in the northern hemisphere typically early October.
- Mold risk: Moderate; dense colas on some phenotypes can be susceptible to botrytis if humidity remains high during late flowering.
- Nutrient needs: Average; not known as a heavy feeder.
- THC compliance: As with all CBD hemp cultivars, late-season stress (heat, drought, insect damage) can push THC over 0.3%. US Hemp Program growers should test in-field and be ready to harvest early Strong evidence[3].
Feminized seed from a reputable nursery typically gives more consistent chemotype; clones taken from a verified mother lock in a specific phenotype. Without documented parentage, neither guarantees true lineage consistency.
What to check if you see Cherry #3 for sale
- Certificate of Analysis (COA). A current lab report showing cannabinoid content (CBD, THC), terpene profile if listed, and residual solvent/pesticide screening. This is the only claim that matters; everything else is marketing [1]. See Certificate of Analysis (COA).
- Breeder or vendor name. Reputable seed companies or nurseries will clearly state who produced the material. Be wary of "Cherry #3" with no named source.
- Batch testing. Ask if the seed lot or clone line was tested for chemotype before sale. Responsible vendors will have this on file.
- Hemp vs. recreational context. Cherry #3 is grown almost exclusively as hemp (under USDA Hemp Program rules). If a seller is marketing it as a 'strain' in a high-THC recreational context, something is wrong.
Similar documented cultivars
Other CBD hemp cultivars with documented presence in the market or seed catalogs include Cherry Wine, Cherry #7, and Cherry #15, though all face the same documentation gaps as Cherry #3. Non-cherry CBD cultivars with better-documented origin include Pure Princess.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cherry #3 indica or sativa? Cannabis indica and sativa classifications are based on plant shape and geography, not effects or chemistry. That distinction does not predict how a plant will affect you. See The Indica/Sativa Myth. Cherry #3 is typically described as sativa-leaning or sativa, but this label tells you almost nothing useful.
What is the THC content? Typically 0.15–0.30% by dry weight, well below the 0.3% federal hemp limit for most harvests. However, late-harvest material can exceed this, especially if the plant is stressed. Always check the lab report (COA) on the specific batch you are buying.
Who bred Cherry #3? This is genuinely uncertain. Common claims attribute it to hemp breeders in Colorado, Oregon, or the Carolinas, or as a selection from Cherry Wine, but no primary documentation (seed registry, patent, or archived breeding notes) supports any named breeder. Different vendors may have acquired and re-released different phenotypes under the same name.
How long does it take to flower? Approximately 8–9 weeks indoors; outdoor harvest in the northern hemisphere typically falls in early to mid-October. Exact timing varies by phenotype, light cycle, and climate.
Help us improve this article
If you have a breeder's record, seed catalog, lab report, or company documentation that identifies the original breeder or a specific Cherry #3 lineage, please flag an error and share it. We will verify and credit the source. The more we know, the more accurate this page becomes.
Sources
- Government U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2021). Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program. Final Rule. Federal Register, 86(13).
- Peer-reviewed Jin, D., Dai, K., Xie, Z., & Chen, J. (2020). Secondary Metabolites Profiled in Cannabis Inflorescences, Leaves, Stem Barks, and Roots for Medicinal Purposes. Scientific Reports, 10, 3309.
- Peer-reviewed Toth, J. A., et al. (2020). Development and Validation of Genetic Markers for Sex and Cannabinoid Chemotype in Cannabis sativa L. GCB Bioenergy, 12(3), 213–222.
- Peer-reviewed Bergamaschi, M. M., et al. (2011). Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients. Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(6), 1219–1226.
- Peer-reviewed Devinsky, O., et al. (2017). Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 376(21), 2011–2020.
- Peer-reviewed Spindle, T. R., et al. (2020). Urinary Excretion Profile of 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) Following Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Administration in Infrequent Cannabis Users. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 44(9), 909–917.
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Related
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- Cherry #15 — A Northeast craft hybrid with cherry-gas terps and thin public data.
- Cherry #7 — An undocumented strain name circulating in cannabis markets without verifiable breeder or...
- The Indica/Sativa Myth — The popular classification system contradicts genetics, chemistry, and controlled research...
- The Myrcene 0.5% Threshold — A viral cannabis rule with no peer-reviewed evidence behind it.
- Pure Princess — A strain name with no confirmed breeder, genetics, or chemical documentation.