Classic · Late 1970s (US) / 1985 (Seed Bank of Holland release)
Northern Lights #5
a.k.a. NL5
The defining indica template — short, dense, resin-saturated, three-time Cup winner.
- Type
- Indica
- Origin
- Seattle, Washington → Amsterdam
- Bred by
- 'The Indian' (original) → Neville Schoenmakers (stabilised)
- Parents
- Afghani landrace selections (eleven original phenos, #5 selected)
History
Originally bred near Seattle from pure Afghani stock, Northern Lights was a clone-only strain until Neville Schoenmakers acquired cuts and stabilised the #5 pheno in seed form at the Seed Bank of Holland. It dominated the first three High Times Cannabis Cups (1988, 1989, 1990).
Sensory & chemical profile
Short, dense, resin-heavy plants. Sweet pine and earth aroma. 16–21% THC. Myrcene-dominant, with α-pinene and β-caryophyllene.
UK medical relevance
Widely prescribed in the UK under producer SKUs such as Noidecs T18 Northern Lights and Grow Pharma T18 Northern Lights. Reported by patients for evening pain relief, insomnia and muscle spasticity.
Legacy
The defining indica template — short flowering, fat colas, resin-saturated.
Notable descendants
- Shiva Skunk
- Jack Herer
- Sour Diesel
- Bedica (lineage)
Patient note
Heritage strain profiles describe the historical lineage and chemovar template. Modern UK pharmacy SKUs derived from these lines will differ in cannabinoid content, terpene ratio and effect. Always consult your prescribing clinician. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice. Cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK are prescription-only under NICE NG144 guidance.