Northern Lights was first developed in the 1970s in Washington State and since the initial hybridization has developed numerous sub-strains with varying qualities and features.2 Along with other hybrid strains of cannabis, Northern Lights is considered to be very potent, with estimates that hybrids have three to four times the amount of THC as a regular strain. A notable sub-strain is Northern Lights #1, which was the original strain developed. It is composed of one quarter C. indica ssp. indica (from Thailand) and three quarters C. indica ssp. afghanica.citation needed It was considered remarkably potent at the time, but since then other more potent sub-strains have emerged. Northern Lights is considered to be among the easiest strains to grow, being quite hardy and forgiving to the novice indoor grower with a typical flowering time of 6-7 weeks, often described as growing like "weeds".34 Northern Lights #5 in particular is renowned for this trait of growing very easily. The strain's reputation as a compact, high-yield plant, with a high potency also makes it popular among marijuana users. The #5 strain is also known to grow considerably tall for a cannabis plant, sometimes growing more than 14 feet (3-4 meters) tall, in proper conditions.5 The Northern Lights #5 strain has been critically acclaimed by many cannabis enthusiasts and has been a winner in competitions such as the Cannabis Cup.
Impacts
Northern Lights along with other hybrid strains has received much attention in the scientific community, as it is often the subject of experiments testing the viability of medicinal marijuana.6 The hybridization of cannabis is also notable in the botany community as Northern Lights in particular has been studied for its female and male genetic characteristics.78 While the Northern Lights strain has been praised in scientific and hemp communities, it has been seen as a nuisance to law enforcement agencies, especially in Canada, where the cannabis industry has been especially lucrative. Because Northern Lights is so easy to grow and is a high yielding, potent plant, many "grow houses" have popped up all over Canada. There, Northern Lights is typically grown indoors, using hydroponic techniques, under high-powered lights because of the harsh Canadian climate.9 According to Ontario police, between 2001 and 2005 the number of indoor grow operations rose by 250% 10
