Lifter - the Queen of CBD Seeds

Few hemp varieties have made an impact quite like Lifter. Since its introduction in 2018, this exceptionally productive, high-CBD hemp cultivar has earned a reputation among farmers, extractors, and smokable flower growers for its enormous yields, consistent growth, high cannabinoid content, and distinctive terpene profile.

From small home gardens to commercial hemp farms spanning hundreds of acres, Lifter CBD seeds have become a trusted choice for growers seeking reliable, high-quality CBD flower and biomass.

Lifter has earned numerous industry awards, demonstrated outstanding performance in independent university field trials, and helped establish a new standard for high-yielding CBD hemp genetics.

But behind this agricultural powerhouse is a story that begins not with cannabis, but with heirloom tomatoes and a remarkable woman in the mountains of Southern Oregon.

The Story Behind Lifter: A Tribute to Family

Lifter was named after the famous Mortgage Lifter heirloom tomato, a variety celebrated for its enormous fruit and remarkable productivity.

The name is a tribute to Lorri, the mother of GTR Seeds co-founders Seth and Eric Crawford.

For years, Lorri has been known throughout Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley for growing and sharing exceptional heirloom tomato starts. Each spring, she carefully cultivates thousands of seedlings, nurturing them into vigorous young plants before distributing them throughout her community.

Her greenhouse and off-grid cabin sit high on a remote mountainside, miles from civilization. Deep snowpack, fallen trees, and difficult mountain roads are simply part of everyday life.

Despite these challenges, her dedication to growing and sharing plants has never wavered.

Her tomato starts have nourished countless families, bringing fresh food, happiness, and a little more beauty into the world. Like ripples spreading across a pond, her generosity reaches far beyond her mountain home.

That resilience, generosity, and passion for growing left a lasting impression on Seth and Eric.

When the brothers developed a CBD hemp variety known for its tremendous productivity and vigor, the name Lifter felt like a natural fit.

Thanks, Lorri. We love you.

University of Vermont Field Trials: Lifter Outperforms the Competition

Lifter's reputation for extraordinary production isn't based solely on grower testimonials. Its performance has also been documented through independent university research.

In 2020, researchers at the University of Vermont, led by Dr. Heather Darby, evaluated 27 full-season hemp flower cultivars at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont.

The study compared varieties for flower yield, growth characteristics, cannabinoid production, and pest tolerance.

Lifter produced the highest recorded dry flower yield of any full-season cultivar in the trial.

According to the university's published results:

• Lifter: 4,283 pounds of flower per acre at 8% moisture

• Trial average: 1,838 pounds per acre

• Yield advantage: Approximately 133% above the trial average

• Dry flower yield: 2.26 pounds per plant at 0% moisture

Lifter also outproduced several other well-known hemp cultivars in the trial, including Suver Haze, Elektra, and Cherry Blossom.

While individual farm results will vary with growing conditions and management practices, these findings demonstrate Lifter's remarkable potential for commercial CBD flower production. The reported yield advantage is numerical and does not establish statistical superiority over every individual cultivar.

Read the original research: University of Vermont — 2020 Hemp Flower Variety Trial (PDF). See Table 8 for the complete cultivar yield comparisons.

Why Growers Continue to Choose Lifter CBD

Lifter has remained one of our most sought-after CBD varieties for good reason. Its combination of plant vigor, flower quality, cannabinoid production, and adaptability makes it a strong choice for both commercial operations and home growers.

Exceptional CBD Flower and Biomass Yields

Lifter produces large, vigorous plants with substantial branching and dense, resin-rich flowers. Under favorable growing conditions, plants can develop into enormous bushes capable of producing impressive quantities of harvestable material.

This productivity makes Lifter particularly attractive for commercial CBD hemp biomass production, where flower yield and cannabinoid concentration directly influence potential returns.

High CBD Content and Excellent Extraction Potential

Lifter was bred for strong CBD-dominant cannabinoid expression, with a CBD-to-THC ratio typically around 28:1.

Well-grown, mature flowers can achieve high cannabinoid concentrations, making the variety particularly desirable for CBD extraction.

For processors, the combination of high flower yields and high CBD content can mean more recoverable cannabinoids per acre. This can improve extraction efficiency and overall crop value, depending on production costs, processing efficiency, and market conditions.

Premium Smokable CBD Flower

Lifter isn't just a biomass producer.

Its large, resinous flowers and distinctive sweet, fruity, funky aroma with subtle fuel notes have made it a favorite among smokable hemp flower growers.

With proper cultivation, harvesting, drying, and curing, Lifter can produce attractive, aromatic CBD flower suitable for premium markets.

Reliable Growth and Timely Harvests

Lifter is known for vigorous, consistent growth and performs well in a wide range of cultivation environments.

For outdoor growers, its relatively early flowering and late-September maturity in suitable climates can be especially valuable. Earlier harvest windows help reduce exposure to prolonged autumn rains, cold temperatures, and late-season disease pressure.

Its approximate eight-week flowering period also makes Lifter a practical choice for growers planning commercial harvest schedules.

An Award-Winning CBD Hemp Variety

Lifter's success extends beyond the field.

The variety has earned recognition in competitive hemp flower events, including:

• 2020 Golden Grow Awards: 1st Place

• 2021 Golden Grow Awards: 1st Place Potency and 1st Place Judges' Choice

• 2021 High Times Hemp Cup: 1st Place

These awards reflect the qualities that have made Lifter a longtime favorite among CBD hemp growers: high cannabinoid content, exceptional flower quality, and an unmistakable aroma.

Lifter CBD Seeds: A Proven Classic That Continues to Deliver

Since 2018, Lifter has helped growers produce high-quality CBD hemp across a wide range of farms and climates.

Its exceptional productivity, independent university trial performance, and numerous awards have secured its place among the most recognized CBD hemp cultivars.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of Lifter's story is its beginning: a tribute to a mother whose passion for growing and generosity toward others helped inspire the next generation of plant breeders.

Just like the heirloom tomato that inspired its name, Lifter was developed to produce abundantly and share that abundance with the people who grow it.

Looking for proven, high-yielding CBD hemp genetics?

Explore our Lifter feminized CBD seeds, available for home growers and commercial farms, or browse our complete collection of high-CBD seeds to find the right genetics for your next harvest.