Oct 16th 2025

Understanding Croptober - How Harvest Season Impacts Medical Cannabis

Understanding Croptober — How Harvest Season Impacts Medical Cannabis

It’s the unofficial New Year for cannabis growers: Croptober. A simple portmanteau of Crop and October, this is the time when outdoor hemp farmers in the hemisphere take to the fields and start the all-important harvest.

For these farmers, the cooling season is a time for celebration or commiseration, depending on the bounty of the harvest. For users of medical cannabis, it can mean changes in prices for the coming year or even favorite strains returning to the local dispensary.

Although indoor cultivators produce plants all year round, the impact Croptober has on the cannabis industry as a whole can’t be overstated.

Popular Cannabis Strains in October

Large-scale harvesting of cannabis over a period of four to six weeks floods the market with high-quality and highly varied cultivars of cannabis. Reports show that states like California are expecting bumper harvests, with unusually cool summer temperatures producing plants high in terpene​s.

One of the primary impacts medical cannabis users will notice is that certain strains become much more highly available, especially toward the end of Croptober when plants have been dried, cured, and packaged for distribution. Freshly picked strains are packed with the phytochemicals that give them their potentially beneficial effects.

Platinum OG

Potent and relaxing, Platinum OG is a cross of three strains, including OG Kush and Master Kush, and has THC levels of between 20% and 24%. Notable terpenes include myrcene, with hints of lemongrass and green hop notes, and pinene, which carries the aroma of walking through a pine forest.

The combined effects of the terpenes and cannabinoids make this strain potentially ideal for:

• Stress relief
• Intense relaxation
• Mood elevation
• Better sleep
• Pain management

Experts recommend taking this strain at night due to its potential sedative effects. Platinum OG thrives both indoors and outdoors, so expect to see more at your dispensary after Croptober concludes.

White Widow

White Widow is well-known for its high THC levels (up to 25%) and powerful impact. It was developed in the 1990s and remains popular to this day. It can grow outdoors in sunny climes, so expect to see it on the menu at dispensaries in states like Florida and California.

Medical cannabis users can enjoy potential benefits, including:

• Anxiety relief
• Depression relief
• Euphoria
• Increased energy levels
• Relaxation

Although high in THC, White Widow is low in CBD and CBN, so medical cannabis users seeking these cannabinoids may wish to look elsewhere.

Northern Lights

Perfect for fall, Northern Lights combines seasonally spicy and woody notes, with just a touch of citrus. The THC concentration is between 16% and 21%, and it’s been a popular choice for physical relaxation since the 1970s.

The genetics of Northern Lights are unclear, but it’s recommended for:

• Relief from sleep troubles
• Body relaxation
• Euphoria
• Stress relief

This strain has over 30 individual constituents, including terpinolene, which may offer a broad range of therapeutic benefits. Northern Lights is known for its hardiness even when grown outdoors, so it’s a regular star of Croptober.

Seasonal Consumption Trends

Figures suggest that during autumn and into winter, the use of cannabis increases, with sales peaking in October. There are several factors impacting this:

• Seasonal affective disorder — Sometimes called seasonal adjustment disorder or SAD, this is a period of low mood that occurs when the season gets colder and darker. Many people use cannabis to help bolster their mental health.
• Increased instances of chronic pain — Colder weather means the exacerbation of conditions like rheumatism, arthritis, or physical injuries like broken bones that never healed correctly. Cannabis use may increase to manage these instances of elevated pain.
• Disrupted sleep schedules — As the nights get longer and darker, some people may find that this disrupts their circadian rhythms or natural sleep cycles. Medical cannabis is a well-known remedy for many types of sleep problems.
• Increased stress — Fall brings all types of stress, from back-to-school pressures (for both young people and parents) to changing work schedules, holidays, and the start of many sports seasons.

Individuals who know that winter can be a challenging time for them may utilize October as a time to stock up before their pain or mood levels change. The alignment of Croptober with this increased need is a happy coincidence powered by nature.

Market Dynamics and Pricing in October

These increased sales can impact prices — after all, when there’s demand, growers and retailers can drive prices up. But the supply also increases thanks to Croptober, so does this simply balance out?

Good news for consumers: Overall, prices fall during Croptober, with the influx of product and fierce competition to reach new markets keeping retail prices low. By October 10, 2025, the price of cannabis per pound had fallen 2.9% from the previous week, versus a decline of just 0.3% the previous week.

Medical cannabis users have the opportunity over the next few weeks to source new strains or previous favorites for lower prices.

Safety and Legal Considerations

Whatever types of cannabis strains and products you choose to explore, ensure you’re sourcing your medical cannabis from reputable dispensaries. Use a trusted dispensary directory. Remember, medical cannabis still isn’t legal everywhere, so if you’re traveling with your wellness products, take this into consideration.

As always, take medical cannabis as per the advice of a medical professional. Avoid mixing with alcohol and other substances that could make you feel overwhelmed and nauseous. And, if you find that you’re not getting the effects from medical cannabis that you used to, consider a cannabis tolerance break.

The complexities of Croptober are incredible. Farmers have to cut and store plants with volatile terpenes before they begin to degrade and lose their potential benefits. Working fast, at scale, in unpredictable outdoor conditions makes these cannabis cultivators heroes to many.

As medical cannabis consumers, you gain the many benefits of their hard work, in the shape of increased supply (if the harvest goes as expected) and lower prices. To learn more about medical cannabis or to find out how to get your medical cannabis certification, contact us and discover how we can reimagine wellness together.