What Are Terpenes and How Do They Impact Cannabis Strains?
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT the aroma of cannabis that soothes the mind and body. Whether it’s the sweet fruity taste of Pineapple Express or that skunky smell that bursts from a cracked bud of Sour Diesel, we know there’s something going on under their complex and flavorful bouquets.
Terpenes are what you smell, and knowing what they are will deepen your appreciation of cannabis, regardless of whether you’re a medical patient or a recreational consumer.
Secreted in the same glands that produce cannabinoids like THC and CBD, terpenes are the pungent oils that distinguish cannabis varieties with distinctive flavors like citrus, berry, mint, and pine.
Not unlike other strong-smelling plants and flowers, the development of terpenes in cannabis began for adaptive purposes: to repel predators and lure pollinators. There are many factors that influence a plant’s development of terpenes, including climate, weather, age and maturation, fertilizers, and soil type.
More than a hundred different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant, and every strain tends toward a unique terpene type and composition. In other words, a strain like Cheese and its descendants will likely have a discernible cheeselike smell, and Blueberry offspring will often inherit the scent of berries.
The diverse palate of cannabis flavors is impressive enough, but arguably the most fascinating characteristic of terpenes is their ability to interact synergistically with other compounds in the plant, like cannabinoids. In the past few decades, most cannabis varieties have been bred to contain high levels of THC, and as a result, other cannabinoids like CBD have fallen to just trace amounts. This has led many to believe that terpenes may play a key role in differentiating the effects of various cannabis strains.
DID YOU KNOW? Terpenes are highly volatile, easily combustible compounds. To best preserve these tasty terpenes, consume cannabis with a vaporizer. Vaporizers heat cannabis at lower temperatures, so you get more THC, CBD, and terpenes without the smoke.
THC binds to cannabinoid receptors concentrated heavily in the brain where psychoactive effects are produced. Some terpenes also bind to these receptor sites and affect their chemical output. Others can modify how much THC passes through the blood-brain barrier. Their hand of influence even reaches to neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin by altering their rate of production and destruction, their movement, and availability of receptors.
The effects these mechanisms produce vary from terpene to terpene; some are especially successful in relieving stress, while others promote focus and acuity. Myrcene, for example, induces sleep whereas limonene elevates mood. There are also effects that are imperceptible, like the gastro-protective properties of caryophyllene.
Their differences can be subtle, but terpenes add great depth to the horticultural art and connoisseurship of cannabis. Most importantly, terpenes may offer additional medical value as they mediate our body’s interaction with therapeutic cannabinoids. Many cannabis analysis labs now test terpene content, so any consumer can have a better idea of what effects a strain might produce. With their unlimited combinations of synergistic effects, terpenes will likely open up new scientific and medical terrains for cannabis research.
Most Common Cannabis Terpenes
Pinene
Aroma: Pine
Common Effects: Alertness, memory retention, counteracts some THC effects
Potential Medical Value: Asthma relief, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory
Also Found In: Pine needles, rosemary, basil, parsley, dill
Cannabis Strains with a High Pinene Potential: Jack Herer, Chemdawg, Trainwreck, Super Silver Haze, White Widow, Island Sweet Skunk, Blue Dream
DID YOU KNOW? Pinene is the most commonly encountered terpene in nature.
Myrcene
Aroma: Musky, cloves, earthy, herbal with notes of citrus and tropical fruit
Common Effects: Sedating “couch-lock” effect, relaxing
Potential Medical Value: Antioxidant; relieves muscle tension, sleeplessness, pain, inflammation, and depression
Also Found In: Mango, lemongrass, thyme, hops
Cannabis Strains with a High Myrcene Potential: Granddaddy Purple, Banana Kush, ACDC, Purple Kush, White Fire OG, Space Queen, Skywalker OG, Grape Ape
FUN FACT Ever been told to eat a mango if you want to enhance your high? The logic here is that mangoes contain a high level of myrcene. Try it out next time you have a mango.
Limonene
Aroma: Citrus
Common Effects: Elevated mood, stress relief
Potential Medical Value: Antifungal; antibacterial; anticarcinogenic; mood enhancement; may treat gastrointestinal complications, heartburn, and depression
Also Found In: Fruit rinds, rosemary, juniper, peppermint
Cannabis Strains with a High Limonene Potential: Durban Poison, Golden Goat, Trainwreck, Super Lemon Haze, Sour Diesel, LA Confidential, Headband, Alien OG
Caryophyllene
Aroma: Pepper, spicy, woody, cloves
Common Effects: No detectable physical effects
Potential Medical Value: Gastro-protective, anti-inflammatory; good for arthritis, ulcers, autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal complications
Also Found In: Black pepper, cloves, cotton
Cannabis Strains with a High Caryophyllene Potential: Hash Plant, Tahoe OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies, ACDC
Linalool
Aroma: Floral, citrus, candy
Common Effects: Anxiety relief and sedation
Potential Medical Value: Antianxiety, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antiacne
Also Found In: Lavender, citrus, birch, laurel, rosewood
Cannabis Strains with a High Linalool Potential: G13, Amnesia Haze, Lavender, LA Confidential
Terpenes at a Glance
BOILING POINTS
MYRCENE: 168°C (334°F)
CARYOPHYLLENE: 168°C (320°F)
LINALOOL: 198°C (388°F)
PINENE: 155°C (311°F)
HUMULENE: 198°C (388°F)
LIMONENE: 176°C (349°F)
AROMAS
MYRCENE: musk, cloves, herbal, citrus
CARYOPHYLLENE: pepper, wood, spice
LINALOOL: floral, citrus, spice
PINENE: sharp, sweet, pine
HUMULENE: woody, earthy
LIMONENE: citrus, lemon, orange
EFFECTS
MYRCENE: sedating, relaxing, enhances THC’s psychoactivity
CARYOPHYLLENE: no detectable physical effects
LINALOOL: sedating, calming
PINENE: memory retention, alertness
HUMULENE: suppresses appetite
LIMONENE: elevated mood, stress relief
ALSO FOUND IN
MYRCENE: mango, thyme, citrus, lemongrass, bay leaves
CARYOPHYLLENE: pepper, cloves, hops, basil, oregano
LINALOOL: lavender, citrus, laurel, birch, rosewood
PINENE: pine needles, conifers, sage
HUMULENE: hops, coriander
LIMONENE: citrus rinds, juniper, peppermint
MEDICAL BENEFITS
MYRCENE: antiseptic, anti-bacterial, antifungal, inflammation
CARYOPHYLLENE: antioxidant, inflammation, muscle spasms, pain, insomnia
LINALOOL: insomnia stress, depression, anxiety, pain, convulsions
PINENE: inflammation, asthma (bronchiodilator)
HUMULENE: anti-inflamatory, anti-bacterial, pain
LIMONENE: anti-depression, anti-anxiety, gastric reflux, antifungal
A Definitive Guide to Leafly’s Top Strains
Once upon a time, cannabis was delivered to us, nameless, in a plastic bag. If your dealer bothered to provide a name, maybe it was called OG Kush, Blue Dream, or Northern Lights. Today, as we gaze upon walls stacked with legal cannabis, you’d be hard-pressed to find one that didn’t have a name. So where did strain names come from, and what exactly do they mean?
While legal cannabis may be relatively new, the art and science of cannabis breeding is not. Decades ago, hushed grow operations were using strain names as a way to describe their personal creation. Some strains long separated from their original cultivators may have been given a name by whichever random consumer decided to give it one and share it. However a strain got its name, it received it for a single functional purpose: to differentiate it from other cannabis that was namelessly floating about the market.
Today, there are thousands of different named cannabis varieties—so many that a database like Leafly must exist in order to keep them straight! As an easy introduction to the world of cannabis strains, we decided to introduce you to our top twenty, with each one bringing something special to the table.
“Incredible strain, especially for wanting to get activities and responsibilities done. It provides a very energetic and alert high that will give you an adventurous demeanor.”
The most common and illustrious strain found across the United States.
Parent Strains: Blueberry x Haze
Flavors: Mixed berries with pronounced blueberry notes
Description: Blue Dream, a sativa-dominant hybrid originating in California, has achieved legendary status across the United States. Crossing a Blueberry indica with the sativa Haze, Blue Dream balances full-body relaxation with gentle cerebral invigoration. Novice and veteran consumers alike enjoy the level effects of Blue Dream, which ease you gently into a calm euphoria. Some Blue Dream phenotypes express a more indica-like look and feel, but the sativa-leaning variety remains most prevalent.
Consumption Tips: New to cannabis? Blue Dream is a fantastic strain for those seeking a gentle, mellow high without the anxious edge. For an even more mellow psychoactive experience, mix this strain with a high-CBD variety.
Best Pairings: Blue Dream is a versatile strain that suits rainy, lazy days at home just as much as sunny mornings spent outdoors. Roll it up and bring it on a hike, or share it with friends at your next movie night. Use it as a dessert strain following a big dinner, or pair it with your favorite wine or beer to bring out the sweet berry notes.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
330°F for uplifting, creative effects
360°F for relaxed mind and body
OG Kush
“It tastes delicious almost like a woody vanilla with sort of sweet undertone… I was so happy and talkative when usually I’m sort of antisocial. This bud kept a smile on my face and kept me giggling.”
The strain that gave rise to countless famous West Coast hybrids.
Parent Strains: Unknown
Flavors: Earthy pine with undertones of sour lemon zest
Description: OG Kush makes up the genetic backbone of West Coast cannabis varieties, but in spite of its ubiquity, its genetic origins remain a mystery. Popular myth maintains that Chemdawg and Hindu Kush parented OG Kush, passing on the distinct “kush” bud structure we see in many strains today. However, we can’t be sure because OG Kush first came from bag seed in the early ’90s. The earliest propagators (now known as Imperial Genetics) are said to have brought the seeds out of Florida to Colorado and Southern California, where it now flourishes. OG Kush is cherished for its ability to crush stress under the weight of its heavy euphoria.
Consumption Tips: Known for a pronounced THC content that often stretches beyond 20 percent, unseasoned consumers should tread carefully with this heavyweight. For those who can stand the potency, this one is a favorite for rolling into joints and blunts.
Best Pairings: Though small doses may still leave you feeling functional and active, OG Kush is best paired with relaxing activities. Spark it up in the hot tub or bath, or let it fuel your next movie binge.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
350°F for relaxed mood elevation
395°F for deeply sedating, heavily euphoric effects
Sour Diesel
“Extremely cerebral whenever I consumed it, but, as many others have pointed out, there really is no ‘couch-lock.’ It’s almost like Sour Diesel is a key, a key that opens up whole realms of your mind that you were once ignorant of.”
A popular sativa-dominant hybrid that smells just like its name.
Parent Strains: Unknown
Flavors: Sour lemon meets pungent, gassy diesel
Description: Sour Diesel, nicknamed Sour D, is most popularly known as a sativa-leaning hybrid with invigorating effects that put a pep in your step. But although most Sour Diesels today are sativa-like in appearance and effect, the original Sour Diesel from New York is said to be a hybrid with balanced effects inherited from Chemdawg 91 and Super Skunk. With so many look-alikes circulating the market, tracing Sour Diesel’s lineage has become somewhat of a murky endeavor. Most Sour Diesel you’ll come across, however, will carry a distinct diesel aroma that gave this strain its name and will have light-footed effects that’ll float you straight to cloud nine.
Consumption Tips: Love that Sour Diesel flavor? Put it in a vaporizer for the best flavor preservation. Despise that nasty fuel taste, but love Sour D’s effects? Look for an oil or concentrate with a more subdued aroma.
Best Pairings: Sour Diesel is the perfect sunshine strain to enjoy in the open air. Raising the senses to new heights, there’s no better companion for days spent on the beach or in the thick of nature.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
350°F for uplifting mood elevation and creativity
390°F for relaxed focus and pronounced euphoria
“Makes me relax hard. I love stretching it out on this strain; I’ve used this before a massage and before the odd yoga class to great effect. Such a chill euphoria! A great way to wind down in the evening for sure.”
King among indicas, this flavorful bud often blooms with beautiful purpled foliage.
Parent Strains: Purple Urkle x Big Bud
Flavors: Sweet red grapes combined with the taste of ripe mixed berries
Description: Introduced in 2003 by Ken Estes, Granddaddy Purple (GDP) is a famous indica born from parent strains Purple Urkle and Big Bud. GDP blooms in shades of deep purple, a contrastive backdrop for its snowlike dusting of white crystal resin. Its potent psychoactive effects are clearly detectable in both mind and body, delivering a fusion of cerebral euphoria and physical relaxation. While your thoughts may float in a dreamy buzz, your body is more likely to find itself fixed in one spot for the duration of GDP’s effects.
Consumption Tips: There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy Granddaddy Purple, but a vaporizer set to 340°F will best preserve the sweet berry flavor. Find it in oil or edible form to ensure a long, restful night of sleep.
Best Pairings: Few strains pair better with a glass of red wine in the evening. Pull up your comfiest chair to enjoy, or make this indica your bedside nightcap.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
340°F for relaxing mood elevation
395°F for deep sedation
White Widow
“Even after years of daily smoking and vaporizing, this strain’s indica side still floors me. [Its] scent and flavor are quite plain and natural, a simple earthen taste with a touch of wood. The first few seconds of a hit will have you calm and relaxed.”
The potent and earthy resin-queen hailing from Amsterdam.
Parent Strains: Brazilian sativa x South Indian indica
Flavors: Earthy flavors of sweet wood and hash
Description: Among the most famous strains worldwide is White Widow, a balanced hybrid first bred in the Netherlands by Green House Seeds. A cross between a Brazilian sativa landrace and a resin-heavy South Indian indica, White Widow has blessed nearly every Dutch coffee shop menu since its birth in the 1990s. Its buds are white with crystal resin, warning you of the potent effects to come. A powerful burst of euphoria and energy breaks through immediately, stimulating both conversation and creativity.
Consumption Tips: It’s easy to overdo it with White Widow, so dose modestly if you’re looking to avoid a premature bedtime. Also, be sure your grinder has a kief catcher, because this one produces a lot of crystal resin.
Best Pairings: A perfect after-work reward, White Widow pairs well with most relaxing activities outdoors or indoors. Fishing trips, campfires, and sunbathing can all be made even more enjoyable with White Widow, or use it after a big dinner to help you relax and digest.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
330°F for functional relaxation
390°F for deep sedation
Bubba Kush
“Effects are classic indica; sleepy, hungry, and happy. A moderate dose results in a feeling just short of couch-lock, allowing you to stay mobile, but at the same time making your chair feel insanely comfortable.”
A popular, tranquilizing Kush born and bred in the United States.
Parent Strains: Northern Lights x (OG Kush x unknown indica)
Flavors: A sweet, earthy blend of chocolate and coffee flavors
Description: Bubba Kush is an indica strain that has gained notoriety in the United States and beyond for its heavy tranquilizing effects. Sweet hashish flavors with subtle notes of chocolate and coffee come through on the exhale, delighting the palate as powerful relaxation takes over. From head to toe, muscles ease with heaviness as dreamy euphoria blankets the mind, crushing stress while coercing happy moods. Bubba Kush exhibits a distinctive, bulky bud structure with hues that range from forest green to pale purple.
Consumption Tips: Another THC heavyweight; cannabis novices should ease into this strain slowly. Its chocolate and coffee flavors are best brought out by vaporizers set to about 330°F.
Best Pairings: Arm yourself with Bubba Kush the next time you find yourself battling insomnia, or use it to bring relief to sore, aching muscles. However you choose to kick back with Bubba, just make sure your schedule is clear because you won’t be moving much once the effects settle in.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
330°F for functional relaxation
390°F for deep sedation
“It helps you forget yourself and unwind. In today’s hectic world, it can be your stolen moment to center yourself.”
A hybrid strain so good, they made a movie about it.
Parent Strains: Trainwreck x Hawaiian
Flavors: Sweet tropical fruit with a sour pineapple overtone
Description: Pineapple Express combines the potent and flavorful forces of parent strains Trainwreck and Hawaiian. The smell is likened to fresh apple and mango, with a taste of pineapple, pine, and cedar. This hard-hitting sativa provides a long-lasting energetic buzz perfect for productive afternoons and creative escapes.
Consumption Tips: This hybrid’s flavor is strong enough to withstand the combustion involved with pipes and bongs, but if you’re picky, throw this one in a vaporizer at 350°F to maximize those sweet tropical flavors.
Best Pairings: Pineapple Express’s balanced and eclectic nature pairs well with almost every activity imaginable, but nothing is better than sharing this one on a hot summer day. Fresh fruit and citrusy ales are unbeatable companions for this Hawaiian punch of a strain.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
350°F for uplifting, creative effects
390°F for relaxed mind and body
Northern Lights
“Melted into a tub of hot water and listened to music while my thoughts floated away and my body pain dissolved into the bath. The experience developed into a profound sleepiness.”
A rumored Pacific Northwest transplant blanketed in starry, crystal-tipped trichomes.
Parent Strains: Afghani x Thai
Flavors: Subtle earthy flavors with an edge of fresh pine
Description: Northern Lights stands among the most famous strains of all time, a powerful indica cherished for its resinous buds, fast flowering, and resilience during growth. Rumor has it that Northern Lights first sprouted near Seattle, Washington, but was propagated out of Holland after 1985 at what is now Sensi Seeds. Northern Lights’s psychoactive effects settle in firmly throughout the body, relaxing muscles and pacifying the mind in dreamy euphoria.
Consumption Tips: Powerful euphoria may coerce sleepiness, so however you choose to consume Northern Lights, be sure to do so in the evening or on a lazy day dedicated to doing nothing.
Best Pairings: A jar of Northern Lights may be the only thing standing between you and a good night’s sleep. Use this indica as a sleep aid or enjoy it alongside your favorite TV show.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
340°F for relaxing mood elevation
395°F for deep sedation
Durban Poison
“It wakes you up, cuts through the bleary fog and leaves you clearheaded and bright, gives you energy to go and seize the day.”
Fuel for focus and creative thought straight from Africa.
Parent Strains: African landrace
Flavors: Earthy spice lifted by the fresh scent of pine
Description: This pure sativa originates from the South African port city of Durban. It has gained notoriety worldwide for its sweet smell and energetic, uplifting effects. Durban Poison is the perfect strain to help you stay productive through a busy day, when exploring the outdoors, or to lend a spark of creativity.
Consumption Tips: Often rich in the rare cannabinoid THCV, vaporize this at 430°F to capture it. THCV is associated with high-energy effects perfect for staying active and focused.
Best Pairings: Durban Poison lights a fire under your creativity, boosting intrigue and engagement in writing, drawing, music, and other creative activities. Grab some coffee and some Durban Poison, and get ready to conquer your to-do list.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
360°F for uplifting mood elevation
430°F for sharp focus and mental stimulation
“I was grinning from ear to ear as I continued to look up at the stars or enjoy the warmth of the fire as this stellar high kicked in… keeping me blissfully high for the next two hours.”
A sativa that will have you exhaling a lungful of fresh strawberry flavor.
Parent Strains: Unknown
Flavors: Ripe strawberries fresh off the vine
Description: Known for its sweet smell of fresh strawberries and an expanding sensation that can make even the most seasoned consumer cough, Strawberry Cough is a potent sativa blend with mysterious genetic origins. The skunky, berry flavors will capture your senses while the cerebral, uplifting effects provide an aura of euphoria that is sure to leave a smile on your face. Strawberry Cough is a great solution for managing social anxieties and to balance yourself in times of elevated stress.
Consumption Tips: A vaporizer set to about 360°F is the best way to achieve a clean, strawberry flavor, but this strain tastes great in a clean pipe or bong as well.
Best Pairings: Nothing beats a bowl of fresh fruit to quench the dry mouth brought on by this strain from time to time. Social and upbeat, share Strawberry Cough with friends and go on an adventure out in nature.
Recommended Vaping Temperature:
360°F for uplifting mood elevation
390°F for relaxed focus and pronounced euphoria
Super Silver Haze
“Super Silver just kills depression and evaporates the pressure of stress without turning your mind to mush. It’s a very creative, positive high.”
A multi-award-winning sativa straight out of Holland.
Parent Strains: Unknown
Flavors: Earthy spice sweetened by orange zest
Description: First bred in Holland and propagated by Green House Seeds out of Amsterdam, Super Silver Haze is a famous sativa known for its energetic, long-lasting high that helps you coast into a positive, relaxed mind-set. A cross between Northern Lights, Skunk, and Haze, Super Silver brings together the best of indica, sativa, and hybrids with an emphasis on the uplifting, weightless sativa effects. It’s won numerous Cannabis Cup awards since the late ’90s.
Consumption Tips: Super Silver Haze is one of those strains you should have in your back pocket, rolled into a joint or ready to go in your one-hitter. Although it’s a great choice for staying productive and uplifted through the day, it tapers into mellow relaxation that can be embraced even late at night.
Best Pairings: Gracefully balancing dreamy introspection with calming physical attributes, Super Silver Haze pairs well with meditation, yoga, and other mindful practices. As it lends a spark to your creativity, you may also try using this strain with your favorite hobby or game.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
350°F for uplifting mood elevation and creativity
390°F for relaxed focus and pronounced euphoria
Blueberry
“The only things that top the magnificent blueberry smell are the feelings of relaxation, calm, and focus. It feels like a sativa in many ways except that this can also ease me to sleep if that’s what I’m after.”
The indica that brought the distinct flavor of blueberry to the cannabis world.
Parent Strains: (Purple Thai x Highland Thai) x Afghani
Flavors: Fresh blueberries bursting from rich soil
Description: The long history of Blueberry is traced back to the late 1970s when legendary American breeder DJ Short was working with a variety of exotic landrace strains. However, throughout the decades of Blueberry’s cultivation the genetics have been passed around, due in large part to DJ Short working with multiple seed banks and breeders. The sweet flavors of fresh blueberries combine with relaxing effects to produce a long-lasting sense of euphoria.
Consumption Tips: Blueberry is a great choice for new consumers looking to dip their toe into a gentle indica. Though not totally sedating like many heavy indicas, Blueberry is still preferred for unwinding in the afternoon or evening.
Best Pairings: Use Blueberry as a nightcap before bed, or if you need an afternoon pick-me-up after a long, stressful day. Its flavors pair beautifully with fruity notes of tea and blueberry-based drinks and cocktails.
Recommended Vaping Temperature:
340°F for relaxing mood elevation
395°F for deep sedation
“Very strong body high that very much feels as if you’re floating in warm water. If you’re able to keep completely motionless, you’ll feel every muscle in your body slowly [untense] themselves. After a while you won’t even want to move, staying in a quiet and still blissful world of your own.”
A U.K. strain with unique funky (yep, you guessed it) “cheesy” aroma.
Parent Strains: (Purple Thai x Highland Thai) x Afghani
Flavors: Sharp cheese flavors underlying a pungent earthy coat
Description: Named for its sharply sour aroma, Cheese is an indica-dominant hybrid from the U.K. that has achieved widespread popularity for its unique flavor and consistent potency. With origins that stretch back to the late 1980s, Cheese is said to descend from a Skunk #1 phenotype whose pungent aroma made it stand out. Breeders like Big Buddha Seeds later introduced Afghani indica genetics to increase Cheese’s trichome production and yields. The resulting hybrid is now well known for its relaxed, happy effects that gently ease you into a blissful state of mind.
Consumption Tips: Some consumers may be bothered by the unusual aroma of this strain, but if you’re embracing the novelty, stick this one in a vaporizer set to 350°F. Using this strain in a bong or pipe will tone down the cheese notes.
Best Pairings: Like the food it takes its name from, Cheese makes a lovely pair with your favorite wine. Combine this relaxing strain with a movie night with friends keeping in mind that conversations shared might not make a whole lot of sense.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
330°F for functional relaxation
390°F for deep relaxation
Cannatonic
“I can maintain my energy levels, while grounding myself. Makes me feel more connected to the world, instead of my usual routine of mentally floating around. Best of all, I become more functional and focused.”
A CBD-rich variety providing relaxation without the mental fog.
Parent Strains: MK Ultra x G13 Haze
Flavors: Freshly cut wood and earthy soil tinted with sweet citrus
Description: Cannatonic is a unique hybrid strain bred by Spanish seed bank Resin Seeds specifically for its low THC content (rarely above 6 percent) and high CBD content (6 to 17 percent). A cross between a female MK Ultra and a famous G13 Haze male, it produces a relatively short-lived, mellow high that is also uplifting and powerfully relaxing, thanks to the high CBD content. Most phenotypes present with a slight earthy odor and a mild, sweet, vaguely citrusy flavor.
Consumption Tips: Cannatonic is an excellent choice for beginners hoping to ease themselves into cannabis, or for anyone looking for clearheaded relief of stress, anxiety, pain, migraines, and tension. If using a vaporizer, be sure it heats past 356°F to capture Cannatonic’s CBD.
Best Pairings: When your to-do list feels too long, look to Cannatonic to help you out. Providing stress relief with only a very mild high, this hybrid motivates productivity without compromising cognition.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
360°F for clearheaded relaxation and relief
390°F for deeper relaxing properties
ACDC
“For someone with crippling anxiety issues that can sometimes drive me to nausea and vomiting, I really can’t overstate the amazing feeling of my [symptoms] fading away immediately upon administration of this incredible medicine. For someone like me, CBD has literally given me a new lease on life.”
A light-footed CBD strain with almost no THC to cloud your mind.
Parent Strains: Cannatonic
Flavors: Fresh forest pine subdued by earthy, woody notes
Description: ACDC is a sativa-dominant phenotype of the high-CBD cannabis strain, Cannatonic. One remarkable characteristic of ACDC is its THC to CBD ratio of 1 to 20, meaning this strain induces no psychoactive effects. Tests have put ACDC’s CBD content as high as 19 percent, which helps many patients treat pain, anxiety, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and the negative effects of chemotherapy, all without intoxication.
Consumption Tips: A favorite among anxiety sufferers, ACDC is a great strain for anyone sensitive to THC’s anxiety-provoking side effects. With vaporizers, note that they should be set to 356°F or higher to ensure CBD is vaporized.
Best Pairings: Social anxiety doesn’t stand a chance against the stress-fighting qualities of this head-high-free CBD strain. Use it to keep your cool on hectic days, or as a way to relax muscles while preparing for sleep.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
360°F for clearheaded relaxation and relief
390°F for deeper relaxing properties
“I get a nice clear uplifted buzz with a blast of mental creativity and charge of philosophic thoughts. Perfect for being outside on a sunny day.”
A high-energy sativa strain with unrivaled flavors of sweet citrus.
Parent Strains: California Orange x Skunk hybrid
Flavors: Fresh forest pine subdued by earthy, woody notes
Description: Tangie is another fantastic offering from DNA Genetics in Amsterdam that has quickly gained popularity in its home and is spreading elsewhere. This motivating, cerebrally calming strain is a remake of the popular version of Tangerine Dream that was sought after in the 1990s. The genetics on this strain are a cross of California Orange and a Skunk hybrid, and its citrus heritage is most evident in its refreshing tangerine aroma.
Consumption Tips: Turn that vape up to 360°F and let the sweet citrusy goodness take over. A favorite among flavor fiends and dabbers, Tangie oils and concentrates tend to retain, if not amplify, that pungent orange aroma.
Best Pairings: If you’re looking to really spoil your taste buds, pair the sweet clementine flavor of Tangie with citrusy drinks and foods. Uplifting like a warm summer day, take Tangie out for a nature walk and take in the enhanced sights and smells.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
360°F for uplifting mood elevation
390°F for relaxed focus and pronounced euphoria
Jack Herer
“I am unusually vulnerable to feeling anxiety and paranoia when using cannabis, Jack has never even made me tense. A reliable calm and uplifting experience that doesn’t cloud my mind.”
A Dutch staple delivering mellow euphoria with the uplifting scent of pine.
Parent Strains: Haze hybrid x (Northern Lights #5 x Shiva Skunk)
Flavors: Fresh forest pine subdued by earthy, woody notes
Description: Combining a Haze hybrid with a Northern Lights #5 and Shiva Skunk cross, Sensi Seeds created Jack Herer hoping to capture both the cerebral elevation associated with sativas and the heavy resin production of indicas. Jack Herer was developed in the Netherlands in the mid-1990s, where it was later distributed by Dutch pharmacies as a recognized medical-grade strain. Since then, the spicy, pine-scented sativa has taken home numerous awards for its quality and potency.
Consumption Tips: Jack Herer’s gentle euphoria makes this sativa a great choice for new consumers looking for a mellow introduction to cannabis. Vaporizing at lower temperatures will give rise to more clearheaded, alert effects.
Best Pairings: Productive days call for Jack Herer. Whether you’re tackling a creative project, cooking, or cleaning, the softly invigorating effects of this sativa should make active mornings and afternoons that much better.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
330°F for a more clearheaded, focused high
360°F for pronounced euphoria and enhanced mood elevation
Lamb’s Bread
“This herb really makes me feel energetic but in a good way; no rapid heartbeat, paranoia, or racing thoughts. Just positive energy.”
The Jamaican native known to bring thoughtful, peaceful serenity to the mind.
Parent Strains: Unknown Jamaican strains
Flavors: Sharp woody notes mixed with sweet, earthy soil
Description: Lamb’s Bread is a bright green and sticky sativa strain. The effects have been known to give mass amounts of energy and positive introspection. Stress subsides quickly with the Lamb’s Bread buzz, which can help ease depression. The plant originates from Jamaica, and it’s reported that Bob Marley himself encountered this wonderful slice of cannabis genealogy.
Consumption Tips: If you find Lamb’s Bread to cause too much activity in the mind, soften the effects by mixing in a high-CBD strain.
Best Pairings: Lamb’s Bread has historically been revered for its meditative effects, making it conducive for healing and spiritual practice. It is helpful for getting into a mental flow, and the uplifting tranquility of Lamb’s Bread could also assist in exercise and creative escapes.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
360°F for uplifting mood elevation
400°F for sharp focus and pronounced euphoria
“A stress-melting Jacuzzi of bliss to the head and body. This has become my go-to for when I wake on the wrong side of the bed. Almost instant attitude adjustment.”
A hybrid with enough stickiness to glue your fingertips together.
Parent Strains: Sour Dubb x Chem’s Sister x Chocolate Diesel
Flavors: Pine and fresh garden herbs with a sour, earthy edge
Description: Gorilla Glue #4, developed by GG Strains, is a potent hybrid strain that delivers heavy-handed euphoria and relaxation, leaving you feeling “glued” to the couch. Its chunky, resin-covered buds fill the room with pungent earthy and sour aromas inherited from its parent strains, Chem’s Sister (also called Chem Sis), Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel. Taking first place in both the Michigan and Los Angeles 2014 Cannabis Cups as well as the High Times Jamaican World Cannabis Cup, this award-winning hybrid’s supremacy is no longer a secret, and consumers will search far and wide to get their hands sticky with Gorilla Glue #4.
Consumption Tips: Those new to cannabis should undergo rigorous training before trying Gorilla Glue #4; its THC content regularly passes 20 percent, which may be a bit much for unseasoned consumers. Its stickiness may be useful in joint rolling, but don’t take that joint too far away from the couch if you’re susceptible to lethargy.
Best Pairings: Gorilla Glue #4 is the perfect strain to stimulate your appetite before a big dinner, or for relaxing with a movie afterward. Potent and long lasting, this hybrid is a best friend to gamers looking to sink a little deeper into their virtual world (and the couch).
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
330°F for uplifting, creative effects
395°F for relaxing, sedating effects
“Smoked a bowl of this and got inspired enough to clean my entire house. I felt incredibly accomplished and rewarded myself by eating a whole chicken. Most active day I’ve had in a while.”
A tropical-tasting sativa straight from the rich soil of Hawaii.
Parent Strains: Unknown Hawaiian strains
Flavors: Sweet tropical fruit with pronounced notes of pineapple, citrus, and papaya
Description: Maui Wowie (not Maui Waui) is a classic sativa whose tropical flavors and stress-relieving qualities will float you straight to the shores of Hawaii where this strain was originally born and raised. Since its beginnings in the island’s volcanic soil, Maui Wowie has spread across the world to bless us with its sweet pineapple flavors and high-energy euphoria. Lightweight sativa effects allow your mind to drift away to creative escapes, while Maui Wowie’s motivating, active effects may be all you need to get outside and enjoy the sun.
Consumption Tips: Consuming this strain is a vacation in itself; enjoy it rolled into a joint or in a readied one-hitter on your next adventure or while relaxing outdoors. Bring your vaporizer to 360°F to harness the full fruity flavors.
Best Pairings: A perfect strain for days spent in the sun, Mowie Wowie’s tropical flavors match well with cold fruity drinks and cocktails. The physical energy and motivation brought on by this sativa will encourage you to get outdoors and breathe the fresh air.
Recommended Vaping Temperatures:
360°F for uplifting mood elevation and creativity
390°F for relaxed focus and pronounced euphoria
