As any recreational or medical marijuana user can tell you, not all cannabis is created equal. Different cannabis strain produce different effects, and thus can be used for different reasons.
If marijuana is legal in your state and you’re looking to try it, but not sure which cannabis strain best suit your needs, we’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to marijuana strains below.
What Is a Marijuana Strain?
If you've read a bit about marijuana, or walked into most dispensaries, you'll see the words indica, sativa and hybrid. In general, most people divide marijuana into these three categories.
Indica, which comes from the Hindu Kush mountains in India, is thought to have a relaxing effect on the user. Sativa has a more energetic effect, while hybrid is a combination of the two.
However, many industry experts are rethinking the categories of indica, sativa and hybrid. According to Amos Elberg, head of data science at Confident Cannabis, these terms are more or less meaningless.
"We see samples of all the cannabis products that are tested through our partner labs and when we look at all the data, particularly the chemical makeup of the flower, we don't see any identifiable characteristics that are consistent with indica, sativa or hybrid," he explains.
"Essentially, people are using these terms as catch-alls for effects, but they're not all consistent with those effects. For example, some indica makes some people wired, not couch-locked."
In other words, people shouldn't be alarmed if a supposedly energetic sativa strain has more of a mellowing effect, or if an indica strain makes them feel more bubbly and excitable.
Beyond indica, sativa and hybrid, dispensaries may divide the types of cannabis they have into strains. Strains are essentially different varieties of cannabis, bred to have specific effects on the user.
But if the terms indica, sativa and hybrid are essentially meaningless categorisations, are strain names meaningless too?
Not exactly.
“Not all seeds that are sold under the same name are genetically identical, or even necessarily related. Some producers may choose to create a strain name essentially as a branding exercise, or to identify their product with an existing name because they believe the product matches characteristics the market expects from product sold under that name,” Elberg explains.
However, Elberg adds that there is still consistency among products sold under specific strain names.
"In general, for the less common names, the product sold by different suppliers tends to be quite consistent," he notes. "However, for the most common strain names, there is a greater variety of different products being sold."
If you are buying from a quality source, the strains should be more or less consistent. However, remember that everyone reacts differently to cannabis.
How To Choose a Strain?
The strain you choose depends on the effect you want. As mentioned above, cannabis has a range of medical uses, but some strains are better for certain conditions than others.
It's also worth researching the potential adverse effects of the strain. Many of the more common strains listed below list dry mouth, dry eyes and dizziness as possible side effects. Marijuana also has the potential to interact with medicines you may be taking. Do not operate machinery while using marijuan
As cannabis breeders continue to crossbreed different strains of marijuana, we are being introduced to the most potent strains we've ever seen. The highest THC strains of today seemed impossible just 20 years ago. Whether you're looking for heightened effects or your tolerance is too high to benefit from average strains, you'll benefit from knowing our picks for the most potent indica, sativa and hybrid marijuana strains.
Strongest Indica Strain: Skywalker OG
Winner of the 2018 Karma Cup, Skywalker OG is generating a lot of interest for its powerful sedative effects. It has been crossed with two other high-THC strains, Skywalker and OG Kush, although its origins are not entirely known.
It is technically an Indica-dominant hybrid, but as the Indica often outweighs the Sativa by as much as 90:10, it fits much more comfortably in the Indica category. The THC content has been known to peak at 26%, making the psychotropic effect more powerful than any pure indica you're likely to find. It has a spicy herbal aroma and flavour profile that will be familiar to Kush enthusiasts.
The hybrid profile and high THC content provide both a mind and body high, relaxing the physical senses and contributing to excessive couchlock, while also promoting a feeling of dizzy lightheadedness. It's an excellent strain for when you want to relieve both mental and physical stress.
It may promote extreme lethargy and laziness that lasts for hours, so it’s recommended exclusively for nighttime use. Since Skywalker OG is truly one of the strongest weed strains, it may be useful for chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Avoid morning use, as some users have reported being virtually catatonic after just two hits.
Strongest Sativa Strain: Silver Haze
Silver Haze gets its name from the shiny silver layer of THC glands that coats its buds, and that should tell you all you need to know. The strain averages 23% THC and is known for its powerful cerebral effects. An intense sense of euphoria grips the user almost immediately, which is why it is sometimes used for stress and anxiety. It's also used for concentration as it gives energy without sacrificing clarity.
This amazing strain was developed by the lovely folks at Sensi Seeds as a hybrid of Haze and Northern Lights #5 (more on that one below). It's a bronze winner at the 2005 High Times Cannabis Cup and is still one of the most potent sativas out there. The effects are fast-acting and powerful because there’s almost no CBD to offset the psychoactive effects of the THC.
Just a heads-up: this strain isn't the same as Super Silver Haze. That one's a newer strain with less THC and less potent effects. But don't worry, the original Silver Haze is still one of (if not the) strongest weed strains of all the Haze varieties!
Strongest Hybrid Strain: Memory Loss
Memory Loss is one of the strongest cannabis strains ever cultivated. It's been tested with THC levels as high as 31%, and it's a 70:30 sativa-indica hybrid with only trace amounts of CBD to counterbalance the mind-numbing psychoactive effects. Created by the West Coast breeders at Archive Seed Bank, this strain is a real powerhouse! This incredible strain was created by combining two other powerful indica and sativa strains, Amnesia Haze and Face Off OG.
The effects kick in pretty quickly. People have said that it hits you like a ton of bricks, leaving you feeling a bit out of it and unable to focus. Because it’s known to make the mind race, it’s not recommended for users prone to bouts of paranoia. This is recommended for experienced users only.
If you're an experienced user looking for a boost in focus and energy, Memory Loss could be just what you need! While the initial effects can be powerful, we've heard from some users that they experienced an easy comedown without a major crash.
Strongest Indica Medical Strain: Northern Lights#5
An enormously popular Indica for good reason, Northern Lights takes Couchlock to another level. One of the purest Indicas available, it has a high THC content (up to 18%) coupled with moderate CBD (up to 2%). It's thought to have originated near Seattle in the 1970s before being propagated in the Netherlands by famed breeder Neville Schoenmakers.
This is an excellent option for chronic pain and anxiety, as it's known to promote physical and mental relaxation, as well as sleep. This strain is rich in myrcene, a terpene that acts as a muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory. It also contains moderate amounts of caryophyllene, which may act as a natural digestive aid and painkiller.
Northern Lights is a real star of the cannabis world! It's a descendant of indigenous Afghani and Thai strains and has won more awards than any other strain. You'll find it in dispensaries across North America. It has a sweet and spicy aroma and the effects are long-lasting. Just be sure to reserve it for times when you’re able to relax, as its sedative effects are powerful.
If you’re looking for this one at your local dispensary, be sure to ask for Northern Lights #5. There are several breeding varieties of this popular strain, and #5 is the most potent and powerful.
Strongest Sativa Medical Strain: Lemon Meringue
Named for its invigorating citrus aroma, Lemon Meringue is a fan favourite in Colorado and California dispensaries. The THC content has been measured as high as 28%, and the intense cerebral effect resulting from the THC has made it a preferred strain among people seeking relief from ADHD symptoms.
A newer option to hit the market, Lemon Meringue is the child of Cookies & Cream and Lemon Skunk, two popular high-THC strains. This amazing strain was developed by the brilliant folks at Exotic Genetix. They say it delivers an amazing high and a focused, long-lasting high that will have you feeling lifted for hours on end before fading away into a sleepy comedown.
As a medical strain, Lemon Meringue is noted for having a much higher-than-average concentration of cannabigerol (CBG), the parent cannabinoid of THC and CBD. The lovely folks at Exotic Genetix are studying CBG because it has the potential to stimulate appetite, relieve inflammatory bowel disease, suppress bacterial infection, and even treat Huntington’s disea
Strongest Hybrid Medical Strain: Trainwreck
This lovely sativa-dominant hybrid was developed by cross-breeding three very potent varieties of cannabis: Mexican sativa, Thai sativa, and Afghani indica. Though its origins are somewhat shrouded in mystery, it’s believed to have been created by two brothers in Northern California in the 1970s.
This herb has a lovely, peppery flavour and produces a very strong, cerebral high. Thrillist kindly warned that this ultra-potent strain can have you peeking out the windows and calling the cops on yourself if you take too much.
Because the strain favors sativa over indica by a 70:30 margin, you’re getting a lot of THC without a lot of CBD, and that means a powerful head high. Even though the indica effects are still there, the experience can start off as a rush of energy that eventually calms down and ends with a bit of a lethargic stupor.
The high THC content (up to 19%) makes the strain a favourite for combating headaches, chronic pain, and inflammation. Like many medically preferred strains, Trainwreck is also rich in myrcene, a terpene that has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. Another abundant terpene found in Trainwreck is terpinolene, which is being studied for its anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.
Choosing the Strongest Cannabis Strain for Your Needs
If you’re a medical marijuana card holder, you might not need the highest-THC strain to get the desired result. However, if your current medicine isn’t having enough of an effect, your THC tolerance may be such that you need a higher concentration.
Before reaching for the strongest cannabis strain, though, remember that achieving a medicinal benefit is about more than just THC. You have to consider the full cannabinoid and terpene profile. THC may be useful for pain, muscle spasms, nausea, listlessness, glaucoma, lack of focus, and insomnia. CBD may be useful for seizures, anxiety, inflammation, and nausea.
Finally, be aware that the highest-THC strains may have greater side effects, including dry mouth, increased heart rate, memory loss, lack of coordination, and possible temporary psychosis.
If you’re still looking to achieve the maximum effect, consider the strongest cannabis strain listed above. If you’re just looking to achieve the best medical result without excess side effects, speak to your doctor about which strain might be best suited to your needs.
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