The popularity of weed is at an all-time high. There’s never been a better time to be a pot user than today. That said, there’s a problem. How do you evaluate the best weed strains?
Remember, marijuana is one of the oldest plants, with people enjoying it since the beginning of our recorded history. It’s still being crossed to create new strains with improved characteristics. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of top cannabis strains available right now.
Even though experienced tokers love it, all this diversity can make a novice user dazed and confused. If you’ve also come across such an enigma, worry no more. We’ll outfit you with the right toolset and knowledge necessary for determining the top weed strains. Let’s roll.
What makes the best weed strain?
You must know what to look for to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. Here are some factors to examine and determine what buds make the grade.
Flavor
Weed’s flavor depends on the terpenoids (terpenes.) The eight most frequent terpenes found in weed are pinene, beta-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, limonene, linalool, myrcene, nerolidol, and phytol.
If you get a strain that you like, take note of its dominant terpenes. Chances are you’ll also like another top strain of weed with a similar terpene profile.
Smell
If you like how it smells, then you’ll probably love how it tastes. Just remember, the smell doesn’t correlate with potency. Some of the best marijuana strains can have a scent that’s subdued, harsh, or skunk-like.
You might stumble upon buds that smell like fresh lawn clippings. Avoid these because it means the weed wasn’t cured properly and won’t be potent or tasty.
The best strains might smell “dirty” and bear such names as “dirty weed.” Dirty weed comes from improperly grown or stored weed, which can grow mold or mildew. Never buy weed that smells moldy, muddy, or ammonia-like—let alone smoke it.
Another sign of mold or mildew is white stringy stuff or an unnaturally white coating on the buds.
Effects
Take note of the best weed strain you got. How did it make you feel? A personal database is important because different strains have varying effects on users. So keep a journal of which strains you got, where you bought them, and what you enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy) about them.
Sometimes, you might experience negative effects when ingesting a new strain. Some negative effects, such as anxiety, can wear off after getting used to it.
Other negative effects can include dry mouth, dry eyes, headache, paranoia, confusion, or dizziness. You don’t want these; spend your hard-earned cash on strains that make you feel elated, relaxed, and zen-like instead.
Medicinal potential
The best strains of weed have been used for millennia to treat insomnia, anxiety, nausea, menstrual cramps, and loss of appetite. Medical texts from 3,000 years ago mention the plant.
THC is FDA-approved to treat nausea and pain. In addition, Sativex, an extract of THC and CBD, is approved in over 25 countries, including Canada, the UK, and many other countries in Europe, to treat multiple sclerosis.
A majority of doctors recommend medicinal cannabis to cancer patients. This wonder plant continues to amaze as more research unveils the truth. We’ll take a deeper look into a myriad of conditions alleviated with the top 10 best types of weed strains.
Easiness to grow
Make sure the climate is suitable to the particular strain you choose to grow. Plants grown indoors use artificial lighting. Elements such as temperature, water, and fertilizers need to be monitored and controlled too.
Indoor growing often produces more consistent strains because it’s more scientific, while outdoor growing is more artisanal. Either way, if the top cannabis strain is grown to its full potential, the resulting buds will be spectacular.
Seeds are categorized as:
- Autoflower: These types of seeds bloom to fertile mothers regardless of light schedules. Absolute beginners to the growing process should pick these.
- Feminized: These seeds germinate into fertile mothers. Simply follow the recommended light schedule to reduce the chances of male plants significantly.
- Regular: Half of these seeds germinate to females, while the rest become males. Males are only great if you wish to create new hybrids using their pollen.
General genetics
The best cannabis strains fall into three categories, namely sativa, indica, or hybrid. Each new strain will have specific qualities and unique psychoactive effects.
Sativas are best for daytime use as they provide an uplifting and energetic high. Indicas are better for nighttime use because they make you feel relaxed, stoned, or even sleepy. Hybrids provide a combination of effects, depending on the strains’ lineage.
What are the 10 best strains of all time?
Marijuana has come a long way from the days of ditch weed and dodgy hash. Today, creative breeders have come up with modern marvels we smoke. We’ll rank the best strains of weed that everyone should try and include links to where you can get pristine seeds.
AK-47
- Strain type: Hybrid (65% sativa / 35% indica)
- Lineage: Colombian, Mexican, Thai, Afghani
This award-winning top marijuana strain packs a potent punch: you should expect nothing less with a name like AK-47. Just one toke of this sativa dominant hybrid delivers a cerebral buzz that never seems to end. In tandem, you’ll be mentally alert, cheerful, and creative.
You’ll also feel relaxed and mellow courtesy of the indica genetics, giving you a well-balanced high. AK-47 has a sour and earthy scent, while it tastes sweet and skunky.
Grow some AK-47 feminized or AK-47 fast seeds.
Jack Herer
- Strain type: Hybrid (55% sativa / 45% indica)
- Lineage: Haze, Northern Lights #5, Shiva Skunk
The Jack Herer strain truly lives up to the late, legendary marijuana activist it’s named after. Jack Herer is the author of the 1985 book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes,” which advocates for cannabis decriminalization and legalization.
This strains’ rich genetic background gives it an appealing spicey-pine scent that also emulates the rich flavors. It has won many awards due to its potency and quality, ranking it high in the reckoning for the best weed ever. Just a single toke of this daytime treat is enough to render you creative, cheerful, and clear-headed.
Grow some Jack Herer feminized or Autoflower Jack Herer seeds.
Sour Diesel
- Strain type: Hybrid (90% sativa / 10% indica)
- Lineage: Chemdawg, Super Skunk
Sour Diesel or Sour D is one of the best marijuana strains because of its signature diesel scent and uplifting, fast-acting mental high. This Sativa dominant hybrid is ideal for wake and bake sessions.
You’ll hardly experience any couch-lock with this potent bud, as it makes you cheerful and friendly. Medical users use this strain to relieve anxiety, fatigue, stress, and depression.
Grow some Sour Diesel feminized or Sour Diesel seeds.
OG Kush
- Strain type: Hybrid (75% indica / 25% sativa)
- Lineage: Chemdawg, Hindu Kush, Lemon Thai
OG Kush is among the best weed strains in the world, as it consistently produces high THC levels, ranging from 19 to 24 percent. It boasts a complex aroma with notes of fuel, spice, and skunk.
The cerebral and relaxing high one gets from OG Kush is ideal for alleviating symptoms associated with anxiety, stress, pain, depression, nausea, and bipolar disorder. The improved mental stimulation and mood make it great for activities that involve the body and mind, e.g., lively conversations, video games, and exercise.
It’s also one of the best weed strains for sex. Due to the strain’s high potency, tasty flavor, and numerous medicinal benefits, it has sired innumerable offspring, many of them proudly bearing the tag OG.
Grow some OG Kush feminized or OG Kush Regular seeds.
Blue Dream
- Strain type: Hybrid (60% sativa / 40% indica)
- Lineage: Blueberry, Haze
You can almost always find this slight sativa dominant hybrid on the top shelf of any reputable dispensary in the US. This unique flower harmoniously expresses qualities from both its parents.
The aroma and taste are evocative of fresh and sweet berries, courtesy of the Blueberry genetics. The buzzy cerebral high that brings about feelings of happiness and well-being emulates the Haze strain.
Even better, it doesn’t make you drowsy. Blue Dream is one of the best weed strains for depression. It relieves symptoms associated with nausea and chronic pain as well.
Grow some Blue Dream feminized seeds.
Purple Haze
- Strain type: Hybrid (85% sativa / 15% indica)
- Lineage: Purple Thai, Haze
Jimi Hendrix put this strain on the map with his 1967 psychedelic rock hit with the same name. The song probably best describes your nostalgia for this classic strain.
Purple Haze brings about a hit of euphoria and mentally stimulating effects that make you creative, content, chatty, and in tune with your senses. It’s one of the best weed strains for energy. The strong upbeat effects can be disorienting for initiates. You’ll want to kiss the sky and not know why.
This hybrid gets its name from the colorful purple hues on the buds, giving it an incredible bag appeal. Its flavor is sweet and earthy, underscored by notes of berries, spices, and tart.
Grow some Purple Haze feminized seeds.
Amnesia
- Strain type: Hybrid (70% sativa / 30% indica dominant)
- Lineage: Cinderella 99, Jack Herer, Skunk
Amnesia will make you forget many things, particularly your most pressing problems. It grew to prominence in the 90s, taking a strong foothold and remaining one of the best weed strains. The aromas and taste are a unique blend of sweet, fresh, and fruity tones.
Smoking a joint from this bud is an unforgettable experience because it’s one of the smoothest around. The stunningly uplifting, euphoric, and energetic effects catch on quickly and last for a very long time.
This bud is great for making you energetic and alleviating depression and stress. It’s also one of the best strains of weed for anxiety.
Grow some Amnesia feminized or Amnesia fast version seeds.
White Widow
- Strain type: Hybrid (60% sativa / 40% indica)
- Lineage: Brazil sativa, South Indian indica
White widow is one of the best weed strains in the world, having been around since the 90s. This strain features in multiple rap songs, and TV shows, with many artists singing its praises. You can’t fault creators for this because it probably made them relaxed and mentally aware, enabling them to craft some of the best tunes.
White Widow gets the name from the bountiful white resin that christens her buds. This strain is good for depression, pain, and stress.
Grow some White Widow feminized or White Widow autoflower seeds.
Gorilla Glue
- Strain type: Hybrid (60% indica / 40% sativa)
- Lineage: Chem’s Sister, Sour Dubb, Chocolate Diesel
Gorilla Glue is a monstrous strain because even the smallest hit packs quite a punch. Novice cannabis consumers need to be careful with this top weed strain because the hard-hitting and long-lasting euphoria often leaves you glued to the couch.
Gorilla glue has a diesel-like smell that lingers on your fingers, room, and tongue long after consumption. This hybrid gets the name from the resin on her buds that sticks to your fingers, but no one’s complaining.
Gorilla glue is great for treating conditions such as insomnia, depression, muscle spasms, and nausea. It’s also one of the best weed strains for pain management.
Grow some Gorilla Glue seeds.
Bruce Banner
- Strain type: Hybrid (60% sativa / 40% indica)
- Genetics: OG Kush, Strawberry Diesel
Maybe Bruce Banner wouldn’t turn into the Hulk if he took the strain named after him. One can only imagine because a single hit from the Bruce Banner strain makes you mentally stimulated and physically smashed.
It’s one of the best weed strains for anxiety and focus. It’s also very powerful, just like the Hulk, since its THC content can reach as high as 30%.
Unlike the misunderstood beast, it’s very sweet, with an aroma similar to candy and berries. The high starts off sativa-like and eventually drifts you off to your happy place like an indica, minus the sedating effects.
Grow somw Bruce Banner feminized or Bruce Banner seeds.
Deciding the best weed strains for you
More weed strains are finding a name on the market, and it can seem overwhelming to figure out which one to procure and enjoy.
It’s quite clear you can’t rely on all the creative names out there, so you need to narrow down your choice using some of the simple aspects we’ve laid out, such as taste, flavor, smell, effect, medicinal potential, and ease of growth. If you’re still unsure, try one of our recommended top weed strains—you can’t go wrong.
Finally, you got some bomb chron
Even without the help of a reputable “bud-tender,” you can now access the best buds in the biz. You also have a rough idea of what the best marijuana strains constitute. Don’t hesitate to get the strains on our list because you won’t regret it.
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