Over the past three decades, the cannabis industry has witnessed a remarkable transformation, marked by advancements in cultivation techniques, legalisation efforts, and a burgeoning cannabis culture. Throughout this period, numerous strains have risen to prominence, captivating enthusiasts with their unique characteristics and effects. In this blog post, we delve into the world of cannabis strains and examine the factors that contribute to their popularity. From cultural influences to quality and availability, each element plays a significant role in shaping the trajectory of a strain's success.
What Makes A Strain Popular?
Understanding what makes a cannabis strain popular is an intriguing puzzle, and while the cream tends to rise to the top, there can often be several factors contributing to a rise to success, including:
Quality and Consistency:
It makes perfect sense that high-quality strains that consistently deliver exceptional experiences are more likely to garner a loyal following. Cannabis consumers value potency, terpene profiles, and overall product consistency when selecting their preferred strains, so strains that tick these boxes should do well. Thanks to the ever-increasing realm of knowledge breeders and growers have at their fingertips, as well as advances in technology, breeding stable new strains with favourable genetics has never been easier. This means the market is now ripe with incredible genetics, all jockeying for positions at the top of the popularity ladder.
Medicinal Properties:
The recognition of cannabis as a medicinal plant has played a crucial role in the popularity of certain strains, and the advent of dispensaries staffed by knowledgeable budtenders makes it easier still to separate the wheat from the chaff (or the bud from the stalk, if you will). Varieties known for their therapeutic benefits in pain relief, anxiety reduction, sleep aid, and many more ailments, have found a dedicated following among medical cannabis users.
In fact, nowadays there are strains being touted for their relief from most medical conditions. The better the efficacy of the strain, the faster word spreads through online forums and reviews, and can lead to meteoric rises in the popularity of powerful medicinal cannabis strains.
Zeitgeist and Pop Culture References:
The influence of popular culture cannot be understated when it comes to cannabis strain popularity. Films, music, and other forms of media have often portrayed cannabis use, creating a certain allure around particular strains. For example, strains referenced in cult films like Pineapple Express or in songs by iconic artists like Dr Dre or Redman (The Chronic, and Sour Diesel, respectively) have gained significant attention as a result. This is certainly not a new phenomenon, however, as legendary varieties such as Acapulco Gold, Maui Wowie and other classics were often namechecked in hippie culture movies of the late 1960s and beyond.
Availability and Accessibility:
The accessibility of a strain plays a pivotal role in its popularity. Strains that are readily available in dispensaries or through trusted online platforms like Seedsman.com tend to gain wider recognition and attract a larger consumer base.
Ease Of Cultivation
It makes sense that strong genetics should make for a popular strain among cultivators. We’ll invariably choose a favourite on its taste or potency merits, but if a cannabis strain is a dream to grow, or if it solves a common problem via good mold resistance, heat resistance, or any one of a number of growing pains, that strain has a good chance of being in high demand.
The Top 10 Most Popular Cannabis Strains
Here’s a look at just a few of the most in-demand strains of recent times. Far from a rogue’s gallery or a murderer’s row, these top-level favourites read more like a hall of fame. Some of these may come and go as trends dictate next year’s list could look different, but a fair of few these are a dead cert to hold there place for years and years to come. Best of all, they’re all available on Seedsman.com, so if there’s something you’ve never tried, grab your seeds today and experience a classic for yourself.
Girl Scout Cookies:
Girl Scout Cookies, often referred to as GSC, gained immense popularity for its sweet and earthy aroma, potent THC content (around 20-28%), and euphoric effects. This indica-dominant strain offers a blissful blend of cerebral stimulation and body relaxation, making it a go-to choice for many enthusiasts. GSC’s popularity is also attributable to its feelgood uplifting high and its therapeutic benefits, which are said to include relief from pain, nausea, stress and depression among others. Girl Scout Cookies hasn’t strayed too far from the top spot since it was first released, some time around 2012.
OG Kush:
OG Kush has become a staple in the cannabis industry, renowned for its incredible aroma and potent effects. At one point, this was said to be the most popular strain on the planet. With THC levels averaging around 20-25%, OG Kush delivers a relaxing body high combined with a euphoric and uplifting mental buzz that will help you power through the most mundane of afternoons with a spring in your step and a smile on your face.. The debate still continues in some circles as to whether OG stands for Ocean Grown or Original Gangster, but breeder Josh D settled the matter, proclaiming the strain was named OG Kush because it was original and authentic. OG Kush was first bred in the early 1990s, and has proved its staying power by forming the stable genetic backbone of countless new hybrid strains. Check out Seedsman's OG Kush Auto for a fast-flowering verion of this titanic strain.
Blue Dream:
Blue Dream, a sativa-dominant hybrid, has captured the hearts of countless cannabis enthusiasts since its arrival in the early 2000s. Its delightful berry aroma and flavour, balanced effects, and THC levels ranging from 17-24% make it an excellent choice for daytime use. Blue Dream provides a creative and invigorating high, often leaving users feeling motivated and focused, and a delicious, feel-good strain will always do well. Couple that with its perceived ability to knock out pain and depression, and Blue Dream’s popularity makes perfect sense.
White Widow:
It’s an old-school strain now, but White Widow’s quality is such that it still stands proudly at the top end of the food chain, despite competition from the best of today’s new hybrids. With a copious covering of the frosty white trichomes that inspired its name, this balanced beauty (around 50/50 indica-sativa) offers a powerful, but cerebral high. Debuting in the coffee shops of Amsterdam in the mid-1990s, White Widow instantly knocked firm favourites such as Northern Lights and Hazes from their lofty perches. White Widow typically contains THC levels of 18-25%, and breeder Shantibaba’s legacy strain will put a heavy spring in your step that lasts all day. Experienced cannasseurs love it for its retro appeal, while newcomers still want to see what all the fuss was about.
Gorilla Glue #4:
Gorilla Glue #4, also known as GG4, and now Original Glue, gained notoriety for its heavy-hitting effects and sticky resin production. This potent hybrid (around 60/40 sativa-indica) is a genetic cross of Sour Dubb and Chocolate Diesel, and showcases THC levels reaching between 26-30%. GG4 is named after the highly-adhesive Gorilla Glue thanks to its rich coverage of sticky resin, and delivers a couch-locking body high, accompanied by a euphoric and uplifting cerebral experience. It’s a notoriously aromatic strain with strong, earthy scents of pine and chocolate, much sought-after due to its very high potency. High THC content and incredible flavour never goes out of style, and GG will be around for a long time.
Purple Ghost Candy
The modern phenom that is Purple Ghost Candy is a star on the rise, picking up momentum every time someone new experiences love at first fright! With a taste profile that reads like a soda stand menu, and a dazzling array of attributes fit for the top, Purple Ghost Candy has the kind appeal that could achieve dominance with ease. Whether you need stable genetics, ease of growing, insane THC content or high yields, Purple Ghost Candy ticks every box emphatically, and reviews are decidedly enthusiastic. We’ve sneaked this in because word of mouth points to PGC being a high-demand strain for years to come. It's a great strain to cultivate, packs 27% THC content, and seduces the palate with crea,y, fruity flavours of peach, grape, lemon and lime. This may be the only ghost people are running toward!
Gelato/Gelat.OG
Around since 2014, Gelato strains have become a must-have in every seed bank’s range. It’s little wonder, either, given the potency and incredible taste profiles offered up by any product in the Gelato family. New Gelato varieties continue to emerge regularly, and the Gelato family’s popularity continues to rise. Seedsman’s Gelat.OG is one of our best-selling varieties, and we’ll proudly confirm it as one of the best Gelatos today. Fast-flowering, great tasting, and boasting a huge THC content around the 25% mark, it’s not hard to see why Gelat.OG flies off the Seedsman shelf. Gelato strains represent a safe bet on almost every front, from growing to consuming.
Jack Herer:
Named after the renowned cannabis activist, Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant strain celebrated for its invigorating effects. Jack (the man) is so integral to the culture of cannabis that he had to be immortalised by a strain, and his legacy is such that this wonderful variety is regularly smoked in tribute to his memory. With its unmistakeable spicy and piney aroma, this strain offers a creative and clear-headed high, making it a popular choice for daytime use. THC levels in Jack Herer range from 18-24% so it still holds its own against newer hybrids. Blaze one up in honour of the man himself!
Sour Diesel:
Sour Diesel, often referred to as Sour D, is an iconic strain beloved for its strong diesel-like aroma and energizing effects. This sativa-dominant hybrid is the product of cross breeding Chemdawg with Super Skunk, and as such, provides a cerebral and uplifting high accompanied by a burst of creativity. THC levels in Sour Diesel can reach up to 25%, and it’s a favourite of medicinal users thanks to its reputation as a fast reliever of pain, depression, and stress. Sour D has been namechecked several times by musicians, especially in the hip-hop community, which can only have helped boost its profile.
Northern Lights:
Northern Lights, a legendary indica strain, has captivated cannabis enthusiasts ever since its inception in Seattle, Washington, in the 1970s. Said to have been bred from pure Afghani genetics, Northern Lights has a THC content typically ranging from 16-21%, and is known to induce deep relaxation and sedation. Northern Lights is cherished for its calming effects and therapeutic potential in fighting insomnia. A favourite with potheads everywhere to this day, Northern Lights is also a hit with growers thanks to its ability to grow in colder, wetter environments. Check out Seedsman's amazing autoflowering version of this champion strain, Northern Lights Auto.
Conclusion
The world of cannabis strains has witnessed a remarkable evolution over the past three decades. Strains like Girl Scout Cookies, OG Kush, and Blue Dream have etched their names in the annals of cannabis history, captivating users with their unique characteristics and effects. From their aromas and flavours to THC content and medicinal properties, each strain has its own distinct appeal. As cannabis enthusiasts, we can only anticipate what the future holds for this ever-evolving realm of popular strains. As for next years list? We'll just have to wait and see!
