Kush, Blue Cheese and Alaska Thunder Fuck – what in the world are we talking about? As most cannabis consumer know, cannabis strain names are often weird and random, just like these three examples.
What’s in a Name?
A question we get asked frequently on Tours is: who came up with this name? Since Happy Travelers Tours mission is to educate folks about cannabis and cannabis culture, we always try to find a “nice” way of explaining the seemingly un-connected way cannabis strains get named, but, we also recognize (and know) the majority of those names are created the way most people THINK they are – a bunch of stoned people sitting around sampling the stain and coming up with something to call it.
Hence: Kush. Or, Blue Cheese.
Strains, Terpenes and Flavonoids
There are many cannabis strains that vary widely in the composition of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds. These components work synergistically to produce wide variations in benefits, side effects, and strain characteristics. Knowledge of the individual medicinal properties of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids is necessary to cross-breed strains to obtain optimal standardized affect.
Indica, Sativa and Hybrids
Pssst! Are you looking for some ‘pure Kush’? After generations of crossbreeding, it is now quite rare to find a pure Indica or pure Sativa strain.
It is now common for most strains of Cannabis to be Indica-dominant, Sativa-dominant or hybrid. As you may expect, different plant genetics can often lead to different medicinal effects.
Let’s start with Indica. Indica plants are typically shorter and have wide leaves. The buds of an Indica plant will usually be quite dense. You will typically find that Indica-based strains are more relaxing and will usually be associated with more bodily sensations.
These strains are often recommended for nighttime use due to these effects.
As for Sativa, these plants are typically taller with long and thin leaves. The buds of a Sativa plant are typically less dense and can be somewhat feathery. Sativa strains usually produce a cerebral feeling and are more uplifting and euphoric. As a result, they are recommended for daytime use.
A hybrid is a Cannabis plant that is a crossbreed between an Indica and a Sativa plant. Most strains of cannabis are a hybrid of these.
Top Strains of 2018 and 2019
Here is our chart of the top strains of 2018 and 2019. Our research took us to High Times, Leafly and other websites and we are excited to share what we’ve compiled.
| YEAR | STRAIN NAME | DESCRIPTION | AWARDS | GENETICS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Mega Queso | The dense and sticky nuggets produce incredible concentrates, including a fantastic live resin with an intense terpene profile and appetite-stimulating potency. This sativa-dominant hybrid combines the best of both worlds for an overall buzz that’s both calming and uplifting at the same time. | 2016 SoCal Cannabis Cup | Hybrid |
| 2018 | Chem Scout | Great for treating insomnia and body pain, Chem Scout proves to be a unique indica-dominant variety that honors its roots while remaining contemporary. | First Place Indica Flower 2014 NorCal Cannabis Cup | Indica |
| 2018 | Manderin Cookies | This indica-dominant feminized Mandarin Cookies, a cross between Mandarin Sunset and Forum Cut Cookies, tastes like a Creamsicle and tests out at over 30 percent THC! Growers love the short flowering time and high calyx-to-leaf ratio, while connoisseurs appreciate the grapefruit citrus terps combined with the rich and earthy undertones. | Mandarin Cookies' tasty terpene profile has won multiple concentrate awards. | Indica |
| 2018 | Franco's Lemon Cheese | This cross of two strains—Super Lemon Haze and the famous Exodus Cheese (from the UK). This hybrid is fast-hitting and long-lasting and it grows very fast. | High Times Top-10 Strains of 2018 | Sativa |
| 2018 | French Cookies | Brightly glistening flowers are contrasted by dark-colored purple leaves, some looking almost black in appearance. French Cookies tastes spicy with a hint of grape and yields well for a Cookie strain. | High Times Top-10 Strains of 2018 | Sativa |
| 2018 | Rosetta Stone XX | This cross of Jack Herer and Cinderella 99 retained the beloved spicy sandalwood aroma and musky flavor of the Jack, but added resin production, stability and yield while reducing flowering time. | High Times Top-10 Strains of 2018 | Hybrid |
| 2018 | Green Crack CBD | Green Crack CBD tests at over 12 percent CBD and 6 percent THC for a two-to-one CBD/THC ratio. The effects are euphoric—a lasting happy feeling of well-being, perfect for daytime use or for patients with a lower tolerance seeking relief from migraines or anxiety. | High Times Top-10 Strains of 2018 | CBD |
| 2018 | Kush Mountains | She’s a cross between the super-frosty White Walker OG and Blue Flame OG. | 2018 World Cannabis Cup First Place Hybrid Flower | Indica |
| 2018 | Auto Critical Orange Punch | The citrus-flavored strain is a feminized cross of Grand Daddy Purps and Orange Bud that was then crossed with XXL Auto Kritical Bilbo. | High Times Top-10 Strains of 2018 | Hybrid |
| 2018 | Dosi Sherbert | Dosi Sherbet, a cross between 2 Scoops (Grape Sherbet x Orange Sherbet) and Dosidos, represents some of the frostiest flowers available anywhere with terpenes that smell and taste like sweet candy and fruity ice cream. | High Times Top-10 Strains of 2018 | Indica |
| 2018 | Purple Punch | This is a crossing of two classic strains—Larry OG and Grand Daddy Purple. These buds are heavily frosted with trichomes and exude a potent aroma of fruit and candy. Its creamy, berry finish only compliments its heavy sedative nature, perfect for ailments such as nausea and depression, patients report. | Indica | |
| 2018 | Sunset Sherbert | The ever-popular Girl Scout Cookies strain, combined with the heavy-hitting indica Pink Panties make up the genetics behind Sunset Sherbert—a full-bodied indica-dominant hybrid identified by its sweetly inviting smell and dense, resinous buds. | Hybrid | |
| 2018 | Zkittlez | Zkittlez is an indica-leaning hybrid known for its comforting tropical fruit flavor and pleasantly uplifting stress relief. The cross between Grape Ape and Grapefruit is a joy to grow outdoors, as this strain is highly resistant to mold and mildew, and is preferably grown with lots of sunlight. | Indica | |
| 2018 | Forbidden Fruit | The terp-heavy cross between Cherry Pie and Tangie is a breeze to grow in moderate conditions and carries a high resistance towards pests and crop-related diseases. | Indica | |
| 2018 | Do-Si-Dos | Here is another child of Girl Scout Cookies genetics, Do Si Dos is also parented by the strong indica Face Off OG to provide a relaxing experience with just enough energy to keep creative. | Indica | |
| 2018 | Original Glue | Also known as Original Glue, this superstar strain is the product of a three-way between Chem’s Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel. | Hybrid | |
| 2018 | Key Lime Pie | Once again, Girl Scout Cookies makes for a bedrock of solid cannabis genetics. The strain is accentuated by carrying sweet, candy-like notes of lime and mint, and wallops users with a wave of relaxation suitable for chronic pain and sleeplessness. | Hybrid | |
| 2019 | Vanilla Frosting | Smelling of vanilla, followed by fuel, Vanilla Frosting descends from a Humboldt Gelato | Indica | |
| 2019 | Driz-Nipper | This is a strain that crosses Cookies and Cream to Sherbert, Strawberry, or Lemon Tree. Those new strains are dubbed: Bonkers, Strawberry & Cream, and Driz-Nipper, respectively. | Hybrid | |
| 2019 | Do-Si-Dos Crosses | Sherbidos, Dosi-Cake, and Dosi-Tree, plus other dessert strains like Samoas | Indica | |
| 2019 | Mimosa | Mimosa is a cross of Purple Punch 2.0 x Clementine | Sativa | |
| 2019 | CBD Glue Tide | It’s a cross of CBD classics Sour Tsunami, Cannatonic, and AC/DC, plus Good Medicine, and a touch of Original Glue for aroma and euphoria. | CBD | |
| 2019 | Guava Jelly CBD | Guava Jelly CBD is a very effective, 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC. | CBD | |
| 2019 | Venom OG | The Venom OG is very strong and tasty, but grows shorter and bushier than many OG Kushes and gets gorgeously purple. | Indica | |
| 2019 | WhoOody | A cross of Gucci OG and Sour Strawberry | Indica | |
| 2019 | Original Glue | Breeders keep crossing Glue because its offspring produce highly resinous, pungent, glimmering buds. | Indica |
If you’re interested in getting up-close-and-personal with cannabis, Book a Happy Travelers Wine-and-Weed Tour today! As far as Sonoma County Cannabis Tourism goes, we’re the only Tour which lets you touch plants!