7 Legendary Cannabis Strains and Where They Come From

Humans have been tinkering with cannabis genetics for thousands of years, trying to find the perfect combination of cannabinoids and terpenes that produces the perfect high. As a result, there are hundreds upon hundreds of varieties of the drug — some that make you sleepy, some that wake you up; some that alleviate pain, some that relieve stress; some that taste like lemon and berries, some that taste like gasoline-soaked cheese. Ultimately, there is a strain for everyone.

Yet, there is a handful of cannabis strains that are a bit more famous than the rest. These so-called legendary strains have been around for decades, and they are most likely to be available in dispensaries from Oakland to Augusta. What are these strains, and where did they come from? Read on to find out.

Maui Wowie

As its name suggests, Maui Wowie comes from the tropical shores of Maui, where it was first bred sometime in the 1970s. Though apocryphal stories abound about the strain bringing peace to groups of mainland hippies and indigenous Hawaiians, the fact is that Hawaiians had been growing their own psychoactive cannabis crops, which they called Pakalolo, for generations. Though once one of the most potent strains of bud, Maui Wowie has since become a relatively low-THC classic that is nevertheless enjoyed for its tolerance of heat and humidity, its exotic fruity terpenes and its pleasant energizing effects.

Northern Lights

There is some debate as to whether Northern Lights came to Seattle from the Netherlands or was poached by Netherland breeders from Seattle stoners. According to Seattleites, Northern Lights was a bit of a mistake, when some Thai Sativa mixed with some pure indica strains in the Puget Sound. Regardless, this incredible indica-dominant hybrid was among the first of its kind in 1985, and even today, it is revered as one of the best strains for providing sweet sedation, pain relief and a good mood.

White Widow

White Widow was one of the first strains to dominate Dutch coffeeshops in the 1990s, when Amsterdam first emerged as a world capital for weed culture. Today, White Widow is revered as a perfectly balanced hybrid, one that offers the benefits of both sativa and indica — uplifting energy and relaxing relief. This strain’s genetics are present in all manner of popular strains these days, like The White, White Russian and White Rhino.

Sour Diesel

New Yorkers and Californians continue to argue about who had Sour D first in the 1990s, but thanks to its Hawaiian genetics, Sour Diesel likely was born and bred in Northern California. Still popular in Oakland dispensaries, Sour D has a funky citrus-gasoline smell that is the epitome of dank, and its effects hit hard and rarely let up quickly. Many Sour D devotees claim the strain offers psychedelic effects, which makes it even more legendary.

Super Silver Haze

Since its emergence in the Netherlands in the 1990s, Super Silver Haze has won dozens of first-place trophies. In fact, the strain swept first prize at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 1997, 1998 and 1999 — and for good reason. This sativa-dominant hybrid provides a head high that doesn’t cloud the mind or weigh down the body, making it an excellent daytime strain for energy and focus. Today, Super Silver Haze is a mainstay in dispensaries around the country, but you can find its genetics in dozens of other beloved strains, like Super Lemon Haze and Blue Haze.

Gorilla Glue

One of the more recent legends to be developed, Gorilla Glue was almost scrapped by revered breeder Josey Wales, but fortunately his co-breeder saved the seeds from the trash bin and the pair created a strain so sticky with resin that it glued their fingers to their phones. Though Original Glue was first produced in 2014, GG has since seen a good number of permutations, with GG #4 winning the hearts and minds of most American stoners. All the Gorilla Glue strains share a complex earthy-coffee aroma and long-lasting euphoria with deep muscle relaxation.

OG Kush

By no means is OG Kush the oldest cannabis strain still available in dispensaries, but it is among the most respected by breeders and consumers alike. A true worldly strain, OG Kush was created in Florida in the early ‘90s with genetics from Northern California, Thailand, Afghanistan, the Netherlands and more. In many ways, this strain is exactly what you think of when you think of good weed — unrelentingly dank and powerfully potent — which is why it remains sought-after to this day.