20 Best Cannabis Strains of All Time

Did you know that once upon a time there was no strain of marijuana? It was called a landrace. So when we talk about the greatest strains of all time, we are actually talking about a pretty modern concept. It’s hard to nominate the greatest strains of all time, because there are so many factors to consider.

What gives a strain quality? When the High Times made their own list, they considered a number of things, such as the popularity, market share and its qualitative factors (such as how much THC it contains). What I find is that it varies greatly between people what makes a good strain of weed. For some it’s strength, for others it’s all about the taste and smell.

So, here is my list of the 20 greatest strains that ever blessed this planet. Some are from the past and some are from the present, but all can be considered strains of weed that have quality!

Girl Scout Cookies

To kick off the list is this badass Cannabis Cup winner for the highest lab tested THC strain. Yes, this strain is strong. And it hasn’t been around for too long either, making its way to the market in 2011.

Hindu Kush

This is one of those landraces that I mentioned earlier. It’s a really old kind of weed that comes from the mountains of Afghanistan. This strain has been the mother of many famous indica strains, such as Master Kush.

White Widow

This strain has become popular in the world of medical marijuana, and has been on the market since coffee shops in Amsterdam in 1995. However, its creation is as old as 1985, making this strain one of the grandmothers on this list.

Durban Poison

This pure sativa comes from Africa and is well known for its smell. Oh – and for being really strong at 22 percent THC. Its qualities have been used in many breeding projects, especially because it exhibits the auto-flowering quality that breeders love.

Chem 91

This one also makes it to the list because it has mothered many other strains of weed. Breeders love it mainly because it is one of the most flavorful strains of weed, potent with that smell of diesel.

Strawberry Cough

This is also a severely strong strain, testing at over 25 percent THC. It has a mouthwatering strawberry flavor, and is sativa dominant, meaning users get high and uplifted from using it. Coming from Vermont, this strain has won enough Cannabis Cups for its strength!

Super Lemon Haze

Super Lemon Haze has won two back to back Cannabis Cups (only one of two strains to ever have done that). It hails from Amsterdam’s Green House Seed Company, bringing a deliciously citrusy taste to smoking the herb.

Skunk #1

Ahh, the smell and taste of skunk. It is arguably one of the best strains to have graced modern marijuana, and breeders love it because of its high yields. In fact, this strain became the parent of other strains on this list, such as Cheese!

Cannatonic

Unlike many of the other strains on this list, Cannatonic is popular for its high CBD content. It measures in at 19 percent THC, making it extremely useful for patients of medical marijuana.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights is an all time classic strain of weed, coming form Amsterdam and winning awards there in the 90s. It’s strong, testing almost 20 percent THC in a lot of cases. The taste and strength of this strain make it a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts.

Chem Dog

This strain is extremely indica heavy, and strong by the way. Coming from the early 90s, this strain has been used to father so many Cannabis Cup winning strains that it would be stupid to leave it off this list.

Sour Diesel

When it comes to public opinion, Sour Diesel might be one of America’s favourite strains. What is it about the taste of this weed that makes it so damn enjoyable? Well, it must be something a little more special than diesel coming from the soil on the East Coast.

Granddaddy Purple

This strain is one of the results of breeders’ obsession with growing purple weed. Granddaddy purple is indica dominant, coming from Northern California and tasting sweetly of grape. It also tests high THC levels, at over 18 percent.

Bruce Banner #3

In 2013, this strain won the highest lab-tested THC position at the Cannabis Cup in Denver. It tested at 28.35 percent, which makes it the most potent strain that the High Times has ever recorded. Not much else needs to be added!

OG Kush

For some stoners, this strain is the true owner of the throne. It is one of the most popular strains in the USA and it is one of the strongest strains that cannabis lovers can get their hands on. Americans love Kush, and this might just be the mother of all Kushes.

Super Silver Haze

Super Silver Haze is one of the more popular amongst the Hazes. Although this strain has a very mixed lineage, it is the home of the DNA of many landrace sativa strains. It is sativa dominant, giving it an uplifting high. It was a Cannabis Cup winner in 2014 for a lovely THC content, reaching nearly 18 percent.

Cheese

Everybody loves the smell of cheese. Or at least that’s true if we’re talking about this strain of weed. Yes, it completely stinks of cheese. The strength completely matches up to the taste, being one of the stronger indica strains on the market. Coming from the late 80s, this strain originated in the UK and made its way around the world.

Afghani #1

This strain has arguably played a role in every single breeding that has taken place in the last 30 years. It is a powerful and pure indica variety whose history goes way back. Afghani parented many other strains on this list, such as Skunk, Northern Lights, Sour Diesel and Cheese!

G-13

Believe it or not, the creator of this strain was the US government itself. That makes it extremely unique in the world of cannabis, given that no other strain was created by the US government. It was created as part of a research project, and fathered a Cannabis Cup winner, G-13 Haze.

Original Haze

The Original Haze was created in California by the Haze brothers. In the 80s it mate its way to the Dutch, who of course made it a part of many other breeding programs. It played a huge role in the genetics of marijuana coming from Amsterdam for its pure sativa DNA.