jason-crawford

Medically Reviewed by
Jason Crawford

Article Last Updated on December 21, 2022

The overall quality of weed nowadays is more superior than ever and it’s only getting better. There are many amazing new strains entering the market and sweeping cannabis aficionados off their feet. You’ll usually find the best weed strains at the top shelf at dispensaries, positioned to not only be admired, but also consumed.

The best weed strains have an appeal that’s hard to resist, especially if you’re a picky weed enthusiast. So, in this article, we’ll present you with our list of the strongest weed strains, so prepare to have your weed appetite whetted.

The Strongest Cannabis Strains Have a Solid THC Content

When people first started using cannabis, it wasn’t nearly as potent as it is now. Today’s weed growers have sophisticated methods of cultivation and with some creativity and craftsmanship, some very iconic new strains were created over the years. The average THC levels of today’s strains can go up to 30%, and sometimes even higher. Top-notch weed has impressive cannabinoid content that can be beneficial for both recreational and medicinal purposes. 

Let’s check out the highest THC strains at the moment and what to expect from them.

Indicas and Indica Dominant Strains

Indica strains are known for producing a euphoric high that you predominantly feel in your body, an effect also called “couch-lock” because your body feels so relaxed you don’t want to get up. Their THC levels are naturally higher than Sativas while their CBD levels are lower. 

Indicas have pleasant, sedative effects that can leave you feeling lethargic and blissful, but there are some Indica-dominant hybrids that contain just enough Sativa in the mix to relax you without making you sluggish.

Chemdawg 

Chemdawg or Chemdog is a pungent Indica-dominant hybrid with a diesel-like chemical and slightly earthy aroma. It’s a cult favorite award-winning strain that won the 2015 High Times Cannabis Cup title in Colorado with a whopping THC level of 32.13%. Its genetics are actually a mystery, but many other well-loved strains are bred from Chemdawg, like OG Kush, Sour Diesel, Jet Fuel, Chem Haze, and others. 

This Indica is pretty powerful. It will completely relax you without causing couch-lock. It will lift up your mood and help you stay productive in your creative pursuits. It’s good for anxiety, muscle spasms, appetite loss, and nausea, among others.

Ghost OG

Ghost OG is an Indica-dominant hybrid and it’s a cross between two classics – OG Kush and Afghani. A classic itself, this weed strain is incredibly sedative. Another award-winning strain, with its THC content of 24%, it’s perfect for nighttime relaxation. It causes heavy eyelids and full-body relaxation that washes over you from the first hit. Due to its sedative effects, this marijuana strain can be good for insomnia, anxiety, and stress, as well as migraines and pain. Ghost OG has vibrant buds and yellow leaves and its aroma is citrusy and pungent.

Sativas and Sativa Dominant Strains

Sativa strains are known for their cerebral effects and energizing properties. Typically, they’re known as daytime strains, but depending on the cannabinoid and terpene combination, some Sativas can stray from this “rule.” Sativa strains usually have a high CBD content, but their THC content is not low. Some strains are perfect for wake-and-bake while others can help relax you and ease away your stress.

Ghost Train Haze

Ghost Train Haze is a solid Sativa-dominant hybrid whose effects border on the psychedelic and are equally good for recreational and medical users. This strain has won several awards, among which the 2nd place Sativa at the 2013 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup. A cross between Neville’s Wreck and Ghost OG, it has a high THC content that can go over 27% for a perfect psychoactive experience.

Ghost Train Haze hits you up with an earthy and sweet aroma with citrusy notes, while the taste is a blend of sweet and floral notes with some lemon peel. This strain is a fantastic wake-and-bake strain that can stimulate your creativity as well as your social skills. It produces a euphoric and cerebral high with a psychedelic edge. 

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel is a well-known Sativa dominant strain with mysterious origins, but since it became famous in the 1990s it has been gaining its faithful following. It packs a THC content of 26%, but it also retains 2% CBD and 4% CBN, giving it the power to produce some very interesting effects. It’s an energizing and uplifting strain that will provide the mental stimulation you need to start the day. 

It has a recognizable pungent, skunk-like aroma whose sour notes will wake you right up and ease your stress, while its taste is herbal, earthy, and lemony. Sour Diesel can help with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and can also fight fatigue.

Durban Poison 

Durban Poison is a pure Sativa with THC levels between 15% and 25%. This strain has a rich sweet and fruity aroma that’s reminiscent of licorice that will knock your socks off. The high is straightforward, cerebral, and energizing, sharpening your senses and amplifying your creativity. It’s a perfect wake-and-bake strain for days when you feel gloomy and you need something to make you feel more mindful. It’s also a great strain for social gatherings, making you more chatty and helping to break the ice.

Balanced Hybrid Strains

There are some hybrid strains which instead of being dominant in Indica or Sativa, have a more or less balanced ratio of both that creates some very unique effects.

Gorilla Glue 

Gorilla Glue, also known as Original Glue, is a balanced hybrid that has won several awards, which cements its MVP status. With 50% Indica and 50% Sativa, Gorilla Glue may sound milder than it actually is. Its THC levels can go up to 30%, which is reflected in its sticky trichomes, hence the name.

This hybrid causes a light cerebral buzz with a more pronounced sedating body high. Another reason for its name is that it can actually make you feel like you’re glued to the couch. It has a sweet and berry taste, and its aroma is a complex mix of citrus, moss, and earthy and pine notes, whereas the aftertaste is somewhat woody.

Godfather OG

Godfather OG is one of the most potent strains out there. With 60% Indica and 40% Sativa in the mix, it’s a more-or-less balanced hybrid that has been proclaimed to be the strongest weed strain in the world. In fact, it has won the High Times Cannabis Cup with a THC content of 34%. 

Its taste and aroma are piney and earthy with subtle notes of grapes. Godfather OG hits hard. It starts with a cerebral high that soon turns into an intense euphoria felt all over the body. Medical marijuana users use it to battle anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia.

Bruce Banner 

Bruce Banner is as potent as the Hulk, so it’s no coincidence that it’s named after him. It’s a cross between OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel and it has five phenotypes that can boast up to 30% THC, with the Bruce Banner #3 phenotype being in high demand right now. This marijuana strain has dense buds and purple-ish leaves which are alluring enough, but its rich flavors and aromas will win you over in a jiffy.

It has a predominantly lemony, earthy, and sweet taste and aroma with just enough spiciness. Its effects are predominantly cerebral and it will help you unleash your creativity and focus, but after a while, you’ll feel your body releasing the tension, too. Medically, Bruce Banner can help relieve neuropathic and chronic pain. 

OG Kush

OG Kush is a balanced hybrid that’s believed to be a cross from Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and a Hindu Kush landrace. It’s a pretty legendary strain that has a unique terpene profile and THC levels between 20% and 25%. This marijuana strain is very aromatic, it has an earthy, citrusy, and spicy flavor with just a little skunk that lingers for a short while. 

It produces a predominantly cerebral high wherein your senses may seem heightened, and your mood will uplift, soon turning into a euphoria. It’s a great strain for social gatherings, but also to help you focus. 

GSC (Girl Scout Cookies)

Girl Scout Cookies is a well-known and well-loved hybrid between OG Kush and Durban Poison. It’s slightly Indica-leaning, with 60% Indica and 40% Sativa, so its effects are an interesting blend of both. GSC offers a flavorful and euphoric experience that you’ll remember. Its sweet and earthy aroma is reminiscent of freshly baked cookies, while its flavor carries notes of lemon and sweet cherry.

With 28% THC, and 1% CBD and CBN, the high GSC produces is majestic. It will throw you into a wave of euphoria and happiness while gluing you to your seat. Even if you do feel the desire to get up and do something, you’ll be too relaxed to do it. The stress will melt away along with any tension in your body.

The White

The White is one of the most interesting hybrids out there. It’s 60% Indica and 40% Sativa and it has a mysterious origin. Its appearance is also not standard – it’s covered in frosty trichomes that give it a silvery-white coating, and it doesn’t have a very pronounced and pungent smell like a lot of weed strains do. Its taste and aroma are mostly earthy and piney on exhale. 

The White has one of the highest THC levels – 30%, but it also has 1% CBG, and it gets you high almost immediately. The effects are predominantly cerebral and rarely felt in the body. This strain will give you a buzz like no other – users describe it as the perfect strain to increase your capacity to focus, so it’s very suitable for mental tasks that require a lot of brain energy.

Strawberry Diesel

Strawberry diesel is a 50/50 Indica to Sativa with a THC level of 27%, a blend of cult strains NYC Diesel and Strawberry Cough. It offers a wonderful and balanced high that’s a perfect combination for body and head high. You will feel your muscles relax as tension is released, and your head will feel much clearer and your mood uplifted.

The flavor and aroma are fruity and sweet, reminiscent of strawberries, with just enough earthy notes and some diesel to bring some edge to it. Medically, it can help anxiety and depression, as well as with appetite loss.

The Takeaway

The strongest strains of weed are strains with excellent cannabinoid and terpene profiles that make them capable of producing complex effects that set them apart from others. Beware, though, that if you’re a novice, high THC strains can cause some side effects and it’s advised that you wait until your weed tolerance is built up, or start with a very small dose. 

A passionate advocate for the benefits of cannabis. Fraser Horton, who has a background in botany and a strong love of nature, has spent years researching how cannabis affects the body and mind. He established Leaf Nation in 2020, where he has devoted himself to educating people about the legalisation of marijuana and its safe and responsible use. Fraser is committed to highlighting cannabis’ potential for improving wellness and working to dispel the stigma associated with its use.

Disclaimer

The information presented on this page is provided as a public service to aid in education and is derived from sources believed to be reliable. Readers are responsible for making their own assessment of the topics discussed here. In no event shall Leaf Nation be held reliable for any injury, loss or damage that could happen if using or abusing drugs.