When you smoke weed over time, you develop a ‘taste’. After some time you begin to know which type of weed tastes good and which type of weed does not. You know which kind of weed is the one which suits your needs the best and which is the one which gives you a ‘bad trip’. With weed having gone legal now, you can get a much bigger range of weed officially than ever before. In this article, we are going to look at the 10 best weed strains to smoke in 2020.
Broadly speaking, marijuana can be of three types: Sativa, Indica or a hybrid of both. However, all of these have hundreds of different kinds of plants under them with different kinds of taste, effects and medicinal properties depending on the ‘genes’ that they have which come from the parent plants that these plants were bred from. Over the course of this article, we shall be looking at these three types of weed strains, as well as take a detailed look at which are some of the best kinds of buds that you would love to smoke.
Indica vs Sativa vs Hybrid: Understanding the Three Major Strains of Weed
As mentioned above, there are primarily three strains of cannabis and each one has a distinct set of properties and characteristics of its own. Let us take a detailed look at all three of them individually to understand them better:
What is the Indica Strain of Cannabis?
Generally found in the South and Central Asian regions such as India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey, this is the kind of cannabis that was once popular in the Hindu Kush mountain ranges. The plants in this strain of cannabis are shorter compared to Sativa plants and have a thick and bushy growth. When you compare them with the Sativa strain of cannabis plants, these plants usually grow faster and produce a higher yield as well. This is the kind of weed which will help you kick back and relax, thanks to having more CBD content than THC. It has a number of medicinal benefits as well, such as pain relief and anxiety relief.
What is the Sativa Strain of Cannabis?
The Sativa strain of Cannabis is commonly found in regions which have long and sunny days such as West Asia, Central America and Africa. This is quite different compared to the Indica strains as the THC component here is much higher compared to CBD and this is the kind of weed which will help you get ‘high’ and boosts creativity levels. When you compare them with the Indica plants which are short and bushy, the Sativa plants tend to grow very tall – as tall as 12ft sometimes. They have thinner leaves in comparison and take a longer time to grow than the Indica strain.
What is the Hybrid Strain of Cannabis?
While Indica and Sativa strains exist in nature by themselves, hybrid strains are created as there are people who like to crossbreed plants and tend to cross different strains together to get a new plant which carries characteristics of both the parent plants. These can be grown anywhere and are mostly grown indoors or in greenhouses. All their properties depend upon their parent plants – if two distinct sativas are crossed you’d get a plant with a very high THC content, if two indicas are crossed you’d get a plant with a very high CBD content, crossing a sativa and indica would give you a plant with high THC as well as CBD.
10 Best Weed Strains to Smoke in 2020
1. Purple Haze Strain
Purple Haze is perhaps one of the most popular and well-known strains of weed in the world, thanks to the popular rock song by Jimi Hendrix where he talks about Purple Haze being ‘all in my brain’. This is quite sweet to taste and has a berry-like smell. Smoking this weed will give you quite an intense ‘high’ and it is considered to be one of the all-time favorites of stoners new and old alike. Smoking this weed in the right quantity would help you attain quite an energetic high and would help you be as creative as the rock star who sang about it. This is an all-out Sativa strain of weed which tends to have about 13-22% THC content.
This weed strain is created by crossing Haze along with Purple Thai and traces its origins to Amsterdam in the 1960s. Novice users are advised to smoke it up in small doses as it can give you quite an intense mind-and-body sort of a high. It has mood altering properties which makes it great as a medicinal use for people suffering from stress and non-clinical depression. It also provides relief from chronic pain. All in all, one of the best, most popular and most effective strains of weed for all kinds of stoners.
2. Northern Lights
After Purple Haze, another very popular name that a lot of people have heard of is the Northern Light strain of marijuana. This is one of the best weed strains to smoke in 2020 – and has been so for quite a long time now. This is an indica-dominant strain and is very popular among those who are seeking to smoke weed for medicinal benefits. Those living in Colorado and Western regions of the United States of America would be quite familiar with this weed as it is one of the bestselling names in their dispensaries. Smoking Northern Lights gets you a good body-high and makes you ease out and relax.
This is an all-out Indica strain, with a mix of Afghani and Thai landrace.Stoners smoking Northern Lights for the first time are advised to ease it out and not smoke a lot of it at once. This is because smoking too much of it can give you a very intense feeling of being high and will make you very hungry too. It is for those evenings where you’ve got nothing to do and just want to dissolve into your couch and rest. Medicinal benefits of this strain of weed are numerous – it helps people going through physical pain such as extreme muscle spasms, soreness, inflamed joints and arthritis quite a relief. It is also good for those suffering from anxiety and stress.
3. Gorilla Glue Strain
Also known as GG, this is another of the most popular and best weed strains to smoke in 2020. The Gorilla Glue Strain is not a pure Sativa or Indica plant, but a Hybrid of Chem’s Sister x Sour Dubb x Chocolate Diesel. This weed strain is very effective for those stoners who are looking forward to getting really ‘high’ and have a good psychoactive experience as it has about 25-30% of THC content, which is among some of the highest. This strain has a 50% sativa and 50% indica mix in its genetics giving you the best of both worlds – a good high as well as decent medicinal benefits.
This is a relatively newer strain when you compare it with some other names on this list. This one has gotten popular over the 2010s. Some people might not know of the full name of this glue and know it just as GG because there is actually a company which produces adhesive glue known as Gorilla Glue and they weren’t so happy and hence the name was changed to GG. These are light green buds and tend to be quite sticky. This is the kind of weed which will give you a very euphoric high and will make you be all happy and laugh a lot. Lack of clarity is often associated with this weed. Those suffering from stress and depression will feel better after smoking this weed strain.
4. Pineapple Express Strain
Similar to the GG strain above, Pineapple Express is also a hybrid but it has lower levels of THC content in comparison. With about 19-25% of THC in it, this strain of marijuana gives you an almost ‘instant high’ for a while as it hits you straight in the head and makes you enjoy the whole process of smoking it. Eventually you will also start feeling the numerous medicinal benefits that it has to offer as well. One of the best things about it is the fruity taste and smell that you get from smoking it.
Our pro-tip is to listen to happy mellow music while smoking this weed to enjoy it to the fullest. This strain of weed got really popular after the Seth Rogan and James Franco starrer movie of the same name came out in the late 2000s. Trainwreck and Hawaiian landrace strain are bred together to create this hybrid strain of marijuana. Smoking this weed helps relieve anxiety, pain, and increases appetite. It is also helpful for those suffering from ADHD and PTSD.
5. Green Crack Strain
A Sativa strain of marijuana which has 15-25% THC content in it, this is a great option for those stoners who just want to enjoy a relaxing and refreshing sort of high. Many people consume this strain of weed in order to get into a good mood and focus more. Those who are involved in creative work love smoking this strain of marijuana as it helps them be more productive and focus better. This is usually considered a ‘daytime weed’ and gives you quite a headstart into your day.
When you sniff the bud, you’ll get a lemony smell from it. This strain of weed has been popular since the early 1990s and continues to be something people actively consume. The one drawback about this strain of weed is that there are not a number of medicinal properties that you get from it. While it will help you focus and loosen up – it doesn’t really have much beyond that. The high that you get isn’t really that mind-altering as you might experience in some other strains of weed. People with ADHD and constant feeling of fatigue might want to try this out.
6. Bruce Banner Strain
The Bruce Banner strain of weed gets its name from the legendary Marvel comics character Hulk’s alter ego. This is considered to be one of the most ‘potent’ strains of weed in the world. This is a hybrid strain which has been created by crossing Strawberry Diesel and OG Kush together. THC content of about 30% is generally present in this strain of weed and it gives you a very strong ‘hit’ upon smoking it. Consuming this strain will give you an uncontrollable burst of energy like The Incredible Hulk.
This is an all-out exciting high and will make sure you are not lethargic at all. It will fill you with restless energy and you would like to do stuff while you’re under its effect. This boosts productivity as well as energy and makes you feel much more creative than usual. It is strongly advised to be consumed during the day time. Medical benefits of this marijuana strains are limited but it has been known to be very effective against arthritis pain and for those dealing with anxiety, stress, ADHD and depression.
7. Sour Diesel
Another popular hybrid strain of marijuana, the Sour Diesel offers you THC content between 20-25% and has even won some awards in the past. This strain has since been used to cross with many other strains and create newer hybrids which carry some of its properties forward. This is a hybrid strain which carries larger genes from Sativa than from Indica and has a low CBD content. This is a great strain for first-time stoners as they will ease into the high with this. The high is quite cerebral and won’t make you feel tired later on.
The taste here will be a little sour, thereby giving the strain its name – somewhat similar to tasting lemon or oranges. The smoke that you get from this strain is quite dense but the smell isn’t bad at all. It is also known as Sour D in some parts of the US. There are also a large number of medicinal benefits of smoking Sour Diesel as it gives the stoners a rapid sense of relief from problems such as depression, anxiety and excessive stress. You might even find this in many dispensaries in the US.
8. Girl Scout Cookies Strain
As innocent as it sounds, this is actually quite an interesting strain of marijuana. Popularly known by its initials GSC, this strain of weed initially started off in California but has since gone international! This is a hybrid weed strain which offers about 25-28% THC content which is good enough to knock the socks off anyone who just wants to ‘get high’. A winner of multiple cannabis cup awards, this strain of weed has a flowery aroma and a taste that will remind you of cookies!
While having limited CBD content, there are still a number of medicinal benefits that Girl Scout Cookies strain of weed has to offer. One of the best things it does to you is that it soothes your nerves and helps you calm down. The strain carries both sativa and indica properties and uses the former to cheer up your mood and the latter to soothe you. The high that you get out of it is mostly a ‘head high’ but it also wants you to eat more. The high will last for at least a couple of hours and dry mouth is often reported upon smoking it so watch out for that.
9. Grape Ape Strain
Up next on our list is the Grape Ape Strain of marijuana, which is an all-out Indica strain, that offers a 16 to 25% THC content. Unlike the Girl Scout Cookies which give you a head high, you get a ‘body high’ over here, making it quite distinct. This is a strain of marijuana which is produced after a cross between Mendocino Purps and Afghani Skunk. The high that you get after smoking the Grape Ape strain of marijuana is a ‘happy high’ and it will make you feel quite euphoric and fill you with joy – the kind of high that is good for those dealing with depression and PTSD.
However you must also know that sometimes muscle tension builds up after smoking this strain of marijuana and there are some physical effects that you might spot. Smoking it in small doses is best advised. There’s a berry-like taste to this strain of weed. This has also been known to help those people who have insomnia and generally face a hard time sleeping. All in all one of the best weed strains to smoke in 2020.
10. Dosido Strain
Last on our list but definitely not the least of them all, Dosido is hailed as a very good variety of Indica weed strains, as it offers a soothing effect on those who smoke it. The THC content here varies between 23 to 30% which makes it quite potent. It lets you loosen up and relax and helps you feel calmer. OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies and Face Off OG are crossed to produce this very powerful strain of marijuana. At about $900 a pack this is quite an expensive strain of weed but it does carry a number of benefits along with it.
The medicinal benefits of this strain are clearly seen – people who face constant restlessness feel an almost instant relief after smoking it. People who suffer from chronic pain – and thereby also sleep related ailments can also sleep better after smoking this up. People who face depression are also known to feel better after smoking this weed strain as it helps them cheer up and uplifts their mood. All in all a great option for those who just want to enjoy a long happy high.
Read more: What is Hydroponic Weed and How to Grow It?
Buyer’s Guide to Marijuana: What to Look For?
There are a number of things that need to be considered when you are planning on deciding your marijuana strain. Here are some things you might want to consider:
- Parent Plants – You must know which were the parent plants from which this plant was created out of. Is it indica-dominated hybrid? is it a sativa-dominated hybrid? Is it a pure-indica or sativa plant? You must ensure you’re aware of the parent plants and their properties before you buy your weed strains.
- Medicinal Properties – You must also know the medicinal benefits that the weed strain has to offer. Different strains of weed have different benefits – some are great for pain relief while others are good for anxiety, there are some which help people deal with depression while others are great for sleep. Make sure you’re aware of what benefits your strain has.
- THC/CBD Ratio – THC/CBD ratio, in the simplest of words, can be understood as THC being the component which gives you a ‘high’ and has psychoactive properties, while CBD is the component which has medicinal properties and helps you relax. Having a higher THC means you’ll get a bigger high while having a higher CBD number means you’ll get better medicinal properties.
- Taste – Sometimes some specific strains of weed have a distinct and unique taste, which has been tweaked to ensure that the stoners love it. Make sure you’ve read up about the taste that your weed strain has for you.
- What Do You Want to Achieve?– You must also know the motive behind why you are smoking weed. Do you want to get high? Do you want to relax? Do you want to indulge yourself in something creative? Do you want to smoke for the medicinal benefits of the weed? Decide your strain accordingly.
- Your Personal Levels of Tolerance– Please be aware of what kind of weed you are smoking. If you are a novice stoner, start with something which has a lesser THC content as smoking weed with high THC might get you too high which might be uncomfortable for first-time smokers. If you are planning to smoke weed for its medicinal properties, please make sure you have consulted a doctor before you start smoking the weed.
Read more: Best Gold Rolling Papers for Weed
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Marijuana Strains
Here are some of the most common and frequently asked questions about smoking marijuana that a lot of stoners tend to have. Do go through them carefully as you might have a similar question as well:
1. Are there any side effects of smoking weed?
Yes, there are actually quite a few side effects of smoking cannabis. The most common of them all is being in an altered state of mind where you might feel that things are slowing down around you. Lethargy and lack of energy is another common side effect of smoking weed. Stoners also tend to get red eyes due to smoking weed which is perhaps the most well-known side effect of marijuana. Dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety and paranoia might be some other things that happen to some stoners. Apart from that, many times the heartbeat might increase for some people and blood pressure levels tend to fall marginally so keep an eye out for all of this.
2. Is it legal to smoke weed?
The answer to this depends on where you are living. Each jurisdiction has its own different set of rules about marijuana. In the US, most states permit you to smoke weed if you are smoking it for medicinal purposes and have a prescription for the same. In addition to that, there are some states where smoking weed recreationally is also allowed but you are only permitted to carry a certain quantity of weed and no more. So make sure you are following all the laws and it should be ok.
3. Which kind of weed is good for medicinal properties?
Cannabis strains which have a higher CBD level and low THC levels are usually the ones best suited for medicinal purposes. There are a number of ailments that weed can help people with. This includes aches and pains, inflamed joints, depression, anxiety, and a number of other mental ailments. Weed also helps people going through chemotherapy to ease their pain and relax. It has also proven to be effective for those suffering from PTSD and other similar disorders. In addition to that, marijuana also has benefits for those suffering from glaucoma related pains.
4. Which kind of weed can give me the best ‘high’?
Weed which is high on THC content is best suited to give you a good ‘high’. The higher the THC% and the lower the CBD%, the better the high you are expected to get out of it. It is strongly recommended that people who ware just starting out with smoking weed should start with strains which have lower THC% so they can gradually accustom to the altered state of reality.
Read more: Best Weed Grinder
Conclusion
Weed comes in all shapes, sizes, tastes, flavors and has different kinds of effects on you. It can give you different kinds of high and it can give you different kinds of benefits as well. Make sure you are choosing the right weed strains to smoke and you will have the time of your life. We hope this article helped you understand weed strains in a better manner and you can now choose the best kind of weed for yourself. Do let us know in the comments or drop us an email if you need any additional information about choosing the best weed strains to smoke in 2020…Till then….
…Happy Smoking!
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