There are hundreds of marijuana strains available throughout the legal marijuana industry, but a handful stand out among the rest in terms of their popularity.
Sour Diesel (Photo credit: Leafly.com).
In Massachusetts alone, there is over 700 active marijuana strains being sold throughout the state, according to data from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission. When you account for the other 20 states that currently have an active recreational marijuana market (soon to be 22 with Delaware and Minnesota), there are well over 1,000.
Despite this incredible variety, several strains are clearly more prominent than most, include several who have retained their popularity for years or even decades.
With that in mind, using data provided to us by our readers, Leafly, and multiple state regulatory agencies, below are the 10 most popular marijuana strains in the United States right now.
- Sour Diesel
- Type: Sativa-dominant hybrid
- Lineage: Chemdog x Super Skunk
- Description: Renowned for its pungent, diesel-like aroma, Sour Diesel delivers energizing and uplifting effects, and a buzzy head-high. It’s a top choice for combating fatigue and stress.
- Runtz
- Type: Balanced hybrid
- Lineage: Zkittlez x Gelato
- Description: Runtz is celebrated for its sweet, candy-like flavor and balanced effects. Readers say this strain provides “a euphoric lift and gentle relaxation”, making it versatile for various occasions.
- Gelato
- Type: Hybrid
- Lineage: Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC
- Description: Gelato remains a crowd-pleaser with its creamy, dessert-like flavor and balanced effects. Offering a pleasant and calming high, it’s perfect for unwinding after a busy day or enhancing social gatherings.
Gelato.
- Blue Dream
- Type: Sativa-dominant hybrid
- Lineage: Blueberry x Haze
- Description: A perennial favorite, Blue Dream balances a sweet berry aroma with effects that start with a gentle mental uplift and ease into relaxation. This hybrid is a go-to for managing stress and anxiety while maintaining functionality.
- Wedding Cake
- Type: Indica-dominant hybrid
- Lineage: Triangle Kush x Animal Mints
- Description: Wedding Cake, a potent hybrid with a sweet, earthy flavor, continues to gain a dedicated following. Known for its high THC levels, this strain delivers relaxing effects ideal for evening use, attracting those who enjoy a robust, mellow experience.
Wedding Cake.
- Original Glue (GG4)
- Type: Hybrid
- Lineage: Chem’s Sister x Sour Dubb x Chocolate Diesel
- Description: Known for its stickiness and ability to glue you to the couch, GG4 is a modern classic with a unique flavor. It offers potent effects that are both euphoric and relaxing, making it a favorite among seasoned consumers.
- GSC (Girl Scout Cookies)
- Type: Hybrid
- Lineage: OG Kush x Durban Poison
- Description: GSC is a cross of a Durban Poison pheno (F1 Durb) and an elite OG Kush. Later marketed to acclaim by rapper Berner, GSC became the foundation of one of the top cannabis cultivar families of the legalization era, spawning multiple strains like Gelato and anything with “Cookies” in its name.
Girl Scout Cookies.
- Northern Lights
- Type: Indica
- Lineage: Afghani x Thai
- Description: Northern Lights is one of the most famous strains—an indica that has given rise to countless hybrids. It’s cherished for its resinous buds and relaxing effects, making it a staple for those seeking tranquility.
- Chemdog
- Type: Hybrid
- Lineage: Unknown
- Description: With a mysterious origin and a slew of successful crosses, Chemdog has secured a permanent place in the cannabis hall of fame. It’s known for its potent effects and distinct, diesel-like aroma.
Chemdawg.
- Animal Cookies
- Type: Hybrid
- Lineage: GSC x Fire OG
- Description: Descended from the ever-popular GSC, Animal Cookies mixes up the Cookies lineage with potent Fire OG. This strong strain will have you relaxed and high as a kite.
- White Widow
- Type: Hybrid
- Lineage: South American x South Indian Indica
- Description: One of the most famous strains worldwide, White Widow is a hybrid first bred in the Netherlands. Known for a layer of trichomes so thick it looks white, White Widow boasts a powerful burst of euphoria and energy, great for stimulating conversation and creativity.
