Top 10 Cannabis Strains in California
California has its own unique strain landscape compared to the rest of the world. With a geography that favors outdoor grows, the Golden State has championed some of the world’s finest strain genetics. OG Kush crosses flourished throughout the state, and today you’d be hard-pressed to find a strain that hasn’t been crossed with this illustrious hybrid. What other strains have risen to the top of California’s market? You’re about to find out.
Using Leafly menu data from California dispensaries, we determined which strains appeared most often and synchronized these results with local search terms. Here are the top 10 according to our data – dispensary owners and budtenders, are these strains on your shelves?
1. Blue Dream
This hybrid tops the charts in every major market, California included. Even in the state where OG Kush is expected to reign supreme, it would appear that Blue Dream still maintains a stranglehold. Leafly reviewers rant and rave over this uplifting berry-flavored hybrid, but do you think Blue Dream’s quality justifies its notoriety?
2. GSC (f.k.a Girl Scout Cookies)
This California native has sprinted its way to fame in recent years, gobbling up awards left and right for its potency. Itself a descendent of OG Kush, GSC (f.k.a Girl Scout Cookies) is given an extra sativa lift from a Durban Poison parent. In masterful balance of soaring euphoria and deeply relaxing physical effects, it’s no wonder that GSC (f.k.a Girl Scout Cookies) ranks #2 in the California market.
3. Sour Diesel
No doubt, Sour Diesel is a staple sativa that holds an esteemed position in most major markets. While some don’t like the strain’s funky fuel flavor, its weightless cerebral high is often worth it. The uplifting effects can help you get up and out, making this strain a perfect pair for those warm, sunny California days.
4. OG Kush
OG Kush, the flagship strain of California genetics, ranks #4 among its top strains. Reviewing this list, however, you’ll notice many of the forerunners are bred using OG Kush genetics. Countless other hybrids not mentioned here also contain OG genetics, so much so that you can attach “OG” to the end of almost any strain name and assume that some California breeder has already made it. OG Kush phenotypes are also marketed under a variety of monikers, many of which play off celebrity names and pop culture references. If we were to include all those branded OG Kushes, OG Kush might actually be the top California strain, period.
5. Green Crack
Though rare in many markets, Californians are lucky to enjoy better access to this ridiculously stimulating sativa strain. Green Crack’s racy cerebral high seems to have no ceiling, and hands down, no other strain on Leafly seems to yield as hilarious reviews as this one. California’s warm climate could very well be the reason for the abundance of this delicacy, because it sure isn’t due to lack of demand up in the cold north.
6. Jack Herer
Jack Herer is the tried-and-true sativa you’d expect to find on any market’s top 10 list. Beautifully crafted genetics from Sensi Seeds give way to a balanced effect profile that promotes happiness, creativity, and an uplifting sense of energy. That, plus its rich woody pine aroma, explains why this Amsterdam transplant has been so widely embraced overseas.
7. Skywalker OG
When Skywalker met OG Kush, a beautiful baby was born. That baby is Skywalker OG, a strain that has earned its way to fame not by name (although that probably helped), but through potency and flavor. The THC content of this indica-dominant hybrid is certainly one to write home about, and I’ve seen the loud earthy and lemon flavors of this hybrid literally raise eyebrows.
8. Bubba Kush
Bubba Kush has roots in California, so it’s not hard to imagine how this powerhouse indica carved a name for itself since its inception in the 90s. Earthy sweet aromas introduce tranquilizing mind and body effects, making this strain a perfect companion for lazy day relaxation or for a smooth transition into a restful night’s sleep.
9. Fire OG
The predominant OG family has another prestigious strain in California, and its name is Fire OG. A cross of different OG Kush phenotypes, Fire OG takes on a fiery appearance with vibrant orange hair stretching out from a bed of crystal resin.
10. SFV OG
Born and bred in California’s San Fernando Valley, this OG Kush phenotype is another unsurprising appearance on this list. Oozing trichomes as sticky as glue blanket the buds in a show of this hybrid’s potency. Sweet lemon and woody aromas lift from SFV OG’s crystal-covered buds in a testament to this strain’s true OG heritage.
Are you a business looking to get a leg up on the competition in the crowded California market? Leafly can help you stand out among the others!
