We often think of progress in terms of technology — faster wi-fi, increased storage capacity, higher pixel count, smaller processors. And though it hasn’t enjoyed the explosion of growth that the tech sector has, improvements in the marijuana industry have been made.
Sure, there has been a good deal of couch-sitting — we are dealing with marijuana, after all — and the industry probably hasn’t come as far as it could have if it didn’t revolve around psychotropics, but advancements in weed have abounded since little Johnny first became a pothead.
The most significant improvement over the course of the last 45 years has been the dramatic increase in THC content.
The differences between the marijuana of yesteryear and the marijuana of today are fairly significant, but the bottom line is that average THC content has increased 100% (in some cases, more than 700%) since the 1970s.
Back then, the average THC content hovered around 3.5 percent. Today, marijuana THC content averages more than 7 percent, but modern growing techniques can push it as high as 27 percent.
That’s quite an improvement, don’t you think? Who cares about faster Wi-Fi? Give me some ganja with 27 percent THC and I’ll be just fine!
So in the spirit of progress, we’ve put together a list of the 20 strongest weed strains available today that illustrate just how far Mary Jane has come. Enjoy.
20 Strongest Weed Strains
1) Bruce Banner #3
Anything named after a guy who can go from mild-mannered scientist to hulking beast (pun intended) in seconds has got to be good.
Not that you’re going to turn into a raging monster or anything, but smoking Bruce Banner #3 will certainly cause a transformation of sorts.
This potent strain made it onto most of the lists we reviewed, and for good reason: It contains a whopping 29% THC. You don’t get much better than that without switching to dabbing.
2) Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies
Some weed strains have very strange names and you just know they were thought up while under the influence. Other strains have names that are both appropriate and descriptive and were likely thought up in a stroke of genius (also under the influence, of course).
Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies is certainly one of the latter. Forget about the 17-28% THC. Forget about the euphoria and relaxation it creates. This strain is named appropriately because — like the delicious cookies — you can just never get enough.
3) Black Gorilla
Black Gorilla is a hybrid of Gorilla Glue #4 (a potent strain in itself) and Bright Berry so you know it’s gotta be good. This is one of those names that I often question.
It’s like they just picked a word out of a dictionary without giving it any thought. Aren’t most gorillas black? I certainly haven’t smoked enough weed that my answer would be no.
So why name it that? Why not get creative and call it Green Gorilla? Nice use of consonance, don’t you think? Dibs on the name, by the way! Or maybe go the rhyming way with Vanilla Gorilla?
Prosaic name aside, this is a nicely potent strain that will knock you on your ass like you’ve been hit by a black gorilla…oh, now I get it.
4) Strawberry Cough
Another well-named strain, if you don’t mind me saying so — very poetic. Strawberry Cough conjures up images of sweet-smelling smoke and hours spent relaxing under the influence.
It’s very inviting and non-threatening, don’t you think? Soft and squishy name aside, Strawberry Cough boasts THC content in the 25-26% range, making it one of the more potent strains available.
So whatever your marijuana needs for the day might be, Strawberry Cough can get you there in style.
5) Red Dragon
Another potent strain that specializes in a heady sense of happiness, euphoria, and the seemingly-at-odds relaxation and excitement. That’s a mystical combination with an appropriately mystical name.
Legend has it that this strain got its name from the vivid red hairs that adorn the mature buds and give them a dragon-like appearance. I don’t know about all that, but this is certainly an excellently powerful strain that will fly you to places you’ve never even imagined.
Do you have what it takes to tame the Red Dragon? Regardless, it will be one hell of a ride!
6) Ghost Train Haze
Bred from parents Ghost OG and Nevil’s Wreck, this strain measures in at 25% THC content and can serve as your express train to good times.
Contrary to its name, Ghost Train Haze has a tendency to stimulate focus and creativity so you won’t be walking around in a daze (or haze). Ghost Train Haze won’t scare you silly, but it will knock your socks off with flavors reminiscent of sweet, earthy citrus.
Delicious! All aboard the Ghost Train Haze express.
7) Chem Dog
Chem Dog can trace its roots (again, pun intended) back to the well-known strains Kush, Hash Plant, and Northern Lights.
It offers very pungent, earthy diesel flavors and results in a relaxed, euphoric high with tinges of creativity floating on the periphery.
But like many of the strains on this list, Chem Dog should be approached with the caution it deserves. THC levels top out at 15-20%, so it can kick you where it counts in no time flat and take you deep inside your head (for good or bad) on a very cerebral trip.
8) Sour Diesel
Weighing in at 19-25% THC, Sour Diesel offers a happy high without the “couch-lock” that has become so common amongst high-THC strains.
As the name describes, Sour Diesel offers the pungent, earthy diesel smell that has come to be the defining identifier of many a quality strain of weed. The mileage you’ll get from this well-known strain will exceed your wildest dreams.
So fill your tank, grab some snacks and drinks, and get started on a journey you’ll never forget. Sour Diesel will get you there and back again.
9) Blue Dream
Writing about Blue Dream makes me remember the time I smoked this potent strain while listening to the Satriani song Flying In A Blue Dream. I know it’s cliche, but it was a seriously good time and I recommend the experience to everyone (if you like instrumental electric guitar).
Blue Dream (the weed) produces sweet berry flavors paired with 17-24% THC for a smooth, relaxing high reminiscent of the feel of Satriani’s classic song.
So light up, lie down, and you’ll be flying in a blue-dream-induced haze in no time.
10) Death Star
To paraphrase a classic line, “That’s no moon. It’s a ganja strain!” Death Star shares its sativa and indica effects with its parents Sensi Star and Sour Diesel and offers a truly unique experience.
Though sometimes slow to take over, Death Star never fails to zap your cares and will transport you to a state of relaxed euphoria like none other. Like its parent strain, Sour Diesel, Death Star produces flavors akin to the pungent, earthy diesel we’ve all come to know and love.
The thick, frosty leaves of the Death Star strain smoke very smooth and slow while, at the same time, delivering a heady indica punch for those who want to get stuck on their couch for a few hours.
11) Afghan Kush
Topping out at 20% THC, Afghan Kush is one heck of a powerful indica. The power of this potent strain lies in its ability to ease your pain, quiet you down, and lift your spirits all at the same time.
That’s a wonderful combination of effects. But don’t use Afghan Kush if you’ve got anything on your calendar. This strain will knock you on your ass and keep you there for hours.
12) White Widow
White Widow has been tested at a mind-blowing 30% THC content (with an average of 13.5%, which is still pretty darn good). One of the awesome things about White Widow is its ability to produce shloads of trichomes.
In fact, that’s how the strain got its name — it was so covered with resin glands, it looked white.
White Widow is an excellent choice for your next smoke sesh because of its sensory-heightening, chattiness-inducing effects. That said, the aroma of White Widow — ammonia and earthy pine — can be overwhelming, so good ventilation may be a necessity.
13) White Fire OG
White Fire OG — or WiFi OG for short — typically ranges from 25% to 30% THC content. Because it’s a sativa strain, it produces a pleasant sativa high.
That means that you can expect a calm yet energetic feeling with plenty of amplitude for your senses. White Fire OG is a stellar choice for relaxing outdoors, hanging on the front porch, or exploring the world around you.
14) Jamaican
Want a bracing euphoria and other potent cerebral effects? Stick a bit of the Jamaican strain in your pipe and smoke it.
Though Jamaican didn’t exist on the island it was named for before 1840, strains brought from India adapted well to the tropical climate and quickly took over. Since then, it’s become one of the more popular, and powerful, strains on the market today.
Jamaican tops out at 21% THC with the average specimen giving off a still-impressive 13% THC. Our experience with the Jamaican strain rendered us talkative and very sociable.
15) Gorilla Glue #4
Gorilla Glue #4 is a hybrid (a cross between indica and sativa) that flexes its THC muscles at between 24% and 30% on a regular basis.
That sky-high THC content quickly subdues even the toughest pain while still producing a solid and agreeable high. No departure from reality or rampant paranoia. Just an enjoyable body high with a hint of the psychotropic.
16) Super Silver Haze
Super Silver Haze is a popular sativa strain with strong THC levels hovering at around 20%. Like White Widow, Super Silver Haze produces a plethora of sticky trichomes that give it a distinctive silvery appearance — and provide plenty of fodder for its name.
When smoked, Super Silver Haze gives off a sweet, citrusy aroma with notes of earth and pine. Some users even detect a sharp, cheesy tang in the mix.
Whatever you taste and smell, Super Silver Haze creates a long-lasting body high coupled with energizing and creative effects. Experienced users describe the Super Silver Haze high as a motivated, clear-headed focus that morphs into a body buzz with only a dash of psychedelic distortion.
No need to worry about couchlock with this strong strain.
17) Blissful Wizard
Once known as Blissful Wizzard (with two Zs), this potent strain now goes by just Blissful Wizard (with on Z).
We’re very pleased with that choice of spelling, because anything that isn’t spelled like it sounds is just too much for us.
Blissful Wizard tops out at a whopping 34% THC content, so be careful when introducing this strain into your regular rotation. Start small (with a one-hitter, for example) and see how it affects you.
When you’re familiar with the consequences of your actions, you can increase slowly from there.
We only mention this because Blissful Wizard delivers a soaring euphoric high that can last for a couple of hours. You’ll maintain a decent state of mind throughout, but you don’t want to be making any major life choices while under Blissful Wizard’s sway.
Also of note, Blissful Wizard will make you hella-hungry, so make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand to satisfy your munchies.
18) Fruity Pebbles
We love the Fruity Pebbles strain for its tropical, berry flavors. The 22% THC content doesn’t hurt either.
Fruity Pebbles gets its kick from some well-known progenitors: Granddaddy Purple, Tahoe Alien, and Green Ribbon.
The Fruity Pebbles strain is an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike. It’s mild but powerful effects won’t set you to bouncing off the walls or hold you captive on your couch. But they will take you to places you’ve never been before.
That’s another reason we like this potent strain. All in all, it’s a versatile bud with plenty of beneficial effects — both recreational and medicinal — and can be used for a variety of intents and purposes (not just for getting high).
19) Yoda OG
Yoda OG’s 28% THC content makes it a particularly potent pot strain. Yoda OG affects both the body and the mind simultaneously, which makes for a full-on, head-to-toe high.
And don’t let that “high” word fool you. Yoda OG’s high is primarily soothing and mellow as opposed to tripping and exciting.
But, like the sneaky little Yoda dude from which this strain gets its name, the high can creep up on you slowly. It may take a while for the effects to kick in, but once they do, you’ll experience a synergistic body-and-mind euphoria that is without rival.
We recommend popping in your favorite film before smoking. That way you can zone out and enjoy the ride while your high builds and builds.
20) Cherry OG
While not being close the strongest strain on this list, Cherry OG rings in at a still-impressive 22% THC.
The effects of Cherry OG — euphoria and total body relaxation — are also pretty impressive, with some long-time cannaseurs describing their experience as locked onto your couch with a euphoric cerebral high that leaves you happy as a clam.
We don’t know about you, but that sounds like just what the doctor ordered after a long, stressful day at work.
What’s Your Vote?
So what’s your vote for the strongest weed strain? Obviously, we’ve left some off this list because we just don’t have room to talk about all the great varieties out there.
That said, you really can’t go wrong with any of the THC-rich marijuana strains on this list. Sure, you’re going to have your own personal preference, but that’s half the fun of the experience, isn’t it?
When you boil it all down, rating marijuana strains is like critiquing fine art: You’re going to love some and hate some but finding your favorite will be an excellent adventure.
For more information on all things marijuana and to check out our 100-percent all-natural cannabis products, visit HonestMarijuana.com today.