The Most Popular Cannabis Strains: A Detailed Guide

Do you see green in your future?

More cannabis enthusiasts and medical marijuana patients are exploring the business possibilities of the industry. As legalization becomes more mainstream, experts project a clear path toward a $73 billion market value.

Even better, entrepreneurs have profitable options beyond growing plants, like salves, CBD, apps, online courses, bath bombs, and more.

Regardless of the niche, every weedpreneur must know the most popular cannabis strains by heart. What’s more, growers are developing new strains yearly.

Keep up with consumers’ favorite products with this comprehensive guide to top indica, sativa, and hybrid strains.

Sour Diesel

As expected, top cannabis strains are often replaced as new choices hit the market. Yet, a few seasoned favorites have stood strong.

One longtime favorite is Sour Diesel. This strain was developed in the 1990s by a grower in New York city. The herb is actually a cross between Super Skunk and Chemdawg strains.

Sour Diesel is a sativa strain. There are three primary types of marijuana plants: indica, sativa, and hybrids.

Sativa plants are long and narrow with thin leaves, whereas indica is recognized by its short, broad leaves. Hybrid cannabis plants are a combination of sativa and indica. Thus, hybrid plants aren’t as stout as indica but not as thin as sativa leaves.

Sativa also thrives better outdoors, while indica flourishes indoors. Indica also grows faster than indica, making it a popular choice for hobby growers. However, sativa plants can grow past 20 feet, while indica typically caps out at 6 feet tops.

Like other sativa strains, Sour Diesel produces more stimulating effects. A medical cannabis patient may take Sour Diesel to manage anxiety without feeling tired. Enthusiasts describe this strain as creative, productive, and optimistic.

Other Sour Diesel variations include:

• Chiesel
• Jack Diesel
• Sour Tangie
• Strawberry Shortcake
• Strawberry Sour Diesel
• Bruce Banner BX 2.0
• Traditional Diesel

You can also buy diesel hybrid strains, like Cannatonic and Original Glue.

Green Crack

Green Crack is the next popular strain on the list. Like Sour Diesel, Green Crack inspires energy while calming the nerves.

While this strain is considered a sativa, it’s technically a hybrid. Green crack is roughly 80% sativa and 20% indica, making it a sativa-dominant hybrid.

Like Sour Diesel, Green Crack was also invented in 1990 by a cannabis crossbreeder in Ohio.

The hybrid’s sativa strain is the potent Skunk #1. The indica component is an Afghani landrace indica. Landrace strains are pure, so they haven’t been crossbred with any other strain, including other indica plants.

The herb’s original name is “Cush.” Rapper Snoop Dogg is actually responsible for its unofficial name.

Blue Dream

Another longtime favorite is Blue Dream. Similar to Green Crack, Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant hybrid, not a pure sativa herb.

However, unlike Green Crack, this sativa hybrid is more relaxing than energizing.

It’s a combination of Haze and Blueberry weed strain. Yet, it’s not as heavy as an indica. While Green Crack only contains 20% indica, Blue Dream contains twice the amount, producing more balanced effects.

The data also tells a compelling story.

By the numbers, Blue Dream is the most popular cannabis strain in the world. It’s also routinely voted as the top strain among consumers.

Medical marijuana patients use Blue Dream to manage nausea, arthritis pain, and depression. It’s also a favorite among buyers managing painful menstrual cramps.

Blue Dream debuted thirteen years after Sour Diesel and Green Crack hit the market. The sativa-indica strain was also developed in Santa Cruz, one of the biggest cannabis centers in the industry.

Popular infused products include:

• Blue Dream balm
• Edible gummies
• Bath salts and bath bombs
• Infused tea and coffee
• Cannabis chocolates

You can also sell Blue Dream vape oil. Plus, you can generate even more sales by selling vape pens and accessories.

Best Strains for Menstrual Cramps

Cannabis is creating new holistic management possibilities for various concerns.

One paramount concern is debilitating menstrual cramps.

Even icons like Whoopi Goldberg launched cannabis-infused products for period pain. In 2016, the comedian and View host launched her Whoopi & Maya line of marijuana products for menstrual cramps. Customers could buy infused bath soaks, tinctures, and balms for natural relief.

Many cannabis strains aid in menstrual pain relief, but indica and indica-dominant hybrids are the most popular among patients.

Top strains include:

• Purple Swish
• White Walrus
• Mandarin Cush
• Atomic Bomb
• Grapehead
• Blue and Cream
• Sour Chunk

Patients who want pain management without psychoactive effects can buy CBD products made with indica extracts. There are also vape oils with higher levels of CBD than THC.

Take a page from Whoopi’s book, an early adopter in the cannabis industry. As the industry grows, look for ways to differentiate yourself to consumers. What pain point could you target with specialized marijuana products?

Top Cannabis Strains for Chronic Pain

Menstrual cramps can be extremely painful for many individuals. Thus, it’s not a surprise that chronic pain sufferers also turn to indica-dominant strains for management and relaxation.

Again, Blue Dream is a favorite among people with chronic pain. Patients enjoy the heaviness of indica while light, optimistic sativa takes the edge off. Green Crack or other sativa-heavy strains may be too energizing for chronic pain sufferers.

Blue Zombie is a popular stain among the chronic pain community. This medicinal herb is a mix of Blue Dream and Haze. Growers also breed it with Afghani landrace for the ultimate indica experience.

For extra relief, buyers can pair dried cannabis with infused bath products, teas, and topicals. This regimen compliments many natural health routines for arthritis.

Other strains to know include:

• Stevie Wonder
• Bedica
• Chem Cookies
• Alpine Blue
• Thunderstruck
• CBD OG
• Mazar Kush

Smoking any of these strains will produce a quicker, instantaneous effect. Consuming infused edibles can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to take effect.

If you’re planning on opening a dispensary, you’re often tasked with educating customers about different strains, methods, and expectations. The more literature you have at your disposal, the better!

Stock your dispensary with these resources:

• Weed strain catalogs
• Detailed pictures
• Photobooks
• Directions and tutorials
• Product facts

Cannabis education posters are also helpful. Customers can learn all about the history of sativa, different techniques, or growing facts.

Top Strains for Anxiety

Pain is a primary reason consumers seek out cannabis. Anxiety is the next common reason.

Anxiety is a tricky pain point to target since marijuana can worsen anxiety for many people. Sourcing the right strains is crucial if you want to appeal to that market. You can also offer CBD anxiety products that don’t produce psychoactive effects.

The first strain to know is Granddaddy purple. This popular indica-dominant strain is made from Purple Urkle and Big Bud strains, giving it its signature purple color.

Granddaddy Purple can help manage the following issues from PTSD and panic attacks:

• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Muscle soreness
• Muscle spasms
• Anxiety attacks

While Grandaddy aids with symptoms, it’s a bit heavy. If buyers need to focus, you should recommend a hybrid indica strain.

However, Sativa strains aren’t off-limits to anxiety sufferers. While anxiety patients should be prudent with sativa products, Amnesia Haze is highly recommended by the holistic anxiety community.

This strain is both optimistic and relaxing, a powerful yet subtle combination of Cambodian Sativa, and Jamaican Landrace, and Afghani Indica.

Amnesia Haze also contains 20% THC. However, you can offer products with higher CBD concentrations than THC, minimizing any possible paranoia. Buyers also enjoy edible alternatives, like infused cookies, beverages, candies, and brownies.

Other popular strains for anxiety include:

• Chocolate Chunk Strain
• Northern Lights
• Jack Attack
• Sour Space Candy
• Tangie Cookies
• Chocolate Mint
• Alpine Star
• Space Cake

Remember, top growers are developing new strains to target anxiety relief. Follow industry blogs and thought leaders to stock your business with the latest offerings for anxiety sufferers.

Tips for Sourcing Weed Strains

There are many growers, strains, and intensity levels. Thus, not every Blue Dream strain is high-quality across the board.

Since your customers demand quality, you must find quality sources for your weed products. In this instance, you’re the consumer. Make sure to know what other customers are talking about by checking Weed Review online.

Again, start with trusted authorities in your niche, but remember your niche too. For example, if you’re going to sell cannabis products for menstrual pain, research current products, strains, and growers targeting that niche.

Since the market is expanding, there are more opportunities for cannabis fairs. Test a variety of strains, accessories, and infused products.

The same rule applies to vape oil, too, one of the fastest niche cannabis markets. Not every vape oil supplier is selling high-quality cartridges. Look for appropriate testing and quality labels.

Discover the Possibilities for Cannabis

Are you ready to provide relief and relaxation to a new market?

Learn everything you can about cannabis strains. Don’t forget to watch the market closely for trends and new products. The blog is also packed with facts.