Brandon B. Smith
Forget the 1970s. We’re living in the new Golden Age of marijuana. Over the past 50 years, the potency of cannabis has more than tripled. You read that right.
Gradual legalization has encouraged more growers to experiment like mad scientists. Now, we reap the benefits of these strains that have ridiculously high THC and low CBD content.
In order to maximize the longevity of your high, cannaseurs like us should stick to edibles. Although they take longer to kick in, you could extend your high up to seven hours!
To help you sort through hundreds of strains, we’ve compiled a list of the eight best cannabis strains for a long-lasting high.
Best cannabis strains for a long-lasting high
Chemdawg (aka Chem D.O.G.)
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica Dominant Hybrid (55% Indica/45% Sativa); 19% THC, 1% CBD
Primary Terpenes: Caryophyllene (peppery), Myrcene (herbal), Limonene (citrus)
If you’ve ever tried Sour Diesel or OG Kush, this is the impressive parent strain. The combination of limonene and beta-caryophyllene terpenes lend it a spicy lemon taste.
You’ll want to make sure you have an air freshener after using this one! However, Chemdawg should not be judged strictly by its powerful diesel or chemical smell created by the caryophyllene terpenes.
It packs a punch with its high THC content to give you a wonderful euphoric lift and heavy, full-body relaxation.
For a stronger version of Chemdawg, check out Godfather up next.
Godfather OG (OG Kush)
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica Dominant Hybrid (60% Indica/40% Sativa); 22-25% THC
Primary Terpenes: Myrcene (herbal), Caryophyllene (peppery), Humulene (hoppy)
Commonly referred to as OG Kush, this strain is dank and skunky with amazing effects.
The balanced hybrid numbs the body and uplifts the spirit with a fast-acting head high.
Most commonly, the don of kush helps with chronic pain, insomnia and depression. This is in part because of the high myrcene.
If you want to go several hours with an uplifting body buzz, this is the stuff for you.
Kosher Kush
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica Dominant (80% Indica/20% Sativa); 25% THC
Primary Terpenes: Myrcene (herbal), Limonene (citrus), Caryophyllene (peppery)
This strain allegedly earned its name by being the only cannabis ever to be blessed by a rabbi.
If that’s not impressive enough, it won back-to-back Cannabis Cup awards in 2011 and 2012 for its overwhelmingly sedative effect.
However, Kosher Kush is not just sleep-inducing. Users feel an uplifted, happy calm wash over them with a mild body buzz that makes your limbs feel leaden. The limonene and myrcene combination lends a musky, citrus aftertaste.
Kosher Kush could be an excellent remedy for those with PTSD or sleep disorders like insomnia.
Strawberry Banana
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica Dominant (70% Indica/30% Sativa); 26% THC
Primary Terpenes: Limonene (citrus), Myrcene (herbal), Caryophyllene (peppery)
Strawnana is a beautiful strain with a sweet, fruity flavor profile that lives up to its name.
However, it’s not the flavor alone that has earned Strawberry Banana its widespread popularity.
This strain provides a beautiful balance of relaxation and happiness that will likely stoke the munchies.
Users with severe physical pain report how effective this strain is for physical discomfort, chronic pain and PTSD.
Ghost Train Haze
Cannabinoid Profile: Sativa Dominant (80% Sativa/20% Indica); 27% THC
Primary Terpenes: Terpinolene (fruity), Myrcene (herbal), Limonene (citrus)
Like most of these strains, Ghost Train Haze is not for beginners. A little goes a long way with this one.
This immensely potent strain may make you couch-locked at higher doses and help you drift off to sleep at the tail end of the high. However, GTH can inspire creativity and focus in moderation.
Its tidal wave of euphoric energy may be good for depression, but the sheer power of Ghost Train haze may trigger paranoia for those with significant anxiety.
GTH has a strong, peppery odor with mild fruitiness and a pine resin flavor from the terpinolene and myrcene terpenes.
With its powerful, near instantaneous effects (for smokers), it’s no wonder that Ghost Train Haze has won multiple Cannabis Cup awards since 2012.
GSC (Girl Scout Cookies)
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica Dominant Hybrid (60% Indica/40% Sativa); 28% THC, 1% CBD
Primary Terpenes: Caryophyllene (peppery), Limonene (citrus), Pinene (pine)
It makes sense that a direct descendent of OG Kush could be even more potent.
Girl Scout Cookies is the 2013 High Times Cannabis Cup winner for best hybrid strain in Los Angeles.
It’s an earthy, sweet offspring of South Africa’s Durban Poison that gets its flavors from the limonene and pinene.
GSC’s robust body high will pin you to the couch while a snappy euphoria catapults you to a bright head high.
Users report this hybrid knocks out any anxiety or physical pain in no time flat because of the caryophyllene terpenes.
This crossbreed gives you the best of both sativa and indica.
Bruce Banner
Cannabinoid Profile: Sativa Dominant Hybrid (60% Sativa/40% Indica); 29% THC, 1% CBD
Primary Terpenes: Myrcene (herbal), Limonene (citrus), Caryophyllene (peppery)
Yet another offshoot of OG Kush, this time with a twist of Strawberry Diesel, takes the list of our top eight cannabis strains.
The hulk of herb came smashing into the marijuana scene by ranking as one of the world’s most potent strains by the High Times in Denver.
Bruce Banner has a sweet citrus flavor profile with a hint of fresh earth. This ridiculous amount of THC gives users a creative head high and a burst of productive energy.
Because of the fruit’s high percentage of myrcene, you may be able to strengthen the calming effects even further by eating a mango!
Original Glue (GG4; Gorilla Glue #4)
Cannabinoid Profile: Indica Dominant Hybrid (63% Indica, 37% Sativa); 32% THC, 1% CBD
Primary Terpenes: Caryophyllene (peppery), Myrcene (herbal), Pinene (pine)
GG4 has been a worldwide phenomenon since 2014 due to its powerful, full-body relaxation effects and intensely strong head high.
The bud gives off an acidic, lemon-lime scent from the pinene and myrcene terpenes.
Its taste is reminiscent of its predecessors Chem Sister and Chocolate Diesel with a chemical spice and subtle hint of chocolate.
Users of Original Glue feel an immediate onset of happiness and a slow, heavy weight soothing their bodies afterwards.
If you didn’t see a favorite of yours, here are a few Honorable mentions: White Fire OG (WiFi), Death Star, GG4, Bubba Kush, White Tahoe Cookies, Irish Cream, Purple Kush, Super Glue, Ghost OG
There you have it! The potency, dosage and how you ingest the cannabis are the three main factors you can control to lengthen your high.
Remember, edibles will last longer than smoking but will take a while to kick in.
If you want to kick it into full-on relax mode, don’t worry. We won’t judge you for having a brownie for breakfast.
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Brandon B. Smith is a writer who focuses on cannabis culture and lifestyle.