10 Most Popular Strains of Weed

All of the strains of weed clustering on dispensary shelves today originally came from just a handful of wild “landrace” strains. Over the years, breeders have crossed and re-crossed cannabis landraces, resulting in a fractal-shaped explosion in the number of available strains—reminiscent, in a way, of the spiral whorls found in the centers of cannabis leaves and buds.

Amidst the ongoing parade of fancifully concocted monikers for the season’s latest criss-crossed hybrids, a few tried-and-true strains stand out from the pack. These cannabis cultivars have withstood the test of time, and many now have CBD or delta 8 versions to serve as testaments to their enduring popularity. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the 10 most popular strains of weed of all time and explain why they still represent the best weed strains available in 2022 and beyond.

#1 Sour Diesel (Sativa)

Long before smoking weed became an acceptable practice within American society, legends of Sour Diesel spread amongst stoners of the East Coast and beyond. The legend goes that a black-market Staten Island breeder named “Weasel” originally bred Sour Diesel. For decades, “Sour Diesel” was synonymous with “good weed” throughout the East Coast, and this strain would eventually become popular in the highly competitive California medical cannabis market as well.

What are the effects of Sour Diesel?

An uplifting sativa, Sour Diesel is often described as having effects that are simultaneously dreamy and cerebral. Get ready for a head trip with this strain or any of its derivatives, even CBD-rich strains with Sour Diesel genetics like Diesel Puff. While neither Diesel Puff nor any other high-CBD, low-THC strain will get you high, this famous cultivar’s sativa terpenes will nonetheless produce an energizing boost.

#2 Forbidden Fruit (Indica Hybrid)

Despite being quite literally forbidden under cannabis prohibition, the heavy indica strain Forbidden Fruit nevertheless became a legend throughout the Silicon Valley area where it was purportedly bred in the 1990s. Forbidden Fruit runs the spectrum of fruity flavors, simultaneously tasting like citrus, grape, and berry.

What are the effects of Forbidden Fruit?

Providing powerful relaxing effects while nonetheless also gracing the user with a gentle head high, Forbidden Fruit remains popular among individuals suffering from chronic pain, insomnia, and other nagging, chronic conditions. CBD products that incorporate Forbidden Fruit terpenes combine the notably relaxing effects of vaping CBD with one of the cannabis world’s most notably stress-relieving strains.

#3 OG Kush (Indica)

Throughout California beyond, to be an “OG” has become synonymous with exuding success and authenticity, and OG Kush personifies the authentic allure of hard-hitting Himalayan indica strains better than perhaps any cultivar. Popularized by the outspokenly pro-cannabis hip-hop troupe Cypress Hill during the 1990s, OG Kush will forever command an aura of respect now matter how many up-and-comers might widen the horizon of available indica strains.

What are the effects of OG Kush?

In its THC form, OG Kush is commonly sought out as a pain reliever due to its high THC content and potently sedating indica terpene profile. CBD variants of OG Kush like Frosted Kush capture this strain’s iconic terpene profile and combine it with this cannabinoid’s unique non-intoxicating benefits. It’s also possible to combine OG Kush terpenes with delta 8 to roughly preserve the effect of delta 9 OG Kush but with a new slant.

#4 Granddaddy Purple (Indica)

Considered to be the patriarch and progenitor of a whole line of “purple” cannabis strains, Granddaddy Purple, also known as GDP or Granddaddy Purp, is a potent indica cultivar with a unique terpene profile that has made it a prime target of connoisseur cannabis breeders. Fun fact: The purple color in GDP buds and leaves is caused by anthocyanin, the same flavonoid that makes blueberries blue. 

What are the effects of Granddaddy Purple?

GDP has strongly sedating indica effects regardless of the cannabinoid it’s accompanied by. It’s not clear if the presence of the flavonoid anthocyanin contributes anything to the effects of Granddaddy Purple and other “purple” weed strains, but this natural plant substance certainly looks beautiful on GDP’s buds.

#5 G13 (Indica)

Throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s, legends of G13 circulated the West Coast. Some old-school stoners swore it was a US military concoction, and others had heard tales that G13 contained alien DNA to open mental portals to other dimensions.

What are the effects of G13?

Certain parts of these legends might be at least somewhat true—G13 may, in fact, be short for “Government Indica Strain 1,” but nobody knows the full story. All we’re sure about is that G13 has a powerfully euphoric and sedative high that would make smokers believe even the most outlandish stories regarding its origins. 

#6 Blue Dream (Hybrid)

There are a few different phenotypes of Blue Dream, but many knowledgeable stoners consider this strain to be the be-all, end-all of balanced hybrids. Satisfying both the mind and body, Blue Dream has spawned a whole bevy of subsequent hybrid “children,” including Secret Nature Secret Dream, which draws heavily on Blue Dream genetics while containing less than 0.3% delta 9 THC.

What are the effects of Blue Dream?

Blue Dream soothes the senses and relaxes the body. Paired with a relaxing bath, this hybrid strain can’t be beat for aches, pain, and stress.

#7 Gorilla Glue (Indica Hybrid)

Perhaps the breeders of Gorilla Glue sought to explain the couch-locking potency of their new strain by way of the reliable stickiness of its namesake, a beloved industrial solvent known for its ability to stick nearly any two surfaces together. 

What are the effects of Gorilla Glue?

Whatever the case may be, Gorilla Glue remains in hot demand in multiple cannabinoid forms for its ability to make pain more tolerable without totally zoning out your mind. While Gorilla Glue sedates your body, it will take your mind on a light energizing journey as the time flies by.

#8 Pineapple Express (Hybrid)

Made legend by the 2008 comedy of the same name, Pineapple Express is a cross of Trainwreck and Hawaiian that certainly seems to check all the boxes when it comes to the criteria of ideal weed. 

What are the effects of Pineapple Express?

Providing the sort of classic stone you imagined you’d feel every time you got high before you started smoking, no bowl of Pineapple Express is complete without a listen of “Electric Avenue” on YouTube.

#9 Dutch Treat (Hybrid)

Featuring a distinctive terpene profile dominated by eucalyptol and pinene, Dutch Treat is a balanced hybrid cross of Northern Lights and Haze, both legendary strains in their own right. 

What are the effects of Dutch Treat?

Dutch Treat remains beloved by cannabis users to this day for its potently uplifting cerebral effects that are great for social occasions or creative activities. If there’s one application of Dutch Treat that stands out above all the rest, it’s relief from fatigue or stress.

#10 Gelato (Indica Hybrid)

Gelato, also somewhat oddly known as “Larry Bird,” is a somewhat complex cross of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies and Sunset Sherbet. While scholars may dither over whether the correct name of the strain is “Gelato #33” or “Gelato #42,” we know for sure that this indica-leaning hybrid was bred for both its culinary qualities and relaxing potency.

What are the effects of Gelato?

Lightly sedating the mind and body while stimulating the palate, Gelato’s terpenes are truly enjoyable to inhale whether you’re puffing on CBD or THC versions of the strain.

Popular weed strains FAQ

Let’s finish up with a few common questions about the most popular strains of weed:

What is the most famous strain of cannabis?

Out of all the different strains of weed, OG Kush might be the most widely known. Even people who don’t know anything else about cannabis are aware that this strain is associated with potency and quality. Sour Diesel and Forbidden Fruit are close runners-up, though.

What are the world’s best-selling weed strains?

According to cannabis information and delivery platform WeedMaps, the most popular strain in their database is OG Kush. That means more people report buying or growing OG Kush on WeedMaps than any other strain, giving us some concrete information indicating that OG Kush may well be the best-selling weed strain in the world.

What are the most popular strains of weed in Colorado?

According to Leafly, Blue Dream is Colorado’s most-bought strain. The information Leafly derived from its network of Colorado dispensaries indicates that fellow legends Durban Poison and Original Glue are close runners-up.

What are the best weed strains to try in 2022?

This year, if you haven’t tried any of the top 10 weed strains on our list, pick one, and start smoking. Whether it’s OG Kush, G13, or Pineapple Express, there’s a lot to the world of weed you’re still missing if you haven’t tried each of the 10 most popular cannabis strains.