People throughout history have always desired rare, hard-to-get items. From the Roman emperors importing African elephants to the conquistadors looking for the legendary gold of El Dorado. Today, people want custom cars, designer clothing, and the latest bleeding-edge technology. There’s something about owning things that others don’t have—it just appeals to the human spirit. It’s no different in cannabis circles. Smokers are naturally drawn to the rare strains for their unique properties and bragging rights.
It’s not uncommon, especially for newcomers, to boast about their weed exploits, claiming they hit unusually strong or rare strains that no one else has. It’s natural to want to show others that you’re connected and can get the best bud from places like Budmail. The truth is that most people don’t know which cannabis strains are truly rare, and they assume such rare strains are costly and out of reach, but that isn’t always the case.
Why Do Rare Strains Exist?
As with other plants, selective breeding has impacted weed strains. Over time, some varieties have been bred out of existence through hybridization. Other strains disappear because the trend is toward more potent varieties or because of various conflicts. Still, other types of cannabis are impossible to get unless you know the growers personally because they’re so popular.
Rare Sativa Strains
1. Chemdawg 91
Chemdawg 91 is a potent strain originating from Asian sativa varieties from Thailand and Nepal. It’s thought that “91” refers to the date it was first grown. The buds are sticky and average in size, and smokers describe the taste as smooth, with diesel, citrus, and chemical flavour. This variety can help relieve stress due to its euphoric mental properties and may make users feel as if they are escaping time. The high is potent and resides behind the eyes. Hybrid varieties of Chemdawg 91 fuse the power of sativa with the mellow buzz of indica.
2. NYC Diesel
This strain has won several High Times Cannabis Cup Awards. It’s a mix of Mexican and Afghani sativa lines, and it delivers an energetic high that encourages creativity—a good option for a quick morning bake and social gatherings. Smokers describe the taste as citrusy and sweet. However, beware that NYC Diesel can induce some serious munchies, so you’ll need to keep your favourite snacks within reach. For this reason, NYC Diesel is beneficial to those struggling with a lack of appetite. This rare strain also helps people dealing with anxiety and depression because it stimulates the mind and encourages activity. It also has medicinal, pain-relieving qualities.
3. Amnesia Haze
This strain won the overall 1st place at the 2004 High Times Cannabis Cup and “Best Sativa” at the 2012 High Times Cannabis Cup. It has a THC range of 20%-30%. Buds are cone-shaped and have a yellowish tint. Although the name suggests a loss of memory, Amnesia Haze actually stimulates cognitive function and creativity. This strain is ideal for activities that require mental focus and attention to detail, perfect for finishing tasks on your to-do list. Still, Amnesia Haze also provides just the right amount of relaxation and chill to complement the increased mental activity. Smokers describe the taste as lemony. A downside can be a sense of paranoia brought on by a racing mind, so those with THC sensitivity should avoid going overboard with this one.
4. Hawaiian Snow
Hawaiian Snow is a sativa that delivers a fair amount of energy and cerebral activity. With THC levels up to 24%, the high is strong, spawning a good deal of creativity and elevated mood. As a haze strain, Hawaiian Snow also creates a foggy and dizzy effect, with intense munchies. This strain is particularly good at relieving inflammation throughout the body, chronic joint pain, and migraines. People battling nausea find this variety especially effective. Hawaiian Snow has a flavour of pine and smells like spices and citrus when burned. On the downside, it has been known to cause dry eye, cottonmouth, and paranoia in some people.
5. Oaxacan Highland
Named after Oaxaca, Mexico, this sativa landrace was popular during the hippie days, and after American presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan declared a war on drugs. With a porous border, this variety was plentiful and was known for its psychedelic highs and aromatic scent. Today, Oaxacan Highland is an endangered species of weed because of hybridization and cartel violence in the area, making it difficult to find on the market. The THC content ranges between 15% and 23% and produces a slow, stirring high, which allows for clear thinking, so it’s ideal for wake-and-bakes. For those with attention deficit disorders, Oaxacan can help alleviate the symptoms by allowing users to focus on one task at a time. It also works well for pain management and inflammation. If you’re especially sensitive to THC, maybe avoid this strain because it can cause “mindrace” and a sense of anxiety.
6. Molokai Frost
This sativa hybrid comes from the Hawaiian island of Molokai. The flowers are large, conical, and covered in a crust of frosty-looking trichomes that give this weed variety its name. Molokai Frost is a sativa, but it has some indica qualities as well, such as its deep, whole-body sedative high. The smoke carries a citrus taste upon exhale—a perfect bud for a chilled-out evening in front of the television. The THC content ranges from 14% and 26%.
7. Lamb’s Bread
This strain of weed was popularized by Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley. Known more widely as “Lamb’s Breath,” this cannabis strain has a balanced combination of THC (16%-21%) and CBD (1%), which delivers a potent high that comes on strong with a creative energy that can last for hours. Medicinally, this variant is very effective in treating depression, bipolar disorder, and generalized fatigue. It also helps to focus the mind and benefits people struggling with attention deficit disorders. People dealing with PTSD should not take Lamb’s Bread because it has been known to elevate feelings of anxiety.
8. Neville’s Haze
This strain won the High Times Cannabis Cup in 1998. Its high induces feelings of exhilaration and can lead to uncontrollable laughter. Smoking this weed gets most people off the couch and busy doing something creative. In higher quantities, it can cause dry eye, disorientation, and paranoia. With THC levels over 21%, it’s often used for depression and other chronic mood issues. This strain also works as a remedy for nausea and glaucoma.
Rare Indica Strains
9. Mendocino Purps
This award-winning strain of cannabis comes from Mendocino County, California, and today is very rare. There are clones, such as The Purps and Da Purps, but genuine Mendocino Purps (or Mendo Purps) is indeed difficult to find. Mendo Purps is known for causing drowsiness and lethargy, so if you plan to take a hit, make sure your schedule is open. People also report getting a serious case of the giggles. For those suffering from chronic pain, this cannabis variety is especially effective at numbing pain and improving feelings of general discomfort. On the downside, smokers report feeling some paranoia, disorientation, and dry eyes. It’s recommended for use in the late afternoon or evening as a sleep aid.
10. Bubba OG
Bubba OG (or OG Bubba) has purple and blue flowers with streaks of red and orange pistils. The buds are clustered tightly, like most other indica strains. This strain was originally created by Canadian Dr. Greenthumb Seeds, who combined Bubba Kush and Ghost OG. The high is smooth and relieves stress but still allows smokers to think clearly. The exhale has a fruity taste with diesel overtones, delivering a whole-body euphoria without hampering mental focus. That said, it’s best to avoid activities that require physical coordination. For medical use, this strain of weed is an effective treatment for the type of chronic pain associated with lupus and arthritis. The high also helps with depression and stress without causing paranoia—a good choice for those with THC sensitivity.
11. Four Way
This strain is named after the four landraces that compose its lineage: Pakistani, Afghani, and Indian—plus Skunk #1 (making four). The flowers are larger than average and have the classic indica cone shape. This variety of cannabis has many translucent trichomes covering the buds, which deliver THC levels between 15%-20%. The high comes on gradually and makes for a great unwind in the evening. Smokers report feeling some unique and trippy visual sensations, so maybe hold off on it if you have a long list of things to do. The relaxing quality of this bud is also beneficial for people battling depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also eases aches and pains and serves as a great treatment for insomnia.
12. Sweet Tooth
This strain of cannabis (which received 1st place in the 2001 High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam) gets its name from the white, densely clustered trichomes covering the buds. This variety smells like flowers and fruit and has a sweet taste. It also has some sativa characteristics that help maintain mental focus and counteracts the intensely lazy high. Therefore, it’s best to avoid smoking Sweet Tooth before social gatherings or any time you need to be mentally sharp and lucid. This strain is excellent for general aches and also helps to induce deep, restful sleep.
13. Chronic
This strain of weed is associated with the 90s and rapper/producer Dr. Dre, who used the word “chronic” to describe all cannabis varieties. The buds are relatively small and look like green popcorn with brilliant red pistils. Chronic combines three popular varieties: AK-47, Northern Lights, and Skunk #1. The high is balanced and long-lasting; it comes on quickly and is marked by creative energy and problem-solving. It’s also a great high for an evening with friends, especially when the CBD kicks in and delivers a calming whole-body sense of serenity and relaxation. Those with a THC sensitivity should be aware that Chronic can induce paranoia and anxiety in some people.
14. Hindu Kush
This strain of pure indica, popularized in the US by the hippie movement, brought cannabis into the mainstream across the globe. It originates from the Kush region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The strain is so popular that the word “kush” is synonymous with weed. The high is very strong and sedates the entire body, which is the main reason why it’s so coveted. Hindu Kush has psychedelic properties, so it’s best for night-time use. Also, this variety tends to induce laziness and a desire to lounge on the couch, which is why it works so well to relieve insomnia. Too much of this strain can cause feelings of anxiety and dizziness. Upon exhale, the smoke tastes of muted pine.
Why are Rare Strains So Valuable?
In addition to being rare, the above strains of cannabis appeal to smokers for their balanced high. Although each strain has unique qualities, they all deliver a well-rounded experience and minimal side effects. Like so many things in life, moderation seems to be the best formula, and these rarest weed strains above strike that unique balance. Unfortunately, like so many aspects of life, it can be hard to hold on to a good thing, and these cannabis strains are hard to acquire and might disappear altogether over time. If you haven’t already tried these varieties, it would be worth your while to search them out.
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