If you believe the annual reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, weed is getting stronger. Certainly, if you measure potency by THC content, marijuana is unquestionably becoming more potent. It was even noticeable when the average THC content of weed in 2003 was 6.4%, compared to just 0.72% in 1976.
One of the main reasons for this extra potency is the focus on producing sinsemilla, which is the tops of unfertilized female plants (these happen to contain the highest amount of THC). In the modern era, harvesters remove the trimmings and get rid of water leaves, which contain little to no THC.
It is also likely true that cannabis strain production has contributed to the greater strength of pot; growers prefer marijuana strains with high cannabinoid levels, and today, the strongest selections are hybrid crosses of well-known strains.
DID YOU KNOW: THC levels averaged an estimated 6.4% in 2003, while in 2018 most estimations were above 15%?
Moreover, we are uncovering stronger combinations on an almost daily basis. Back in the halcyon days of the 1960s and 1970s, finding weed with a THC content of over 10% was a rarity. Today, a significant number of strains have well over 20% THC.
If you are seeking a serious high, all of the above is fantastic news. The question is: What are the world’s strongest strains? Keep reading to discover them our 5 picks for 2019.
5 Best and Strongest Marijuana Strains of 2019
Realistically speaking, the following strains are not necessarily “new” strains for 2019. Rather, several of them are OG classics that, well, have simply “evolved” with the times to contain more and more THC over the decades.
More accurately, they have been “selectively bred” over multiple generations of numerous breeders to contain only the female genetics which produce buds with the highest THC content. How does “selecting” for a strain with high THC content work, you might be wondering?
Well, after harvesting a crop you can “test” each individual plant specimen for its: A) flower (bud) production and B) THC content. This “testing” can be done in an actual HPLC laboratory where they chemically examine the THC levels, or (more commonly), can be done by smoking a sample of each plant’s flowers and seeing which one gets you higher.
When you find a plant with specific genetics that you like, simply clone that one over a new generation and voila – you’ve selectively bred cannabis for high THC content.
Anyway, without further ado here are our picks for five of the strongest and highest-potency cannabis strains for 2019. There are a lot of high-THC strains out there in this day and age, but hey – these are our personal favorites 🙂
Enjoy.
1 – Godfather OG (The World’s Strongest Marijuana Strain?)
According to High Times, Godfather OG is the most potent marijuana strain on the planet. This indica dominant hybrid is reported to have a THC content of over 34%! Since it is an activated THC value, there is a good chance that the figure is conservative.
Godfather OG is cultivated by California Herbal Remedies (CHR) and is believed to be a cross of Cherry Pie, OG Kush, and Granddaddy Purps. With this information in hand, it is no surprise to learn that Godfather OG is often referred to as the ‘Don of all Kush’ strains. Even a typical strain should have a THC of over 25%.
Of course, strength means nothing without quality — and Godfather OG has absolutely no shortage of quality.
This strain has won the High Times Cannabis Cup for best Indica strain in the past, and when you smoke the bud, it will hit you with an incredible cerebral high that soon results in a whole-body euphoria. Users tend to feel calm and happy, with the euphoric effects oozing over both mind and body. Godfather OG provides you with a feeling of total relaxation, and could ever render you immobile or couch-locked for the afternoon, such is its potency.
Chemdawg previously held the record for highest THC content when it won the coveted Cannabis Cup title with a THC level of 32.13%. Cultivated by Next Harvest in Denver CO, It is one of the most mysterious marijuana strains as little is known about its genetics or history. However, rumor has it that Chemdawg is a cross of a Thai and Nepalese sativa.
Whatever its ancestral lineage, it should go without saying that Chemdawg is not for the newbie; it is an indica dominant hybrid (55%) that is renowned for its pungent scent, which carries more than a hint of diesel. In fact, this strain is used to create Sour Diesel — another one of the world’s most popular (and potent) marijuana strains.
When you smoke Chemdawg, it will provide you with a wonderful cerebral high that is incredibly enjoyable — that is, once you know how to handle it!
The nugs have a powerful relaxing effect that is ideal for calming down a mind that tends to race, and furthermore, if you are stressed at work and need something to help you chill out, research shows that strains like Chemdawg are perfect because of their uplifting effects.
Moreover, it is also a strain conducive to creativity, and has been a preferred favorite among artistic types for many, many years in California and the West Coast in general.
3 – Irish Cream (This Marijuana Strain is the Real McCoy)
This is yet another case of “selectively breeding” to yield an exceptionally powerful marijuana strain. Irish Cream is an indica developed by Mighty Irish Seeds; they crossbred Real McCoy with Cookies and Cream, and the result was a strain that clocks in with an average THC content over 27%.
If you smoke this strain with the belief that it will taste like Bailey’s, though, you’re in for a disappointment as it offers classic, dank weed flavors instead. You will find that this bud offers the taste of fresh herbs and pine, and while it doesn’t taste quite like the Sweet Cream strain, it is nonetheless a pleasant experience.
Irish Cream is an extremely potent strain which makes it ideal for treating anxiety, depression, stress, and even chronic pain. The initial high is mostly cerebral, but soon you’ll feel happy, relaxed, and sociable all at once. Eventually, your body starts to feel the effects and you’ll begin to feel sedated and ready to hit the sack for a deep, naturally healthy night’s sleep. This is what we like to call a “carefree” strain, due to the fact that it is ideal for evening and night time use.
This exciting new strain was initially grown by Kush4Breakfast and is a cross of The White, Girl Scout Cookies, and Tahoe OG, so the name of the hybrid became obvious to the creator. White Tahoe Cookies has become extremely popular on the West Coast, and its THC content clocks in at over 27% — making it one of the world’s strongest as a whole.
This is an indica-dominant strain (roughly 70%), and is one of the most aesthetically-pleasing marijuana strains around. White Tahoe Cookies is distributed by the Archive Seed Bank, and is certainly worth trying if only so you can enjoy the sweet, flavorful notes with obvious OG undertones.
In terms of effects, you will be shocked by just how quickly White Tahoe Cookies starts to take hit the senses. Within minutes, you should feel euphoric, and your mind should become filled with great ideas because this strain is fantastic for creativity.
In fact, all it needs is a single toke to understand that you’re dealing with a potent monster of a strain.
Ultimately, you will feel a relaxing body buzz that turns into a feeling of sedation; this can last for hours, so make sure you’re safely wrapped up in bed. (And of course, this particular effect makes it one of our absolute favorites for insomnia and other sleep issues!)
5 – Strawberry Banana (The Marijuana Strain That Tastes Like Dessert)
This indica dominant hybrid (70%) is a cross of Crocket’s Banana Kush and Strawberry Bubblegum, and was developed by those crazy creative geniuses at Serious Seeds. It is a mainstay on the High Times ‘Strongest Strains on Earth’ list, having been selected three years in a row. On at least one phenotype of the strain (a specimen grown by Greenwolf LA & Green Country Rebellion), average THC levels of 31.62% were detected.
| Don’t let the “tropical” name of Strawberry Banana fool you; with max THC levels pushing 32%, it is an expert-only bud that packs a serious punch.
In all honesty, however, the average THC level of this strain is probably closer to 26-28%, which still makes it one of the most reliably potent marijuana strains in the world. Strawberry Banana is known for its incredible taste, which is akin to, erm, strawberries and bananas. The taste is accompanied by an amazing sweet and fruity scent, as well as a delicious banana exhale.
Strawberry Banana begins with a cerebral head high, and ensures you feel relaxed and focused throughout the entirety of the experience. Eventually, you will feel sedated and possibly even couch-locked. This is a fantastic strain to handle chronic pain, and according to certain studies, strains like Strawberry Banana are also suitable for users suffering from depression, PTSD, and insomnia.
Final Thoughts: The World’s Strongest & Best Marijuana Strains for 2019
