Cannabis Blog
Best cannabis strains of summer 2020
Let’s be fair—whatever is in your bowl right now is the Strain of the Summer, for you. Cannabis is so personal.
But beyond you doing you, there are definite, massive trends abloom in cannabis flower culture. We can see Runtz grown by the acre for the early summer light-dep harvest. We have search data on Glues, and sales data on Cakes and Cookies that backs up what expert growers and dispensary buyers in the field say is happening. And we have our own subject matter experts staying close to the plant—donning PPE to shop in legal stores and walk the weed beat for our readers.
Amid a heated, maddening summer, millions of cannabis lovers turn to the plant for sleep, healing, lifting mood, opening the mind, and as a form of travel. Cannabis can help generate empathy.
Cannabis in 2020 is also a respite from all the craziness of the year—a Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory-esque riverboat ride of colors, textures, smells, tastes, and effects that shows no sign of slowing.
So here it is, Leafly’s definitive, market-making, 10ish Strains of Summer 2020—the perfect compliment to however you’re going to be spending it: sheltering, loving, living, chilling. Probably a little of all of it, let’s be fair.
Runtz
Runtz up yo’ life! This purplelicious, sweet, chill, candy strain from the minority-run Cookies has been surging the past three years to hit a new high note with the ‘Obama Runtz’ meme of 2020.
Look for acres of the pretty, runty indica-dominant hybrid of Zkittlez and Gelato to tumble down the Humboldt hills this summer as light dep; plus, more from the national indoor scene: White Runtz, Pink Runtz, Insane Runtz.
“A lot of Runtz and a lot of MAC. A lot. A lot,” said Neil Dellacava, a leading dispensary buyer, and indoor farmer at Gold Seal. “And I’m really wondering who’s going to label it with Papaya Runtz and Peach Runtz and whatever they label it these days.”
A 2019 Emerald Cup win, plus the hip-hop and social media marketing masters at Cookies have driven a frenzy of Runtz interest.
Shout out to the kids making the Runtz wave happen in the streets,” said Ned Fussell, operator of the Farmer and the Felon flower brand in Santa Rosa, CA. This summer, Farmer and the Felon is laser-focused on harvesting mucho Runtz and Lemon Kush Mints, two of the hypest flavors of 2020.
“I think Runtz is great, but it really comes down to the cultivator,” said Anna Willey, CEO of the four-time award-winning CAM indoor farm of Sacramento, CA. “It’s tough to grow and yields small.”
See also: Connected’s Gushers, and Now and Later; Copperstate Farms’ Z Cube; DNA Genetics’ Zrawberries; and Orange Zkittlez from Emerald Family Farms.
Lava Cake
Wedding Cake and Ice Cream Cake have created a new Cake dynasty atop the Cookies family of strains. Ganja farmers are growing so much of Colorado’s Cannarado Genetics’ Lava Cake this year, Dellacava advises startup nurseries to move on.
“I’ve seen a lot of it lately—it’s the first thing you shouldn’t grow, because everybody has it.”
And everybody has it because it’s fire. We love Lava Cake for its cakey, OG, gorgeous deliciousness—white-like frosting, purple, dense, and nodular. It’s a cross of Thin Mint GSC and Grape Pie—you got purples in there, OGs, and Cookies. Of course it’s going to crush it.
See also: Baklava from Alien Labs; Compound Genetics’ Grape Gasoline.
Original Glue (aka GG#4)
This year, super strong, chocolate-fuel-smelling Original Glue became the first strain to beat Blue Dream in terms of global popularity on Leafly, and so it returns to the Strains of the Summer winner’s circle, reprising its 2018 appearance.
“It’s so beautiful and it’s got that specific smell, and it’s such a heavy hitter,” said Willey.
Rest in Peace, Joesy Whales, co-creator, and long live GG Strains, the official licensor of what was originally called Gorilla Glue #4, or GG4. Look for their new cuts of GG5 and GG Wedding Mints.
Find Glues from Phat Panda nationwide, plus the likes of 805 Glue from Pacific Stone, or Oregon’s Space Monkey (GG4 x Wookie #15) grown by Alter Farms.
Fire OG
No summer would be complete without a few OGs.
We give it to Fire OG, from midsize, Santa Cruz, CA, growers Fire Cut, for their fairly priced, widely available flame. But you’re almost guaranteed to find your own great OG, like Mazar ‘Skywalker’ OG from Emerald Family Farms, and don’t forget Josh D Farms’ OG projects.
Orange Creamsicle
When you’ve onboarded to cannabis with Blue Dream, it’s time to explore the approachable, middle-THC Tangies and citrus flavors. And what a great year it is to explore.
Acres of 2019’s award-winning Orange Creamsicle are coming in, plus the likes of Orangeade by Cream of the Crop, and Orange Push Pop from Minntz.
Gelato really broke open the ‘creamy dessert’ sector of cannabis flavors and it’s thrilling to see it meld so well with orange terps.
“I’m seeing a lot of names changing and realizing, ‘Oh shit, that’s just Orange Creamsicle,” said Dellacava.
Meat Breath
That’s right. Meat Breath. As divisive as it is trendy.
The counterweight to all this dessert and candy is savory flavors made for grown-ass adults. That includes the Breath family of strains.
It starts back with OGKB (OG Kush Breath), which gave us Do-Si-Dos. That drove interest in Mendo Breath, as well as Motorbreath. Now it’s 2020 and we’ve spotted Larry’s Breath and Meat Breath—a cross of Meatloaf and Mendo Breath from Michigan breeder @gromerjuana aka Thug Pug Genetics.
Aficionados bored with trendy, approachable flavors are exploring all these pungent, dank, funky cultivars.
And make no mistake, all this stuff packs a maximal, racy/sedative high; for high-THC consumers only. If you’re an old school lover of Hashplant, or crazy ‘ghanis, and can navigate double black diamond THC scores, fire up the Meat Breath.
Apple strains
Not only can weed smell like fuel, earth, grapes, or berries—it can have this uncanny apple stone fruit aroma.
CAM CEO Willey concurs—there’s an ‘apple’ trend a-brewing in cannabis. Keep an eye out for it.
A pioneer in the apple terp space is Lumpy’s of Northern California, currently running Lumpy’s Cup-winning Apple Fritter, and Sour Apple Haze. CAM is running an Apple Pie. Over in Oregon, Compound Genetics’ is pushing out Apples and Bananas, and don’t miss Caramel Apple, from A Golden State.
These are deeply hybrized, backcrossed strains that may have started with elemental pineapple terps, but the mystery is part of the fun.
Lemongrass
Supporting Last Prisoner Project, Farmer and the Felon brings truckloads of Lemongrass (Lemon Kush backcross x Gelato) to the market, and it’s got us juiced for lemon strains this summer.
The brand’s Lemonnade and Lemon Tree are bringing their classic heat. We’re also here for Minntz’ Lemon Kush Minntz, and so much more.
See also: classic Super Lemon Haze; Lumpy’s Lemon Berry; and Grapefruit Durban from Terrapin Care Station in Colorado.
And that’s it for now. We all know there are so many more strains out there—more rare sativas like Red Congolese, or shameless classics like Trainwreck. We all know the strain of the summer is whatever you love putting in your bowl, joint, vape, rig, or backyard garden. So go puff it and grow it with pride this summer.
5 weed strains to help you chill out
Some people smoke weed to put a little pep in their step at the top of the day, and some smoke it because it clears their minds in the middle of a hectic afternoon. But arguably, people mainly consume cannabis to chill out and relax.
Tons of strains have relaxing qualities, so choosing one to try can be a little daunting. Always remember that the effects of cannabis are relative to each individual’s body, and what works for you may not work for others. These suggestions are based on the most commonly reported effects from these strains.
Here are 5 of our best suggestions for getting hazy and lazy.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a straight-up classic. When it comes to relaxing cannabis strains to get lazy with, there aren’t too many out there with a better reputation than NL. Bred from Afghani and Thai landrace strains, this strain is heralded as one of the original indicas, championed for its ease to grow in a variety of environments.
With a few sniffs you’ll probably detect peppery notes buried underneath a mostly sweet and earthy aroma. The flavor is more of the same and the effects tend to be relaxed and happy, bringing about a comfortable laze that usually tails off into a surprise nap.
Northern Lights is one of the most famous cannabis strains in the world, so you can definitely find it in a nearby weed shop. Its nugs are usually dense and extremely resin-coated so make sure to have a grinder on hand.
GSC
Also known as Girl Scout Cookies, GSC is a potent strain that lasts so long you won’t want to leave your couch. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to get high and binge-watch the newest FX Original series, or watch the newest Netflix Film.
A cross of OG Kush and Durban Poison, GSC flowers kick out a sweet funk and an earthy flavor that scream “Hey there are Kush genetics at play here!” Typically cited as a strain that can help boost creativity, Cookies will also bring about a goofy euphoria that pairs great with sitting around and not much else.
Gelato
If you’re looking for a weed strain to smoke while you zone out to some tunes, then Gelato is the answer. It has a well-known reputation for being potently relaxing and a little schedule-clearing, which is exactly how you want to feel while the UE MegaBoom on your nightstand kicks out Drake’s newest album.
One of the Cookie Fam’s most prized productions, Gelato, aka Larry Bird, crosses Sunset Sherbert and Thin Mint. The result is a prominently purple and white flower with a sweet, earthy, and gassy flavor that comes off fruity and dessert-like at times.
Blackberry Kush
Some strains can help chill you out by putting you directly to sleep without much consideration for anything else. In that realm, Blackberry Kush is an absolute no-doubter that could probably put Zzzquil out of business.
This cross of Afghani and Blackberry produces nugs that are so purple, sometimes they appear black. From those nugs comes a mix of sweet berry flavors, backed with a slightly sour tartness on the back of the tongue.
If you are not very experienced with cannabis, steer clear of this strain as it will most likely be a little overwhelming for novices.
Remedy
Remedy is a special suggestion for those seeking to be relaxed without being overpowered by THC. It’s one of the most popular CBD strains, and one of the very few that grows as indicas.
This cross of Cannatonic and Afghan Skunk has a reputation for producing a mellow relaxation in the body, which is why so many medical marijuana patients seek it for various ailments. On top of that, it has a great taste of sweet and earthy flavors, especially when vaped as oil.
Though you won’t get a ton of THC from Remedy, its therapeutic qualities are still great for anyone wanting to chill out and be lazy for a bit.