Maybe you’re new to smoking, or maybe you are just looking to switch up your regular smoke sesh, either way, you’re in the right place. Shopping for your next (or first) go-to bud can be intimidating, but we are here to help. It’s easy to start feeling hazy with so many options to choose from, but whether you’re a tried-and-true stoner or new to the culture, we know exactly which strain you should pick up the next time you see your local budtender. 

INDICA VS. SATIVA

We’ll start off with the most basic decision: getting an indica or a sativa. Indica strains are great for getting you in a relaxed mood; best for a chill night in or kick back with your best buds. Whatever your plans, an indica strain will give you a nice body high with a mellow buzz, perfect for softening up the edges. Sativa strains work the opposite way, allowing for a little more productivity with a head high that promotes energy and focus. 

INDICA STRAINS

ICE, an acronym for Indica Crystal Extreme, is at the top of our list for best indica strains. This flower is 10% sativa and a whopping 90% indica, clocking in at about 18% THC. A hybrid of Afghan, Skung, and Northern Lights, this powerful plant climaxes in an indulgent high with an earthy, herbaceous aroma. The buds are coated in crystals, as if they were dipped in frost, giving the strain its namesake. 

If peppery, fresh aromatics aren’t for you, Sherbert Queen is a strain that offers a particularly sweet flavour and fragrance. However, this indica strain is a little bit different. Combining a powerful body high with invigorating mental effects, this plant puts in joint effort. Sherbert Queen is an 85/15 indica dominant, with a 24% THC content and a high that will be sure to please anyone that takes a toke. 

SATIVA STRAINS

Jamaican Dream is a multi-award winning strain that mimics your favorite cup of Joe in both flavor and effects. A 90/10 sativa dominant flower, Jamaican Dream helps harness your creativity and focus, making it the perfect daytime go-to. With THC levels between 15 and 20 percent and a buzz that comes in hot, Jamaican Dream is guaranteed to satisfy the productive stoner. 

A sativa cult classic, we couldn’t write this list without including one of the most widely-recognized strains, Pineapple Express. Being the inspiration of the 2009 stoner comedy of the same name, Pineapple Express is guaranteed to take you on an adventure. With THC content rising as high as 28% and notes of pineapple, mango, and green apple, it’s no question why this bud can be found in the stash jars of smokers everywhere. 

HYBRID STRAINS

Most strains of cannabis contain genetic information from both indica and sativa plants, and the versatility of their highs make hybrids a popular choice amongst many weed consumers. One of the most notorious hybrids, OG Kush, acts as the parent plant to some of the most popular West Coast cannabis strains. Providing the genetics for a multitude of flowers, OG Kush is a complex hybrid with an eccentric aromatic profile and a steady, calming high. Boasting notes of fuel, pepper, and citrus and an average THC content of 18.5% this strain is the perfect crowd-pleaser for stoners of all varieties.

Blue Dream is the lovechild of the legendary sativa, Haze, and the potent indica, Blueberry, and what results is the perfect medley of relaxation and cerebral rejuvenation. Blue Dream produces a THC content of 19% and has distinct notes of pine and sweet berries. The strain provides smokers with an incredibly balanced high, allowing for a calm, comfortable productivity. If you’re looking for the best of both bowls, Blue Dream is the strain for you. 

CBD-DOMINANT STRAINS

CBD hemp varieties are a great option for those of us who are looking for the healing benefits of cannabis but not the high. CBD strains are legal in all 50 states, so long as their THC content stays under 0.3%. Used to help anxiety, pain, muscle disorders, and even seizures, CBD works by stopping the breakdown of chemicals in the brain that control mood, pain, and cognitive function.

Cherry Wine is a popular hemp strain that yields a CBD content of 22%. Users who dose this strain experience the restorative properties of its parent plants, Charlotte’s Cherries and Wife, and are rewarded with both mental and bodily ease. This variety has bright notes of cherry muddled with hints of peppery aromatics, making it both sweet and spicy when smoked. 

CBD is best known for its relaxing qualities, which makes Lifter a unique strain. This plant has the highest THC content allowed in states where cannabis is still illegal, 0.3%, which is just enough for the invigorating effects of cannabis to seep through. With a CBD level between 14 and 20 percent, Lifter offers a well-balanced profile that lifts as it relaxes, preventing the sleepiness that can sometimes arise with CBD dominant strains. With bold aromas that are as piney as they are fruity, this plant is an easy smoke perfect for those looking for energy in their CBD experience.

Current weed culture offers more choices than ever before, and with growers getting better and better at their craft, there is sure to be even more impressive yields to come. Whatever you are looking to get out of your next high, your local dispensary is sure to carry a variety of buds that you can enjoint.