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Yummiest THC gummies of summer 2023

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It’s that time of year, Leafly nation. The beach and lakes call for us, the long days tempt us to stay out late, and the cloying warmth makes sweet things taste even better. In some parts of the country, it may even be too hot to smoke right now or fire up your favorite dab rig. Enter, the time of the weed gummy.

I have tried (what seems like) millions of cannabis-infused edibles over the years—every flavor, every ration of cannabinoids, and every formulation. And time after time, I gravitate towards gummies, no matter the state of flavor, have a unifying commonality: a hash and/or rosin formula.

I truly believe a solventless-based gummy just hits different, and leaves you better than how it found you. So I scoured the states to find the best solventless option (or as close to it) that I could find to share with you. Temperatures are peaking, and so should you. Here are the best sweet, THC-laden treats to get there.

Dee Thai gummies (CA)

Call these the zaza of gummies for their diverse, exclusive flavors. (Courtesy Dee Thai)

Thailand has quickly emerged as an Asian cannabis Mecca, but it has so much more to offer than just amazing weed. Its unique and varied food culture, particularly its fruit, has attracted a global audience for generations. Dee Thai founder Josh was shrewd enough to realize that Thai fruits are decadent, and work wonderfully in a gummy form. Dee Thai gummies are rosin-based, of course, in collaboration with Fidel’s of hash hole glory. But their flavors are what truly sets them apart, with options in Lychee, Tamarind, Mangosteen, and Jackfruit that you don’t see anywhere else. 

Related

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Dulze Artisan Gummies (CA)

Dulze gummies are meant to be shared. (Courtesy Dulze)

Another California classic draws on the state’s Mexican and Chicano culture and legacy for a portfolio of flavors that shake up traditional offerings of berries and citrus. Dulze founder and formulator Mike Moya grew up in Texas, and moved out to California nearly a decade ago after a friend showed him a video about cannabis extraction and butter infusion; he was intrigued.

“Food has guided me throughout my life,” he says. “I started smoking when I was in college, and it helped with depression, pain management—it changed my lifestyle.” He started making edibles, and even shared some with his family who lived in Mexico. His grandmother, who had polio, gave him her “abuelita approved” blessing. And three years ago, Dulze was born.

Dulze gummies are microdosed bites—you get 50 gummies at 2 mg each per bag, which is shaped like a sugar skull. That’s 50 bites of sabores like Chili Watermelon, Horchata, and Margarita you can munch on in a group or stagger over time. They’re also solventless, made with indoor flower and a coconut oil base.

“I still feel like we’re barely scratching the surface,” Moya says. “It’s just a different lane.”

Related

America’s searing hot cannabis Strains of Summer 2023

Good Tide gummies (CA, OR, CO)

(Courtesy Good Tide Gummies)

Few edible brands have become so ubiquitous across the West Coast as Wyld, whose rectangular, fruit-flavored gummies quickly shot to the top of multiple states’ Headset sales data. Last year, they upped the ante with Good Tide, a line of vegan gummies with more tropical flavors and a solventless hash rosin-based formula. There are three flavors, Mango, Guava, and Pineapple, that correspond with the gummies’ intended effects (indica, hybrid, sativa), color-coded just like the original line. 

See also

Hash and Flowers’ whole plant fresh frozen gummies. Founder Terrence Mines tells Leafly that “rosin is medicine,” and the plant material is the backbone of any edible experience. His Hash and Flowers vegan THC gummies come in three sour flavors, watermelon, mango (which has CBN), and pineapple, and consumers can expect a pure experience that even mimics the chosen strain’s effects.

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Cannatini RSO gummies (MA)

It’s five o’clock somewhere. (Courtesy Milly Brands)

It’s hard to be a Masshole when you’re couched in whole-plant extract goodness. Massachusetts has a number of great edible options, even solventless options, but few are privy to the benefits of Rick Simpson Oil, aka RSO. Like rosin, RSO is a full-spectrum extract, and has been used by patients for decades to help them cope with symptoms from various illnesses and chronic conditions.

It admittedly doesn’t taste great, so Milly Brands’ Cannatini gummy line have couched it in fruit flavors; while we don’t love that they’re named after alcoholic beverages, names like Cranberry Lime Mojito and Tropical White Sangria do sound delicious. They dose Cannatini gummies at 10mg per piece.

MKX Live Hash Rosin Gummies (MI)

MKX Hash rosin gummies
The Great Lake state just got a new lake day companion. (Courtesy MKX)

Michigan does nothing by halves. MKX, one of Michigan’s frontrunners in cannabis innovation, has a personal connection to RSO’s efficacy; the founder’s own father used it. They’re best known for their oils and extracts, but their hash rosin gummies stand out amidst a full edible roster.

Their line of solventless gummies are made in collaboration with local cultivators Pressure Pack and extractors North Coast Extracts, and use nano-emulsions to speed up activation times. They have one of the broadest selections for single-strain rosin gummies; you can try gummies made with Apples and Bananas, Lemon Cherry Gelato, and Rainbow Zkittlez. 

Rezinators (NY)

These gummies with resonate with you. (Courtesy Naturae)

Naturae founder Nicolas Guarino knew New York consumers have a palate for innovation—like duh! The brands under Naturae, like Jaunty and Jumbodose, were dialed into distillation and CO2 extraction, but he wanted more. After connecting with California’s Critical Concentrates, an opportunity to go solventless was born. Rezinators is the result, an initial launch with planned expansion with the coming harvest. 

Related

3 charming 85+ point Maryland flowers for summer 2023

“I’m a gummy guy, even outside of cannabis,” he tells Leafly, and that most gummies made with CO2 just a couple years ago left a film in his mouth. Rezinators, by contrast, are vegan and formulated with a chef to ensure ideal texture. Rezinators are current offer two flavors, Sour Apple and Tropical Mango, made with Pineapple Haze and Papa Smurf rosin. “It’s such a balanced, full-body high,” he describes the hash-based edible experience, “almost psychedelic.” Ideal for a weekend or chill evening, but maybe not a day-to-day product.

Good Things Coming gummies (AZ)

watermelon gummies
Good things are coming, we promise. (Courtesy Good Things Coming)

Cannabis has a unique influence on time. Sometimes you feel a single moment stretch on forever, sometimes the future seems so bright, and sometimes the past can rear up and scare us. But in Arizona, one edible company believes, literally, that Good Things (are) Coming. This solventless company also does cold cure rosin carts, concentrates, and sun-grown flower, and added their gummies to the lineup last year. They offer three flavors, blue raspberry, pink lemonade, and watermelon, dosed at 10mg per piece, with current batches made with Dosilato-based rosin for a stony, jubilant hybrid effect. 

High Road solventless gummies (MT)

Take the high, high road. (Courtesy High Road Edibles)

Montana is home to some of the country’s most beautiful national parks, and you need an edible worthy of helping elevate the natural splendor. High Road already had a great handle on the edible game (our friends at High Times named them a Best Brand of 2022), but true cannasseurs never coast on their laurels. Partnering with Groove Solventless to supply the live hash rosin, High Road has produced a line just in time. Each flavor—watermelon, passion fruit, mango—is matched to a specific strain, which include classic Sour Diesel and the more modern Sundae Driver. They dosed them at 5 mg each for a buildable experience, perfect for a long hike or sharing at the top of a canyon.

CloudWalker Gomitas (NM)

Gomitas gummies bowl
These gomitas satisfy unique cravings and cases of the blues. (Courtesy CloudWalker)

Southwest vegans rejoice! CloudWalker Farm has applied their same heritage approach in growing their flowers to producing their vegan gummies. Founder James Walker draws on his Latino heritage to curate flavors not often seen in your local dispensary’s edible lineup. Their 10 mg “gomitas” come in flavors like Red Chile Cherry, Horchata, and Pina Mango, and they offer both CBD and THC formulas of 10 mg each, all made from their farm’s flower rosin. 

FloraCal Farms Live Rosin Gummies (IL)

Cali to the Midwest, and beyond! (Courtesy FloraCal Farms)

California sensibilities came to the Midwest with Cresco’s acquisition of FloraCal Farms. The Sonoma-founded brand made a name for themselves with quality flower, and rosin carts and concentrates, but the same sensibilities apply to their rosin gummies. Made with an ice water process, the gummies come in flavors like Pink Lemonade and Grape, with a sativa, hybrid, and indica option, and are dosed at 10 mg of THC a pop.

Related

7 epic 85+ point Missouri flowers for summer 2023

Smokey Okie’s solventless gummies (OK)

Yee haw! In Oklahoma’s vast medical cannabis industry, I’m actually more surprised there aren’t more solventless options. But Smokey Okie’s Cannabis know what they’re doing, and use an informed approach to as to why solventless formulas offer more benefits than a distillate-based gummies, and how consumers can shop for their edibles when you don’t have the same array of terpenes, cannabinoids and strain that you do in flower, vapes, and concentrates. Their gummy batches are dosed at 10mg apiece, made from a single strain, Mind Flayer and California Dream for the initial run, and are flavored with mango, blueberry, and lemon.

CAMP solventless gummies (NV)

CAMP triangle gummies orange flavor
CAMP gummies bring an artisanal touch to your go-to gummy. (Courtesy CAMP)

CAMP, a brand by TheSource+ cannabis company and dispensary, was the first brand in Nevada to offer solventless cannabis products. Solventless gummies came later, but they partnered with chefs Becky Quan and Ricky McCormick, both of whom have worked in Michelin-ranked kitchens, to formulate a gummy that’s just as decadent as it is dank. Their gummies are triangular, and dosed at 5 mg each. Currently they only offer hybrid formulas, and in accessible fruit flavors like peach and orange. 





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Grand Openings: Wu-Tang Clan opens shop in New Jersey

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From the arrival of a New Jersey shop co-owned by a member of the Wu-Tang Clan to a dispensary located just minutes from San Francisco International Airport, here are the notable new dispensaries that opened in the past month.

Got a new shop? Put it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise. 

California

Embarc—San Bruno, CA. Opened Nov. 15. Travelers of San Francisco’s SFO Airport had early reason to give thanks with the opening of San Bruno’s first dispensary — located just minutes from the bustling international travel hub. In addition to its sublime convenience, the location means Embarc now has an impressive total of 16 dispensaries across California. 120 El Camino Real, San Bruno.

(Courtesy The Showcase)
(Courtesy The Showcase)

The Showcase—Fairfield, CA. Opened Nov. 27. Located east of Vallejo, the Showcase provides Fairfield customers with a wide array of top-shelf cannabis products. Proving its name is no fluke, Showcase stocks premium flower, edibles, and more. They also offer a Compassionate Use Program in addition to a menu stocked with daily deals. 101 Grobic Ct, Fairfield.

Colorado

Winter-proof: The Buzz dispensary has a drive-through in Colorado. (Courtesy The Buzz)

The Buzz—Grand Junction, CO. Opened Nov. 9. The arrival of the Buzz makes a total of seven retail dispensaries now operating in Grand Junction, Colorado. Family-owned and operated, The Buzz — the chain’s fourth store to open thus far — boasts a menu of unique strains at “competitive prices” made even more convenient thanks to the store’s drive-through option. 1022 N 3rd St, Grand Junction.

Connecticut

Sweetspot Farms—Stamford, CT. Opened Nov. 11. Founded by two Stamford natives, Sweetspot Farms prides itself on its “community-focused values, local discounts, and a commitment to consumer education.” Sweetspot’s second location also features an “innovative digital bud bar” and “licensed pharmacists on staff and available to answer questions.” 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford.

Illinois

Mystic Greenz—Belleville, IL. Opened Nov. 6. You can cross Belleville off the list of cities in Illinois without a cannabis dispensary. Since early last month, Mystic Greenz has saved locals the drive to Collinsville or Sauget by offering quality cannabis products in Belleville proper. The location is the fourth for Mystic Greenz and is run by store manager Tabitha Brinkman: a lifelong Belleville resident. 360 S. Green Mount Rd, Belleville.

Massachusetts

(Courtesy EMBR)
(Courtesy EMBR)

EMBR Cannabis—Springfield, MA. Opened Nov. 27. More than $2 million was invested to build Springfield, Massachusetts’ first dispensary fully constructed “from the ground up.” Now open for business, EMBR represents the final product of a reclamation project that saw a long-time vacant lot transformed into a new dispensary that is also set to feature new green space in the form of a forthcoming “pocket park.” 461 Boston Rd, Springfield.

Michigan

Mango Cannabis—Lansing, MI. Opened Oct. 21. Known for their chain of medical dispensaries in Oklahoma, family-run Mango Cannabis has expanded to Lansing, Michigan to open its first retail location. With a second store set to arrive in Waterford early next year, Mango Cannabis is landing with a splash in the form of a new, 4,000-square-foot “flagship superstore” that features “sleek design elements” and an “intentionally minimalist layout” intended to “showcase products as the focal point.” 5620 South Cedar St, Lansing.

Simply Loud—Detroit, MI. Opened Nov. 1. Detroit’s newest dispensary is proudly Black-owned and absolutely stocked. Visit Simply Loud and choose from hundreds of products, including “260 types of vape cartridges and disposables” and “150 kinds of infused prerolls” while enjoying an interior “unlike any other dispensary in metro Detroit” complete with “stylish Herman Miller furniture” and sculpture work from local artists. 216 E. Milwaukee Ave, Detroit. 

New Jersey

Hashtoria—Newark, New Jersey. Opened Nov. 13. It was a true party at the grand opening for Newark’s newest dispensary, Hashtoria. That tends to happen when your shop is co-owned by Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon and Charlamagne Tha God, who both turned out to celebrate the debut of an adult-use cannabis retail space which is set to “evolve into a premier consumption lounge” early in the new year. For now, customers can enjoy loyalty rewards via the Hashtoria app and marvel at the physical space: the result of a collaboration with award-winning architect Rachael H. Grochowski. 799-805 Broad St, Newark.

Main Street—Highland Park, New Jersey. Opened Nov. 22. Main Street was created “with the intention of bringing a truly local feel to the cannabis business.” That makes sense considering the store’s owners include both second-generation and third-generation Highland Park residents.  Providing an “upscale establishment” located in the suburbs of New Jersey, Main Street’s menu features a curated list of premium cannabis products available for purchase seven days a week. 311 Raritan Ave, Highland Park.

New York

Northern Lights—Canton, NY. Opened Nov. 14. Northern Lights is a family-owned and operated dispensary named for its location in northern New York. Serving residents of St. Lawrence County and the greater Canton area, Northern Lights offers a menu ripe with all the latest brands to hit the market. The dispensary’s current offerings include premium products from the likes of Camino, Jetty Extracts, and Rolling Green. 51 Main St, Canton.

Strain Stars—Riverhead, NY. Opened Nov. 29. Clocking in at an impressive 14,400-square-feet, Strain Stars’ new location in Riverhead marks the second store for the chain previously credited with opening Long Island’s first dispensary — in Farmingdale — last summer. Strain Stars also puts a big emphasis on local community, having recently donated $100,000 to Farmingdale State College to help establish a new endowment. And get ready to browse because the Riverhead location boasts “nearly 2,000 products, including flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals, vaporizers and accessories.” 1871 Old Country Rd, Riverhead. 

Did we miss any? Leave a comment with a new one.

Got a new shop? Get it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise. 



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Leafly Buzz: 12 top weed strains of November

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Let’s put a punishing election month behind us and get back in that joyful warrior pose. 

Leafly Buzz—our hit West Coast fire flower roundup is back for Turkey Day and the holiday season. We’re talking rip-rorious, indoorious beasts. Plus, some truly stunning sungrown.

Here’s what we’d bring to a fancy feast all winter long. 

Here’s Leafly Buzz for November 2024.

Data grinder

Here’s the highlights of the West Coast’s monthly change in traffic to the strains in our 5,000 strain database (Sasha Beck/Leafly)
Which strains are on the move in Leafly’s 9,000-strain database? (Sasha Beck/Leafly)

We broke out our calculators, plugged into the Leafly strain database, and ran a scan for zaza. Here’s what the stats tell us.

Durban Poison

Durban Poison from Whitethorn Valley Farm - via Farm Cut (David Downs/Leafly)
Durban Poison from Whitethorn Valley Farm – via Farm Cut (David Downs/Leafly)

Short, cold, wet days got you down? Some Durban and coffee will help you get the house ready for visitors. The classic sativa comes in flower, vape, and sometimes single-source edible format. We could all use a pick-me-up. Durban moved into the No. 12 spot from 16 across the Western US.

Glitter Bomb

Compound Genetics Glitter Bomb. Indica hybrid. (David Downs/Leafly)
Compound Genetics Glitter Bomb. Indica hybrid. (David Downs/Leafly)

We said that the strain Glitter Bomb would blow up in 2024 and yeah, it’s at No. 30, up from 33rd in October. Glitter Bomb is among the blingiest tree from breeder Compound Genetics. This relaxing herb has a loud, grape-fuel taste. It’s a cross of Grape Gas #10 to OGKB Blueberry Headband.

Piescream

This is that ‘impress your hometown friends’ weed. Piescream’s a mix of Wedding Pie x (Gelato #33 x Cherry Limeade F5) for a candied cherry lime pastry dessert flavor. Piescream has been organically climbing the charts for the past two years. It’s now a top 500 strain on the West Coast and one of our favorite Thanksgiving smokes. We just saw a phenomenal cut of it from Sense cannabis in SF. Piescream also won six medals at the California State Fair Cannabis Awards 2024. You can’t have Thanksgiving without Piescream.

Dante’s Inferno

Dante’s Inferno is peak Instagram weed. (Courtesy Freddy’s Fuego)
Dante’s Inferno is peak Instagram weed. (Courtesy Freddy’s Fuego)

Oreoz x Devil Driver is the Budtenders’ Choice of Maine 2024 and it has cracked the top 100 across the western US, landing at 84; for when you need that crazy bag appeal, crazy potency, with a dessert and melon note.

Other chart news:

Related

American budtenders’ best strains of 2024

New in the Leafly strain database

Leafly adds or fixes 1,000 strains in its database each year. Here’s some of the new-new. (Sasha Beck/Leafly)
Leafly adds or fixes 1,000 strains in its database each year. Here’s some of the new-new. (Sasha Beck/Leafly)

Tropical Juice Box

Award-winning Southern California indoor growers Team Elite Genetics has come out of their lab with a grip of new crosses. Smoking up quick at our house—Tropical Juice Box, a cross of Orange Juice and Pearadise #4. Expect a delicious, tropical fruit smoothie layered with flavors of citrus, sugar, mangos, & pear.  A nice, mood-enhancing sativa high also includes mellow vibes and body relaxation.

Dulce Con Gas

Fresh in the Leafly database, the Terphogz seeds catalog—popularizers of the Original Z. Notable this month—their new collaboration with Kounter Kulture—Dulce Con Gas. It’s a savvy mix of Lemon Cherry Gelato x Crop Duster and the packs run a stiff $300. LCG remains a top 5 national best-seller, and Crop Duster is a reported Daily Driver x Chem D cross that’s extra-pungent. Take 10% off with code LEAFLY (Leafly gets an affiliate fee for purchases). 

Detroit Diamonds

Compound Genetics releases 26 new crosses to its hit, blingy weed Eye Candy. We’re eying Detroit Diamonds for a strain that drills down into pure aesthetics. Detroit Diamonds is (Pure Michigan x Baby Shark) crossed with Eye Candy and should be a killer.

Sour Peaches

Sour Peaches is yielding some of the best hash the folks at Purple City Genetics are smoking this winter. It’s a cross of their hit hash dumper Moroccan Peaches and the classic New York strains AJ’s Sour Diesel. Sour Peaches grows into huge plants with a 6 to 7% hash yield—so keep an eye out for it. It should hit hybrid and strong with a sour caramelized sour peach note. 

Picks of the dispensaries

New on shelves

Mandarin Cherry Tree by Sticky Fields

Impress your sesh with arguably the most lip-smacking strain around—Mandarin Cherry Tree grown by industry icon Sticky Fields, Mendocino County, CA, and sold by Solful across Northern California. It’s a Mandarin Tart crossed to a volunteer Sticky Fields calls Cherry Tree, with thick mandarin, cherry, and lavender notes. The rare linalool-dominant strain comes hand-picked from the full-sun run at 26% THC. Limited batches.

Burning up the charts

Nova Cane by Team Elite Genetics

Need to get comfortably numb? This Novacane strain from more-than-living soil growers Team Elite Genetics in California went fast at our house in November. It’s Squirt x Kush x Grandma’s Cookies, bred by T.E.G, with a smell like blue raspberry sour gummies and a 50-50 hybrid effect on mind and body. A three-time Cannabis Cup-winner.

(Sasha Beck/Leafly)
(Sasha Beck/Leafly)

Best-sellers

Ballin out

Empanadas Diez by A Golden State

Empanadas Diez. (David Downs/Leafly)

A Golden State grows large-scale indoor buds up in Shasta County, CA. Leading off their holiday lineup is Empanadas Diez—a Purple Churro x Cinnamon Horchata cross. When you want to chill after dinner and pre-game for dessert, hit this dessert strain with notes of banana bread, elote, berries & cream.

Ballin’ on a budget

Sour Diesel by Alpenglow

Plenty of great Sour Diesels have come in with the harvest. But the standout is a Sour Diesel Bx4 bred by Garden of Grease Seeds in Oregon, and organically grown by Alpenglow as outdoor, living-soil, full-term. Half-ounces of it sell out the door at Solful for $100, making it a killer, best-selling, budget option that won’t stick around. Just make sure you have the right mindset and place for taking it. It’s 31% THC. “It’s freaking strong, you got to be careful. It’s just zippy.”

High Note

(Sasha Beck/Leafly)
We end with something fuerte. (Sasha Beck/Leafly)

Storz and Bickel Venty

two black handheld vaporizers standing vertically on a white table. the vaporizer on the left shows a temperature reading of 180 degrees and an orange "up" and "down" arrow
The name “Venty” references the 20 liters of air per minute this pocket Volcano can heat. ‘Venti’ is Italian for 20. And it’s got vents. Get it.
(Courtesy of Storz & Bickel)

Get your flu and COVID shots, even if you’re strong like bull. You can save yourself a secondary infection, and a second week in bed. If you already got bit by this year’s bug, consider giving your sinuses and lungs a smoke break with a flower vape. Flower vapes heat, instead of burn bud for the same effects. The makers of the famed Volcano vaporizer have a new, portable ripper called the Venty. You can pack it thick and full, it heats up in seconds and it rips pretty substantial clouds with big effects. The battery life is outsized as well. Another medical-grade best-seller from German leaders Storz and Bickel.


OK—that’s Leafly Buzz for November 2024, full of trees we’d personally pack during our ‘cousin’s walk’ before dinner. You bring the breath mints.


About Leafly Buzz

So good they steal it—the popular, monthly strain review roundup Leafly Buzz is in its third year. We report independently on the connoisseur cannabis conversation, focusing on strains and branded flower of the US West. Reporting includes:

  • review samples
  • dispensary shopping
  • grow visits
  • events
  • Leafly search data
  • staff and reader tips, and more

Read back issues of Leafly Buzz

‘We’re copywritten, so don’t copy us’

Growers, breeders, brands, stores—got buzz for Leafly? We’re all ears. Email us at david.downs@leafly.com



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12 best cannabis strains of harvest 2024

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It’s time to roll up the thickest joints, pack the biggest party bowls, and charge the Puffco for oversized dabs.

Millions of weed lovers nationwide have record amounts of flavors and pounds to smoke through this fall and winter. Bright, hot sun and no wildfires mean the full-sun outdoor weed crop in America’s Emerald Triangle simply killed it this year. Drying rooms have overflowed into guest bedrooms, growers report, and the flavors have never been more advanced.

“It’s been a great season. Everyone is bringing their A-game,” said Mia Moore, retail sales director for Redwood Roots—an Emerald Triangle brand packager and distributor.

“Everything honestly looks fucking amazing. It was a wonderful year!!!” said owner and farmer Mary Polson at Seed 707. “I’m stoked about everything. I can’t wait to smoke it.”

How does Leafly pick just a dozen exemplars? We smoke hundreds of strains, walk the fields, and talk to farmers. We ask the cloners that stocked the fields in spring, and the buyers vetting all the pounds to pick out gems this fall. We survey the biggest, best, most influential growers, and probably spend too long liking bud photos on Instagram.

Here are 12 top cannabis strains of Harvest 2024.

Related

How to order weed delivery online with Leafly

Stone cold classic

Blue Dream

(David Downs/Leafly)
(David Downs/Leafly)

Just in time for an anxious fall, the anti-anxiety hybrid Blue Dream is back on top out west.

This 1990s Santa Cruz, CA strain goes through waves of peak interest and decline. In 2024, it rides a tide of nostalgia sweeping through the stoner nation.

“Blue Dream is back and better than ever. It’s flying off the shelf at 17% THC,” said Eli Melrod at California’s leading outdoor store Solful.

Farmer/retailer Marjo Lak at Humboldt Nation said “Blue Dream is huge. It just flies off the wall. Haze, too.”

Blue Dream is a model outdoor variety—withstanding the test of time and trends. A top outdoor strain has to work outdoors, and not just inside. It has to yield. It must withstand weather, stress, mold, and pests. It must dry and cure true without turning into hay. It has to trim up nicely and sparkle in the bag. That’s Blueberry x Haze.

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A whole host of nostalgia strains are coming in strong this year. See also: Acapulco Gold, Panama Haze, Green Crack, or Maui Wowie.

Undisputed crowd favorite

LCG Fritter 

Lit Farms LCG Fritter grown by Honeydew Farms (Photo courtesy Honeydew Farms)
Lit Farms LCG Fritter grown by Honeydew Farms (Photo courtesy Honeydew Farms)

Farmers again over-grew Lemon Cherry Gelato and bulk prices will be brutal, growers say. Northern California remains awash in this type of Gelato #33. Why? LCG has become the Taylor Swift of trees. So-called ‘candy-gas’ tasting dessert strains are the dominant genre in the market. LCG typifies what customers craze. It’s got that loud creamy berry smell, pretty look, and stress-killing indica hybrid effects. This year, large-scale outdoor farmer Honeydew touts its cross of LCG to Apple Fritter—LCG Fritter—which should add some tart, pastry notes to the LCG. So many LCGs and friends await your grinder. See also: Miracle Candy, Jelly Donutz

Modern crusher

Governmint Oasis

Governmint Oasis bred  by Purple City Genetics. (Courtesy PCG)
Governmint Oasis bred by Purple City Genetics. (Courtesy PCG)

GMO Cookies x Gush Mints aka Governmint Oasis has hit big yet again this year, said the leading clone provider Purple City Genetics of Oakland, CA.

“Governmint Oasis continues to crush for people. Just inundated with pictures of huge plants.”

Auryn, Purple City Genetics

Both the GMO and Gush Mints set records for fatness in the fields, and combined with the perfect weather this season—expect a crazy, gorgeous, bumper crop of this potent, versatile hybrid to drive prices through the floor. Berkeley Patients Group advertises 3.5 grams for $7—that’s $7, not $70. 

Perfect for before a big meal—Governmint Oasis leaves folks tingly, hungry, and relaxed.

New zaza

Ridgelion 

Ridgelion. (Photo by Ginja Club, courtesy Ridgeline Farms)
Ridgelion. (Photo by Ginja Club, courtesy Ridgeline Farms)

One of California’s most award-winning outdoor growers Ridgeline Farms is excited to debut this new cross of Ridgeline Lantz to Cookies’ top cat Cheetah Piss. 

Ridgelion came out next-level beautiful,” said Ridgeline’s Jason Gellman.

Lantz is Runtz crossed to Ridgeline’s proprietary Green Lantern. Cheetah Piss is Lemonnade, Gelato, and London Poundcake.

Ridgeline leads the way with a slew of Lantz crosses, including the superb Blackberry Caviar (Grape Gas x LANTZ); and Blueberry Caviar for Woody Harrelson’s LA lounge, which specializes in outdoor.

Top hasher

Honey Banana

Hash rules more and more of the flower market these days, and as much as half of all cannabis flowers get frozen instead of dried. Leading the pack of hashers are strains like Papaya, Wilson, as well as Honey Banana. Though it’s this old cross of Strawberry Banana and Honey Boo-Boo from this old-school brand Elemental Seeds. Many breeders now work with it. Hit or miss as dried flower, Honey Banana shines as live rosin with a pronounced honeyed banana smell and taste. It’s considered a good ‘washer’—meaning the flower yields upwards of 5% hash when agitated by ice water and seized through a fine screen.

“It did great outside,” said Harry at hashmaker Errl Hill. “It’s becoming a standard—everyone kind of got that one. If it doesn’t yield, people won’t wash it over and over, year after year.”

Sour waves

Double OG Sour 

(Courtesy Rebel Grown)

Maybe it’s the bitter election. Maybe it’s New York’s ‘sour’ influence making itself known. Maybe we all just want to feel something again. Either way—2024 has been a banner year for Sour Diesel-related weed. Our pick goes to Rebel Grown seed’s Double OG Sour. It bested the competition in California to win 1st place at the Emerald Cup 2024. Double OG Sour grew well outside on both coasts—built off the time-tested genetics of OG Kush and Sour Diesel. It’s (OG Kush X (OG x Sour) F5). It’s green, pungent bud with lemon, pine, fuel, and sour notes; and zingy hybrid effects.  There are so many good sours to get at this year. 

See also: Booney Acres’ Sour Bears (Symbiotic Genetics’ Kombucha #6 x Sour Diesel BX3), Sour Trop x Lime Sour (from CHA Genetics), PCG Sour Peaches (AJ’s Sour x Moroccan Peaches), and classic Headband.

A Z to beat

4 Z’s

4 Z’s bred and grown by Lempire Farmaseed. (David Downs/Leafly)

The tropical taffy candy-smelling and lip-smacking strain Original Z offers some of the best indoor tree around. But it can be tricky outdoors, where one must harvest it early to avoid mold in the spongy bud. Medical marijuana-era brand Lempire Farmaseed has persisted into the recreational age with their standout 4 Z’s. It’s this killer cross of Dirty Z x ZOZ back-crossed to the Dirty Z. See? Four “Z”s. Easy. That’s the kind of intense Z work that pushes the culture forward.

Lempire’s Wes tells Leafly: “The selection we bred is brighter, faster, and highly resistant to pests and mold. The terps lean heavily towards the Original Z but retain the neon chunk of the Lem OG, and finishes in an amazing 40-45 days. Lab results hit high in THC and shops love the 4 Z’s.”

4 Z’s stood out among the crowd at Hall of Flowers in Santa Rosa, CA in September, and it’s so heartening to see a true legendary grower/breeder on fully legal shelves.

Rose’s moment

Whitethorn Rose and crosses 

Huckleberry Hill Farms’ award-winning, floral-smelling, and tasty sativa hybrid Whitethorn Rose is the belle of the harvest ball this year. After breaking out over a series of Emerald Cup wins, Whitethorn Rose has made its way into many gardens and the first crosses of it are starting to hit as well. Whitethorn Rose is a selection from a cross of Paradise Punch x Lemon OG but it smells completely different than a punch or an OG. It’s got this floral, rose, funk with a sweet terpinolene back. Sick of the LCG ‘candy-gas’ dominance in weed, seek out this increasingly popular strain, as well as all its new crosses. See also: Ridgeline Rose (Whitethorn Rose x Lantz); Country Rose (Whitethorn Rose x Canna Country 38).

New and influential

Pineapple Mojito

Weed diversity improves even more this season with the new Pineapple Mojito from California State Fair award-winning Higher Heights in Mendocino, CA. Both the grower Nate and buyers like Eli Melrod at Solful are psyched about this loud, modern pineapple and mint weed. Higher Heights has been laser-focused on breeding unique stuff through his Broze line, into his Carambola, and now the Pineapple Mojito. Unpack the world-class selection going on here. Pineapple Mojito is Carambola x Lemon Limez from Enzo the 420 Nomad. Lemon Limez is (Sour Diesel x Biker Kush) x Key Lime Pie. Carambola is (Sunburn x Green Tea) x Brozé with a crazy-loud citrus/incense/myrrh/gas smell. Nate always selects for terpy loudness and feel-good effects, and his unique work commands 3 to 4 times the going rate for outdoor in 2024.

Savory counter-point

Ooh Mami

Savory weed like GMO Cookies has a special, stanky place in our hearts. This year’s savory to search for comes from Phinest—one of California’s biggest cloners out in Sacramento. Originally dubbed “Gravy” by its creator Cannarado of Colorado. Phinest renamed it Ooh Mami to help it sell better. Ooh Mami mixes Lemon G, OG Kush Breath, and Sour Kush smells “exactly like a bowl of warm turkey gravy” with a sour lemon finish. Super-weird. It washes great for rosin and carts. Ian at Phinest describes it as “a 3-day pho broth with shameless amounts of hoisin sauce added in. Big yielder, beautiful giant sun worshiping monsters.” Ooh Mami—Daddy like.

One of a kind terp

Strawberry Pop

Strawberry Pop. Grown by Talking Trees. (David Downs/Leafly)

Ready for a different candy strain? Check out Talking Trees’ Strawberry Pop—a selection of Red Runtz bred by Washington breeder Exotic Genetix. Exotic Genetix Mike crossed Red Pop into Runtz, but we didn’t get any of the Runtz, rather a record amount of the strawberry soda pop flavor—a refreshing surprise. One hit and we’re back in Kansas City, MO sipping on a tooth-crackingly sweet strawberry soda to wash down some barbecue. Love it. “We just harvested our 2nd round and it’s more fire than the first,” said Talking Trees’ Matt Weston. See also: Booney Acres’ Redvine (Tractor Fuel #14 x Strawberry Meltshake #24).

Best effect

Canna Country 26

Canna Country #26. (David Downs/Leafly)

The best herb comes down to the effect, and one standout from 2024 will always be the proprietary Canna Country #26 from Canna Country. Why? It has such a great color and smell and the effect beats about 90% of the weed out there. Canna Country says “She is So cool,” and describes the high as “Texturing perception,” with a “hug from grandma” high. Facts. Canna Country 26 grows into gorgeous, purple, outdoor weed that reminds us of old-school Afgooey, and Jah Goo. You can smoke it from breakfast till dinner, and it’ll always feel right, and never make you anxious or edgy like many other modern maximum-THC strains will. Canna Country 26 is Forbidden Fruit crossed to the breeder’s proprietary Cherimoya.

And that’s a swing through some of the best and brightest trees from the fields this harvest season. The pace of innovation keeps accelerating, so we’re bound to leave something out when we have to settle on just 12 out of the hundreds or thousands of strains out there. Did we miss a bona fide champion? Make your reader’s choice below.


Reader’s choice: Pick a top strain of the 2024 harvest

What strain crushed it outside for you? We’ll add a 13th strain based on reader responses to make it a cool baker’s dozen harvest strains.



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