Nugg Club Team
The Golden State is often ahead of the pack when it comes to the green.
Think about the culture, the vibe and most of all, the terroir–or the ecosystem essential to high-quality cannabis cultivation: The Emerald Triangle.
Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties make up the American pot mecca. The regional triumvirate rich in nature and short on people is the source for top-shelf pot, including connoisseur and celebrity brands. Netflix even had some short-lived series-themed strains available in the area, despite their docuseries Murder Mountain painting the region in a less-than-warm light.
California is the birthplace of some of the world’s most beloved strains, and the home of cannabis brands and tastemakers that are shaping the industry’s future. With that, here are five of the top strains Californian’s can’t get enough of (and why you’ll love them, too).
Picking the top strains in California is no simple task. The state is rich in choices, making it nearly sure that there's an ideal strain for everyone. With a plethora to choose from, the following five's overall plant profiles and enjoyable effects sealed the deal for the experts and curation specialists at Nugg Club.
Scroll down to learn about some of the best California weed on the market today.
Gushers were a snacking game-changer when they first hit the scene in the early 90s. The sweet, fruity, sugary snacks remain a popular choice today, including for many stoned adults seeking to satisfy their munchies.
That said, it’s no surprise that The Plug’s Gushers is such a beloved strain. A stellar name backed by a superb plant profile, Gushers lives up to its flavorful namesake by crossing Gelato #41 and Triangle Kush. Like a hybrid should, the cross of Gelato #41’s heavy body high and Triangle Kush’s relaxing indica often give consumers a substantial dose of mental euphoria and a surge of creativity while leaving their body calm.
Like the candy, the Gushers strain packs a punch. In this case, it’s in the form of 20-28% THC content (and it’s bursting with other prominent cannabinoids like CBC, CBG and THCV).
Genetics: Gelato #41 (Cookies strain with a heavy hitting body high) x Triangle Kush (relaxing, creative indica)
Flavors: sweet, fruity
THC content: typically ranges from 20-28%
Effects: creative mental euphoria pairs with deep body relaxation to soothe and uplift
Typical uses: stress, anxiety, creative inspiration
Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBC, CBG, THCV
Prominent terpenes: Phellandrene, Limonene, Valencene
Don't get it twisted from the name: Fatso isn't intended to induce hunger like other popular cultivars. Instead, this fine creation from Colorado cultivator Cannarado is often associated with sedative sleep-inducing effects. The GMO Cookies and Legend OG cross is known to improve moods while easing into sleep.
A substantial plant profile brings heavy sleep and euphoria, thanks in part to a THC potency that often ranges between 20-33% and the inclusion of other prominent minor cannabinoids like CBD, CBC, CBG and THCV. As such, this woodsy-meets-diesel-gas strain might be best suited for evening consumption. Otherwise, you risk happily dozing off in the middle of your to-do list.
Genetics: GMO Cookies (iconic cross of Girl Scout Cookies & Chemdawg) x Legends OG (sleepy & elevating indica born from OG Kush)
Flavors: earth, woody, diesel, coffee
THC content: typically in the low 20s, can reach over 33% THC
Effects: strong, happy and sleepy relaxation at the end of the day
Typical uses: muscle cramps, stress
Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBD, CBC, CBG, THCV
Prominent terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Linalool
Apple Fritter the cannabis strain gets its name for being just like its namesake: It's good any time of the day.
Created by Lumpy's Flowers, Apple Fritter came to life via a Sour Apple and Animal Cookies cross. The result is a calming, cheerful experience that many use to address their anxiety and body pains. Once again, like the pastry it's named after, this pot strain is rich in sweet aromas, including apple and vanilla.
With a delightful flavor profile and a THC potency hovering in the upper-20% area, connoisseurs should enjoy this delectable plant that’s also rich in CBC and THCV.
Genetics: Sour Apple (relaxing, flavorful indica) x Animal Cookies (award-winning Girl Scout Cookies cross)
Flavors: sweet, vanilla, earthy
THC content: often available in the mid to high 20s, this strain is accessible for connoisseurs and new consumers alike
Effects: cheerful, calming, balanced
Typical uses: chronic pain, anxiety
Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBC, THCV
Prominent terpenes: Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Myrcene
The famous movie that came out 16 years ago is still fresh in the minds of many comedy fans. We don't know if it played a role in this Symbiotic Genetics creation, but what we do know is that it has the cannabis community raving in California and beyond.
Crossing Wedding Cake with Purple Punch, Wedding Crashers offers consumers a motivating social lubricant so you can get more jovial at weddings (or pretty much any other gathering you plan on attending). In addition to a grape-diesel taste and aroma, Wedding Crashers is known to provide relief for sleep, stomachs and more via a roughly 21% THC potency.
Genetics: Wedding Cake (aka Pink Cookies) x Purple Punch (fruity sedating indica)
Flavors: sweet, spicy, and skunky with hints of grape, vanilla, diesel, and earth
THC content: average around 21%
Effects: motivated, talkative
Typical uses: nausea, fatigue
Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBG
Prominent terpenes: Beta-Caryophyllene, Limonene, and a-Humulene
Grape Cake is an indica-dominant cross between three heavy hitters: Grape Stomper, Cherry Pie and Wedding Cake. Rich in cherry and diesel, Grape Cake's plant profile also includes CBG to provide consumers with fast-acting effects that have been known to ease stress and body tension.
Bred by Seed Junky, this popular strain is often considered the perfect spicy, sweet treat that doesn’t take long to please. Consumers report that an energizing head buzz sets in fast, mellowing out as the effects spread across the body–making it the ideal companion for board games, movie marathons or brainstorming sessions. Just be prepared for when it hits–Grape Cake typically boasts a THC potency hovering around 30%.
Genetics: Grape Stomper (aka Sour Grapes) x Cherry Pie (Granddaddy Purple cross) x Wedding Cake (aka Pink Cookies)
Flavors: berry, diesel
THC content: potent strain averaging nearly 30%
Effects: cerebral, mellowing, relaxing
Typical uses: pain, stress, appetite
Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBG
Prominent terpenes: Beta-Myrcene, Limonene, and Linalool
We know that flower isn't everyone's jam these days. We hear you loud and clear, and so do some of the best cultivators and producers in California. Today, most of the top strains in California can be enjoyed via an array of consumption methods.
One of the more popular methods is vaping—especially products made by manufacturing processes that retain the plant's original profile. Live resin is one of the most popular extracts to vape. So too are age cured rosin and full spectrum sugar. Each serves a purpose depending on your vaping preferences and the equipment you’re using.
