The Oldest Cannabis Strains

The history of using cannabis started more than 4000 years ago. Our ancestors from ancient India, Africa, China, Scythia and Persia used cannabis plants in their spiritual and religious ceremonies. We can not say what exact strains they used back then, but we know that they used such original species as Indica, Sativa and Ruderalis. You can learn more about these marijuana types on AskGrowers.

The first strains were pure Sativa or Indica and appeared when people started cultivation artificially, growing plants according to their needs. Those strains are called landrace strains. There are not so many landraces, but they are significantly important for breeding because they not only contain psychoactive elements, but they also are pretty resistant to weather issues and strong to survive in natural climate. These first strains are generally parents of all hundreds of strains that exist these days.

It is considered, that landraces originated from India, Himalayan mountains and south Asia, but it’s hard to say accurately. We just know that the period of 1960s-70s was very important in marijuana history because at that time it started travelling the world and was imported to America and Europe, where breeders started cultivating new and new modern strains.

Check out the list of 5 the most essential strains that left the biggest trace in cannabis breeding history.

Afghani Cannabis

It is not hard to guess the motherland of this particular landrace strain. Cannabis was used in Afghanistan for centuries and became illegal only n 1957, though the law wasn’t very strict. Afghani weed is known for its potency and has parented lots of great strains. The strain is pure Indica with around 20% THC in it. It provides pine and sweet and a little spice taste and makes users calm and relaxed. It has couch-locked effects and real physical body buzz.

It is not always easy to find Afghani cannabis pure, but it was used in the breeding of such highly popular strains as Blueberry and Northern Lights.

Hindu Kush

One of the oldest landraces the Hindu Kush originates from the same-named mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This region is famous due to its high quality potent hashish made of Hindu Kush cannabis. The strain is used to rough mountain climates which makes it strong for breeding. Just as Afghani Cannabis, Hindu Kush is pure Indica with 15-25% THC strength. The taste of weed is spicy and sweet with pine overtones and creamy smoke. The strain started a family of Kush strains with heavy calming and sedative effects. The most popular children of Hindu Kush such as OG Kush, Bubba Kush, Sour Kush also parented lots of great strains. For example, Sour Kush in combination with Sour Diesel made a well-known Sour Patch Kid. Kush strains are popular for their couch-locking but at the same time uplifting and smiling effects, they are also widely used for meditation.

Thai

Unlike the previous two landrace strains, Thai is the one based on Sativa, which makes its effects more energizing, motivating, creative and focused. Taking its roots from Thailand, as it is clear from the name, it was widely used there before the ban in 1934. Thai strain is well known for its smoothness and potency of about 24% THC. It gave birth to lots of famous strains like Juicy Fruit and Voodoo and to the whole Haze family. Haze family became popular thanking to Thai’s typical long-lasting energizing and productive effects. Based on Thai genetics Amnesia Haze, Purple Haze, Blueberry Haze and others are highly loved by users these days. Thai also has its distinguishable sweet citrus aroma and taste.

Aceh

Coming from the Indonesian province Aceh and named after it (another name is Atjeh), the strain is pure Sativa just like previously described Thai. This strain is rare probably because of its motherland’s strict cannabis rules, it is banned there and put on one level with such heavy drugs as heroin.

The strain is absolutely ideal for beginner smokers or for those with low tolerance because its potency is not high, about 10% THC. Aceh is a good one to use in the morning to feel the boost of energy and creativity and to have a productive day, but it will not ruin your perception of reality and your plans because it’s easy on psychoactive THC. Users admit its euphoric high and claim that it combats any mood disorders. It has very pleasant tropical earthy and lemon flavours.

Nepalese

All cannabis from the Nepal region is called Nepalese. The weed in this country was banned only in 1973, but still, the rules are not very strict and prices are impressively low. Nepalese is a kind of unusual strain, it is pure Sativa but it also has some Indica structure and effects. Users notice the uplifting, energizing and productive high, but at the same time if you consume a bigger portion you’ll feel very relaxed and couch-locked. Its potency is around 20% THC and it is used to alleviate stress. Consumers love it for its sweet, berry and citrus taste with strong earthy notes.

Landraces are unique and highly precious for breeders. There are also a bit later landrace strains that you may have heard about, like Durban Poison or Kilimanjaro from Africa, Acapulco Gold and Columbian Gold from America, Lamb’s Bread and King’s Bread from Jamaica and other. But marijuana breeders still are in search of undiscovered landraces to make their strains better. For example, Strain Hunters is the project that is travelling across the world and looking for new untouched cannabis strains.

Doesn’t matter if you are an experienced user or not, it would be interesting for you to try at least one of landrace strains so take a look at the list above and go ahead!