Top Sativa Strains of 2020

Green Crack

An everlasting favourite, the Green Crack strain, previously known as “Cush”, is a definite A-lister for top sativa. It was renamed by none other than the legendary rapper and icon of cannabis himself, Snoop Dogg, after he had a bit of this intense sativa–and who knows, it might have helped inspire one of his hit songs. Its heritage is convoluted as the parents are often disputed between Skunk #1 and unknown Afghani landraces. It is undeniable, however, that this is a potent strain that offers an amazing uplifting high and delicious flavours. Like its name suggests, it is so enjoyable that it can be addictive!

Green Crack is one of those strains perfect for a wake and bake. It gives users a boost of energy as the high progresses towards a buzzy and cerebral experience. It sharpens your sense of focus and allows for a flow of creativity, so it can be a nice kick to start off the day, or as a midday energizer for a little pick me up to focus on the day’s tasks and projects at hand–perfect for artists, go-getters and busy bees. This burst of positivity and energy make Green Crack useful for patients seeking to alleviate depression, fatigue, anxiety, or PTSD, and the sharpened focus one feels during its high can help those dealing with autism or ADHD. 

In regards to its THC content level, it averages from a low of 16% to a high of 25%. Despite the anonymity of its exact origin, its genetic makeup has been tested to consist of 65% sativa to 35% indica. Skunk #1, often referred to as Green Crack’s confirmed parent, carries the opposite ratio at 35%:65% sativa/indica, and averages a lesser THC content of 15%-19%, though it remains one of the most popular strains in cannabis history for its energetic and deeply relaxing high, a characteristic that carries on in the Green Crack genes. Love for this strain has spawned extractions like Green Crack Shatter by Faded Extracts, and new favourite strains like the God’s Green Crack. 

The strain is as visually appealing as it is addictive–and tasty! Like a typical classic indica, its buds are dense and clustered. The flowers are colourful with shades of pale greens and yellows. Depending on climate during the growing process, some are streaked with purples as well. These shades are further defined with rusty orange pistils with a nice, sticky coating of white trichomes. The scent of Green Crack buds includes notes of citrus, earthiness and musky wood. Upon smoking, however, one can taste the flavour of tropical mangos and hashy spices that are not dissimilar to indica Afghan landraces, perhaps a hint to its true heritage.

Blue Dream

Dreams really do come true with this majestic sativa strain. A popular classic in the sativa category, the Blue Dream, also known as Azure Haze, is a cannabis wonder. While the strain is a sativa-dominant hybrid, it does offer the best of both sativa and indica effects and also contains a bit of CBD. Its worthiness of making top lists can be further attributed to its sweet, stellar fruity flavours, dream-like cerebral and hazy high, and a wide array of medical benefits. This combo makes it quite well-rounded, offering a nicely balanced high experience that is sure to please any cannabis user and send them off into their own dreamland.

The Blue Dream high starts off almost immediately with a cerebral buzz, inducing feelings of motivation and a heightened sense of focus, ideal for those seeking to relieve symptoms of ADD/ADHD or autism. As it is rather potent, it doesn’t just hit you quickly, it also hits you hard. Like the best of sativas, this strain also washes you with waves of creative energy and provides a stimulation that elevates your mood. As the high continues to build up, the strain’s indica effects begin to settle in as your body experiences a deep, calming numbness that is relaxing and a bit hazy. This can be helpful to those struggling with chronic pains or insomnia as it is therapeutic and can make falling asleep much easier, putting you to bed with your own sweet blue dreams. Don’t let its name fool you, however, as its stimulating sativa dominance still gets you throughout the day as it is relaxing without tiring users for daytime use. The mood enhancement and focus can also help users manage depression, anxiety and stress, allowing the feeling of calmness to remain in what would otherwise be stressful situations through task-filled mornings and afternoons–daydreaming at its finest!

In terms of its THC content, Blue Dream averages around 17%-24% potency with 2% CBD and 1% CBN, meaning it is quite effective physically. Yet, it maintains a sativa dominance of 60% to 40% indica, a good balance that allows users to experience enough of both strain type’s effects without one overpowering the other. The well-roundedness of this strain can be explained by its heritage as a crossbreed between the Blueberry and Haze strains. Blueberry itself is indica dominant with a ratio of 80% indica to 20% sativa, 16%-24% THC content and 1% CBN, whereas Haze is sativa dominant with the numbers reversed at 80% sativa to 20% indica with a bit of a lower THC average at 14%-23%. 

The high is not the only thing dreamy about the Blue Dream strain. It has a unique fruity flavour profile and scent that distinguishes it from others. While the typical cannabis scent of earthiness is apparent, you will also notice mouth-watering blueberry and vanilla aromas that will bring you back to childhood and memories of sugary blueberry pies. Even upon exhaling the smoke, hints of a sweet, herbal blueberry can be tasted. The nugs look just as delectable and stay true to its name and flavours as these large, dense buds are decorated with vivid ambers and rich blue tones, all nicely decorated with a layer of sticky resin and dusty white trichomes, like a layer of powdered sugar atop a dreamy, freshly-baked blueberry pie!

Jack Herer

The product of professional, renowned Dutch cannabis cultivators from Sensi Seeds, Jack Herer is a sativa strain known worldwide, holding a staggering 9 Cannabis Cup titles. These titles include winning the High Times Best Sativa not just once or twice, but three times, a testament to its amazing taste and well-rounded effects enjoyed by both medical and recreational users alike. The strain was named after the influential cannabis activist who fought for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana and author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, and none other could do the “Hemperor” Jack Herer justice like this strain does with its complex blend of flavours and quick-hitting, stimulating and euphoric high.

A classic example of a true wake and bake, the Jack Herer strain performs best for daytime uses. Upon the first few tokes, you are hit with a headrush that acts fairly quickly and you will notice a spark of energy, a great push for those who struggle with fatigue or getting up in the morning, and just as beneficial for those early birds who want the extra kick. A stronger dosage and progression of the high with Jack Herer leads to a furthered sense of alertness as well as relaxation throughout the body, making for a nicely balanced experience as users feel at ease mentally and physically while remaining attentive and sociable. A popular go-to for creatives and artists, this strain cultivates mental stimulation that leads to creativity. The experience is enhanced overall by users feeling a sense of happiness and outwardly friendliness, making it ideal for a fun hang out with friends as well as alleviating stress or mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Jack Herer’s THC content level typically measures at 17-24% with 1% CBN. The strain is often reported to be derived from Haze, Northern Lights #5, and Shiva Skunk. Due to its popularity, it has been used to produce other strains with some of its many phenotypes including Jack the Ripper, Jack’s Cleaner, and Jack Frost. Due to its unknown lineage and potential variations in parental breed strains, it is difficult to pin down its exact sativa to indica content ratio but tests have shown 55% sativa to 45% indica, and its effects definitely point towards sativa dominance. While its THC potency is typically high, concentrations can be furthered with extractions like Jack Herer Shatter by Faded Extracts, High Heat or Firerock Extracts for a more elevated high with this phenomenal strain.

A strain tributing Jack Herer ought to be delicious–and this is! These sticky, densely-packed buds are pale to medium green and they carry bright citrus aromas of zesty oranges and lemons complimented by floral scents. These pleasant notes are topped off with a bit of a spicy, peppery kick. The smoke on Jack Herer is smooth and clean with an herbal taste that, backed by its citrus and floral notes, is reminiscent of potpourri–fancy shmancy for the one and only Hemperor’s strain!