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High-Potency Marijuana Strains To Break Through Your Tolerance. A hand holding bud in a field.
High-Potency Cannabis Strains To Break Through Your Tolerance

Are you finding that your favorite cannabis strains are no longer getting the job done as far as their effects go? Are you looking to try something new to experience the relief you need? Tolerance to cannabis can occur quickly, so switching to a different marijuana strain with a different cannabinoid and terpene profile may be what you need to break through your tolerance.

Rather than lament the loss of the strain of your dreams, merely put it on hold for a few weeks, and when you revisit it, most likely, you’ll find that it once again delivers the punch you desire.

There are so many great strains on the market now that sampling a variety will allow you to discover new cannabis strains to enjoy while simultaneously maintaining the desired effects you’ve grown to expect. So, don’t think of experimenting with new strains as an unfortunate necessity; instead, have fun with it and embrace the unknown! You might just find a new favorite strain to add into your rotation.

Why Consume High-THC Strains?

High THC strains can provide users with a potent and long lasting dose of this therapeutic cannabinoid. However, everyone handles cannabis differently and the effects may vary depending on the strain, a person's genetics, their frequency of use, and other factors.

High THC strains can produce a potent intoxicating effect that can be helpful for the following:

  • Reduced nausea
  • Reduced pain
  • Decreased inflammation
  • Reduced muscle spasms
  • Increased appetite

If you feel like you could use an extra potent strain, there are many different options to try.

Consider the Possibilities

Stop to consider exactly what it is about the current strain(s) you enjoy that you find appealing. Is it flavor and aromaas well as potency? Everyone needs to mix things up once in a while, which is why there are so many wine varieties and styles of craft beer.

Living life to the fullest is all about choices and not getting mired down with old routines. This same need for variety applies to cannabis, too. The specific cannabinoid and terpene content of a given strain can be quite different from others. The synergy and relationships between different cannabinoids and terpenes, and the resulting entourage effect, makes each strain unique.

Your endocannabinoid system will awaken and enjoy something new. If you enjoy fruity strains, decide on something new that has the fruity sweetness you desire but is different enough to provide an all-new experience.

Let’s explore some high-potency cannabis strains together to give you food for thought and new strains to consider and look out for at your local dispensary. Whether it’s sativa, indica, or a nicely balanced hybrid, the following cannabis strains are worthy of your consideration, regardless of whether they are somewhat new on the scene or a well-established classic.

These strains pack enough of potency that you may need to use less to feel the potent effects, which is always a good thing.

High-Potency Cannabis Strains – Sativas

The number of pure landrace sativas around these days are dramatically outnumbered by the number of hybrids that lean heavily to the sativa side (the same can be said for indicas). We’ll cover a mixture of sativa strains as well as hybrids that act like sativas (sativa-dominant strains) here.

All of these strains give you that motivational jolt that sativa lovers appreciate. If you want to enjoy cannabis but also need to stay on your feet and get things done, reach for a sativa or sativa-leaning strain.

Durban Poison

An older strain and one that’s well-established in today’s cannabis industry, Durban is always worthy of consideration. As its name implies, Durban Poison comes from the Durban region of coastal South Africa.

The sweet pine flavors will delight the palate, and the strong cerebral effect will keep you focused and motivated, regardless of whether you’re engaged in strenuous outdoor recreational activities or something more mentally challenging.

Bruce Banner

The decidedly sativa effect of Bruce Banner also has a relaxing quality to it that reveals the presence of some indica genetics in its background. The OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel parents of this strain combined to create something altogether new and different.

The flavor has a sweet hashy dankness, with some phenotypes having a subtle hint of diesel. Grown in an optimal environment, Bruce Banner has respectable strength. Not racy, it has enough of a motivational quality to make it a good daytime strain.

Golden Goat

The Goat is another tasty strain with upbeat, cerebral qualities. With sativa-leaning parents (Island Sweet Skunk x Hawaiian Romulan), it should come as no surprise that Golden Goat also has an upbeat quality, but it’s also more balanced than some sativa strains.

Alert but not racy would be a good way to describe its effects. The flavors are very pleasing, with a tropical sweetness that some Hawaiian genetics are known for. The sweetness also has a spicy quality that makes it unique and notable.

Strawberry Cough

Although the “Cough” part of the name has a catchy ring to it, Strawberry Cough is no more likely to make you cough than many other strains. The flavors are unique and delicious. While many strains have a pleasant berry quality, Strawberry Cough really does taste like strawberries, with a smooth, creamy quality that’s quite memorable. The effects do not have devastating power but are strong enough to induce a positive, upbeat euphoria.

Haze

No conversation about notable sativa strains can skip touching on Haze, a classic and strong sativa-leaning hybrid, if there ever was one. The Haze cannabis strain was developed on the Central Coast of California by combining some of the popular sativa imports of the time with an Afghani, which shortened its finishing time to be more appropriate for an outdoor temperate climate.

The aroma and flavor of Haze has a very distinct minty pine quality. Haze spawned anentire category of “Haze strains,” two of the more notable ones being Lemon Haze and Super Silver Haze.

Chocolope

Created by DNA Genetics, Chocolope has become a classic since the time it was introduced. Easy to grow and packed with a respectably potent sativa high, Chocolope has flavors of sweet chocolate and coffee. This strain’s sativa buzz will brighten the mood of those who smoke it and provide them with a mentally sharp effect that allows for focused work. Because it’s cerebral and upbeat, it makes a good strain for social activities.

Jack Herer

A true classic from Amsterdam, Jack Herer combines American and European genetics to create a hazy sativa-leaning hybrid that should be on any shortlist of top sativas. There are several phenotypes of Jack, and they all tend to have the hazy quality, while the better ones have a subtle tropical fruitiness.

Jack Herer produces the type of energetic euphoria that you’d expect from a great sativa hybrid. It rarely disappoints.

Memory Loss

The name says it all. Memory Loss from Archive Seed Bank has an intense and cerebral high that can leave the most experienced users feeling confused and forgetful. Approach with caution. With the right dose, you can feel blissful and talkative, perfect for enjoying social events.

This strain is a cross between Face Off OG and Amnesia Haze, two high potency cultivars. Memory Loss has a complex and pleasant aroma of pepper, fruit, and bubble gum.

Lemon Meringue

Lemon Meringue, also known as Lemon Meringue Pie, is a sativa strain bred by Exotic Genetix. It is a cross between Cookies and Cream and Lemon Skunk strains. This blend of genetics produces an intense aroma of citrus, nutty, and diesel notes. Users may experience a stimulating and energetic effect that can make them want to move and be productive. Its euphoric qualities are popular for those who feel fatigued or depressed.

High-Potency Cannabis Strains – Indicas

Sometimes after a busy day, you just want to go home and relax to a good movie. For these types of evenings, you want to reach for a good indica and let the stresses of your day melt away. Some people enjoy indica at just about any time, but for many, it’s best enjoyed in the evening when the day is winding down. It is known for its sedative, couch-lock effect.

Granddaddy Purple

This strain has a strong fan base that keeps it popular year after year. As the name implies, many Granddaddy Purple flowers have a gorgeous purple color, as well as a potent kick when smoked or vaped.

Created in California, Granddaddy Purple is an indica-leaning cross of Purple Urkle and Big Bud. The terpenes impart a bold flavor of grapes and berries, which complements the purple color quite well.

Afgooey

Another strain with strong indica effects, Afgooey is a particularly sticky strain when grown correctly. It’s the unlikely result of crossing a pure landrace Afghani with Maui Haze—a sativa strain if there ever was one.

The inclusion of sativa into the mix produces a slightly uplifting quality to the overall indica experience for which Afgooey is known. In the flavor department, Afgooey leans to the Afghani parent. Expect a pungent earthy dankness.

Hash Plant

A hard-hitting indica, Hash Plant is another Amsterdam classic, with strong sleepy effects. The flavors are a combination of rich Afghani genetics with a sweet element of hash present. Hash plant delivers everything you would expect from a pure indica, and at 90-percent indica it’s about as close to pure as you can get. The Northern Lights parent used to create it no doubt contributed to the relaxing sleepy quality that results from smoking it.

Purple Urkle

One of the great purple strains that packs a serious punch, Purple Urkle is an indica-leaning hybrid from California. The somewhat uncertain genetics, the flavors are somewhat reminiscent of Granddaddy Purple. Expect deeply relaxing effects with a fruity flavor profile that hints at grapes, berries, and earthy dankness.

Northern Lights

Do you need to catch up on your sleep? If so, Northern Lights is an excellent choice. A true classic from the Pacific Northwest, Northern Lights is an iconic indica-leaning strain that has served as a vital cornerstone strain in the creation of other hard-hitters. Pleasing sweet and spicy skunkiness is bound to please any indica lover, and the strain is great for pain relief as well as insomnia.

Girl Scout Cookies

Now an industry standard, the classic Girl Scout Cookies attracted a lot of attention when it first hit the cannabis scene. Many people became dedicated fans overnight, and GSC’s fervent following continues to this day. The effect is pleasingly balanced.

GSC comes from two outstanding parents (OG Kush x Durban Poison), which resulted in something truly special, with flavors that are hard to define. Floral sweetness combines with a rich, earthy dankness that cannabis connoisseurs adore.

Bubba Kush

Another excellent strain for end-of-day use, the potent and delicious flavors of Bubba Kush are sure to send those who consume it into a deep slumber. The flavors are amazing and widely recognized as being among the tastiest strains available.

Sweet, woody, and complex are the best way to describe it, and the superlatives you can use to describe this classic strain are almost endless. Bubba Kush is a hybrid that leans heavily to the indica side. It makes outstanding medicine for both insomnia and appetite stimulation.

Kosher Kush

Kosher Kush, also known as Kosher OG, is brought to you by DNA Genetics based in Los Angeles, California. This highly acclaimed strain has won multiple High Times Cannabis Cups in the Best Indica and Best Strain categories. As one of these most pungent strains available, it has an intense earthy and fruity aroma. Users typically experience a heavy feeling of relaxation and strong relief from minor pains and aches. It can also work well for sleep-related issues.

Ghost OG

Ghost OG, also known as Ghost OG Kush, is a cut of OG Kush, known for its high potency and distinctive aroma. This indica strain produces balanced mental and physical effects that both reinvigorate your mind and relax your body. This strain produces strong effects without making users feel overwhelmed. In addition, it has a pungent citrus aroma. No wonder it has won multiple cannabis cups.

Triangle Kush

Triangle Kush, also known as Triangle OG, is a potent indica strain with origins in Florida. Users like this strain for its intense relaxing effects and mental stimulation that can inspire creativity. For some users, they may experience feeling more sociable and talkative after consuming Triangle Kush.

High-Potency Cannabis Strains – Hybrids 

Most things in life are not black or white; they’re a shade of gray. So it goes with the effects of many balanced hybrid strains. Finding that perfect balance is part of the allure of hybrids. Some hybrids lean too far in the indica or sativa direction, while others are just right, capturing the best of sativa and indica genetics.

Defining exactly what hybrids are perfect for you will require some sampling. The following strains are a good place to start.

Candyland

Sweet, as its name implies, Candyland often has a pleasing bluish-purple hue as well, thanks to its Granddaddy Purple parent. This hybrid strikes a nice balance between uplifting sativa and sedating indica effects, providing a social euphoria that many people enjoy. Some cuts of Candyland have a subtle citrus quality combined with a rich earthiness.

White Widow

Another classic from Amsterdam, White Widow is the foundation for a string of good strains, including White Rhino and Great White Shark. Brazilian sativa crossed with an indica from south India results in a strain that produces an elevated and mentally engaging high that gradually transitions to a full-body effect. The balance is very pleasant, and the sweet floral flavor is pleasing to the palate.

Sour Diesel

The ever-popular “Sour D,” as it’s often called, is one of the more popular diesel strains. Known to boost the mood of those who smoke it, Sour D has pungent diesel flavors like other fuel strains like Chem Dawg and New York City Diesel. As a sativa-leaning hybrid, Sour Diesel has an upbeat, dreamy effect that’s not racy and induces mild relaxation.

Original Glue

This strain used to be known by its original name, Gorilla Glue #4, but a legal battle with the Gorilla Glue company forced the rebranding of this popular strain. A potent hybrid with decidedly indica traits, Original Glue will quickly induce a state of relaxing euphoria with rich indica flavors. There are a few popular phenotypes of Gorilla Glue, but Original Glue (aka Gorilla Glue #4) seems to rank the highest among cannabis connoisseurs.

WiFi OG

This potent and pleasing strain sometimes goes by its full name, White Fire OG. WiFi OG is a balanced hybrid, at 60/40 sativa dominance. This strain descends from the diesel family of strains, with a pleasing sweet-and-sour diesel flavor that’s not as overwhelming as the heavy-diesel varieties. When smoked, WiFi OG promotes alert and upbeat activities, with a subtle relaxing side that removes any sativa edginess. It’s a solid hybrid that’s gained a following.

Bubblegum

Depending on the version of Bubblegum you sample, it can lean to either the sativa or indica side. With genetics that originated in Indiana, a good cut of Bubblegum has a distinctly sweet flavor that is extremely reminiscent of pink bubblegum. The amazing and distinct flavor resulted in the creation of multiple spin-off strains, including Double Bubble and Bubblicious.

Space Queen

Aptly named, Space Queen is a sativa-dominant hybrid that has a spacey, energizing quality that any true sativa lover will enjoy. Perhaps a bit racy for some, the flavors vary a bit depending on the phenotype, but nearly any of them will have a fruity sweetness.

Space Queen is the result of crossing Romulan with the sativa classic Cinderella 99. With an iconic sativa parent like Cindy 99, the sativa effects are understandable.

Death Star

Death Star is a cross between Sour Diesel and Sensi Star. This hybrid strain emits an aroma reminiscent of diesel and skunk with a hint of sweetness to balance the sour and sharp smell. Death Star is highly prized for its strong potency, which can creep up slowly, so it is important to not overindulge too soon.

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It usually has an anxiety-relieving effect and produces feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Because of its balanced effects, it can be used during the day or night.

GMO Cookies

GMO Cookies, also known as GMO Garlic Cookies or Garlic Cookies, is a strong hybrid strain made by crossing Chemdawg and Girl Scout Cookies. Users may feel invigorating and relaxing effects that can clear the mind and reduce pain. In high doses, it can produce couch-locking effects, good for those who want to wind down after a hard day of work.

In terms of flavor, expect a strong diesel smell with a hint of garlic.

What Happens When You Go Overboard With THC?

Just because you are a seasoned user, does not mean you are not vulnerable to the effects of a high potency strain. If you are used to strains with THC levels in the low 20 percent range, strains that are in the high 20 percent range may produce considerably stronger effects and sometimes mild side effects that can go away after a few hours.

The side effects of THC can include the following:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Short term memory loss
  • Paranoia
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Confusion
  • Motor control issues
  • Slow reaction time
  • Hallucinations

Cannabis research is still in its infancy, which is why we don't know the long-term effects of high THC strains on heavy and frequent users. However, some research suggests that the use of high potency strains, especially in regular users and young people, are linked with negative effects on mental health including psychosis.

Final Thoughts on High-Potency Cannabis Strains

So, there you have it—a great selection of tasty sativa, indica, and hybrid marijuana strains with a potent kick that will provide a welcome change from your go-to flower. If you aren’t feeling the full power of strains that used to do the trick for you, most likely you are developing a tolerance that a new, high-potency strain will cut through (or you can take a tolerance break to keep enjoying your favorite strains).

New cannabinoid and terpene profiles promise all-new cannabis experiences! You could also consider mixing cannabis strains for a high-potency effect as well. Enroll in CTU today to learn more about cannabis strains profiles from the comfort of your own home.

Gavin Kushman. Cannabis strain writer in a cannabis garden
Gavin Kushman

Gavin is a worldly adventurer and cannabis connoisseur, embarking on journeys that take him to the far corners of the globe to explore and document the varied effects, flavors, and histories of both renowned and lesser-known strains. From the misty high-altitude farms of the Hindu Kush highlands to the vibrant cannabis cafes of Amsterdam, Gavin's quest for knowledge spans continents. A recognized authority in the cannabis industry, he frequently lends his expertise to leading publications such as Cannabis Training University, where his captivating blog articles chronicle his unique experiences with different cannabis strains.

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