Cannabis Landrace Strains: What Are They?

While we all may enjoy a puff of some Purple Glookies or Iced Wedding Cake Sorbet, these strains simply would not have been possible were it not for their genetic heritage, the landrace strains. 

Cannabis landrace strains, simply stated, are those original strains that have not been crossed with other strains to create modern hybrids. In other words, they are cannabis plants that developed through natural selection and evolved into distinct strains of their own in their original environment. Commonly referred to as “heirloom strains”, these strains were hunted down and gathered in their authentic terroir, or place of origin.

Through careful selection and selective breeding, these strains have become the basis for much of the cannabis we now know and love today.

Cannabis landrace strains often bear the name of the locale from which they were initially discovered, and many hybridized offspring bear these same names, such as Kush strains, hailing from the Hindu Kush Valley of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Like the Kush strains, many landraces have become legendary in the world of cannabis consumption, growing, and particularly breeding.

Are Landrace Strains Still Around?

While much of the world’s modern marijuana strains result from hybridizing landrace strains, these originals still exist and can be found. Though finding wild crops of cannabis growing may not be likely, the phenotypes of these old school strains have been preserved by numerous seed banks and genetics companies, making them available still.

Landrace strains still grow wild in some places in the world, but by and large, legislation and the increased popularity of marijuana over the years has made these sites increasingly rare.

However, fear not, for practically all of the original landraces discovered in the last century are still available from breeders such as Dutch Passion and Sensi Seeds. These growers, in particular, have dedicated themselves to not only maintaining the original genetics but also mixing those genetics to create delicious and surprising hybrids, resulting in increased potency, greater yields, and retention of the more popular characteristics of the original landraces. Should you choose to begin breeding your own cannabis, these original landrace strains are a great place to start.

Are Landrace Strains Still Around?

While much of the world’s modern marijuana strains result from hybridizing landrace strains, these originals still exist and can be found. Though finding wild crops of cannabis growing may not be likely, the phenotypes of these old school strains have been preserved by numerous seed banks and genetics companies, making them available still.

Landrace strains still grow wild in some places in the world, but by and large, legislation and the increased popularity of marijuana over the years has made these sites increasingly rare.

However, fear not, for practically all of the original landraces discovered in the last century are still available from breeders such as Dutch Passion and Sensi Seeds. These growers, in particular, have dedicated themselves to not only maintaining the original genetics but also mixing those genetics to create delicious and surprising hybrids, resulting in increased potency, greater yields, and retention of the more popular characteristics of the original landraces. Should you choose to begin breeding your own cannabis, these original landrace strains are a great place to start.

The Landrace Strains

Many of the fruity, flavorful buds you buy from your local dispensary are hybrid strains, sometimes more indica or sativa dominant, but hybrids nonetheless. The same cannot be said for landrace cannabis strains, which are decidedly indica or sativa. The crossbreeding of various landrace strains led to creating all of the fun and tasty combinations we consume today, but the original genetics were purely one or the other.

Sativa Landrace Strains

Acapulco Gold – Hailing from Acapulco, Mexico, Acapulco Gold was one of the first sativa landraces to gain global notoriety. Popular in America during the 1960s, it was grown on the southern Mexican coast, under the hot desert sun and with the aid of coastal breezes. Many say that the strains available today pale in comparison to the original, as the terroir of its origins contributed significantly to its effects and popularity.

Colombian Gold – Similar to Acapulco Gold, Colombian Gold hails from South America, where it grew naturally in the Santa Marta mountains (it’s sometimes referred to as “Santa Marta Gold”). A solid sativa, plants of Colombian Gold grow tall with large internodal spacing. It’s a heavy resin producer, but its effects are classic sativa: uplifting and euphoric, great for creative endeavours. A parent of Skunk #1, Colombian Gold, has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on marijuana today.

Durban Poison – Named for its natural habitat of Durban, South Africa, Durban Poison possesses all of the attributes of other classic sativa strains, both in growth and effect. It’s a reacher, growing tall and lanky, but with stalks capable of supporting big, heavy buds. Its effects are notoriously strong, as it has often been noted for its ability to produce quality sativa extracts, but its strength comes with the risk of adverse effects like dry mouth and paranoia.

Lamb’s Bread – Though not named for its original climate, the popularity of Lamb’s Bread is undeniable in its terroir of Jamaica. The equatorial, tropical climate causes this monster to grow huge, producing bountiful harvests from each plant. Popularized and even noted in song lyrics by Bob Marley, Lamb’s Bread is the quintessential Jamaican ganja.

Panama Red –  Another pure sativa, Panama Red’s reputation precedes it, as, at one time, the landrace was practically synonymous with weed. Hailing from Central America, Panama Red’s popularity has died out, but botanists have preserved the genetics for the purist or true sativa lover.

Thai & Chocolate Thai – Both landraces hailing from Thailand, Thai and Chocolate Thai are legendary in the world of marijuana. Smokers old enough to remember the ’70s look back fondly on the “Thai Sticks” of the time, which consisted of Thai and Chocolate Thai buds that had been bound to bamboo skewers to cure and transport from Asia. Though Chocolate Thai is now exceedingly rare, Thai can still be found, as well as enjoyed through its lineage, which includes the legendary Haze strain.

Indica Landrace Strains

Afghani – Possessing all of the characteristics which we’ve come to associate with indicas, Afghani is an indica landrace that comes from deep within the western Himalayas in its namesake country, Afghanistan. Short and bushy, pure Afghan genetics have been used for breeding many modern-day favourites, including a large portion of the heavier indica strains with which you may be familiar. A classic for its high THC content and tremendous resin production, Afghani has long been used for hashish production, another trait that has made its lineage invaluable to cannabis breeders.

Hindu Kush – Another classic landrace from the Middle East, Hindu Kush originates in the legendary Hindu Kush mountain range running between India and Afghanistan. Also noted for its thick coating of resinous trichomes, Hindu Kush has been bred with many other strains to create its own legendary lineage. A true indica, its effects are heavily medicinal and widely believed to be responsible largely for the cannabinoid profiles present in many modern-day CBD strains.

For many seasoned smokers, to enjoy one of these legendary landrace strains is to venture back in time. Though they don’t possess the unique and distinct characteristics that many of today’s most popular strains do, these strains are the ones that made them all possible.