Bailey RahnPublished on December 31, 2014· Last updated November 30, 2022
With 2014 coming to a close, we’re taking a walk backwards in time to see which strains dominated this year’s popularity contest. Chances are you’ve crossed paths with one or maybe all of these strains already, and if so, let’s hear it: are these strains worthy of the legendary status they’ve achieved, or are they as overrated as that person in high school who stole your well-deserved yearbook title of “Biggest Female Gamer”? (No. I’m not bitter. Leave me alone.)
So without further ado, we bring you Leafly’s most cherished strains of 2014!
With beginnings that stretch back to the early ’90s, time is on this hybrid’s side. In all her 22 years, AK-47 has risen to the highest ranks, promising effects that walk the line between stimulating euphoria and mellow relaxation. A glance at AK’s family tree begins to explain this collage of effects: genetics from Colombia, Thailand, Mexico, and Afghanistan bring together a spectrum of delightful experiences true to AK-47’s hybrid classification.
Just like the activist this strain was named after, the sativa Jack Herer has gained an unforgettable reputation across the globe. We tip our hats to Sensi Seeds for bringing this piney, earthy piece of perfection into the world. Although Jack Herer also has the advantage of old age, who can deny that its medley of happy, creative, and uplifting effects helped carry this sativa to timeless fame?
Unlike most of the strains on this list, GSC (f.k.a Girl Scout Cookies) hasn’t been around long. Like a 3rd grade prodigy claiming victory in all the junior high spelling bees, GSC (f.k.a Girl Scout Cookies) is no stranger to Cannabis Cup gold medals even when the seasoned veterans compete. But when we consider its intoxicating euphoria, its consistently thick coat of crystal trichomes, and its enticing hues of twisting green and purple, we can’t be surprised that this hybrid took the fast track to glory.
Another decades-old strain that survived the test of time is none other than Bubba Kush. While the origins of this sweet, earthy indica are fuzzy to say the least, we’ve embraced Bubba and all of its mystery, anyway. It’s hard to care about such things when Bubba Kush carries you away on a soft, fluffy cloud made of I-don’t-care-because-everything-is-just-great.
What began as a Dutch coffee shop essential is now blessing stash jars worldwide, because who could possibly forget White Widow’s blizzard-y coat of trichomes? Better yet are the plethora of happy, creative, relaxed effects delivered by those precious little THC crystals. To White Widow’s creators at Green House Seeds, thank you for bringing life to this illustrious resin beast.
Granddaddy Purple is one of those strains that forces you to muster all of your willpower to not buy all of it as soon as you’ve seen and smelled its splendor. Its grape and berry scented buds are wrapped in violet hues turned lavender by a frosty trichome blanket. What you see (and smell) is what you get with GDP: a beautifully relaxing experience that keeps anxiety, depression, and pain at bay.
The fourth spot on our list goes to the distinguished yet unfortunately named Green Crack. Its sketchy name doesn’t seem to deter popularity, since this strain has racked up over 1,000 user reviews on Leafly. Few strains are truly as energizing, talkative, and straight-up ridiculous as Green Crack — and if you don’t believe me, just take a quick jaunt through some of its reviews (particularly this one). Oh, and it’s got a tropicalcitrus flavor. That’s nice, too.
Where would we be without the Great Propagator of one million-billion OG strains currently flooding the West Coast market? OG Kush, with its tangy mix of lemonypine and soaring cerebral buzz, wins the #3 slot on our list as well as Natural Selection: Cannabis Edition. No, the OG will never, ever die out.
Where this awkward-tasting sativa came from, we can’t know for sure. But perhaps the mystery is part of Sour Diesel’s charm, no doubt bolstered by its luxurious combination of happy, creative, energetic effects. There is no doubt: Sour D has secured itself a permanent throne in the kingdom of cannabis.
You knew this one was coming. Like that kid that wins every single time because he/she won the genetic lottery, Blue Dream’s amazing hybridization of Blueberry and Haze characteristics sets this strain up for world domination. From flavor to effects, Blue Dream consistently scores high in every category and is oh-so widely available. You win again, Blue Dream.
