All About Haze Strains

Cannabis strains are categorized based on plant genetics. These groupings allow consumers to quickly identify and select ideal strains based on their typical results. Of the many categories of cannabis plants, haze strains stand out as one of the more unique, but why?

What are Haze Strains?

Haze strains first emerged from India and spread to Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas.¹ They hit the U.S. scene in the 1970s out of California. Like their ancestors, these potent sativa strains had long flowering periods and potent intoxicating effects. While not all hazes are purely sativa, this category of cannabis strains is sativa-dominant.

Highlighted by high THC and low CBD levels, haze's aromatic strains became popular for their potency, taste, aromas, and pronounced uplifting effects. Haze strains are also known for their tall plant structure, featuring long buds. 

Haze is not for the impatient. Its long flowering periods initially took around six months to be ready for harvest and production, making harvesting difficult for anyone growing outside of a tropical climate. Today, production practices have allowed haze to be grown in other parts of the world and produced in shorter time-spans, sometimes as short as eight to nine weeks.

The arrival of haze in the 1970s marked a seismic shift in the world of cannabis production and sourcing. California growers popularized the now standard practice of growing strains for breeding and production. Doing so eliminated some of the laborious tasks of procuring cannabis from countries like Mexico and Colombia. 

The Haze brothers from Santa Cruz, California are regarded for maintaining the landrace profiles of Mexican and Colombian plants while producing them in a California greenhouse. The shift to California allowed for a faster flowering period while maintaining the ideal plant profile.

In the years since haze helped cannabis destinations like California and Amsterdam earn the spots on the map. At the same time, the legendary strain helped birth new icons, including Jack Herer.

What are the Reported Effects of Haze Strains?

Sativa-rich haze flower is known for its distinct flavors and aromas. However, their distinct effects are noticeable to many recreational and medical cannabis consumers.

Some of haze strains' most commonly reported effects include:

• Raised energy levels 
• Increased talking 
• Uplifted mood 
• Giggle fits

In some cases, unwanted short-term side effects may occur, most notably:

• Paranoia
• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth

Consumers should be aware that additional beneficial or adverse reactions may occur. Each person responds differently to cannabis, whether they choose an OG haze strain or any other category of plant or plant-derived product. Due to the variety of haze strains, there are many reported outcomes. 

With room for various outcomes, cannabis consumers may want to look deeper into the plant profile for an idea of possible outcomes. A strain's terpene profile reveals that haze strains are typically rich in pinene and terpinolene, with research suggesting these aromatic compounds may produce energetic and focused boosting effects in many consumers.²

What Conditions Do Haze Strains Help With?

Cannabis research continues to move slowly due to decades of resistance. This situation leaves consumers longing for a deeper understanding of critical plant components, including the effects of specific strain categories, like haze. 

Still, a growing contribution of research is helping shed some light on the plant and its possible effects. Specific clinical reports and scores of anecdotal feedback over the years suggest that haze's effects produced by their various plant profiles may help with conditions such as:³ 

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Select physical and mental pains

While potentially true, consumers should be aware that cannabis can produce various effects, including adverse anxiety, especially when consumed at high doses. However, the results are reportedly reversed when THC is consumed at low doses.⁴ 

With uncertainty around dosage, consumers are recommended to start at a low THC level, between 2.5 mg and 5 mg, and gradually increase the dosage over time, spanning several hours or several days of gradually increasing the dose.⁵ 

With such a diverse set of results, consumers should consult with a trusted medical professional before using haze or any other strain for medical relief. While the risk profile is low, it is best to assess all possible outcomes before using cannabis for any medical purposes.

Main Terpenes in Haze Strains

Terpenes are critical to many types of plants on Earth. In cannabis, these compounds play a critical role in creating a strain's aroma, flavor, and effects. 

Each haze strain has its unique profile, like any other type of cannabis. However, some of the most commonly found terpenes across the category include:

Terpinolene

Terpinolene has a fresh pine tree aroma often associated with reducing anxiety and pain without inducing sedation in consumers.⁶

Caryophyllene

With a peppery aroma that often veers into spicy territory, caryophyllene is often associated with physical pain relief, including anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as non-intoxicating relief from depression and anxiety.^7,8

Pinene

Pinene has a pine-like aroma with reported benefits that relieve anxiety while potentially improving respiratory health and memory.⁹

Myrcene

Known for its earthy aromas, myrcene is associated with relaxation effects such as anxiety relief.¹⁰

Limonene

The limonene terpene has a citrus-rich compound often linked with uplifting effects that may elevate moods and relieve stress and depression.¹¹

The Top 5 Haze Strains

An untold number of haze strains are in active circulation today. Combined with some of the older hazes of the past several decades, it becomes clear just how subjective a top-five list can become. 

If you're beginning your exploration of haze strains, consider checking out some of these favorites:

Amnesia Haze

Made by crossing several OG landrace strains, Amnesia Haze is known for delivering earthy, citrusy flavors and aromas and for its uplifting effects.

Super Lemon Haze

A cross of Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze, Super Lemon Haze is often associated with uplifting energy and mood levels. It is accompanied by a sweet citrus lemon profile.

Ghost Train Haze

A Ghost OG and Neville's Wreck cross, Ghost Train Haze is associated with potent effects that often uplift moods and is backed by a citrus floral flavor and aroma profile.

Lemon Haze

A cross of Lemon Skunk and Silver Haze (not to be confused with Super Silver Haze), Lemon Haze has sweet tangy flavors of lemon and citrus flavor and aroma profiles while uplifting moods and energy levels.

Purple Haze 

An iconic strain created by crossing Haze with Purple Thai, Purple Haze delivers a petty, uplifting high backed by sweet, earthy aromas and a berry-meets-spice flavor profile.

References

1. McPartland JM, Small E. A classification of endangered high-THC cannabis (Cannabis sativa subsp. indica) domesticates and their wild relatives. PhytoKeys. 2020;144:81-112. doi:https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.144.46700 ↩︎
2. Lewis MA, Russo EB, Smith KM. Pharmacological Foundations of Cannabis Chemovars. Planta Medica. 2017;84(04):225-233. doi:10.1055/s-0043-122240 ↩︎
3. Baron EP. Medicinal Properties of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids in Cannabis, and Benefits in Migraine, Headache, and Pain: An Update on Current Evidence and Cannabis Science. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2018;58(7):1139-1186. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/head.13345 ↩︎
4. Sharpe L, Sinclair J, Kramer A, de Manincor M, Sarris J. Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties. J Transl Med. 2020;18(1):374. Published 2020 Oct 2. doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02518-2 ↩︎
5. MacCallum CA, Eadie L, Barr AM, Boivin M, Lu S. Practical Strategies Using Medical Cannabis to Reduce Harms Associated With Long Term Opioid Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.633168 ↩︎
6. Johnson AL, Verbitsky R, Hudson J, Dean R, Hamilton TJ. Cannabinoid type-2 receptors modulate terpene induced anxiety-reduction in zebrafish. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2023;168:115760. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115760 ↩︎
7. Francomano F, Caruso A, Barbarossa A, Fazio A, La Torre C, Ceramella J, Mallamaci R, Saturnino C, Iacopetta D, Sinicropi MS. β-Caryophyllene: A Sesquiterpene with Countless Biological Properties. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9(24):5420. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245420 ↩︎
8. Sommano SR, Chittasupho C, Ruksiriwanich W, Jantrawut P. The Cannabis Terpenes. Molecules. 2020;25(24):5792. Published 2020 Dec 8. doi:10.3390/molecules25245792 ↩︎
9. Weston-Green K, Clunas H, Jimenez Naranjo C. A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2021;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.583211 ↩︎
10. Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M. Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021;8. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666 ↩︎
11. Eddin LB, Jha NK, Meeran MFN, Kesari KK, Beiram R, Ojha S. Neuroprotective Potential of Limonene and Limonene Containing Natural Products. Molecules. 2021; 26(15):4535. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154535 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.