What is a Cookies Strain?

Cannabis varieties are grouped into broad categories based on lineage. These distinctions help consumers differentiate effects, aromas, and potencies.

Many varieties have surged in popularity in recent years, and the Cookies strains are no different. In doing so, the Bay Area-born cultivar birthed a lineage of crosses and one of the most recognizable international cannabis brands.

What Are Cookies Strains?

Cookies strains trace their roots to the legendary Girl Scout Cookies (GSC), a cross of OG Kush and Durban Poison. The Bay Area Cookies Fam, which was founded in 2010, is headed by breeders Jai (Jigga) and Gilbert Milam Jr., more commonly known as Berner. 

GSC took off as a crowd favorite. Over the years, it formed its own subcategory of sweet, dessert-like cultivars known for potent THC levels. By 2017, Girl Scout Cookies was shortened to GSC for trademark reasons. Today, Cookies serves as both a specific strain family and an overarching brand, with shared defining characteristics that include: 

1. Dessert-Like Aromas: Rich fragrances reminiscent of baked goods, often with hints of mint and fruity earthiness.
2. Thick Resin and Trichomes: Cultivars are known for frosty buds covered in sticky trichomes, indicating their potential for high cannabinoid content.
3. Colors: Greens, purples, and orange pistils are common, producing eye-catching cannabis.

What Are the Reported Effects of Cookies Strains?

Cookie strains are regularly associated with producing uplifting, euphoric effects. Known for delivering a strong head high that transitions into a soothing body effect, many Cookie strains are regarded as a balanced experience that can increase appetite. Consumers often credit these strains for delivering a relaxing effect that maintains mental stimulation without falling into a total state of sedation. 

Most consumers can expect to feel some or all of the effects listed above. However, that does not guarantee that all consumers will react to Cookies strains in this way. For example, individuals with anxiety or a low tolerance to THC may experience adverse effects related to over-intoxication. Since Cookies often produce high-potency cultivars, consumers should exercise caution. Consider using the “start low, go slow” method to avoid “greening out.” 

What Conditions Do Cookies Strains Help With?

Individuals react differently to various strains, including those in the Cookies family. Over the past 10 to 15 years, anecdotal reports suggest that the usual plant profile in a Cookies strain may help address conditions and symptoms related to stress relief, mild pain management, and appetite stimulation.

These oft-reported beneficial effects are likely tied to the strain's chemical makeup. With a THC potency in the high teens to mid-20s and terpenes such as caryophyllene, myrcene, pinene, and limonene, the plant’s profile has the potential to uplift moods, relax bodies, and increase hunger. 

Main Terpenes in Cookies Strains

Cookies strains often contain four terpenes among the hundreds of compounds that make up their unique plant profiles. Terpenes are aromatic natural compounds that help produce the aromas, flavors, and effects of cannabis.  

Some common terpenes often found in Cookies strains include:

Caryophyllene - A spicy, peppery aroma, often linked to relaxing and soothing effects

Limonene - A bright, citrusy zest known for lifting moods and helping address everyday stress

Myrcene - A blend of Earthy and musk, often associated with sedative effects

Pinene - Sharp, pine-like notes that are associated with promoting alertness and mental clarity

The Top 5 Cookies Strains

Top strain picks vary by consumer, making it impossible to give a definitive list of the best. That said, with a family of strains like Cookies, there is a decade and a half of consumer feedback to cite. While opinions change from person to person, there’s no denying that these have been some of the five most discussed and sought after Cookies strains over the years:

Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) - The cornerstone of Cookies, GSC is believed to blend OG Kush and Durban Poison for sweet, doughy notes with a balanced high that uplifts before easing into body relaxation

Tropicana Cookies - A cross of GSC and Tangie known for tangy citrus flavors and an energizing head buzz

GMO Cookies (Garlic Cookies) - A garlicky meets earthy aroma that’s regarded for its potent relaxation effects

Cherry Cookies - Cherry notes layered over the Cookies’ signature doughiness, producing an uplifting, creative high

Cookies and Cream - Sweet, creamy notes known for giggle fits and a heavy dose of relaxation. 

Buying and Storing Cookies Strains

Cookies is one of the top names in cannabis today. But that doesn’t mean consumers should skip any of the essential steps before buying products. Whether looking for Cookies strains or any other cannabis products, consider the following points before purchasing:

Confirm the Plant Profile

Before buying anything, check the contents, confirming its THC potency and plant profile. Refer to the common terpenes found in Cookies. If a strain lacks most or all those compounds, it may not be a Cookies product, even if the package claims it is. 

Inspect Appearance and Aroma

Cookies live up to their name when it comes to aromas. Each cultivar has its own take, but at the heart of the plant is almost always a doughy, cookie-like aroma. While some can rely on crosses that favor the non-Cookie parent, in most cases, even crosses will display some of these baked good-like notes. 

Check for Lab Tests

Third-party lab testing intends to give buyers and consumers a full product assessment. Results can be found by scanning a package’s QR code or visiting the manufacturer’s website. For extra assurance, search the product and manufacturer online to ensure no recent recalls or other concerns have come about. 

Budget Considerations

Name-brand, popular products often come at a premium. That’s the case in cannabis with a known entity like Cookies. In many markets, Cookies strains can be on the pricier side of the menu. Many will agree that the experience justifies the cost. Still, those with cost concerns should examine the menu to ensure they aren’t breaking the bank over some bud. 

Store for Freshness

Don’t let good cannabis go to waste due to improper storage. Whenever not in use, cannabis flower should be stored in a cool, dark place, in an ideally UV-protected, airtight glass. Keeping cannabis in this type of container will keep the bud away from the natural elements, like air, sun, and humidity, that speed up the plant’s deterioration process.

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.