Surprising weed strain deemed most popular in America

popular weed strains blue dream

The cannabis scene has evolved rapidly in the legalization era. It seems like there’s a new product on dispensary shelves almost every day. Cannabis breeders work tirelessly to create the new “it” strain as consumers seek out the latest and loudest varieties. But despite the R&D happening at breakneck speeds, an old favorite stands the test of time when it comes to America’s most popular weed strains.

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GreenState reached out to cannabis e-commerce platform Jane Technologies and dispensary menu tracker Hoodie Analytics to see which cannabis variety is most sought-after by consumers. The companies both had the same answer: Blue Dream.

Blue Dream has been around since the early 2000s when Northern California breeders crossed DJ Short’s Blueberry with Haze. The sweet, berry flavor has been a favorite of smokers since thanks to its ethereal and euphoric effects.

blue dream popular weed strains
Blue Dream remains one of the most popular weed strains. Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN / Getty

However, the strain fuels a contentious debate within the cannabis community. Some connoisseurs believe Blue Dream is for noobs and that any true weed snob would have a more refined palate. Love it or hate it, the lasting power of the classic cultivar remains.

Interestingly, while Blue Dream is the most commonly searched strain on dispensary menus, it’s not always the strain people buy. According to the team at Jane, Animal Face is the variety customers typically purchase. A cross of Face Off OG and Animal Mints, the Emerald Cup-winning variety is a potent blast of menthol, fuel, and pine.

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Why do people end up going with Animal Face versus Blue Dream? It’s a good question. Perhaps they start searching for the familiar strain and discover the en-vogue variety when Blue Dream is unavailable. There’s also the fact that Animal Face is typically higher in THC than Blue Dream, a factor the majority of consumers consider when shopping at their local dispo—even though it doesn’t equate to quality.

Blue Dream has been a mainstay in the cannabis market for over twenty years. While other heavy hitters like Animal Face, GSC, Wedding Cake, and Runtz have definitely made their presence known, most consumers seem to start their shopping journeys with an old favorite.

rachelle gordon

Rachelle Gordon is a cannabis journalist, Emerald Cup judge, Budist critic, and editor of GreenState.com. She began her weed writing journey in 2015 and has been featured in High Times, CannabisNow, Beard Bros, MG, Skunk, and many others. Rachelle currently splits her time between Minneapolis and Oakland; her favorite cannabis cultivars include Silver Haze and Tangie. Follow Rachelle on Instagram @rachellethewriter