Haze, Skunk, Kush – Which Is The Best?

First things first, my name is Nelly Drummond, editor at High Committee, and general dogsbody over at UKCC. I am STOKED to be offered the opportunity to write an article for HighAndPolite – I’m an avid reader and huge fan – thank you for having me!

Are you new to the many benefits of cannabis? Seen these words come up and aren’t quite sure what they mean? Never fear – even some experienced smokers don’t know the difference.

Contrary to the days when UK streets were dominated by oldskool hash in the 90s and maybe a couple of different flower strains into the early 2000s, it doesn’t take long for people to see just how many strains are available today – the genetic library is VAST – at the time of writing, Weedmaps list 2474 individual strains – each with their own flavours, effects and terpene profiles.

Some cannabis varieties stand out from the rest in this sea of options. For cannabis beginners and experienced users alike, the terms “Skunk,” “Kush,” and “Haze” appear often, not only in dispensaries but in online cannabis forums, communities and from fellow cannabis enthusiasts.

If you want to learn more, read on! You’ll find out what makes Kush, Skunk and Haze special, their distinct backgrounds, and some of the top strains within each of their genetic profiles. 

Skunk cult classics

While many in the UK use the term Skunk as a name used to describe any potent cannabis strains, in actuality, Skunk is one of the first hybrids ever bred. The variation of Skunk and the fact that many modern strains have THC levels that are far higher than those of just a decade ago appear to have been confused at some point in the past by a journalist.

‘Skunk’ refers to a particular hybrid strain that is descended from various global landrace genomes. Breeders utilised this variation – officially known as Skunk #1, to produce hundreds of new breeds with Skunk genetics. The name of this strain comes from the animal it is named after.

Skunk terpenes have been compared by some cannabis users to the aroma emitted from the back of the black and white animal. It makes sense that the term “skunk” is also used by the media and other cannabis consumers to characterise potent and pungent cannabis in general.

Skunk characteristics

What makes Skunk so unique, then? Why has it grown to such heights in the cannabis industry? And why did so many breeders decide to create new cultivars using this strain?

Skunk provides a well-rounded package of phytochemicals, trustworthy genetics, and mouth-watering flavours. This strain is slightly indica-dominant and has an indica-style morphology. It has dense foliage, thick-fingered fan leaves, and a compact, bushy growth pattern.

Skunk strains generally have high THC content on average, but this might change depending on nutrition and lighting. They are also generally rich in myrcene, a terpene responsible for the cultivar’s calming benefits. When you’ve finished all of your day’s activities in the late afternoon and early evening, a well-cultivated skunk strain is a fantastic choice for smoking.

The origins of ‘Skunk’

Skunk has had a huge impact on UK cannabis culture having been hugely popular throughout the 90s and early 2000s right up until today – but where exactly does this legendary cannabis variety come from?

Skunk has quite an impressive past. It first appeared in the United States during the 1970s. At the time, most of the cannabis within the country arrived as imports from other nations. Much of the flowers came through the southern border, including huge amounts of the Mexican variety Acapulco Gold, as well as Colombian Gold from Colombia.

Although the exact truth behind the origins of Skunk #1 remains fairly obscure, the story goes that a breeder by the name of Sam the Skunkman created the first generation of this variety by crossing Colombian Gold, Acapulco Gold, and Afghani #1.

Sam then headed for Amsterdam, the cannabis hotspot of Europe, in 1983. Here, he teamed up with innovative breeders in the country. Together, they perfected Skunk #1 and made it into the strain we know today.

Recommended ‘Skunk’ strains

• Lemon Skunk

Look into the Lemon Skunk cannabis strain if you want a more well-rounded experience. It demonstrates how adaptable its parent strain is because it is the offspring of two different phenotypes of Skunk #1. A 60/40 sativa-dominated strain with a well-balanced high is the result. Additionally strong, her THC levels often reach levels of up to 19%.

It was especially cultivated to highlight the citrus notes and reduce the skunkiness of the Skunk genetics. Skunky undertones are still present, but the vibrant citrus aroma is much stronger. Additionally, the flavour is sweeter and has a grapefruit terpene profile.

This plant is also simple to grow. It takes just 8 to 9 weeks to mature indoors, or early October if you decide to grow it outdoors. Make sure you have space for upward growth because this plant does prefer to grow tall. In any other case, simply providing it with light and low humidity will result in yields of up to 18 ounces per square metre.

• Super Skunk

If you’re looking for a tried-and-true strain, Super Skunk is one of the top strains in terms of flavour, aroma and potent effects.

To produce a plant that was exceptionally potent and versatile, it is believed to have been crossed with a landrace Afghani indica along with the strain we know is directly connected: Skunk#1. Super Skunk cannabis is an 80/20 indica-dominant strain with a typical THC content of 20%.

It’s really an ideal smoke if you’re feeling creative – perhaps a good time to write an article for High & Polite? 😉

It has the aroma and taste of Skunk #1 – not surprising given it’s a direct ancestor. Some compare the aroma to rotten cheese or a type of musty mushrooms. The flavour blends in and comes off mostly savoury, however, there’s enough of a sweet citrus flavour to keep the experience very well-rounded.

Even for novice growers, growing Super Skunk is a dream come true. Super Skunk is simple to raise and resistant to most pests and issues. That is why it is so fantastic. It takes just eight weeks to mature indoors, or late September if grown outdoors.

For such a powerful plant, yields can be as high as 20 ounces per square metre. You may also try Super Skunk for simple at-home grows. Although less potent, they are simpler to produce indoors or in climates with limited outdoor growing seasons. Both approaches result in small, bushy plants.

• Island Sweet Skunk

If you want a skunk cannabis strain that packs a seriously sativa punch, you have one perfect choice: Island Sweet Skunk. The result is an 80/20 sativa-dominant strain with a peppy, energetic high. Unlike the standard skunk weed effects, there’s no chance of couchlock.

This strain is the offspring of Skunk #1, Sweet Skunk, and an unknown sativa. The combination is a delicious strain that can lift moods and help depression with its 20% THC content.

Island Sweet Skunk is a tasty, tropical concoction that’s heavily sweet and just a little skunky. The flavour is citrusy with a hint of pineapple, and the skunky effect adds a pleasant depth.

Just like other Skunk strains, Island Sweet Skunk is a sweetheart to grow. It’s easily able to handle wet climates, and it’s another quick grow. Look for harvests around 10 weeks in. It’s a tall strain, so many growers prefer to keep it outside. That will help it produce the yields it’s known for – up to 22 ounces per plant outdoors or 17 per square metre inside.

Skunk strains are perfect for people who want to keep things simple. They’re potent, they’re productive, and they’re easy.

Kush: fruity and soul-soothing

When you first join a cannabis community or forum, you’ll notice Skunk gets mentioned far less than the word: ‘Kush’.

Some of the most well-known strains in the world are Kush descendants and have won tons of cannabis contests around the globe – most notably Cookies Kush of Barneys Farm, Reserva Prevada OG Kush, and Dinafem’s Purple Afghan Kush.

For decades, smokers in the West have enjoyed the deeply calming and uplifting benefits of these strains, which fall into the stoning indica end of the spectrum. For perhaps thousands of years, humans lived alongside the Kush landrace’s ancestral home in the Himalayas.

‘Kush’ characteristics

The distinctive characteristics of Kush cannabis strains indicate that they are members of the same family. A cultivar with significant Kush genetics will typically have a recognizable look, smell, flavour, and effect.

Kush blossoms are frequently hefty, thick, and dense. Their pistils come in a range of hues, from vivid and bright oranges and yellows to rust bronze and deep greens.

These buds have a particular scent as well. During the blossoming stage, these flowers’ numerous trichomes put forth a lot of effort to produce terpenes, which combine to produce the aromas of wine, flowers, diesel, earthiness, and citrus. As the smoke is inhaled and touches the taste buds, these terpenes also produce exquisite flavours.

Kush tastes fantastic, for sure, but what about its effects? A physical body high that melts the muscles is offered by kush strains. These flowers provide a comfortable and agreeable high without overwhelming the user, with THC levels often averaging approximately 18% – enough for even veteran smokers to get sent off to dreamland.

High myrcene concentrations combine with the psychoactive cannabinoid to increase drowsiness. When ingested as an edible, this phytochemical concoction offers a crazy trip in addition to being pleasant to smoke. These dishes have a mouth-watering flavour and give off a powerful high that lasts for several hours.

The origins of ‘Kush’

Kush has a long and fascinating history, just like other renowned cannabis strains. The Hindu Kush region of the Himalayas is where the legend of Kush begins. Afghanistan, India, and China are among the nations that make up this region’s borders; these countries have a long history of using the herb.

In this area, the Kush landrace spontaneously evolved. Natural inbreeding over many generations produced resilient and dependable genetics that are now prized by cannabis breeders all over the world.

Kush genetics were transported to the west as a result of the fabled Hippie Trail. From the middle of the 1950s through the late 1970s, a lot of people in the hippie subculture travelled overland.

These ‘peace and love’ fellows, travelled from Europe to India, Nepal, and Thailand, seeking out fresh cultural encounters, mystical religious elements, and amazing cannabis! They all ended up taking cannabis seeds with them, including some Hindu Kush seeds.

Breeders were captivated by the durability of these strong genetics when these seeds arrived in the US. The strain’s indica genetics also allowed it to flower far faster than the prevalent sativa strains of the era.

Best ‘Kush’ cannabis strains:

• OG Kush

OG Kush, the most famous, is in our opinion supreme among all other Kush strains. O G Kush, purportedly a cross between Pakistani Kush, Lemon Thai, and Chemdawg, is connoisseur-level cannabis.

OG Kush is a living legend thanks to its 20%+ THC content from bright green sticky buds that strike you like a one-two punch of energising sativa effects followed by narcotic indica effects. OG Kush is a cut above the rest, receiving high marks from critics and being adored by smokers across the globe.

• Hindu Kush

Hindu Kush, generally grown in the mountains of India, when genuinely untouched by present crossings is sought after as prized breeding stock. The original enigmatic cannabis strain from the Hindu Kush Mountains is called Hindu Kush. These ancient landrace genetics have served as the foundation for entire seed banks.

Hindu Kush is a small, hardy, and strong plant that is very simple to grow and needs very little fertiliser. grows even from seed like a clone. Indoor and outdoor covert balcony grows for Made for SOG. She only has to blossom for 7 weeks before being ready for harvest. To release the traditional earthy, hash, and sandalwood fragrances, organic soil cropping is strongly advised. This strain is an old-school chill-out blend that is highly soothing but not overpowering.

• Afghan Kush

Arguably the strain that sparked what was to become the ‘kush of today’ was Afghan Kush. These genetic materials purportedly came from Afghanistan right before the Soviet invasion in 1979the late 70s. Numerous elite phenotypes and hybrids that have been stabilized into new strains may be traced back to landrace Afghan Kush genetics.

Exceptionally powerful even by the extremely high THC standards of today. The cannabis from this vintage hash producers variety is still some of the stickiest available. When cultivated indoors, plants are often just 60–90 cm tall and almost as wide. No training or trimming is necessary.

Outdoors In regions with a Mediterranean climate, absolute beasts can be cultivated at well over 2 meters. Some people may find the smoke to be a little harsh and hashy. Remember that this is OG classic Charras material. Make room in the grow room for this straight-up veteran in the game.

Haze: uplifting sativas full of creative energy.

This triad of classic cannabis strains is completed by Haze. Breeders in the United States also gave rise to this equally adored family of cannabis, just like they did with the other two types listed above. The UK is sadly many steps behind in that regard.

Compared to the other two cannabis varieties, haze offers something a little bit unique. Haze has an energizing sativa kick in contrast to their stoning tendency. Haze energizes the body and mind rather than stoning the body and making the user drowsy, making lounging on the couch virtually undesirable.

There’s a huge selection of haze genetics on the shelves, whether you’re in a California dispensary, a coffee shop in the Netherlands, or even just browsing online cannabis websites – and for good reason: they can provide incredibly upbeat and uplifting cultivars.

The characteristics of ‘Haze’

Compared to their indica brethren, haze cannabis strains grow much taller because she is a sativa-dominant hybrid. Indoor plants can be trained to grow to a moderate height by growers, but given enough space, she is readily capable of climbing up to 300 cm.

Additionally, colas from haze plants are higher and thinner. These trichome-covered pillar-like structures occupy huge, open canopies.

Her towering colas are full of sweet and citrus terpenes, which give this high energizing and cognitive qualities. They produce a focused, joyful, and frequently euphoric effect when combined with THC levels of 16%.

The origins of ‘Haze’

In California, two gifted breeders created Haze. R. Haze and J. Haze, two brothers, crossed landraces from Mexico and Colombia to produce the hybrid in 1972.

Over numerous generations of breeding, they eventually eliminated the offspring until they were left with what they named Original Haze. This strain gave them the cerebral and mentally active high they were seeking and it was smothered in wonderful terpenes.

Best ‘Haze’ strains:

• (Original) Haze

All hail the legendary creators of Haze in 1974: ‘The Haze Brothers’ and ‘Sam The Skunkman’ from Santa Cruz, California. Although Haze is not a pure sativa, it is a genetic cornerstone of modern cannabis, due to the way it expresses sativa effects – euphoria, energy, and at times wonderful creativity. Expect cherry and lemon aromas as well as an earthy exhalation.

• Super Lemon Haze

Because of its energetic head high, varsity stoners frequently refer to Super Lemon Haze as a midday strain. The majority of users report that this strain gives them the kind of brisk, ecstatic mental and elastic physical highs that can make them genuinely excited about cleaning, errands, and other types of daily tedium.

With an 80:20 sativa/indica genetic split, Super Lemon Haze’s genetics mix Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze. The resulting flowers have a strong scent, are extensively sugared, and are resin-dense. You may anticipate a zesty scent and a clean, lemony exit.

• Blue Haze

Blue Haze, also known as Blueberry Haze, is an indica-dominant hybrid, in contrast to the other haze strains on our list. Its supporters frequently speak of its very relaxing, calming, and psychoactive properties. A small percentage of consumers may experience an intense high due to the intricacy of this cultivar. Oh, right.

The genetics of Blue Haze resemble a shady love triangle. It is a cross between the traditional indica Blueberry and either Amnesia Haze or Super Silver Haze, depending on the grower. The end product is a blossom that is thick, white, and richly laced with orange hairs. Expect a berry sweet aroma and a peppery finish on the exhale.

Skunk VS Haze VS Kush: Which is the best?

Well, it depends! Each of us has our personal preferences. Some people adore nothing more than to sink into their favourite TV show while curled up on the couch with a good indica. Others, on the other hand, are quite the opposite and would rather be using a potent sativa to surf or hike through the woods.

Both Skunk and Kush cannabis strains provide a powerful body high that calms the body, sharpens the mind, and increases hunger, making the pair of them great for chilling out at home, or having people over to chill out! They’re also ideal for indoor growers because of their small stature, especially for covert gardeners.  

The effects of haze cannabis strains vary quite a bit – if you like to smoke during the day while remaining active and functional, there’s a high chance you’ll love haze strains which are generally regarded as a great evening smoke. When given plenty of outdoor space, these plants flourish. Plant them in beds and watch as they grow to great heights and yield enormous quantities.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article – and maybe even learned a thing or two! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment and I will certainly respond! Thanks for reading!

Guest author,
Nelly Drummond,

High Committee Editor

https://www.high-committee.co.uk/