In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 best weed strains for focus and creativity. If you’re also interested in reading about where you can legally smoke ganja in 2024, here are the 24 States that Legalized Recreational Weed in the US.
The history of the cannabis industry is riddled with changes and conflicting legislation. The international media has played an important role in shifting perspectives and today, we are watching the slow and steady change of mainstream opinion to consider cannabis one of the more harmless – and probably even potentially beneficial – drugs still considered largely illegal. As perspectives change, we can also expect the laws to follow suit eventually.
Global Cannabis Market:
As we mentioned in our article – 20 Best Cannabis Strains for Anxiety and Stress Relief – the global cannabis market was valued at $47.32 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand from $57.18 billion in 2023 to $444.34 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 34% during the forecast period.
Marijuana legalization is gaining momentum around the globe, driven primarily by the increasing recognition that the product may have a range of legitimate medicinal benefits and therapeutic applications. It is the most widely cultivated, trafficked, and consumed drug worldwide.
Easing Federal Restrictions:
It was announced on the 16th of May that the US Justice Department has officially proposed a new rule that would reclassify marijuana from a ‘Schedule I’ drug, which includes heroin and LSD, to a less tightly regulated ‘Schedule III’ drug, which includes ketamine and some anabolic steroids. The decision marks a major policy shift by the federal government and while it would neither make the substance legal nor decriminalize it on a federal level, it would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge that it has less potential for abuse than the many more harmful drugs. The change would also open more doors to conduct research on marijuana.
Another significant benefit of the reclassification is that it could add fresh arguments for supporters of ballot measures seeking to legalize cannabis in states where it is still illegal. An example of this is Florida, where voters will decide on a constitutional amendment allowing recreational weed this November.
But perhaps the ones benefiting the most from this change are cannabis companies, which after the rescheduling would no longer have to follow tax provisions under a rule called 280E, which prevents them from taking standard business tax deductions. As a result, several marijuana stocks posted solid gains following the announcement.
Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ:CGC) engages in the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabinoid-based products for both recreational and medical purposes. Following the announcement on May 16th, shares of Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ:CGC) reached a high of $11.95 and closed at $11, roughly 11% over the previous day’s close. The stock has gained approximately 77% since the beginning of the year and was held by 6 hedge funds in the Insider Monkey database at the end of Q1 2024, with a collective stake value of $4.13 million.
Similarly, Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) – a craft beer and cannabis company that was among the first to be licensed for medical cannabis in Canada – also saw its share price move up by 6.3% following the important announcement on May 16th. A day later, the company announced that it had filed for the sale of up to $250 million worth of its common stock through an at-the-market equity program. Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) plans to use proceeds from the sale to fund acquisitions or investments, including potential purchases of assets in the U.S. ‘in order to capitalize on expected regulatory advancements or expansion opportunities’.
Another industry giant, Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., has also stated that it would save more than $150 million in 2024 taxes if 280E is eliminated.
Both Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ:CGC) and Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) are ranked among the Biggest Marijuana Companies in the World.
State of the Cannabis Black Market:
In countries where recreational cannabis is still illegal, the black market steps in to fill the void. According to a report by the Institute of Economic Affairs, the cannabis black market in the U.K. is worth around $3.3 billion, with 255 tonnes of product sold to about 3 million users every year. The report concludes that if marijuana were legalized in the country, the tax revenues alone, before considering savings to public services, could exceed $1.27 billion a year.
Also across the United States, thriving, unregulated cannabis businesses are threatening to undercut legal markets awaiting banking and tax reform. A report by Whitney Economics has revealed that around 75% of the U.S. cannabis market is illicit sales. The black market doesn’t have to pay taxes and it isn’t limited by state lines, two huge headaches for legalized businesses.
New York is particularly enticing for the illegal cannabis business. That’s partly due to the problematic rollout of legal adult-use cannabis, with critics saying excessive regulations and a complicated licensing process have stymied legitimate efforts. According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the number of illegal dispensaries in the Big Apple alone is estimated to be around 1,500.
Things aren’t much different on the other side of the country either. In California – the Largest Cannabis Market in the World – there is a thriving black market that greatly benefits from the restrictions on their licensed competitors, such as sky-high taxes and the fact that only about 40% of local jurisdictions in the Golden State permit cannabis stores, despite state-level legalization since 2016. Last year alone, California’s Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce served more than 300 search warrants on unlicensed operations across the state.
But let’s not forget that the black market is often awash with high-strength, hazardous products and can pose a serious risk to consumer health, as well as the progress of the legal cannabis industry.
With that said, here are the Top Strains for Focus and Creativity in 2024.
A close-up of a package of cannabis accessories, displayed on a brightly-lit retail shelf.
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we referred to sources such as Leafly, Cannabis Business Times, High Times, and Reddit etc., looking for the Best Weed Strains to Boost Focus and Creativity. To make sure we only give you the best of the best, we picked strains that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score of 1 each time they were recommended on these websites, and then summed up the scores and ranked our list accordingly. When two or more strains had the same score, we ranked them by the number of upvotes they received on Reddit.
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20. Harle-Tsu
Insider Monkey Score: 2
A short, stout, and Sativa-dominant strain, Harle-Tsu is created through a cross of the infamous Harlequin and Sour Tsunami strains. With a CBD content that typically falls between 13-18%, this strain comes with a clear-headed high that can help you calm your mind and increase focus, making it one of the Best Strains of Weed for Overthinkers.
19. Jillybean
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Also known as Jilly Bean, this is a Sativa-dominant hybrid bred by crossing Orange Velvet and Space Queen. Because JB has been known to lower stress levels, it is the ideal strain for staying calm, happy, focused, and getting things done while high.
18. Harlequin
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Developed primarily from Colombian Gold, a Nepali Indica, and Swiss and Thai Sativas, Harlequin is a strain that has gained notoriety for its elevated CBD content and induces a very mellow, yet uplifting and happy high. This award-winning medical marijuana strain is an excellent option when you need to get things done but are distracted by many possibilities, putting it among the Best Strains for Focus and Productivity.
17. Girl Scout Cookies
Insider Monkey Score: 3
GSC is an award-winning hybrid strain that has taken the cannabis world by storm, both in the U.S. and internationally. Made from a legendary cross of OG Kush and Durban Poison, this potent strain can inspire artistic endeavors and promote a sense of heightened mental clarity.
Among our list of mostly Sativas, Girl Scout Cookies is a Great Indica-Dominant Strain for Creativity.
16. Lucid Blue
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Lucid Blue is an extremely potent Sativa (80% Sativa, 20% Indica) that will bring your thoughts to a new level of consciousness. As the name suggests, Lucid Blue offers mental clarity and lucidity, and is highly recommended when it comes to focus and concentration.
15. Gelato
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Placed among the Best Weed Strains to Try in 2024, Gelato or Larry Bird is a hybrid cross between Thin Mint Cookies and Sunset Sherbet. Renowned for its harmonious blend of euphoria and relaxation, this evenly balanced strain has carved out a distinct niche in the pantheon of cannabis varieties.
14. Kali Mist
Insider Monkey Score: 3
With 90% Sativa genetics, Kali Mist is arguably the top Sativa strain available on the market today, hence it is also often known as the ‘Queen of Sativas’. This award-winning strain is known to deliver clear-headed, energetic effects that can give you an enhanced sense of motivation, creativity, and productivity.
13. Purple Haze
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Popularized by Jimi Hendrix’s classic song, Purple Haze is another Sativa-dominant strain (60% Sativa, 40% Indica) that delivers a dreamy burst of euphoric creativity through its blend of soaring mental energy and body relaxation.
12. Strawberry Cough
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Strawberry Cough is a potent Sativa strain known for its fresh smell of strawberries and high THC content. Thought to be a cross between Strawberry Fields and an unknown Haze, SC is an excellent weed strain for a mind high and can provide some euphoric effects, leading to an enhanced level of energy and creativity.
11. Lemon Cake
Insider Monkey Score: 5
A cross between Lemon Skunk and Cheese, this powerful and top-quality strain is Sativa-dominant, with an aroma that lives up to its name. Other than helping people relax in social situations, Lemon Cake is also reported to provide a burst of creative energy and focus, giving you that pick-me-up when you need it.
10. Amnesia Haze
Insider Monkey Score: 5
This well-known, smooth, and zesty strain carries the good qualities of both Indica and Sativa, making you feel as if your mind is on a creative journey. Famous all over the world, Amnesia Haze earned first place in the 2004 Cannabis Cup and the 2012 Sativa Cup.
9. Super Silver Haze
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Super Silver Haze is a crossing between Haze, Northern Lights 5, and Skunk 1. This legendary Sativa dominant strain is an award-winning hybrid that offers an energizing, euphoric high while also providing a sense of mental calmness that allows for optimal free thinking.
8. Chemdawg
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Also known as Chemdog, this well-balanced strain has become quite popular over the past few years for its high THC content and pungent smell. Chemdawg is an extremely potent strain that often leads to an intensely cerebral high and boosts you far into the realm of creativity.
7. Tangerine Dream
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Produced by the illustrious Barney’s Farm from Amsterdam, Tangerine Dream is an award-winning, Sativa-dominant strain that was created by crossbreeding G13, Afghani, and Neville’s A5 Haze. Its buzz is described as being focused and meditative, making it an ideal strain for the artist within.
6. Super Lemon Haze
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Super Lemon Haze is a Sativa-dominant, two-time Cannabis Cup winner bred by crossing Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze. As implied by the name, this variety possesses distinct lemony qualities. Thanks to its euphoric and uplifting effects and its ability to inspire and relax, SLH is one of the Best Strains for Musicians.
5. Green Crack
Insider Monkey Score: 8
One of the Most Popular Cannabis Strains in the market, Green Crack or ‘Green Crush’ and ‘Mango Crack’ is favored by smokers all around the globe for its potency and flavor. The Sativa-dominant strain is known for its energy-boosting effects and can help you stay focused for longer periods, making it one of the Best Weed Strains for Studying.
4. Durban Poison
Insider Monkey Score: 9
Widely regarded as one of the Best Weed Strains of All Time, Durban Poison is a pure Sativa variety that originates from the coastal city of Durban, South Africa. It is a perfect option for smokers who are looking for a daytime strain that will give them the energy they need to get through the day. With a high THC content ranging from 20-25%, DP delivers a cerebral high that sparks inspiration and enhances focus.
3. Blue Dream
Insider Monkey Score: 13
Considered by many as a top-shelf strain, Blue Dream is a highly popular Sativa-dominant hybrid created from a cross between two well-loved and potent strains – Blueberry and Haze – creating an ideal balance for both recreational and medicinal use. A handful of accolades, including 1st place in the ‘Sativa’ and ‘Outdoor’ categories at the Cannabis Cup, have earned this variety an unwavering legendary status in the international cannabis community.
With its mid-range potency, Blue Dream induces a happy, uplifted, and euphoric cerebral high that is perfect for nourishing the creative inside you and for smoking away your social anxiety.
2. Sour Diesel
Insider Monkey Score: 14
Created by an accidental pollination of a Chemdawg 91 by Super Skunk, Sour Diesel is a prolific Sativa-dominant strain that packs quite a punch. Its energizing and uplifting properties have provided a source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and creatives alike.
In the world of weed, few sativa hybrids are as sought after, as legendary, and as delightfully pungent as Sour D, firmly placing it among the Top 5 Weed Strains for Creativity.
1. Jack Herer
Insider Monkey Score: 15
Named to honor the famed American cannabis activist who dedicated his life to raising awareness about the benefits of both marijuana and hemp, Jack Herer is a Sativa-dominant strain created from the incredible crossing between Northern Lights #5, Shiva Skunk, and Haze.
Developed by Sensi Seeds, JH has been dubbed a great wake-and-bake strain, giving you a balanced high that keeps you feeling relaxed and inspired throughout the day.
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