How do you know which cannabis strain to choose at a dispensary?
Walk into any NYC cannabis dispensary and you’ll find familiar strains like OG Kush, Jack Herer, Runtz, and Gelato.
Every strain offers something different.
Here’s how to narrow down your choices.
Choosing the Best Cannabis Strain
The best way to choose a cannabis strain is to start with the aromas and flavors you enjoy.
Look at strains with similar genetics and compare products from reputable growers.
Pay attention to THC content, freshness, and flower quality.
Here are five things to look for:
- Start with your preferred flavors: Compare sweet, fruity, citrus, earthy, or gassy strains based on the aromas and flavors you enjoy.
- Compare THC and cannabinoid content: Choose a potency range you’re comfortable with. Higher THC doesn’t always mean better cannabis.
- Look past indica, sativa, and hybrid: These labels give general guidance but don’t reliably predict how a strain will affect you.
- Look at similar genetics: If you enjoy a strain, look for related strains with similar parent genetics.
- Pay attention to quality and cultivators: Compare brands, harvest dates, freshness, and product information to find cannabis flower that meets your expectations.
Categories of Cannabis Strains
Over time, growers cross different plants to create strains with unique characteristics.
One way to narrow down your choices is to look at the different families of cannabis strains.
Classic & Old-School Cannabis Strains
Strains like Northern Lights, White Widow, Jack Herer, and OG Kush have been staples for decades. Many became the genetic foundation for newer strains.
If you’ve enjoyed cannabis for years, you might recognize some of these names.
If you’re newer to cannabis, they’re a starting point for understanding the genetics behind many modern strains.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a classic indica strain known for its sweet, earthy, and spicy aroma.
It’s a popular option for those looking for a mellow, relaxing experience.
Many describe Northern Lights as calming, with a noticeable body high and feelings of sleepiness.
White Widow
White Widow is a classic hybrid strain.
It’s recognizable for its frosty, crystal-covered buds.
Many describe it as an uplifting, euphoric, and sociable strain.
Jack Herer
Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant strain known for its pine and herbal aromas.
It comes from Haze, Northern Lights, and Skunk genetics.
Many describe Jack Herer as energizing and creativity-enhancing.
OG Kush
OG Kush is one of the most influential cannabis strains to emerge from California’s cannabis scene.
Known for its blend of earthy, lemon, and fuel-like aromas, it helped establish the pungent flavor profile in many modern Kush strains.
It has a reputation for bringing euphoria, followed by sleepiness and an increased appetite.
Dessert & Sweet Cannabis Strains
California genetics like Cookies and Gelato helped create a new generation of cannabis known for creamy, sugary, and dessert-like aromas.
These strains influenced other popular strains like Runtz and Cereal Milk.
Dessert strains remind people of flavors resembling candy, vanilla, cream, and sweet fruit.
If you prefer sweeter, smoother-smelling strains over earthy or skunky cannabis, dessert strains are worth trying.
Runtz
Runtz is a popular hybrid strain created by crossing Zkittlez and Gelato.
It’s known for its sweet, candy-like aroma, with notes of tropical fruit, berries, and cream.
Many say Runtz brings an uplifting, euphoric, and relaxing feeling.
Gelato
Gelato is a California-bred hybrid created by crossing Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.
It brings notes of citrus, berries, and vanilla with earthy undertones.
Some say Gelato brings euphoric and relaxing feelings as well.
Cereal Milk
Cereal Milk is a hybrid strain developed from Y Life and Snowman genetics.
True to its name, it’s known for a sweet, creamy aroma.
Consumers describe Cereal Milk as a relaxing strain that brings a mellow body high.
Gassy & Pungent Cannabis Strains
You may have heard someone describe cannabis as gassy.
It’s a common term used to describe strains with fuel-like aromas.
These characteristics are recognizable through strains like OG Kush and Sour Diesel.
Gassy strains can have aromas resembling diesel fuel, skunk, earth, pine, or sharp citrus. Some combine these strong aromas with sweeter notes.
If you enjoy bold, pungent cannabis aromas, these strains are a good place to start.
Gorilla Glue (GG4)
Gorilla Glue, or Original Glue, is a potent hybrid strain that comes from Chem’s Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel genetics.
It’s known for its sticky, resin-covered buds and strong diesel-like aroma with earthy, sour, and piney notes.
MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies)
Miracle Alien Cookies (MAC) is a hybrid strain bred from Alien Cookies and Miracle 15 genetics.
It brings dense, frosty buds and a mix of citrus, sweet cream, earthy spice, and fuel-like notes.
Consumers describe MAC as uplifting, happy, and creative, with a balanced sense of relaxation.
Black Magic
Black Magic is a potent, indica-leaning strain from California-based Wizard Trees.
It stands out for it’s candy-soda sweetness and gassy undertones. The flavor resembles sweet citrus, cream, and kush with a slightly soapy aftertaste.
Consumers say Black Magic is a calming, euphoric, and body-heavy strain, with relaxing effects.
Fruity & Citrus Cannabis Strains
Some cannabis strains are known for aromas that resemble lemon, pineapple, berries, and other fruits.
These aromas come from terpenes and other compounds in cannabis.
Fruity and citrus strains are worth trying if you enjoy brighter, fruit-forward aromas rather than earthy or fuel-like ones.
Maui Wowie
Maui Wowie, a strain associated with Hawaii’s cannabis culture, has long been recognized for its tropical, pineapple-like characteristics.
Many describe Maui Wowie as uplifting and euphoric.
Super Lemon Haze
Super Lemon Haze became popular for its sharp citrus aromas.
Its a sativa-dominant hybrid cross between Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze.
Many say this strain brings mental stimulation and tangy flavor.
Where Do Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid Fit In?
Most NYC dispensaries classify cannabis strains as indica, sativa, or hybrid.
These labels don’t reliably predict how a strain will affect you.
Most modern strains have complex genetics. Strain effects vary from person to person.
Many cannabis shoppers choose to compare strain genetics and terpenes alongside these labels.
What to Look for When Choosing Cannabis Strains at Dispensaries
Strain names are a good starting point.
Experienced cannabis shoppers consider aroma, flavor, THC content, genetics, and the grower before purchasing.
Here are five things to consider when comparing cannabis strains at an NYC dispensary.
1. Start With Your Preferred Aromas and Flavors
The easiest ways to narrow down your options is to think about the cannabis strains you’ve enjoyed before.
Cannabis can have sweet, fruity, earthy, or gassy characteristics.
These aromas come from terpenes and other compounds that add to each strain’s profile.
If you enjoy the sweet, creamy characteristics of Gelato, you might also like Runtz or Cereal Milk.
If you prefer sharper citrus aromas, Super Lemon Haze or Jack Herer could be worth trying.
Pay attention to the characteristics you enjoy. Once you recognize your preferred flavor profiles, it becomes easier to find similar strains.
2. Avoid Choosing a Strain Based on THC Percentage
THC percentage tells you how much THC is present in cannabis flower by weight.
For example, flower labeled 25% THC contains approximately 250 milligrams of THC per gram.
A common assumption is that higher THC percentages mean better cannabis. A strain testing at 30% THC isn’t always better quality.
Cannabis also contains other cannabinoids, including CBD, which contribute to the product’s effects.
Your tolerance and the amount you consume can influence your experience.
Use THC percentage to find a potency range you’re comfortable with, but consider the other characteristics when comparing strains.
3. Use Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid Labels as a Starting Point
Most NYC dispensary menus organize cannabis strains into indica, sativa, and hybrid categories.
Indicas are associated with relaxing effects, sativas with more uplifting oness, and hybrids with characteristics of both.
These labels don’t tell you how a strain will affect you. Two products labeled hybrid can have very different characteristics.
For example, Gorilla Glue and Runtz are classify as hybrids, but they’re known for different flavor profiles and experiences.
Consider the individual strain and your previous experiences with similar products.
4. Shop Strains With Similar Genetics
Modern cannabis strains are created by crossing existing strains.
A strain’s parent genetics can help you find other strains with familiar flavors and aromas.
Runtz was developed by crossing Gelato and Zkittlez. It combines characteristics associated with Gelato’s creamy sweetness and Zkittlez’s candy-like profile.
Similarly, Super Lemon Haze comes from Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze genetics, helping explain its recognizable citrus and Haze characteristics.
Related strains won’t always taste, smell, or feel the same.
Different growing conditions and cultivation practices can produce differences.
If you already have a favorite strain, try using its parent genetics to find something new.
5. Pay Attention to the Brand and Cultivator
Two dispensaries might carry the same cannabis strain, but the flower is very different.
The grower plays a role in the finished product.
Cultivation methods, harvesting, drying, curing, and storage influence a strain’s appearance, aroma, freshness, and quality.
Experienced shoppers pay attention to the brands and growers they enjoy,
When comparing products, look at the cultivator, harvest or packaging dates, and available batch information.
How to Choose Fresh, High-Quality Cannabis Flower
The quality of the flower can make a big difference in your experience.
When shopping for cannabis flower at an NYC dispensary, here are a few things worth checking before making a purchase.
Check the Harvest and Packaging Dates
Cannabis flower can lose some of its flavor and moisture over time when exposed to heat, light, and air.
The harvest date tells you when the cannabis was collected. The packaging date tells you when it was placed into its final container.
Properly dried, cured, and stored cannabis can maintain its quality for months, so an older harvest date doesn’t automatically mean the product is poor quality.
When available, compare harvest and packaging dates to get a better understanding of the flower’s age.
The Appearance of Cannabis Buds
Look for buds with visible trichomes, the tiny resin-producing structures that give cannabis its frosty appearance.
Healthy flower can range from bright green to deep purple, with orange or reddish hairs called pistils.
Bud density varies by genetics. Some strains produce compact, dense buds, while others have a lighter, airier structure.
Watch for excessive crumbling, discoloration or visible signs of mold.
Look for Properly Trimmed and Cured Flower
After harvesting, cannabis flower is trimmed, dried, and cured before being packaged for sale.
Trimming removes excess leaves and stems from the buds.
Drying and curing help reduce excess moisture.
Well-cured cannabis feels slightly springy rather than wet or brittle.
Shop at Dispensaries Known for Carrying Quality Cannabis Brands
Where you shop can be just as important as which strain you choose.
A good cannabis dispensary should offer brands known for producing quality flower.
Look for dispensaries that carry a variety of growers, offer different strains and price points, and provide clear product information, including THC content, genetics, and packaging dates.
Dispensary staff can help you compare brands, explain differences between strains, and recommend products based on your preferences.
Cannabis Strains at Chrome Flwrs
If you’re shopping for cannabis strains in North Brooklyn, Chrome Flwrs is a licensed cannabis dispensary located at 185 Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint.
We offer strains like OG Kush, Gorilla Glue, Runtz, Gelato, Jack Herer, and many others.
You’ll find different strains available across cannabis flower, pre-rolls, vapes, and concentrates.
Visit our dispensary to learn about different strains and get help from our team.
Browse our online menu to compare available strains and brands. Place an order for pickup or order cannabis delivery in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.