By: Tina Magrabi

What are the best marijuana strains for the new year? Perennial favorite marijuana strains like Acapulco Gold, White Widow, Green Crack, Pineapple Express, Sour Diesel, and Wedding Cake look to continue their popularity in 2022. Plus, there are new indica- and Sativa-dominant hybrid cannabis strains that are emerging all the time.

Learn more about the botanical science behind the cannabis plant as you discover the best strains for 2022.

What is a Cannabis Strain?

The term “strains” is a bit of a misnomer in this day and age, and it would be more accurate to call strains “cultivars” or “chemovars” (or “varietals”). Basically, marijuana plants are grown for a specific characteristic, in particular therapeutic cannabinoids and terpenes. Some therapeutic compounds are ideal for chronic pain, while others may have more energizing effects or help improve conditions like depression and insomnia.

Regardless of the terms used, we can all agree that the concept people are trying to convey is this: even though most cannabis strains are more similar than different, there are some varieties that have been curated and maintained for their unique cannabinoid, terpene, and growth profiles.

Once a person (grower) has released a cannabis strain with a unique profile, someone else picks up on it, and creates new twists on yesterday’s varieties by hybridizing it. Nature also likes variety, so even though cultivars breed for specific characteristics, there will always be variations in the gene pool. When people grow cannabis plants in the hundreds, you can find unique characteristics in some of them (e.g. unique growth patterns, different terpenes), and these can be used to create new strains as well.

We’ve rounded up the best weed strains for you to explore in the new year. Whether you’re a medical marijuana user seeking a mellow high or an energetic blast, here are five of the best cannabis strains to try in 2022.

Pink Rozay

Pink Rozay is an indica-dominant hybrid strain that has been reported as having relaxed, sleepy effects and a flavor profile similar to the fruitiness you’d expect from a glass of rosé wine. Pink Rozay was developed by Cookies founder Berner and rapper Rick Ross and has been well-received by patients throughout 2020 and 2021 thanks to its unique flavor profile and high THC content.

Apples and Bananas

Apples and Bananas is a strain developed in a collaboration with the aforementioned Cookies. The developers worked on several different cannabis varieties and crossed them together to create a new strain with a complex terpene profile that actually tastes like apples and bananas. This sweet strain is sure to be one of the most popular choices in any dispensary in 2022.

Peanut Butter Breath

We’ve had strains that taste like cherry pies, cakes, chocolate, and coffee, but what about that other favorite, protein-packed spread, peanut butter? Well, ThugPug Genetics has delivered, and this strain has been a favorite among patients since 2020 thanks to its peanutty flavor and relaxing, uplifting and euphoric effects.

Bonkers

Next Generation Seed’s Bonkers is a hardy variety that is great for growing either indoors or outdoors, and its quick flowering time is an added bonus for those seeking a plant that provides a powerful body stone in a relatively short amount of time. The fast flowering time makes Bonkers a good choice for beginner cannabis growers seeking to hone their skills.

Just to note that there is another strain called “Bonkers” by Exotic Genetix, which crosses Cookies & Cream with Lemon Tree. It is also a worthwhile strain worth trying.

Apple Fritter

There’s been a spate of apple- and dessert-tasting strains over the last few years, and Apple Fritter is another example of this trend. Cherry Pie is a popular strain, but some of us want something that tastes more like Apple Pie. Well, Apple Fritter by Lumpy Flowers is it and has a sweet and earthy profile with a taste of pastry (and even a hint of sweet and savory cheese). Apple Fritter has been reported as having a balanced, relaxed-uplifting effect.

These are just some of the strains to try in 2022. Also, be on the lookout for these hot cannabis strains:

• • Couch Lock: Highly sedating strain as the name implies.
  • Durban Poison: One of the strongest strains available.
  • Super Silver Haze: Known for its trippy euphoria effects.
  • Super Lemon Haze: Refreshing with a tart citrus aroma.
  • Strawberry Cough: Expansive with the taste of fresh strawberries picked from the patch.
  • Purple Punch: Sweet and sedating at the same time.
  • Lemon Skunk: Intensely potent with a hint of skunky aroma.
  • Gelato: Tasty hybrid of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.
  • Clementine: For orange lovers, a flavorful cross between Tangie and Lemon Skunk.

Source Article: https://leafwell.com/blog/best-marijuana-strains-summer/