Top Cannabis Strains of the Year
Quick answer: There’s no single official “best strain,” but the closest thing to a yearly title is Leafly’s Strain of the Year. The winners so far: Gelato (2018), Wedding Cake (2019), Runtz (2020), Dosidos (2021), Jealousy (2022), Permanent Marker (2023), Super Boof (2024) and Hash Burger (2025). Classics like Northern Lights, Sour Diesel and Jack Herer still sit on menus everywhere. The best strain for you is the one whose lab profile matches the effects you want.
Key takeaways
- Strain popularity shifts every year, driven by new crosses and dispensary demand.
- Recent winners are mostly dessert-flavored, high-THC hybrids.
- Classic strains stay popular because growers and shoppers know what to expect from them.
- The same strain name can test very differently from one grower to the next.
- Pick by THC, CBD and terpenes on the lab label, then use the strain name as a tiebreaker.
What was the strain of the year for each year?
Leafly, one of the largest cannabis strain databases, has named a Strain of the Year since 2018:
| Year | Strain of the Year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Hash Burger |
| 2024 | Super Boof |
| 2023 | Permanent Marker |
| 2022 | Jealousy |
| 2021 | Dosidos |
| 2020 | Runtz |
| 2019 | Wedding Cake |
| 2018 | Gelato |
Each of these started as a buzzy new cross and ended up on menus nationwide. Gelato, Wedding Cake, Runtz and Dosidos in particular have become modern staples you’ll find in almost any legal market.
What makes a cannabis strain one of the best?
A strain earns a top spot through a mix of things: a memorable aroma and flavor, consistent effects, strong potency, and genetics that growers can reproduce reliably. Its terpene profile, the aromatic compounds that shape smell and taste, does a lot of the work. Shopper demand matters too. A strain only becomes a classic if people keep buying it.
What are the best classic indica strains?
Indica strains are sold for relaxing, evening use. Three classics that never seem to leave the menu:
- Granddaddy Purple: grape and berry aroma with a heavy, calming finish. Often rich in myrcene.
- Northern Lights: a legendary resinous indica known for full-body relaxation.
- Black Kush: earthy and piney, aimed at experienced users who want something heavy.
What are the best classic sativa strains?
Sativas are sold for daytime energy and focus:
- Sour Diesel: unmistakable fuel aroma and a fast, energetic effect, often with lots of limonene.
- Green Crack: a sharp, clear-headed daytime strain despite the name.
- Jack Herer: named after the famous cannabis activist and author, with a piney, herbal profile that often features terpinolene.
What are the best hybrid strains?
Hybrid strains dominate today’s market, and most recent award winners are hybrids:
- Gelato: sweet and creamy, with a balanced, euphoric effect.
- Wedding Cake: sweet, tangy and potent, leaning relaxing.
- Zkittlez: fruity, candy-like aroma with a mellow, happy effect.
- Runtz: sugary fruit flavor and a smooth, social high.
Why does the same strain feel different from different shops?
Strain names aren’t regulated, and growers select different phenotypes and grow them in different conditions. A large study of commercial cannabis found that some strain names were chemically consistent while others varied widely, and that indica, sativa and hybrid labels didn’t line up with the samples’ actual terpene profiles. Two jars of “Wedding Cake” can smell and feel quite different.
How do you choose the best strain for you?
- Pick an effect first: sleep, calm, focus, social energy or pain relief.
- Read the lab label: THC and CBD levels plus the top terpenes.
- Match potency to experience: if you’re new to cannabis, start with lower-THC flower or a balanced THC:CBD strain.
- Buy small: an eighth is enough to know whether a strain works for you.
- Track results: note the strain, grower and how it felt.
Looking for something off the beaten path? See Rare and Exotic Cannabis Strains: Unveiling Hidden Treasures.
FAQ
What was the best weed strain of 2024?
Leafly named Super Boof its 2024 Strain of the Year.
What was the best weed strain of 2023?
Permanent Marker took Leafly’s 2023 Strain of the Year.
What is the strain of the year for 2025?
Hash Burger is Leafly’s 2025 Strain of the Year.
What is the most popular strain of all time?
There’s no official count, but names like Sour Diesel, OG Kush, Blue Dream, Girl Scout Cookies and Northern Lights have been menu staples for decades.
Is the highest-THC strain the best?
Not necessarily. Very high THC can bring more anxiety and tolerance. Terpenes and dose shape the experience as much as THC percentage does.
Sources
- Leafly, Leafly Strain of the Year winners.
- Smith CJ, Vergara D, Keegan B, Jikomes N. The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLOS ONE, 2022. PMC9119530.
The information contained in this blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Read our full disclaimer.
