Everything You Need to Know About the Sour Diesel Weed Strain

Can’t tell the difference between Blue Dream and Purple Urkle? Wondering what exactly’s in the Girl Scout Cookies you just smoked? We've created detailed profiles for each of the most popular, sought-after weed strains, in order to help cannabis users everywhere understand the different plants they’re smoking, eating, or otherwise consuming. Up next: Sour Diesel.
 

A complicated mix of Chemdog ‘91, Super Skunk, Northern Lights, Hawaiian, and a strain known for being passed at Washington DC’s Grateful Dead shows in 1990-1991 known as the “RFK Skunk.” Phew, this thing's worse than a show dog...
 

Perhaps the East Coast’s most notable claim to cannabis fame, Sour Diesel originated with a guy known as “Weasel” in Staten Island, NY, where it has been grown in mass quantities since the early '90s. Years later, it’s become an oft-imitated, certified cannabis classic, and remains one of the most beloved varieties among veteran smokers across the country.

Very high (25%+)
 

Sour D is extremely strong, one of the certified “bell ringers” that will turn even the most experienced smoker into a squinty-eyed, laughing shell of their former self. The first 30 minutes or so are known for being a bit racy, showing its sativa influences with a rush of random brain activity; this is the type of strain that will have you frantically searching the house for the sunglasses that are on sitting your head. Most times it will have you laughing at anything and demolishing all snacks within walking distance for a solid two hours. It's traditionally an “up then down” type of strain, with a flurry of mental energy early fading into a placid, red-eyed relaxation that leads perfectly into sleep.

Legit Sour D has a looser structure (like the pic above, which is straight from the guy who popularized the stuff) and is light in color, with peach-pink hairs and an unmistakable funky smell. If it doesn’t stink through two sandwich bags, it’s not proper Sour!

One of the most pungent strains in the weed world, Sour D is infamous for being noticeable through any bag or container, with its acrid smell a blend of kerosene, citrus, and skunk.

Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.

Ry Prichard is a Denver-based cannabis photographer and researcher who smells strongly of the strain you just read about at least twice a week. Follow him deep into the weed jungles of Colorado @cannabisencyclo.