Snoop Dogg gives this strain a new name for its speedy effects, but along with it follows a bold stigma.
You may have heard of a particular strain of weed called Green Crack. It’s famous for a reason: the sativa-heavy, extremely potent flower is a favorite of the eminent rapper and marijuana aficionado Snoop Dogg. He’s the one who coined the strain “Green Crack.” As the legend goes, the strain was originally called Green Cush, but when Snoop Dogg tried it, he felt so energized, he decided it needed a new name. These days, Green Crack is viewed as the perfect daytime buzz.
![Macro shot of the top of a green crack cannabis plant that has purple leaves, and pale green nuggets with long, orange hairs popping out]()
Green Crack, previously called Green Cush, has become a favorite among cannabis consumers. Green Cush, as it was originally called, was developed in 1990. People within the cannabis industry believe it’s bred from
Skunk No. 1, a weed strain that came about in the 1970s from the Netherlands. That, they think, must have been combined with an
Afghani cannabis strain. Together, those two strains make what the Rolling Stone called “the cannabis equivalent to a strong cup of coffee” when it named Green Crack one of the
5 best strains of 2017. “It’s a formidable daytime smoking option,” the magazine added.
Negative Connotations
Snoop Dogg isn’t the first to have thrown the term “crack” around lightly. People often describe regular things they enjoy as being “like crack” to emphasize that they like it so much, they simply want more and more. Things as innocent as candy are called crack. So of course it isn’t a leap to use the same term for a cannabis strain that excites and delights. The reference, of course, is to crack cocaine, which is made by mixing baking soda or ammonia into powdered cocaine. That’s ingested by heating it up (which makes a cracking or popping noise), then vaporized in a pipe and inhaled or injected through a needle. There are some effects of crack cocaine that, on paper, may be reminiscent of a sativa-heavy weed: crack is known to create feelings of euphoria and confidence, and makes people very active. Green Crack does the same, however in a much different way and to an entirely different degree.
![White powder on a grey surface]()
Green Crack's name is sometimes frowned upon because of the notorious drug, crack cocaine. Photo credit: Shutterstock Crack cocaine has a
long, difficult, and saddening history. It’s extremely potent, often leading to deadly overdose. The drug reaches the brain in eight seconds, peaks in fifteen seconds, and lasts just fifteen minutes. Since the experience is so pleasurable but so short, people often use more and more to repeat the experience and to stave off the intense feelings of depression, irritability, and paranoia that often follow its use. As a result, it’s extremely addictive. That addiction ravaged communities of color through the 1980s and 1990s, leading people to impoverishment and distancing them from their families, creating ripple effects through generations. Those same communities were over-policed during the
War on Drugs, further distressing the neighborhoods. In short, crack isn’t necessarily something to make light of. There are also arguments that the name Green Crack could lead people to believe the drug is, in fact, a form of crack cocaine rather than marijuana. Of course, context clues would be crucial to avoid that mistake. For these reasons, many industry folks have made a push to return to the original name, but there’s a likely reason as to why it hasn’t caught on.
![A pale green cannabis bud that has orange hairs]()
Afghani is thought to be part of Green Crack's lineage. The name “Green Cush” isn’t perfect either. In this case, the issue isn’t with an insensitive comparison, but rather one that could confuse users of the product. It’s often abbreviated as “Cush” and then mixed up with “Kush.”
Kush is an indica-dominant strain that originated in the Hindu Kush mountain range that spans through Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and northern Pakistan. That varietal is mentioned in several weed names because it’s often used as a building block for breeders. So far as we know, Green Cush does not contain kush of any kind. However, some weed connoisseurs believe Green Cush does have Afghani Landrace in its composition, which is another indica strain that grows in a similar region. In the end, we figure you can call the stuff whatever you want – just be aware of both names so you can switch gears to understand the other name if someone chooses to use that one instead.
Similar Strains
There are a few strains similar to Green Crack. Of course, if you’re looking for something similar, you’ll have to narrow down which qualities of the Green Crack strain you’d like to match.
Energizing Weed Strains
Tropical-Tasting Weeds
Green Crack is known for its citrusy scent and tangy, mango-like taste. Tangie is a good example of this – the hybrid of Skunk and either California Orange or Tangerine Dream give it a citrusy quality in both its smell and taste. Just like Green Crack, it makes you feel more alert and awake, too.
Related Strains
As a favorite of Snoop Dogg’s, Green Crack has been built upon, mixed and matched and interbred with other strains whose properties were expected to compliment each other. One of those is a combination of Green Crack and Snoop’s Dream: a concoction known as Snoop’s Green Crack. That one, though, seems to have more couch-potatoing effects than its sativa-heavy counterpart.
![A green cannabis bud on a flowering plant in front of a black background]()
God's Green Crack was created from crossing Green Crack and God Bud. Photo credit: Shutterstock is another hybrid, mashing together Green Crack and God Bud. The citrus from Green Crack is notable in the hybrid form, combined with sage and eucalyptus. It’s known to make people feel productive, creative, and fascinated in their free thought for a while, before it shifts its effects and starts weighing people down to feel more stoned than motivated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What strain is Closest to Green Crack?
Durban Poison is largely considered the strain with the closest properties to Green Crack. Both are known to increase productivity, boost your mood, fight fatigue, and combat depression.
Is Green Crack Exotic?
Some believe Green Crack includes Afghani Landrace in its composition, which would make it partially exotic.
Is Green Crack 100% Sativa?
No, the Green Crack or Green Cush strain is not 100% sativa. Researchers believe it has some Afghani Landrace in its background, which is an indica strain. Its small, clustered bud structure also gives it away as having indica in its lineage. Some experts have also theorized that the strain is made by crossing Skunk #1 with an indica of some sort, though so far, they haven’t been able to narrow down what indica that might be. Some estimates say it’s about 65% sativa.
Does Green Crack Make You Sleepy?
No, Green Crack does not make you sleepy. In fact, it gets its moniker because of its energizing effects.
AuthorMarie Edinger
Marie Edinger is an award-winning multimedia journalist. Originally from Gainesville, Florida, she stayed there to attend the University of Florida, graduating in three years after studying Telecommunications and Spanish Linguistics. She worked for two years for a news station in Jackson, Mississippi, and now works in Fresno, California.
