As cultivation technology and practices evolve, so does the cannabis plant. Consumers are constantly searching for the next best thing, and when it comes to cannabis, that means potency. New and interesting hybrids are consequently taking over the market. While pot lovers embrace these exciting and powerful flowers, they do so without forgetting to pay homage to these older strains—some much older—that are becoming harder and harder to find in stores. Some of the rarity is due to location—some strains are grown in very specific places and getting them from those locations isn’t easy.  In other instances, the strains are difficult to find because growers are constantly looking for more powerful strains that can be grown in shorter time frames and in easier conditions.  When a strain no longer meets those criteria, cultivators move on.  Whatever the reason, the following fifteen strains are some of the most difficult to find in stores.

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10 of the Hardest Strains to Find

Fruity Pebbles OG

Fruity pebbles are a hard to find strainThis indica-dominant hybrid strain’s name matches its smell, taste, and look.  It has a fruity aroma and taste, and its colorful leaves look like a party. Despite its exciting aesthetic, Fruity Pebbles OG has a powerful sedative effect, and too much of it will leave you couch locked. The breeder of this strain, Alien Genetics, allegedly only released a limited amount of seeds and at $1000 a pack.

Bruce Banner

The name suits the strain. This rare and expensive strain averages about 20% THC and can even boast up to 30% THC levels. The sativa dominant strain is known for its energizing and cerebral high.  It’s expense and popularity cause it to sell out quickly.

Malawi Gold

The sativa landrace is native to the east African nation of Malawi, and that is the only place where it can be found. Malawi Gold is known for its enormous buds, some reaching up to two feet. If you run into a flower of this strain, know that the bud’s rarity means that such an encounter may never happen again.

Panama Red

Panama red is named after the region it's from and the color of its leavesThe beautiful red leaves, as well as its native home in Panama, give this landrace sativa strain its name.  Though this strain is not impossible to find, it’s lengthy grow cycle make growers reticent to cultivate it.

Hindu Kush

This name might seem surprising given its well-known placement in cannabis history.  However, since consumers are more interested in hybrids of this strain with even greater potency, it is not popularly stocked on cannabis store shelves. Still, it is a beloved strain and has been for centuries. This purple indica landrace strain is native to the Hindu Kush mountain range between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Angola Roja

An African sativa landrace, this ancient strain is likely the parent of the other red strains native to South America. After Portugal colonized Angola, the strain traveled from the African continent to South America as the Portuguese expanded their territory from one continent to another. The strain’s rarity is due to legal impediments. Since Angola prohibits cannabis, the strain is very difficult to find today.

Greek Kalamata 

This strain is from the kalamata region Though cannabis was recently legalized for medical use in Greece, the country’s legislation has long been opposed to cannabis cultivation and consumption. Greek Kalamata is one of the rare strains that comes from the once totally prohibitionist country. If you run into a sample of Greek Kalamata, know that it has traveled far and somehow successfully made it through nearly impossible exporting conditions to get to you.

Thai

A difficult to grow strain, this sativa landrace is parent to the Haze, Voodoo, and Juicy Fruit strains. Thai thrives in tropical climates, and while creating those conditions is certainly possible with today’s cultivation technology, many growers may not find Thai’s lengthy growing cycle worth the effort.

Lamb’s Breath 

Some call this strain Lamb’s bread, while others claim that the two are different strains. Purportedly reggae star Bob Marley’s favorite strain, this legendary sativa landrace comes from Jamaica.

Colombian Gold

A landrace sativa strain, Columbia Gold is an old-school star that was made popular in the 1960’s. Its popularity was likely due to its energizing cerebral high. Its beautiful golden hue comes from a thick coat of trichomes. However, as time progresses, things change, and this classic strain is so rare today that it isn’t likely to ever hit the store shelves.