The Best Cannabis Strains To Try in 2023

From new strains to old-time favorites, we’ve compiled our list of the best cannabis strains to try this year. Looking for a new social strain to bring to the next party? Or something more mellow for the evening? Our latest blog post will inspire you to take a break from your favorite standbys and shake things up in 2023.

New Strains

In December, Snoop Dogg announced Death Row Records would be coming out with some unique cannabis strains with Death Row Cannabis. Donning a limited edition commemorative metallic bag featuring the iconic Death Row Records logo-a hooded prisoner seated in an electric chair- the new cannabis products include a range of OG strains, including Runtz, Strawberry Gary, and Tropicana Cookies.

Many are wondering who the grower behind Death Row Cannabis is- he is known as AK, who was allegedly selected by Snoop Dogg himself. AK is known for sprouting, selecting, and cultivating strains such as RS11 (aka Rainbow Sherbert #11), Studio 54, and Shirazi from breeder DEO Farms. The Death Row Cannabis grower developed his infamous reputation for growing fire OG strains.

If you find yourself in California this year, you can check out Death Row Cannabis at select Cookies stores. Other states are said to roll out the product throughout the year.

Social Strains

Does the New year have you entertaining new social events? Dance World is said to get you on your feet and ready to move. Dance World by Royal Queen Seeds has 15% THC and 75% Sativa dominance. With a high CBD content, your aches and pains will melt away, leaving you ready to have a good time. Dance World is known for its distinct woody and earthy aroma. After a smooth inhale, the deeply fruity, pine, and spice flavors envelop your taste buds. The more refined palates may notice a cedar and lavender aftertaste, leaving an intense and pleasing scent for those around.

California Orange is next on our list of must-try social strains. Said to be good for peak focus and high energy, California Orange by Dutch Passion fits the bill. Boasting 26% THC content and a 50/50 Sativa/Indica ratio, this old-school strain will have you elatedly talking and socializing at your next party. For those that enjoy an all-American citrus terpene flavor, the aroma of freshly peeled oranges will satisfy even the more complex cannabis palates. Many old-timers claim the high reminds them of the legendary sativas of their past.

Relaxing Strains

Forget your stress with Triple G by Royal Queen Seeds. With 26% THC and 85% Indica dominance, this strain will leave you relaxed, and with a probable case of the munchies. If you’re planning on cozying up with Triple G this new year, get ready for some chocolatey aromas and undertones of diesel and spice. It’s a great medicinal variety as well, as it’s used to treat conditions like appetite loss, chronic pain, and insomnia. Triple G comes from the infamous strains Gorilla Glue and Gelato- so make sure to enjoy its relaxing Indica effects at nighttime.

Wedding Cookies is the next relaxing bud to try on our list this new year. The strain we checked out boasted parents' Wedding Cake and Do-Si-Dos OG, giving it some high-powered genetics. The unbelievably calming effects make it a perfect wintertime strain to indulge in, as it has a whopping 28% THC and 70% Indica dominance. Surprisingly, it has enough sativa influence to enjoy during the daytime hours. The classic vanilla flavor is one that never goes out of style, producing a sweet and earthy-smelling indica.

Energizing Strains

If you haven’t tried it before, you’ve likely heard of the fan-favorite Blue Dream. The variety from Garden of Green is on our list this new year, which delivers enough chill and buzz to keep you going at a relaxed pace. Deemed one of the world’s most classic strains, Blue Dream is primarily cerebral, also offering physical relief. The family tree of this unique strain comes from two fan-favorite plants- combined Blueberry (indica) with Haze (sativa), leading to hybrid effects and high THC levels. The blueberry-scented buds with notes of vanilla, lemon, and pine are a 70% sativa dominant hybrid with 25% THC, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to hybrid cannabis.

Our last must-try strain for 2023 is Monster Gelato by Monster Genetics, especially if you’re looking for some extra chill energy. This sativa-dominant hybrid is a strain that’ll boost your cerebral stamina. A nug of this dessert-flavored strain flaunts sweet gelato flavors, transforming from fruity bubblegum to refreshing mint. As a mostly sativa hybrid, it has 26% THC, both psychoactive and inspiring. Interestingly, Monster Gelato’s genetics are characterized by legendary favorites, Girl Scout Cookies, and Sunset Sherbert, giving it a sweet flavor packed with exceptional potency.

Got a favorite strain for us to try in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

Growing Better Cannabis in 2023

Every seasoned cannabis grower has their own tips and tricks for growing high-quality bud. After all, there’s no better way to learn than trial and error. Experience ranks high (no pun intended) on the list of tips for growing top-tier cannabis. However, even seasoned growers can experience their share of ups and downs. If you’re looking to grow better cannabis in 2023, we’ve collected the newest research and consulted with some of the best cannabis growers to compile a list of tips to ensure your next crop will be a dank success.

Understanding Nutrients

What we put into our body as fuel certainly predicts what we will get out of it. The same rule applies to our green friend, too. Feeding your crop properly ensures flavorful and clean cannabis. Any type of nutrient deficiency is cause for concern, but if you are aware of how to spot them right away, you can quickly course-correct and fix the problem.

For proper metabolic function, all nutrients must be present. Using premixed nutrient systems and following feed schedules helps to avoid these deficiencies in hydroponic settings, but calcium and magnesium deficiencies can still arise. Outdoor plants and organic living soil systems that do not receive added nutrition find themselves susceptible to deficiencies more often due to their additional variables in nutrient delivery.

Immobile vs. Mobile Nutrients

Did you know that nutrients can be either immobile or mobile? Just as the name states, mobile nutrients are able to move around the cannabis plant.

Immobile nutrients are used by cannabis in such a way that their movement throughout the plant is prevented. Some examples of immobile nutrients are Boron, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, and Sulfur. When one of these nutrients is deficient, the plant cannot transport them from older leaves, leaving deficiency symptoms to show up as deformed leaves where there should be beautiful new flower growth. Extreme deficiency presents itself with growth dying back, such as when calcium deficiency arises.

Mobile nutrient deficiencies present themselves in older leaves from which the nutrients are being removed. Cannabis plants typically move mobile nutrients from old growth to the top of the canopy for maximum efficiency. Some examples of mobile nutrients include nickel, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and magnesium.

pH for Cannabis

Outdoor growers typically test their soil to know what they’re working with. If you find yourself needing to adjust the pH of your soil before planning your seeds, consider powdered sulfur for soil that’s too alkaline. If your soil is too acidic, lime is your best bet. It can take a few months of adding nutrients for your soil to adapt. We recommend consulting with someone familiar with local soil, such as a local nursery or agricultural extension agent.

What if your soil is off when cannabis is already in the ground? Adjust the irrigation water using a pH Up mixture to raise alkalinity. If you need to increase acidity, use a pH Down mixture. Next, monitor your runoff and make any necessary accommodations until you get your soil to its optimal pH level. Only fix your pH after soluble fertilizers have been added since this notoriously affects pH levels.

Use Quality Meters to Test your Cannabis

Two small investments for your cannabis crop that yield high dividends are a good-quality pH meter and a TDS meter. They work well together to ensure your plants stay healthy and vibrant during the growing process. As we discussed, the pH meter will alert you to the soil chemistry and if it is optimal for good nutrient uptake. The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter tells growers in ppm if there are too many or too few nutrients in the root zone. If you find yourself with low TDS levels, there is an overall lack of nutrients, requiring you to adjust the strength and frequency of delivery of the nutrient solution. It’s worth remembering that the only way to measure the individual nutrient levels on site is by using chemical test kits.

pH and TDS meters should also be utilized by Hydroponic growers, requiring testing in the root zone. Some growers consider this a painful process- therefore, use a meter that has probes you can insert into your grow medium for a quick measurement. Testing the nutrients once a week is a good rule of thumb, and if you need to change nutrients, always rinse your roots to avoid contamination.

Check Your Roots

Always check your roots when looking for nutrient deficiencies and symptoms. Healthy roots are always white and firm. If you notice your roots are brown, blackened, stringy, or mushy, that is cause for concern and should alert you that there is a problem with your plant.

Stringy and blackened roots usually signal highly excessive nutrient delivery. Notice any burned-looking roots? Sadly, you’ll need to remove and destroy all of the afflicted plants.

Learn From Your Grow Mistakes

By learning how to ensure your cannabis crop receives proper nutrients and how to diagnose a nutrient deficiency early on, you are well on your way to growing your best bud in 2023. Even if a major problem presents itself this year, our best teacher is learned experience- a failed crop presents us with an opportunity to grow our best but yet.

Wake and Bake Recipe: Cannabis-Infused Pancakes

The smell of delicious freshly made pancakes is sure to make anyone smile. If you’re a pancake lover and looking to increase your morning fun with some special pancakes, you are going to want to keep reading to check out our cannabis-infused pancake recipe.

When most people think of cannabis edibles, there’s no doubt that brownies or cookies come to mind. Not only are cannabis brownies and cookies easy to make, but they’re a tasty treat too. That’s why we were inspired to get in the kitchen and use our cannabutter to create some savory and sweet pancakes. Cannabutter pancakes can actually be an easier option and just as effective when it comes to psychoactive potency.

Though pancake recipes are a pretty standard flour, sugar, baking powder, egg, and salt combination, there are endless variants to tailor a pancake recipe to your liking, making it the perfect dish for you, whether you are looking for something in the morning or for a sweet dessert.

By using cannabutter to make pancakes, you have the advantage to adapt the recipe to any variant and whip up your very own favorite pancake recipe with a little extra THC.

Cannabis Pancakes Recipe

If you have been searching for the perfect wake-and-bake dish, look no further than cannabis-infused pancakes. By following our recipe below, you can enjoy simple yet delicious cannabis pancakes from the comfort of your own home. First, you will need a frying pan, stove, whisk, mixing bowl, tablespoon, teaspoon, and spatula.

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons of melted cannabutter

1 cup of regular milk (or canna-milk if you have it handy)

1 large egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 Tablespoons of sugar

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder

1 cup of all-purpose flour

Optional ingredients:

Cannabis maple syrup

Whipped cream

Sliced fruits

As soon as you gather your supplies and ingredients, the recipe only takes a few minutes to assemble.

1. In your mixing bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients- flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

2. Add the milk in slowly while whisking, then the beaten egg, followed by the vanilla. Next, add the melted cannabutter into the bowl and continue to whisk until all the ingredients are incorporated. A few little lumps are OK but there should not be any large lumps.

3. Turn the stove on to medium heat. Next, grab your frying pan and coat the surface with a little cannabutter.

4. Pour the pancake batter into the hot frying pan and let it cook until bubbles form on the top of the pancake.

5. Once bubbles form on the top, flip the pancake with the spatula. Cook the other side of the pancake for one-two minute until light golden brown.

6. Remove pancake from the pan with a spatula onto a plate. Top your pancake with whipped cream sliced fruits, or maple syrup.

7. Enjoy!

Decarbing Cannabis Flower

If you don’t have cannabutter on hand, now may be the perfect time to spend a little extra time in the kitchen building a stash. This ensures you will have cannabutter ready for all types of recipes in the future. Making cannabutter takes a little bit of time, but it is time well spent! Use your favorite cannabis strains and select the amount of THC and CBD you want in your cannabutter.

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.

2. Grind about 20 grams of cannabis flower. Grinding your flower preserves its trichomes, which allows for a more powerful cannabutter.

3. Spread ground cannabis on a baking sheet.

4. Cook in oven for about 45 minutes-1hr.

5. Check on bud every 15 minutes to stir and allow for an even bake.

6. Once your bud has turned brown, remove the baking pan from the oven and cool. Your browned bud should crumble easily between your fingers.

7. Decide if you prefer coconut oil or unsalted butter to infuse with the decarbed weed.

8. Heat your oil or butter with the decarbed cannabis for about 45 minutes-1hour.

9. Stir every 15 minutes to ensure the fat doesn’t burn.

We hope you enjoy our favorite cannabis-infused pancakes. Leave us a message below if you decide to give them a try and let us know what you think!