Top 10 Popular Strains of Cannabis in Massachusetts

Have you ever wondered what the most popular strains are in Massachusetts? The best cannabis strains for medical use have some common characteristics. Some people prefer a Sativa-dominant strain, which can provide energy, uplifting effects, and boost feelings of ease and happiness. In contrast, other patients may choose an Indica dominant strain, which can provide full body relaxation and help with pain and discomfort.

Like any other state that has legalized both medical and recreational use, there are a variety of different weed strains in Massachusetts. Patients looking for the best strains should think beyond THC content and take a closer look at terpenes and minor cannabinoid content, which can play an important part to achieve the relief you are looking for from a cannabis strain.

There are quite a few strains in Massachusetts to choose from. Most patients appreciate medical cannabis that can provide a balanced high with a focus on symptom relief. If you are new to using medical cannabis in MA, here are some helpful tips to help you get started.

How Many Cannabis Dispensaries Are There In Massachusetts?

At the beginning of 2023, there were 297 recreational or adult-use dispensaries and 100 medical cannabis treatment centers in the state of Massachusetts. Many dispensaries are also hybrid, serving both medical cannabis patients and recreational users.

In June 2023, Trulieve (a multistate cannabis cultivator and retailer) announced it would be closing three dispensary locations in Framingham, Northampton, and Worcester, Massachusetts. Trulieve opened its first Massachusetts dispensary in June 2021.

The Benefits of Having a Massachusetts Medical Card vs. Recreational Use

Recreational cannabis sales began on November 20, 2018, in Massachusetts. Residents over the age of twenty-one (21) years are also permitted to home-grow up to six cannabis plants at home, with a maximum of twelve plants per household.

Patients who have a Massachusetts medical cannabis card get both the guidance and advice of an experienced practitioner and a significant cost-saving on cannabis products. Residents with an MA medical card can save up to 20% tax on all cannabis-related purchases from licensed medical dispensaries.

Which Medical Marijuana Strains Are Best-Selling in Massachusetts?

According to Cannabis Business Times, Massachusetts cannabis retailers sold $868.5 million in products during the first six months of 2023. That is a 2% increase in sales from the same period in 2022. However, there was a 7% decline in cannabis sales compared to 2021, when total sales (recreational and medical) topped $1.75 billion dollars.

Virtually all the popular strains in Massachusetts can also be found in other states. Good strains are not hard to find because patients and recreational users prefer them. Often the strains that are in high demand have high cannabidiol (CBD) and terpene profiles.

Here are the top ten strains, according to many sources, that are the first choice in Massachusetts:

1. Blue Dream

A Sativa dominant strain, Blue Dream was bred from Blueberry and Haze. It is an American favorite because many say it provides balanced high, full body relaxation, and cerebral stimulation. Patients that choose Blue Dream typically use it to help with chronic pain, nausea, and depression.

What is inside the Blue Dream strain?

Blue Dream contains an average 18% THC potency, with a low CBD ratio. The dominant terpene in Blue Dream cannabis is Myrcene, with Pinene and Caryophyllene content as well.

2. Super Silver Haze

This pure Sativa strain is known to provide uplifting effects, which may be good for patients who struggle with low mood, nausea, loss of appetite, or fatigue. Super Silver Haze has won the High Times Cannabis Cup several times and is bred from Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze genetics.

What is inside Super Silver Haze?

Super Silver Haze averages 21% THC content and 1% cannabigerol (CBG). Not many strains have good CBG content, but cannabigerol can help with inflammation, nausea, and pain and is also used by patients with glaucoma who experience problems with intraocular eye pressure. The dominant terpene in Super Silver Haze is Myrcene, with Limonene and Caryophyllene content.

3. Dosidos

Also called “Dosi Doe,” “Do-Si-Dos,” or “Dosi,” this Indica-dominant cannabis strain leans more toward the sedative side. It was bread from OGKM and Face Off OG strains, and some patients have commented that it provides a head high that proliferates throughout the body for help with pain and muscle tension.

What is inside Dosido?

The Dosi strain has 20% THC content and 1% CBG (cannabigerol). The dominant terpene is Limonene, followed by Caryophyllene and Linalool.

4. Animal Mints

This hybrid strain was developed from Animal Cookies and SinMint Cookies (SMc). Patients who have tried Animal Mints comment that it can deliver both a strong body numbing and cerebral effect, which is sedative. Typically this strain is recommended for nighttime use and may help with anxiety and stress, chronic pain, and insomnia.

What is inside Animal Mints?

Animal Mints cannabis has 16% THC and 1% CBG content. The dominant terpene in Animal Mints is Myrcene, which gives it an herbal scent and flavor. Animal Mints also contained Pinene and Caryophyllene terpene content.

5. Wedding Crasher

Possibly named after the movie, Wedding Crasher is a hybrid strain developed from Wedding Cake and Purple Punch. It is one of the more flavorful strains of medical marijuana and really does taste like vanilla cake with sweet grape undertones.

Wedding Crasher may help with focus and energy, leaving patients feeling uplifted and happy. This may be helpful for symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and stress. Dry eyes are a common side effect shared by patients who use Wedding Crasher medicinally. And some people have stated that Wedding Crasher may cause a mild headache.

What is inside Wedding Crasher?

The dominant terpene in Wedding Crasher is Caryophyllene, with additional Limonene and Myrcene content. Wedding Crasher averages 21% THC and 1% CBG.

6. Grease Monkey

If relaxation at home is the goal, Grease Monkey may be a good strain to try. It was developed by crossing GG4 and Cookies and Cream strains. The experience for many people is body-numbing, and it can temporarily help with chronic pain and feelings of stress.

But beware of “couch lock” because, for some people, Grease Monkey can be very sedative, with a strong possibility of getting “the munchies”. For a hybrid strain, some people feel it leans more toward Indica THC’s psychoactive effects.

What is inside the Grease Monkey strain?

The Grease Monkey cannabis strain may be one of the best weed strains for pain relief and nighttime use. It has an average of 22% THC content with 1% cannabigerol (CBG). Caryophyllene is the dominant terpene, and Grease Monkey also has Limonene and Myrcene content.

7. Chocolate Peaches

Bred from Peaches and Cream, Chemdog, Super Silver Haze, and Maui strains, Chocolate Peaches can provide psychoactive effects that soothe pain and anxiety. Side effects can include a serious case of the giggles, and it may cause a typical Indica couch lock or sedation. This strain is not recommended for patients who have not used medical cannabis regularly, as it packs a heavy punch.

To some people, this strain tastes like a delicious combination of milk chocolate and candied peaches. But the deep body pain relief is favored by patients who suffer from debilitating pain symptoms.

What is inside Chocolate Peaches medical marijuana?

Chocolate Peaches ranges at the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to THC content, averaging in the low 30%. The total active cannabinoids in Chocolate Peaches is 24% by volume. It is a relatively new strain but available in select dispensaries in Massachusetts.

8. Wonka Bars

This Sativa dominant medical cannabis was created from Garlic Cookies (GMO) and Mint Chocolate Chip cannabis strains. If you are looking for a wake-and-bake effect and energizing, uplifted feeling, this may be a good strain to try.

Patients who struggle with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress may find Wonka Bars a good choice for daytime use. The strain can provide mentally stimulating psychoactive effects, which are ideal for social interaction, or to tackle creative activities or problem-solving.

What is inside Wonka Bars?

Wonka Bars averages 22% THC, and the dominant terpene in this strain is Myrcene. Wonka Bars also has Limonene and Caryophyllene terpene content.

9. Stardawg

This strain may also be found labeled “Star Dog” at your local dispensary. Stardawg was developed from Chemdog 4 and Tres Dawg, and while Sour Diesel was not a genetic contributor, it does have strong undertones of diesel flavors.

Stress, fatigue, and general anxiety disorder (GAD) are some of the symptoms and conditions that may Stardawg may be used for. The overall psychoactive effects include anxiety relief, energy, and uplifted mood.

What is inside Stardawg cannabis?

Stardawg has a 22% THC average, with nominal minor cannabinoid content. The major terpene in Stardawg is Caryophyllene, followed by Limonene and Myrcene content.

10. Durban Poison

Durban Poison may be another legendary strain in the United States. It is also a pure Sativa dominant strain that originated from South Africa, in the city of Durban. Productivity, anxiety relief, and creativity are some of the psychoactive effects patients have reported when using Durban Poison.

What is inside the Durban Poison strain?

The strain averages 19% THC content and 1% CBG content. Some clinical studies have suggested that the cannabigerol minor cannabinoid may help protect brain and nerve functioning and help with inflammation-related conditions such as Huntington’s Disease and IBD.

The dominant terpene in Durban Poison is Terpinolene, which is not often found in most cannabis strains. Terpinolene may provide powerful antioxidant properties and function as a mild depressant to the central nervous system (CNS), potentially helping with neuropathic pain. Durban Poison also contains another rare terpene, Ocimene, which may provide anti-convulsant, anti-viral and fungal resistance.

Tips for Trying New Strains of Medical Cannabis in Massachusetts

If you are new to medical cannabis, you may quickly find a strain or two that works well for your symptom management goals. But don’t make the mistake of limiting yourself to just a couple of strains. You should be open to trying different strains and alternative intake routes.

For example, many patients choose Sativa dominant strains in Massachusetts for daytime relief. Sativa cannabis is not sedating for most people; in fact, it may provide an energy boost and increase feelings of focus and concentration while dulling down feelings of stress and anxiety.

Many patients who have chronic pain experience sleep disruption or insomnia. Neuropathy, lower back pain, and arthritis can cause discomfort any time of the day, including throughout the night when you are trying to sleep.

MedWell Health and Wellness Cares

When patients are ready to try medical cannabis, they have usually tried every other type of therapeutic way to moderate symptoms without success. When you have a chronic health condition and debilitating symptoms, finding something that is safe and which provides relief is all that matters.

At MedWell Health and Wellness, each one of our practitioners supports your right to try alternative medicine.