10 Rarest Weed Strains in the World

The use of cannabis has always been present in the United States and worldwide, but its popularity continues to grow. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global cannabis industry was worth USD 20.47 billion in 2020, with an estimated worth of 197.74 billion by 2028. No matter the reason for weed usage, there are many weed strains to choose from. 

As studies have found, cannabis is a versatile medication, potentially helping with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, insomnia, etc., or as a form of relaxation after work. But as there are different uses and strains to pick, not all cannabis is produced equally.

Marijuana splits into three main categories – Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid. Indica has a relaxing effect on the user, Sativa is more energizing, and Hybrid depends on the mix of those two. 

To learn more about cannabis use, check out our guide on the rarest weed strains worldwide! 

CBD* – cannabidiol psychoactive compound that eases anxiety, depression, and seizures;

THC* – tetrahydrocannabinol psychoactive compound that produces the “high” sensation.

10. NYC Diesel

photo source: Strive Grand Forks

NYC Diesel is a multi-award-winning strain from New York City. It has a pungent aroma of fruits and chocolate mix, ideal for cerebral high as it causes waves of optimism.

Hybrids of Sativa and Indica are recommended for nighttime use, as it helps with sleep and stress relief.

Diesel is also a hybrid of Mexican and Afghani strains, produced by Soma Seeds, an Amsterdam-based medical cannabis company.

But Diesel is a rare strain to find due to the challenge of obtaining its seeds. Side effects of this strain might be dry mouth, dizziness, and the munchies effect (increased appetite).

Did you know?

Sativa and Indica hybrid strains are more common than those that have pure Indica or pure Sativa lineages. Common hybrid effects are euphoric and uplifting feelings depending on the percentages. Sour Diesel is one of the most popular hybrids. 

9. Bubba OG

photo source: Buy Weed Packs

Bubba OG, also known as BOG, is a hybrid of Pre-98 Bubba Kush and Ghost OG, both providing cerebral high. The result is a sweet, earthy taste with an intense coffee aroma, ideal for relaxing and insomnia problems. This strain was popular in the 1990s. 

Bubba OG is the go-to therapeutic marijuana for pain relief, anxiety, nausea, and muscle spasms. It grows in the Mediterranean climate, with moderate growth process difficulty. 

Did you know?

Bubba OG is the winner of two strain awards – Cannabis Cup and Copa Cannabis Uruguay. Concerning the strongest Bubba strain, that title belongs to Purple Bubba Kush, a 100 percent Indica strain made by mixing Bubba Kush and Purple Kush. 

8. Lamb’s Breath

photo source: Hytiva

Some call this weed strain the Lamb’s Bread or Lamb’s Breath. It is a unique Sativa strain from Jamaica, highly popular in the Rastafari religious and political movement. Moreover, Lamb’s Breath was Bob Marley’s favorite weed strain. It has a sweet and spicy aroma. 

Lamb’s Breath is a popular form of medical marijuana as it soothes chronic pain, stress, and depression. The plant buds are sticky and dense, the strain having a maximum of 22 percent of THC.

The reason for the rarity of this strain is intercepting shipments, so it’s a rare find in the United States. 

Did you know?

Bob Marley was a Jamaican musician considered one of the pioneers of reggae. He fused elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady music genres in his music. He is known for his distinctive sound, one of the more recognizable music figures worldwide. 

7. Parvati

photo source: All Bud

The Parvati strain is a tall, thin, 100 percent Sativa plant native to the Parvati Valley in the Himalayan mountains. It has a floral and fruity aroma, the taste reminding of tropical fruit like mango and orange. It is cultivated at over 8,200 feet and harvested in late October. 

Parvati has a perfect blend of THC and CBD, bringing a calming effect to the user, as it helps with migraines, headaches, inflammations, and chronic fatigue.

This strain is used to make hash, or a cannabis concentrate with many medical benefits. 

Did you know?

Parvati (Sanskrit: पार्वती) is the Hindu goddess of power, nourishment, energy, beauty, love, and motherhood. She is the central deity of the sect called Shaktism and the chief goddess of Shaivism. Parvati’s husband is the hindu god Shiva. 

6. Idukki Gold

photo source: Steemit

Idukki Gold, also known as Kerala Gold, is a cannabis strain originating from the Idukki region of Southern India. It’s one of the rarer landrace strains, almost impossible to find in the United States. It’s also a critically endangered strain in India because of the police clearance. 

Idukki Gold has been proclaimed the best marijuana in Asia due to its refreshing taste and energizing effect. The strain is likely 80 percent Indian and 20 percent foreign, but the correct composition is unknown.  

Did you know?

Idukki Gold is also the name of the 2013 Malayalam-language Indian film directed by Aashiq Abu. The movie focuses on a protagonist Michael, who returns to India in search of his old best friends. The five friends have used Idukki Gold strain as teens, hence the name of the movie. 

5. Greek Kalamata

photo source: The Landrace Team

Greek Kalamata strain, also known as Kalamata Red, is a rare Sativa marijuana from Europe. It offers a head-focused high to the user, which helps with creativity. The effects also include focus, relaxation, and calmness. But it can help with reducing depression and anxiety.

Not much is known about this strain, but it’s almost impossible to find in the United States. Kalamata’s flowers have a fresh, minty aroma, with hints of lemon and pine in the taste too. Some negative effects might include dizziness and visual distortion.

Did you know?

Kalamáta (Greek: Καλαμάτα) is the second-most populous city in the Peloponnese peninsula in Southern Greece. Kalamáta is most famous for its black Kalamata olives and Karelia Tobacco Company which has been running since 1888.

4. Malawi Gold

photo source: Herb Co.

Malawi Gold is a weed strain from the Republic of Malawi, a country in Southeastern Africa. Malawi Gold comes from Sativa genetics, meaning it has an energizing or “head high” effect. It can help reduce stress or anxiety and increase focus and creativity. 

It’s unknown the amount of CBD, and it’s low on THC. Malawi Gold Weed has a spicy and earthy taste, as people have explained how it smells fresh like menthol. The plant is difficult to grow because of the growing conditions, and it’s usually harvested in late October and November. 

Did you know?

The most common chemical compounds in Malawi Gold are Myrcene (herbal), Caryophyllene (pepper), and Limonene (citrus). These compounds are responsible for aromas and flavors. Malawi Gold has been around for centuries, easily recognizable by its golden hue, hence the name. 

3. Hindu Kush

photo source: Speed Greens

The Hindu Kush is a rare 100% Indica strain. It grows in the 500-mile mountain range between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and because of this, it has a thick coat of sparkling trichomes.

Indica plants grow quicker than Sativa, with a higher level of CBD and THC, one of the purest strains on the market. 

The Hindu Kush brings a high that can last for hours, with a sweet earthy aroma. It has a calming effect and can help with stress disorders and pain. It made its way to the United States in the 1960s, but this strain is on the verge of extinction.  

Did you know?

Hindu Kush strain got its name from the mountain range in South Asia to the west of the Himalayas. The mountain’s peak is called Tirich Mir and is located in Pakistan. This range was a significant center of Buddhism for many centuries. 

2. Panama Red

photo source: Hytiva

Panama Red is one of the rarest strains to find in shops. It’s a 100 percent Sativa with a very low amount of CBD, but it can have up to 35 percent of THC. It has a calming effect on the person, helping with anxiety and depression.

But it can cause cotton mouth, paranoia, and creativity as the positive effect. 

Panama Red strain gained popularity in the 1960s due to its effect, similar to the Hindu Kush. It grows in the Panamanian climate in Central America. Sativa plants are usually taller and leaner than Indica plants, and the strain is ideal for morning rather than night.

Did you know?

Panama Red has been present in the United States pop culture for decades. It inspired Peter Rowan to write a song called “Panama Red” and Van Halen to write “Amsterdam”, where they sing about picking up Panama Red for a nice relaxing day.

1. Black African Magic

photo source: THC Farmer

It’s challenging to say which strain is the rarest, but Black African Magic is nearly impossible to find due to its rarity. This Sativa variety was popular worldwide in the 1970s and 1980s.

Its popularity comes from its potent taste, aroma, and distinctive black color.

Black African Kush has a fresh, earthy aroma with a berry taste, ideal for stress relief at the end of the day. The fans explain how it has a different taste from anything else they have tried, with sticky and heavy leaves and a deep, powerful aroma. 

Did you know?

Not much information about this strain is available, but some speculate how the color comes from the certain conditions in which the plant grows. It comes from the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo is known for its lush and diverse forest systems.