What Is Haze Cannabis?

Key Points

• Haze genetics have helped to shape cannabis culture over decades.
• Old-school varieties continue to offer modern users a taste of nostalgia.
• Newer Haze hybrids are more potent and contain more pronounced terpene profiles.
• Get to know everything about Haze below, from its history to its chemical profile.

Haze Strains: Their History and Origins

Haze strains are among the most popular sativa-dominant cannabis genetics. Many weed users enjoy their long-lasting head highs, which make for an uplifting yet introspective experience. These varieties also attract smokers and growers because of their outstanding aromas and flavours; notes of spice, fruit, sweetness, and earth dominate the mix.

Despite their attractive effects and aromas, Haze genetics are slightly more challenging to grow. Their sativa genetics cause them to grow tall, meaning growers need to make an effort to train and trim them. 

They also feature longer flowering times than indica strains, sometimes taking up to 16 weeks to fully mature. However, in exchange for the extra work they require, they offer staggering yields.

• Haze Characteristics

• Possible genetic roots: Colombian Gold, Acapulco Gold, Mexican Sativa, Thai or Indian Sativa
• Flavour: spicy, sweet, earthy, woody, citrusy
• Effects: cerebral, energetic, creative, uplifting, motivating, euphoric, psychedelic
• Therapeutic uses: anti-inflammatory, stress relief

• The Story Of The Haze—The Origins

The story of Haze family of strains begins back in the 1960s and 1970s on the West Coast of the United States. It is believed that the first Hazes have been created by two growers in Santa Cruz, California, the legendary “Haze Brothers”. The alternative medicinal journal “Treating Yourself Magazine” has an article in their #14 issue where they say that Sam “The Skunkman” (the legendary breeder of the Skunk #1) knew the two brothers, “R. Haze” and “J. Haze”. The article continues to say that the two didn’t really set out to breed a particular strain, but that it happened by pure chance when they hybridized some seeds which they had available at that time.

• What’S In A Haze? No One Really Knows

The exact genetics behind the Haze are not known and are subject to speculation. Back at the time when the Haze Brothers experimented with their strains, many different cannabis varieties entered the West Coast of the US. It is possible that the first Hazes were crosses between Columbian Gold and Thai landraces, but it’s as much likely that their roots are with Acapulco Gold and Indian landraces, or maybe a combination of all of these.

According to cannabis folklore, Hazes went almost extinct at some point. The reason for this is supposedly the fact that growers didn’t like them too much because the strains were difficult to manage and took a long time to flower.

How Haze Made It to Europe

The details of how Haze genetics made it from California to Europe remain shrouded in mystery. The characters involved in the voyage are also a matter of contention.

Some credit the legendary breeder Nevil Schoenmakers, who may have sourced seeds directly from the Haze Brothers in 1969. From here, speculators suggest he then distributed seeds through The Seed Bank of Holland—the first established seed bank in Europe.

Others reject this version of events and instead credit Sam “The Skunkman” with bringing Haze seeds across the Atlantic. As a friend of the Haze Brothers, Sam could have received genetics from them in the early 1980s before departing for Europe. 

Rejecting both of these possibilities, some lay cannabis historians state that the Haze Brothers themselves brought Haze across the pond, free from the recruitment of any middlemen. 

Whatever the truth of the matter, the arrival of Haze genetics changed the marijuana landscape in Europe and continues to have a significant impact to this day. Breeders have consistently used Haze genetics over the decades to produce popular and productive new hybrids.

The Haze Legacy

A lot has happened since Haze’s migration from Cali to Europe. Many of the early seed banks that distributed these genetics have disappeared, but Haze strains remain as relevant and popular as ever.

Aside from becoming a go-to strain family for many home growers, Haze genetics have established themselves as reliable, productive, and pleasant to smoke, as proven by their success on the competition circuit.

For example, as one of the most decorated Haze strains, Super Silver Haze won the High Times Cannabis Cup for three consecutive years from 1997 to 1999. Likewise, Amnesia Haze won the overall Cannabis Cup in both 2004 and 2012.

Other notable wins include G13 Haze at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2007, Super Lemon Haze’s back-to-back wins at the same competition in 2007 and 2008, and Arjan’s Haze No.1’s victory at the Sativa Cup in 2004.

Cannabinoids and Terpenes in Haze Strains

The chemical profiles of Haze strains vary based on genetics and environmental factors. However, they all share a common thread. Check out what you can expect from most Haze cultivars below.

• THC

Haze strains fall in the middle ground when it comes to potency. While levels of 20–22% are strong by old-school standards, such concentrations shouldn't render you unable to function. Compared to levels of up to 30% in some modern hybrids, classic Haze strains offer a moderate-strength experience.

• CBD

Haze genetics are typically low in CBD, with levels hovering around 1%. While seemingly insignificant, these trace levels impact the experience and add an element of relaxation.

• Myrcene

This stoning terpene shows up in abundance in most Haze strains. It serves up flavours of fruit and musk, while also steering the high in a stoning direction.

• Pinene

This refreshing forest terpene contributes notes of pine and woodiness to many Haze strains. Additionally, it contributes a clear-headed aspect to the Haze high.

• Caryophyllene

Caryophyllene adds strong notes of savouriness and pepper to most Haze strains. In terms of effects, this terpene provides a physically soothing effect to the Haze experience.

Popular Haze Genetics

Some of the most popular Haze strains among growers today include:

• Shining Silver Haze: The award-winning Shining Silver Haze is a mind-blowing cross between Northern Lights, Skunk and Haze. If you can wait the 9 to 11 weeks, which the lady requires for flowering, you will be rewarded with good amounts (up to 650g/m²) of some truly outstanding bud. With her powerful and long-lasting sativa effect that is uplifting, creative and energetic, she is a big favourite among sativa lovers. She also has a deliciously sweet flavour, which gives the strain a pleasantly smooth smoke.

Shining Silver Haze

Shining Silver Haze

	Haze x (Skunk x Northern Light)
	600 - 650 gr/m2
	80 - 120 cm
	9 - 11 weeks
	THC: 21%

	Sativa 75% Indica 25%
	600 - 650 gr/plant
	180 - 220 cm
	Late October
	Heavy

Buy Shining Silver Haze

• Amnesia Haze: Our Amnesia Haze is yet another spectacular haze hybrid that that scores big among cannabis enthusiasts. The winner of multiple cannabis cups shines with powerful high, supreme flavour and impressive yields. You won’t need much of this 70% sativa to get extremely high thanks her high level of THC, measuring at 22%. Since she has indica genetics in her as well, she doesn’t just give you a powerful head high. Her effect is also extremely relaxing, which makes her high nicely balanced. Indoors, you can expect to get as much as 650g/m² in a flowering time of 10–11 weeks.

Amnesia Haze

Amnesia Haze

	Original Amnesia Haze
	600 - 650 gr/m2
	80 - 140 cm
	10 - 11 weeks
	THC: 22%

	Sativa 70% Indica 30%
	650 - 700 gr/plant
	175 - 210 cm
	Late October
	Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing, Powerful

Buy Amnesia Haze

• Royal Haze Automatic: Quick, compact, and easy to grow, this strain offers sizable yields in just 12–13 weeks from sprouting.

Royal Haze Auto

Royal Haze Auto

	Amnesia Haze x Skunk x Ruderalis
	300 - 350 gr/m2
	65 - 85 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 15%

	Sativa 50% Indica 20% Ruderalis 30%
	130 - 180 gr/plant
	120 - 150 cm
	12 - 13 after sprouting
	Clear, Uplifting

Buy Royal Haze Auto

• Haze Berry: Haze Berry is long a favourite among medicinal cannabis users in California. The cross between the mouth-watering Blueberry and a sativa-dominant Haze doesn’t just bring you the delicious berry and candy flavours of the Blueberry. She gives you an amazing sativa high that energizes and inspires, and which later turns into an amazingly relaxing indica stone. Her flowering time is 9 to 11 weeks, and you can look forward to good yields of up to 575g/m² when you grow her indoors.

Haze Berry

Haze Berry

	Blueberry x Shining Silver Haze
	525 - 575 gr/m2
	60 - 100 cm
	9 - 11 weeks
	THC: 20%

	Sativa 60% Indica 40%
	600 - 650 gr/plant
	160 - 180 cm
	Late October
	Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing, Powerful

Buy Haze Berry

• Chocolate Haze: Our Chocolate Haze, a cross between OG Chocolate Thai and Cannalope Haze is a big favourite among those who like their smokes super-tasty. Along with her deliciously sweet chocolate flavours that will make your mouth water, she will give you the perfectly matching high. Take a few puffs, and her sativa effect will make you happy and euphoric, and will lift your mood in no time! This is a great strain to enjoy in the afternoon if you want a clear high for inspiration, creativity and new insights. Her flowering time is 9–10 weeks and she can yield as much as 525g/m² indoors.

Chocolate Haze

Chocolate Haze

	OG Chocolate Thai x Cannalope Haze
	475 - 525 gr/m2
	90 - 160 cm
	9 - 11 weeks
	THC: 20%

	Sativa 95% Indica 5%
	450 - 500 gr/plant
	150 - 200 cm
	Late October
	Heavy

Buy Chocolate Haze

Experience Haze for Yourself

You’re now more than familiar with Haze. You’ve discovered its history, its popularity, its chemical profile, and its modern variants. This family of genetics helped to shape the modern cannabis industry in a substantial way.

When growing and smoking Haze, you have two choices: opt for old-school genetics for a taste of nostalgia or sow modern Haze hybrids for more potency and superior terpene profiles. Whichever way you go, you won’t be disappointed!