Citrus-scented cannabis gets its smell and flavor from the terpene limonene, an oil found in abundance in citrus rinds. Limonene is a powerful anxiety fighting terpene and orange-flavored strains tend to be heavy hitters. Here are some of our favorites to look for at your local San Jose dispensary that will leave you feeling like you just hit a spliff in an orange tree grove and what to expect from each.
Tropicana Cookies
This strain is dominant in caryophyllene and is a great day smoke. It’s a sativa that was created by breeding Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) with Tangie, a beloved citrus powerhouse from Amsterdam. Expect to feel uplifted in smaller doses and euphoric with continued use. Tropicana Cookies tend to linger though, so the more you smoke, the more enjoyment you can get.
Orange Cookies
Orange Cookies is a hybrid strain that combines fan favorite GSC with Orange Juice, also known as OJ Kush. Being a hybrid instead of sativa-exclusive tones down the energy on this strain, but leaves the relaxing and mood boosting effects. The strain’s dominant terpene is one of the most uncommon: terpinolene. Terpinolene acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent, and also induces mild to moderate sedation. It’s an excellent strain to try if you have anxiety or high levels of stress.
Pink Lemonade
This strain combines Purple Kush and Lemon Skunk to create citrus-tea flavored buds that help combat depression and anxiety. Expect to see popcorn buds; Pink Lemonade rarely produces large, dense flowers. They are, however, well-coated in sticky trichomes and generally produce moderate to substantial amounts of THC. The dominant terpene here is surprisingly pinene, contributing to the earthy tea notes in combination with the heady citrus scent.
Collins Ave
Collins Ave is exclusively bred by Cookies and is a highly sought after strain dominant in limonene and heavy in THC. Users enjoy a gentle but uplifting head high that immediately cripples anxiety and worry and helps to lift depression and balance the mood. As the heady effects subside, the muscles relax into a calm body high that helps relieve physical symptoms associated with chronic stress, like tension and headaches. The flavor profile is certainly unique; you’ll enjoy sweet orange alongside a tart, creamy flavor that some have likened to plain yogurt.
Chernobyl
This strain is a triple-cross between Jack the Ripper, Trinity, and Trainwreck. It’s a sativa-dominant hybrid that produces a strong orange sherbet scent and is one of the few cannabis strains abundant in terpinolene, making it a great choice for anxiety and inflammation. Users can expect a dreamlike high that relieves stress and worry, lifting them into functional relaxation. It carries just enough of the sedative properties of terpinolene to bring about relief for anxiety and depression, but leans enough to the sativa side to prevent couch lock.
Jenny Kush
Jenny Kush is another pine-citrus combo that carries both earthy and bright notes due to its unique combination of terpenes. Named after famous cannabis rights activist Jenny Monson. Although this strain’s lineage isn’t entirely confirmed, it’s said to be the child of Rare Dankness and Amnesia Haze parents. It’s a balanced sativa-indica hybrid, making it a good day or night smoke. Users can expect to feel more relaxed without any sedative effects.
Mimosa
This strain smells and tastes much like its namesake drink and is a great choice for lovers of citrus and orange-flavored terpenes. As you might expect, it’s perfect for a wake and bake session and leaves you feeling worry free throughout the day without a heavy body high. In larger quantities, the indica in this hybrid can overpower other effects and make you sleepy. Like most citrus strains, Mimosa provides excellent relief for people suffering from depression and anxiety.
Clementine
Clementine is a sativa-dominant hybrid with plenty of terpinolene and limonene to help boost the mood and energize the body. This is another good choice for a morning smoke and can be enjoyed throughout the day without excessive fatigue. Users typically feel very focused and accomplished when consuming Clementine, and it has recently become a popular strain for its effects and flavor profile. Clementine is tart, creamy, and citrusy with a hint of skunk from its parents, Lemon Skunk and Tangie.
Orange Crush
This strain is an indica-dominant hybrid created from Blueberry and California Orange parents. It remains one of the most classic “orange” cannabis strains and balances a powerful head high from California Orange with the relaxing effects of Blueberry to create an all-around great smoke. Orange Crush went on to parent Orange Creamsicle when paired with Juicy Fruit, another great citrusy strain.
Browse the selection of cannabis products at your local San Jose dispensary for one of the above or ask your budtender to recommend an orange-flavored strain with similar effects and benefits.
