Maryland’s cannabis scene reflects a blend of classic favorites and exciting shifts, with Ice Cream Cake leading the pack and newcomers like Hash Burger and Grape Gasoline making significant strides.
Let’s dive into the state’s preferred strains, highlighting the mainstays and those making a splash in 2024.
Maryland’s top cannabis picks
1. Ice Cream Cake: Claiming the top spot, Ice Cream Cake remains a beloved choice for its creamy, calming effects, moving from second to first. This indica-dominant hybrid is perfect for those seeking relaxation and a sweet end to their day.
Ice Cream Cake
Hybrid
- Sleepy • Relaxed •Hungry
- THC ~22%
Ice Cream Cake is an Indica-dominant hybrid marijuana strain made by crossing Wedding Cake with Gelato #33. This strain offers sedating effects that leave your mind and body completely relaxed. Ice Cream Cake features a creamy flavor profile with sweet hints of vanilla and sugary dough. This strain is reported by medical marijuana patients and consumers to have calming effects that help with pain, sleep, and anxiety. Ice Cream Cake weed is ideal for night time use when you have nothing important to do except watch TV and fall asleep.
2. Lemon Cherry Gelato: Close behind, Lemon Cherry Gelato rises with its vibrant flavor and balanced high, offering a euphoric experience that dances between sweet and tart.
Lemon Cherry Gelato
Hybrid
- Tingly • Giggly •Relaxed
- THC ~20%
Lemon Cherry Gelato is a hybrid weed strain made from a genetic cross between Sunset Sherbet and Girl Scout Cookies. Lemon Cherry Gelato is 20% THC, making this strain an ideal choice for experienced cannabis consumers. Leafly customers tell us Lemon Cherry Gelato effects include tingly, relaxed, and euphoric. Medical marijuana patients often choose Lemon Cherry Gelato when dealing with symptoms associated withanxiety,pain, and stress. Bred by Backpackboyz, Lemon Cherry Gelato features an aroma of lime, berries, andcitrus with flavors of lemon, andsweetfruit.
3. Blue Dream: The classic strain Blue Dream, previously reigning supreme, still holds a place of honor for its universally appealing balance of cerebral invigoration and full-body relaxation
Blue Dream
Hybrid
- Creative • Energetic •Uplifted
- THC ~18%
Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant hybrid marijuana strain made by crossing Blueberry with Haze. This strain produces a balanced high, along with effects such as cerebral stimulation and full-body relaxation. Blue dream is 18% THC but has a low CBD percentage, making this potent strain a fan favorite of both novice and veteran cannabis consumers. In terms of flavor, Blue Dream is reported to smell and taste like sweet berries. Medical marijuana patients often use Blue Dream to treat symptoms of depression, chronic pain, and nausea. Blue Dream originated in California and has since achieved legendary status among West Coast strains and has quickly become one of the most-searched-for strains in the Leafly database.
4. Durban Poison: Making a noteworthy leap, Durban Poison jumps into the top five, celebrated for its energizing and uplifting effects, ideal for daytime use.
Durban Poison
Hybrid
- Energetic • Focused •Uplifted
- THC ~19%
This pure sativa originates from the South African port city of Durban. It has gained popularity worldwide for its sweet smell and energetic, uplifting effects. Durban Poison is the perfect strain to help you stay productive through a busy day, when exploring the outdoors, or to lend a spark of creativity. Growers and concentrate enthusiasts will both enjoy the over-sized resin glands which make this strain a quality choice for concentrate extraction. The buds are round and chunky, and leave a thick coating of trichomes on almost all areas of the plant.
5. Wedding Cake: Steadily holding its ground, Wedding Cake offers users a rich, tangy flavor coupled with a deeply relaxing high, making it a consistent favorite for unwinding.
Wedding Cake
Hybrid
- Relaxed • Aroused •Hungry
- THC ~24%
Wedding Cake, also known as “Triangle Mints #23,” is a potent type of indica-hybrid marijuana strain made by crossing Triangle Kush with Animal Mints. Fun fact: In Canada, this strain is known as Pink Cookies. The Wedding Cake strain provides relaxing and euphoric effects that calm the body and mind. This strain yields a rich and tangy flavor profile with undertones of earthy pepper. Medical marijuana patients choose Wedding Cake to help relieve symptoms associated with pain, insomnia and appetite loss. Consumers with a low THC tolerance should enjoy this strain with an extra slice of care due to its high THC content. Wedding Cake has soared in popularity over the years and was named Leafly Strain of the Year in 2019.
Emerging trends: New favorites on the rise
Hash Burger: Making an astonishing jump from 303rd to 28th, Hash Burger captures attention with its unique flavor profile and potent effects, signaling a growing curiosity and appreciation among Maryland’s cannabis enthusiasts.
Grape Gasoline: Another remarkable climber, Grape Gasoline surges from 272nd to 53rd, driven by its intriguing name and the promise of a powerful, aromatic experience.
Violet Fog: Violet Fog ascends significantly, moving from a middle-of-the-pack ranking to become a notable mention at 14th, suggesting an emerging preference for its distinct characteristics.
Gush Mints: Rising from 41st to 18th, Gush Mints gains traction for its refreshing flavor and relaxing yet euphoric effects, marking it as a strain to watch in the evolving Maryland market.
Maryland’s cannabis landscape in 2024 showcases a dynamic interplay between enduring classics and bold newcomers, reflecting the diverse preferences and openness to exploration among the state’s cannabis community.
As we continue to navigate the year, it’s clear that Maryland’s cannabis enthusiasts are keen to embrace both the tried-and-true and the novel, painting a rich tapestry of cannabis culture in the Old Line State. Whether you’re drawn to the serene highs of Ice Cream Cake or intrigued by the meteoric rise of Hash Burger, there’s no shortage of strains to explore and enjoy.
Stay tuned as we keep you updated on the trends and transformations defining Maryland’s cannabis scene throughout 2024.
