Strains & products

Cannabis Strain Highlight: The Legendary Granddaddy Purple

Published on April 7, 2015 · Last updated July 28, 2020
granddaddy purple marijuana strain
Granddaddy Purple. (Leafly)

Granddaddy Purple has always held a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s the fruity bouquet of sweet flavors or the powerful, relaxing nature of its indica genetics. Either way, when I find top-shelf, quality GDP, it is hard for me to pass up!

My love affair with Granddaddy Purple began in late 2005 while budtending at a Los Angeles-area dispensary. At the time I was on a real sativa kick, and while I enjoy the tropical flavors and cerebral energy they bring, I was struggling to balance my day-to-day anxieties and depression. When a close friend and vendor brought in a fresh batch of Granddaddy Purple, I was blown away by the bulky colas. Something captivated me, but it was more than just the pungentgrape aroma. The way the deep violet and dark green hues mesh together under a thick blanket of milky trichomes gives Granddaddy Purple an exaggerated, cartoon-like quality, causing it to become almost a caricature of what I expect cannabis to look like.

Granddaddy Purple was developed as a pain-fighting, sleep-inducing aid for California’s medical marijuana patients. It was introduced in the early 2000s by activist, breeder, and modern day “Medicine Man” Ken Estes, who found himself looking for a safe, smart alternative to pharmaceutical pain management. The strain was bred for its potent psychoactive effects that blanket both mind and body, producing a combination of heady euphoria and full-body relaxation that consumers and medical patients appreciate for nighttime use.

This batch of GDP comes from Fremont Gardens in Seattle. When I asked to see their jar of Granddaddy, an excited smile crept across the budtender’s face. She explained how this strain is one of her go-to indicas, and my decision was made all too easy after having my senses conquered by the invigorating aroma exhausted from the bulbous purple buds. After being convinced that I needed to try the DJ Short Blueberry as well, I rushed home to dive into my research!

Leafly Granddaddy Purple - GDP Cannabis Strain

Popping open the container of Granddaddy Purple launched an assault of berrysweet odor on my living room. The smooth, earthy scent is accented by wood and light citrus notes that capture your attention without shocking the senses. Taking a grinder to this indica-dominant hybrid brought out a piney, evergreen characteristic, while the exhale from the first toke conjured memories of some of my earliest experiences with cannabis. The profile of Granddaddy Purple finished with a creamy spice of flavors ranging from refreshing mint to lightly toasted espresso.

Leafly Granddaddy Purple cannabis flavor profile

The Leafly community appreciates GDP’s happy and relaxing effects as a way to keep their mood elevated, avoid stress, and find sleep at the end of a long day. Granddaddy has proven itself as a valuable tool when it comes to appetite stimulation, making it a top choice for those with stomach issues and cancer patients who struggle with the side effects of chemotherapy.

Leafly Granddaddy Purple cannabis uses and effects

For me, the effects from Granddaddy Purple revealed themselves with an immediate tingle in my forehead which, by the time I could place it, had already begun circulating throughout the rest of my body. As I stubbed out the remnants of the joint in the ashtray, a deep calming sensation enveloped me into a trance-like state of meditation. Focusing on nothing in particular, I drifted away from the physical and mental pressure that has built up since sunrise. The only thing that snapped me out of my introspection was the hunger building in my stomach.

What about you? Have you tried GDP? How does it affect you? Check the Granddaddy Purple strain details page to find out where this strain is available and leave a review of your experiences. If GDP isn’t the strain for you, start exploring thousands of other cannabis strains and products in the Leafly Explorer. In the meantime, here are a few things the Leafly community is saying about GDP:

"One of my new favorite indicas. Night time strain for sure. Great for movies and video games and hits very hard once it sets in. Usually wont fall asleep right away and i experience very intense euphoria throughout every inch of my body and takes your mind into space." – TheRod3

"I experienced something a little like being a bunny rabbit with wings riding a cloud into an ocean of flowers." – timmyp

"Couch lock is real, but you feel at peace. It's a nice body/mind high combination." – AmoryDreams

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Will Hyde
Will Hyde
Will is a brand builder, product expert, and storyteller with 2 decades of experience in the cannabis industry. The former co-host of Leafly's "What Are You Smoking" podcast has dedicated his life to sharing his passion for cannabis with anyone who will listen. Follow him on Instagram at @the.avid.dabber
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