Best Cannabis Strains in 2021

Staying on top of the latest cannabis trends is what we do here at March and Ash. Check out what strains are at the top of the list so far in 2021. Written by Tom Searcy

GMO

GMO is not a genetically modified plant in this case, but it is probably one of the most popular strains, if not the most popular Indica-dominant Hybrid right now. It’s broad lineage makes it hard hitting and extremely potent. This indica is sometimes known as Garlic Cookies, a cross of the potent ChemDawg and the popular Girl Scout Cookies strain. Looking back one generation from its parent strains, we find Durban X OG kush and Sour Diesel x OG Kush. Spicy Durban, Double OG, and Gassy Sour D. Simply put, all of the strains that make up GMO are known to create heavily sedating effects with uncomparable flavor.

SHOP GMO

GMO’s aroma is sometimes compared to the culinary holy trinity - garlic, mushroom, and onion; which is another reason this strain has earned its legendary name. When opening a jar of GMO cannabis, the user is immediately slapped in the face with a strong sour foot smell, while others compare it to a mixture of burnt rubber and fast food. ChemDawg always expresses itself as gassy and spicy, and is the true backbone to the GMO flavor. But when it is blended with Durban’s herbal peppery terpenes and the classic earthy pine scents of OG Kush, it results in one of the most flavorful, powerful, and all around amazing strains to ever be packed in a bowl.

GMO’s appearance is usually dense, dark green buds with purple hues. This ultra potent strain’s terpene content contains Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, and Humulene. Its effects are heavy all the way around, a great strain for sedation or sleep aid. It also finds good use as a pain reliever, and for inflammation. With a mentally uplifting high that creates euphoric space, this is the perfect bud to smoke at the end of your day.

Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake aka Pink Cookies aka Birthday Cake

When you start with great building block strains, the resulting lineage evolves into even better strains, and Wedding Cake is a testament to this idea. The child of Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) and Cherry pie, this hybrid has remained popular with its unmistakable pungent peppery, yet sweet creamy vanilla flavor, complete with citrus aromas.

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Wedding Cake has earned its place among the new exotic dessert strain wave, which has taken the industry by storm in the past couple of years with strains like Sherbert, Biscotti, and Ice Cream Cake. The age of cookie crosses is upon us and cultivators everywhere are taking advantage of the OG Kush x Durban Poison profile that makes Girl Scout Cookies such a timeless strain. It is stable, usually tests high in THC, resistant to pests and mildew, and produces some of the most desired flavors in hybrids and indicas on the market. Imagine crossing the heavyweight GSC with the legendary Grandaddy Purple (GDP) and Durban (Cherry Pie). The resulting grandchild, two generations later to grandaddy purps affair with Durban, is Wedding Cake. Its sweet, pungent, citrus flavor comes from its Durban lineage, while the GDP sweetens its overall taste.

Its effects are described as euphoric, increased heaviness and sedation. While the body stays in a relaxed state, however, its cerebral effects are speedy, creative and “tuned in.” This is the perfect strain to relax with, as its dominant terpene limonene makes it a great stress and anxiety reliever. Wedding cake may also be used for chronic pain, migraines, and inflammation. With so many perfect unions down its parental line, Wedding Cake is the perfect name for this frosty hybrid that can be found in some form on the lineup of most cannabis dispensaries.

Silver Haze

Of the classic strains, Silver Haze is probably one of the oldest and most well known. Its frosty trichomes over light green nugs give it a shimmery silver hue, hence the name. Pioneered by Sensi Seeds Farms, this cross of NL #5 and Haze is a sativa lover's dream.This full sativa is uplifting, energizing, and euphoric, characterized by a piney, menthol, floral, and sweet aroma.

Photo courtesy of Cannabiotix.

Shop Silver Haze

This champion strain has brought home High Times cups in ’97, ’98, and again in ’99. With an 8-week flower period and high yield, Silver Haze has made its way into gardens in one form or another. Its popular child strain, Super Silver Haze, is the result of crossing Super Skunk #1. Super silver haze won the High Times cup in 2005 for best sativa.

Silver Haze has a fast paced, racy high and puts users in a giggly, happy space. It is great for an active, on-the-go smoker because it will not weigh you down or end the high in a couch lock state. The extreme sativaness of this strain is known to create feelings of paranoia in some users, so beginners should beware. It creates a talkative, happy high for most people, though, and will keep the smoker uplifted until the end of the high. Its diverse terpene profile contains Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Linalool, Pinene, and Hummelene.

Biscotti

Cookies crosses are here to stay. Biscotti is the result of great pheno hunting, repeated testing, and a solid understanding of cannabis lineage. First created by Berner and his Cookies brand, this 20/80 indica-dominant hybrid has made waves in the modern cannabis market. While Runtz, Sherbert, and Gelato are some of the most popular exotic strains, Biscotti takes dessert weed to a new level.

Shop Biscotti

Its lineage comes from the stable Girl Scout Cookies pheno Thin Mint Cookies crossed with South Florida OG and Gelato 25. Gelato was born from the cross of Sunset Sherbert and Girl Scout Cookies. Gelato has become one of the most solid breeding cookies strains of the decade, with brands like Connected and Alien Labs banking on it as their main building block. It is no wonder, as the reliable cookie genetics have expressed themselves in many great phenos. Most dispensaries carry at least the Gelato 41 and 33 phenos, the 33 sometimes going by the name Larry Bird, a nod to the NBA all star’s jersey number.

Identified by its dense cookie nug structure, Biscotti’s buds are dark green with purple hues, sometimes looking entirely purple. With so much Girl Scout Cookies in its lineage, it’s no surprise that this sweet, flavorful bud has an earthy, buttery, and gassy taste. Its sweet gassy flavor coats the mouth on inhale and leaves a cinnamon spice on the exhale. Users report a powerful head high that clears the mind, resets the brain, and creates a cerebral buzz that lasts for hours. A great aid for relaxation, sleep, or just a general blissful feeling, Biscotti also creates a calming body high.

Experts speculate there is a 9-10 week flowering period, but not enough is known about this strain to be sure. Biscotti is exclusive to the west coast, and because it is a part of the Cookies family of strains, it is not available as a seed or clone.

Strawberry Banana

This strain is an indica-dominant hybrid. Sometimes called strawnana for short, it is the love child of Crockett’s Banana Kush and the strawberry pheno of the Bubblegum strain. Bubblegum is a sativa-dominant hybrid with unknown lineage, but its effects are reported as being uplifting and its flavor sweet, a nod to the namesake. Combining the Bubblegum strain with Banana creates a tropadelic punch flavor with heavy banana overtones throughout. The high expresses itself in a happy, content, and sometimes inward exploratory state of mind. Because of its reported effects to create a space of floaty euphoria within the mind, it is a popular strain for creatives.

Shop Strawberry Banana

While Strawberry Banana’s flower time is between 8-9 weeks, it does not produce a big yield. To best preserve this plant's precious resins and terpenes, many companies choose to utilize this strain in concentrates, and it truly is a dabbers delight. Strawberry Banana translates into concentrates well because of its resinous trichomes, which in turn create higher yields for extractors.

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St. Patrick’s Day Pot o’ Gold Scratchers

March 11, 2026
Pot o’ Gold Scratchers Promotion TERMS AND CONDITIONS NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The March and Ash St. Patrick’s Day Pot o’ Gold Scratcher Promotion (“Promotion”) begins at 6:00:00 AM Pacific Time (“PST”) on March 17, 2026, and ends at 10:00 PM PST on March 23, 2026 (“Promotion Period”). Scratchers are valid for redemption through 10:00 PM PST on April 6, 2026. Th e computer clock of the Administrator is the official time-keeping device in the Promotion. ELIGIBILITY The Promotion is open only to customers 21 years of age and over (or 18+ with a valid medical cannabis recommendation) at the time of Promotion participation. By participating, you agree to these Official Rules and to the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Void where prohibited by law. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. HOW TO PARTICIPATE Make a purchase at any participating March and Ash store during the Promotion Period and receive a scratcher card (“Scratcher”). No purchase is required to receive a Scratcher. To obtain a Scratcher without making a purchase, visit a participating store during the Promotion Period and request one from a staff member. Limit one Scratcher per customer, per day, regardless of the number of purchases. Scratchers must be redeemed no later than 10:00 PM PST on April 6, 2026. Failure to redeem before the expiration date will result in forfeiture of the prize. SCRATCHER ODDS A total of 15,000 Scratchers are available to be awarded during the Promotion by randomly distributing Scratchers during the Promotion Period as described above. Prize distribution: a. 8,987 Scratchers for $5 off your next purchase of eligible products with a minimum $10.01 purchase before tax. b. 5,982 Scratchers for $10 off your next purchase of eligible products with a minimum $10.01 purchase before tax. c. 31 Scratchers for $100 off your next purchase of eligible products with a minimum $10.01 purchase before tax. Actual odds of winning depend on the num ber of Scratchers distributed and redeemed. SCRATCHER RESTRICTIONS Scratchers have no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash. Scratchers are not applicable toward the purchase of accessories or items under $10. Scratchers expire at 10:00 PM PST on April 6, 2026. Scratchers may be combined with store promotions and member group discounts unless otherwise stated. Scratchers must be used in full during a single purchase. Any unused portion will not carry over to future transactions. Scratchers cannot be redeemed on the same day they are received and must be used on a subsequent visit. 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GENERAL CONDITIONS By participating, you agree that March and Ash, Inc., and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns, along with their advertising and promotional agencies, shall have no liability for, and shall be held harmless from, any damage, loss, or liability to person or property arising from participation in the Promotion or acceptance or use of any prize. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, modify, cancel, or suspend the Promotion if fraud, viruses, bugs, or other causes beyond the Sponsor’s control corrupt the administration, security, or proper operation of the Promotion. Sponsor is not responsible for technical malfunctions, network failures, human error, or other issues that may impact participation. Acceptance of a Scratcher or prize constitutes permission for Sponsor to use the winner’s name, photograph, and likeness for promotional purposes without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. For information on how personal data is used, please review the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy at: https://marchandash.com/privacy-policy RELEASE OF LIABILITY By entering the Promotion, participants agree to release and hold harmless March and Ash, Inc., its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of participation in the Promotion or acceptance, use, or misuse of any prize. CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION All issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Rules shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Any legal action arising out of this Promotion shall be brought exclusively in the courts located within the State of California. 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Refer a Friend. You Both Get 30% Off.

March 11, 2026
Customers who shop at select March and Ash locations may receive a Refer a Friend coupon . Once you have your coupon, share the “For a Friend” portion with someone who has never shopped at March and Ash. When they redeem it, they’ll receive 30% off their first purchase — and you’ll get 30% off your next visit . Two coupons. Two discounts. One great introduction. What Your Coupon Includes For a Friend Give this portion of the coupon to someone new to March and Ash. They’ll receive 30% off their first purchase . For You Keep this portion of the coupon. Use it for 30% off your next visit . How It Works Step 1 — Get a Coupon Customers may receive a Refer a Friend coupon when shopping at select March and Ash locations. Step 2 — Share with a Friend Give the “For a Friend” coupon to someone who has never shopped at March and Ash. Step 3 — They Redeem It Your friend brings the coupon in-store and receives 30% off their first purchase . Step 4 — You Save Too Keep the “For You” coupon and use it for 30% off your next purchase . Who Qualifies The Friend Coupon is valid for customers who: Have never made a purchase at March and Ash Are 21+ with valid ID Present the coupon at checkout Where It’s Valid Valid at participating March and Ash locations including Mission Valley Imperial Valley Availability may vary by location. Important Details • Coupon must be presented at checkout • One coupon per customer • Coupons cannot be duplicated or reproduced • Coupons are valid for a limited time and subject to change or cancellation at any time. What products are excluded? Discount excludes: Accessories Items under $10 CBD / ratio products (Imperial Valley and Palm Desert only) FAQ Can I give the friend coupon to anyone? Yes — as long as the person has never made a purchase at March and Ash before . Can the coupon be used online? No. The coupon must be presented in-store at checkout . Can the discount be combined with other deals? No. Referral coupons cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts . Terms Valid in-store only at participating March and Ash locations. One coupon per customer. Coupon must be relinquished at time of purchase. 30% off first-time purchase valid for new customers only. 30% off next purchase valid on a return visit. Not combinable with other offers. Excludes accessories and items under $10 at all participating locations. Excludes CBD/ratio products at Imperial Valley and Palm Desert locations only. Limited time offer. See store for details.

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