The Cannabis Strains That Shaped the Culture: Haze 

Haze is a legendary sativa-dominant cannabis hybrid that originated in the 1970s. Known for its uplifting effects and sweet terpene profile, which features an abundance of terpinolene. Its genetics have been extensively crossed with some of the most popular strains, making it likely that it is a parent of the strain you’re smoking now. These hybrids continue to captivate enthusiasts worldwide, maintaining Haze’s legendary status within the cannabis community.

The Hazy History of the Haze Brothers

In the mid-to-late 1970s, greenhouse cultivation experienced significant growth in California. It allowed growers to cultivate tropical sativa strains with long flowering cycles that previously could not thrive outdoors in temperate climates. The breakthrough enabled the successful cultivation of exotic, often challenging-to-grow cannabis varieties year-round in controlled environments, attracting a broader community of growers interested in genetic diversity.

High Times Magazine

Around the same time, two growers, R. Haze and J. Haze from Santa Cruz, began exploring landrace sativas gifted by their neighbor, David Watson, also known as Sam the Skunkman. Alongside growers like Mel Frank, Ed Rosenthal, and Robert C. Clarke, they developed a hybrid that would later define the global “Haze” line. Although it was never stabilized into a commercial seed, their pioneering genetics laid the foundation for Haze as we know it today. 

The Haze Brothers started their innovative breeding program by crossing Mexican Acapulco Gold, famous for its uplifting effects, with a Colombian landrace known for its resilience and adaptability. The following year, they selected the best female plants to cross with an indica-dominant male plant from southern India. In the third year, they back-crossed this line with a Thai male to ensure consistency and genetic stability, resulting in a four-way sativa polyhybrid.

What Are the Key Characteristics of Haze?

Haze originates from tropical regions, characterized by extended summer periods and warm, humid climates. Morphologically, they produce robust plants with elongated, airy buds with significant internodal spacing, promoting optimal light dispersion and air circulation within the canopy. The strain’s growth pattern features predominantly tall plants with elongated branches, adaptations that enable it to thrive in tropical climates with abundant sunlight.

The flowering time for Haze strains can last up to 14 weeks, which is relatively long compared to other cannabis varieties. This extended flowering period requires growers to plan carefully for a longer cultivation cycle. Such prolonged growth can create challenges outdoors in regions with shorter growing seasons, such as Northern Europe, where early frosts may prematurely hinder growth, impacting both the yield quality and quantity. 

Renowned for their inspiring effects that elevate mood and spark creativity, Haze strains deliver an energizing and euphoric high. Their captivating aroma features an incense-like scent blended with sweet, citrusy limonene. Earthy myrcene melodies intertwine with zesty lemon, fresh pine, pepper, and sandalwood, all wrapped in herbal and floral nuances. This vibrant profile makes Haze a truly captivating experience for the mind and body.

Original Haze proved difficult to grow due to its instability and tendency to become hermaphroditic in poor environmental conditions. This made Haze less suitable for large-scale commercial cultivation. Its true value was seen in hybridization, with Watson noting that Original Haze was mainly used as breeding material rather than for commercial cultivation. Despite this, it remained the only pure Haze available for breeding programs. 

Stabilization and The Foundations of European Seedbanks

Following increased enforcement in the U.S., including a DEA raid on the Sacred Seed Club in 1985, Watson left Santa Cruz and moved to Amsterdam about a month later—reportedly carrying around 250,000 seeds in his suitcase. Watson founded Cultivator’s Choice in 1986, the first cannabis seed bank in Europe. There, he captured the essential essence of Haze and introduced it as a seed variety accessible to cannabis enthusiasts across Europe.

During his time in Amsterdam, Watson connected with influential figures in the Dutch cannabis community, including Wernard Bruining of Mellow Yellow coffeeshop and Nevil Schoenmaker, who made significant contributions to the cultivation scene and helped expand genetic diversity in Europe. He also paved the way for the development of iconic sativa hybrids by seed banks such as The Seed Bank, Sensi Seeds, and Soma Seeds.

Silver Haze [(Northern Lights #5 × Skunk #1)]

Silver Haze is a combination of the invigorating, energetic effects of the classic Haze with the rapid flowering times and increased yields characteristic of NL#5 and Skunk #1. It offers breeders a potent, productive, and consistent strain, ideal for commercial cultivation.

Neville’s Haze [(Haze × NL5/Haze A) × Haze C]

Initially developed by Neville Schoenmaker, Neville’s Haze contains up to 95% sativa genetics. It has a flowering period of 14-16 weeks and exhibits significant stretching and vigorous bud development, making it a popular choice among cultivators seeking XL yields.

Purple Haze (Purple Thai x Haze)

Purple Haze was selectively bred to enhance both its aesthetic appeal and psychoactive profile. By crossing various landrace strains, breeders sought to create a stable hybrid that exhibited prominent anthocyanin production, high THC levels, and a distinct terpene profile.

Titan’s Haze (Haze × Skunk #1)

Titan’s Haze offers a more user-friendly, low-maintenance growing experience, blending the classic high and structure of Haze with Skunk #1, known for its stability and vigor. It is slightly more compact and has a faster flowering period than the original Haze. 

Super Silver Haze (Skunk #1 × Northern Lights #5 × Haze)

This sativa-dominant hybrid is renowned for its energetic effects, characterized by a sweet, citrusy terpene profile. Refined by Nevil Schoenmaker and Shantibaba at Green House Seeds, this legendary strain is a three-time winner of the High Times Cannabis Cup.

Amnesia Haze [(Thai × Cambodian) × (Jamaican × South Asian)] × Afghani × Haze

With a complex genetic lineage originating from Southeast Asia and Caribbean landraces, Amnesia Haze was bred by Soma Seeds and is renowned for its uplifting and energetic high. It boasts a citrusy, spicy terpene profile and a long flowering period of up to 13 weeks.

The Hazy Impact on Modern-day Hybrids

Watson’s introduction of stabilized American cannabis genetics laid the groundwork for a rapid increase in hybrid varieties, which quickly gained popularity in Amsterdam’s renowned seed banks, such as Lowland Seed Co. and Super Sativa Seed Club. The arrival of strains like Skunk #1 and Original Haze caused a significant shift, with “Skunk” becoming shorthand for potent, stable cannabis strains, changing how cultivation and consumption evolved.

Haze has solidified its reputation as a staple in Amsterdam’s coffeeshop scene, especially given its roots and legacy in the Netherlands. Known for its uplifting buzz, Haze is frequently found in many establishments across Amsterdam, contributing to the city’s rich cannabis culture. Its longstanding presence highlights its significance in the local community and its popularity among both visitors and residents, making it an integral part of coffeeshop history.

Its unique genetic profile and distinct aromatic qualities have significantly influenced modern breeding practice, and Haze has firmly established itself as a fundamental backbone in the development of new cannabis hybrids. Over the years, Haze genetics have been integrated into a variety of popular strains, notably contributing to well-known cultivars such as COB Salad, Caribbean Queen, and California Haze, a testament to its resilience and versatility.

Humboldt’s Seed Company’s Premier Sativa Selections

California Haze

California Haze is a modern twist on the classic Haze. Bred for growers in regions with shorter summers, it’s the perfect addition to your garden. This sativa-dominant hybrid showcases tall, spear-like plants that produce dense flowers with a delightful aroma of citrus, pine, and sweetness. It provides a euphoric, creative high that appeals to artists, with faster flowering times of up to 67 days and increased potency of approximately 25 to 27% THC.

Caribbean Queen

Caribbean Queen is a remarkable “Pure Sativa” that stimulates the mind and fosters creativity, similar to the well-known Haze lineage. It embodies the vibrant essence of the Caribbean islands, originating from a meticulous selection process involving Dr. Machel Emmanuel and the Rastafarian Church of Antigua and Barbuda. With a flowering period of 60 days, it produces a tropical terpene profile characterized by fresh mango and floral notes.

Cob Salad

COB Salad is a sativa-dominant hybrid renowned for its uplifting and invigorating effects. Its aroma combines the fresh, minty notes of Mountaintop Mint #1 with the earthy, pine scent of OG Kush and the citrusy zest of Haze, creating a complex but appealing terpene profile. The strain promotes mental clarity, focus, and creative inspiration, making it ideal for daytime use. It has a rapid flowering period of 55-60 days and exhibits strong resistance to mold.

Still Dazed and Confused?

Haze has significantly influenced the cannabis industry with its high-potency and uniquely sweet terpene profiles, inspiring countless hybrids with flowering times reaching up to 16 weeks. Watson’s pioneering efforts laid the foundation for modern cannabis breeding, fueling a global movement that continues to expand. The legacy of Haze fosters innovation, with breeders pushing boundaries and adapting long-flowering varieties for the European market. 

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