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Written By Aaryn Indica

In the world of classic cannabis strains, Jack Herer is considered absolute gas.

While that may be from the fact that this strain smells and tastes like a gas leak - with its chemically sour and herbal terpene profile - this hard-hitting strain tops award lists time and time again. This sativa-dominant strain is on a lot of people's favorites list too, for good reason.

Jack Herer is the perfect balance of body and mind high - working wonders on both mental stress and physical pain, and that's probably why it's seemingly popping up everywhere this season. As spring warms up the streets, Jack Herer has been hitting dispensary shelves all across NYC.

Working in the cannabis industry in NYC, I was a bit surprised to see Jack Herer popping up a lot again, whether that be in carts, packs of pre-rolls, or ounces of THCA hitting virtual shelves.

Thought you may have a lot of questions -
What is Jack Herer? Why’s the strain so popular? Who was Jack?
And how can one strain hide secrets of an entire cannabis legacy?

Today on Strain School, we’re studying Jack Herer.

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What is Jack Herer?

Jack Herer is a classic, extraordinary strain that's been a mainstay in the cannabis world for decades. It’s a strain that’s wrapped up in legacy and secrets.

The exact genetics of Jack Herer are supposedly a closely guarded secret, but many believe Jack Herer is a cross of Haze, Northern Lights #5, and Shiva Skunk.

What truly makes Jack Herer so unique is its terpene profile, which can contain a variety of rare terpenes depending on the breeder. Two of these terps are Terpinolene and less commonly, Ocimene - which are both relatively rare with modern cannabis strains. But they’re equally as potent, with a lot of surprising potential effects.

Terpinolene is an all around stress-killer known for its reported anti-anxiety properties and its relaxing sedative effects. Ocimene on the other hand is uplifting, refreshing and energizing. This unique balance makes Jack Herer something special - a sativa less likely to cause anxiety.

How does J.h make you feel?

Jack Herer is one of the strains, alongside others like White Widow, that are popular in the medical marijuana spheres. Because of its closely guard genetics, Jack Herer can have a multitude of different and rare terpenes, though they have the same effect overall.

Jack Herer’s high is uplifting and brightening, without being anxiety inducing like some limonene strains.

JH adds a creative focus boost to your high while basically nullifying most pain in the body. It can help with cramps and muscle aches, tackling things like brain fog head-on. Jack Herer isn't known to produce couchlock, making it a great daytime sativa strain.

For this reason, many cannabis patients return to Jack Herer again and again. That’s probably why this strain couldn’t have a more fitting name.

Now with all this, you may be asking - who exactly was Jack Herer?

More importantly, what could he possible do to warrant a whole strain named after him?
Well to understand that, we’ll have to take a look into cannabis history.

Jack Herer is the quintessential strain of cannabis for good reason. Its strong head high, therapeutic body benefits, and wicked smell are all the perfect tribute to the amazing marijuana activist who made this strain possible - Jack Herer.

Originally a glass maker, in 1973 Jack Herer opened his first head shop in Portland, OR and began compiling cannabis information at the recommendation of a friend.

Eight years later, that recommendation and research would lead to Jack self-publishing a revolutionary book called The Emperor Wears No Clothes.

The Emperor Wears No Clothes effectively served as the Canna-Bible prior to the days of the internet. The book - which is still in print today - covers everything from the hidden history of cannabis, its modern day prohibition, and its potential to heal people, the world, and the environment.

“There is only one known annually renewable natural resource that is capable of providing the overall majority of the world's paper and textiles; meet all of the world's transportation, industrial and home energy needs, while simultaneously reducing pollution, rebuilding the soil, and cleaning the atmosphere all at the same time... and that substance is -- the same one that did it all before -- Cannabis Hemp... Marijuana!” - Jack Herer

The book quickly became beloved in the world of bud. Throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s High Times Magazine would sell the book on a mail-order basis.

It’s a radical, revolutionary book that tackled how cannabis was not only safe and harmless - but the key to repairing everything from the Earth's ecosystems to our mental health. The Emperor Wears No Clothes goes deep into the history and usages of not just cannabis but hemp as a whole, and how it could radically change the entire world.

Nearly 10 years after its publication, Sensi Seed Bank - a notorious breeder out of The Netherlands - created the strain Jack Herer in the mid-1990’s to pay tribute to the living legend.

Jack Herer has since passed, but the strain leaves behind his amazing legacy. While Jack Herer's book contributed so much to the cannabis industry, his strain has arguably done even more help.

Jack Herer is my top strain for Spring.

It’s a top pick for those who use cannabis on a more medicinal and therapeutic basis. It’s recommended for anything from chronic pain, to daily stress or mental fog.

And it’s perfect for those of us that want to get high and still get shit done.

As a daily smoker, as a stoner that likes smoking on the go, Jack Herer is perfect for trips to the grocery store or strolling around the streets of your city. For the artists out there, it's also a great creative boost.

Plus it lets us pay homage to a cannabis legend every single time we spark up.

As a fellow cannabis connoisseur and writer, Jack is without a doubt one of my idols. And the strain Jack Herer is definitely up there in my faves.

In the name of the man who made it, I like to call the strain Dr. Feelgood.

If you see Jack Herer on his shelf near you, I definitely recommend you check it out. If your state is anything like New York, that might just be a common occurrence in the near future.

Overall, I feel like Jack Herer is the perfect strain for the spring season. Especially if you're finally ready to shake off your winter hibernation and jump into the warmer months of the year.