Beach bonfires, lazy days by the pool, and backyard cookouts — summer is a magical time of year that should be paired with the only best cannabis. We are lucky enough to live in a state that produces the world’s highest quality cannabis flower, and new strains are coming out almost daily. From Cherry Punch, a pheno of the classic AK-47, to Tres Leches, a cross of the beloved Cookies and Cream, there has never been more variety to choose from.

To help you make the most of warm weather and sunny days, we’ve put together a list of the best strains for the summer months with a little something for everyone. Whether heading out on a summer vacation or attending an outdoor concert, these strains will surely deliver what you are looking for.

In this post, we’ll cover:

Cherry Punch CREATE – Best Overall Summer Strain

Tres Leches CONNECT – Best for Social Gatherings

Cookies N Chem CALM – Best for a Lazy Pool Day

Iced Lemonade CONNECT – Best for a Beach Day

Sour Cream CHARGE – Best for Outdoor Activities

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Best Overall Summer Strain

Cherry Punch – 50/50 Hybrid Strain

Lineage/Cross: Cherry AK-47 X Purple Punch

Flavor/Aroma: Bold Cherry & Fuel

Dominant Terpene: Limonene

Our best overall summer strain is Cherry Punch. As a pheno of the classic sativa AK-47 and well-known indica Purple Punch, this strain offers the perfect balance of uplifting, euphoric effects with a burst of creative energy that won’t leave you feeling sluggish or tired. Cherry Punch will leave you feeling inspired, focused, and content whether you are heading sightseeing or spending the day on the beach. With a unique bold cherry and fuel flavor profile, Cherry Punch will give you the boost you need to make the most of any summer activity.

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Best for Social Gatherings

Tres Leches – 70/30 Sativa-Dominant Hybrid Strain

Lineage/Cross: Koolato X Cookies and Cream

Flavor/Aroma: Sweet, Citrus, and Creamy Caramel

Dominant Terpene: Limonene

Our Tres Leches strain has a decadent, creamy, sweet taste and aroma that will have you feeling like you’re indulging in your favorite dessert. Tres Leches is our favorite cannabis strain for summer social gatherings because it increases sociability, boosts mood and energy levels, and helps you let go of inhibitions — making conversation and affection easier. Whether hanging out with friends, enjoying some alone time with your partner, or meeting new people, Tres Leches will help you make lasting connections.

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Best for a Lazy Pool Day

Cookies N Chem – 65/35 Indica-Dominant Hybrid Strain

Lineage/Cross: Girl Scout Cookies X Starfighter X Stardawg

Flavor/Aroma: Gassy, Sweet, and Creamy

Dominant Terpene: Limonene

One hit of Cookies N Chem is like a soothing balm to your nervous system. As a cross of three popular strains — Girl Scout Cookies, Starfighter, and Stardawg — Cookies N Chem has a high THC content and long-lasting effects that will leave you blissfully unfocused, euphoric, and happy — the ideal way to spend a lazy day by the pool. This strain is also ideal for easing tension and chronic pain. You’ll enjoy a revitalizing poolside day with relaxed muscles and a contented mind.

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Best for a Beach Day

Iced Lemonade – (Lemon Ice) 70/30 Sativa-Dominant Hybrid Strain

Lineage/Cross: Lemon OG and Gorilla Haze

Flavor/Aroma: Diesel, Sweet, and Citrus

Dominant Terpene: Myrcene

What’s better than a glass of lemonade to beat the summer heat? Our sweet, citrusy Iced Lemonade flower! This sativa-dominant powerhouse will leave you stress-free, relaxed, and ready for a day of sun, sand, and surf. The potent effects give you a morning boost if you prefer to wake and bake, and the long-lasting high will sustain you into the afternoon. As a 70/30 sativa-leaning hybrid with Lemon OG and Gorilla Haze traits, this flower has a distinct lemony aroma and taste that will refresh and inspire you on those long summer days.

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Best for Outdoor Activities

Sour Cream – 50/50 Hybrid Strain

Lineage/Cross: Sour Diesel X G13 Haze

Flavor/Aroma: Creamy, Sour, Citrusy

Dominant Terpene: Myrcene

Sour Cream is an excellent strain if you want to get active during summer. Whether hitting the trails, surfing, paddle boarding, or biking on the boardwalk, this uniquely balanced hybrid will give you an energetic boost and mellow, relaxed headspace. This strain also has the creamy, fuel-like, sour taste and aroma synonymous with its classic parent, Sour D.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best cannabis strains for intimacy?

Potent sativa strains, such as Sour Diesel, Green Crack, Iced Lemonade, or Jack Herer, are popular for users looking to improve intimacy, connection, or increase sex drive. These varieties have high levels of limonene, linalool, or caryophyllene, making them uplifting, energizing, euphoric, and calming. For a complete list of strains and terpenes that can help improve your sex life, check out our article on the Best Terpenes for Intimacy.

What is the difference between classic and exotic cannabis strains?

All cannabis strains are crosses. However, when you hear a strain referred to as a “classic” it doesn’t just mean that it was a popular choice for smokers in the 70s or 80s. In most cases, when a strain is labeled a “classic” it also means it is a close relative, or “cross,” of a landrace strain.

Landrace strains are “pure cannabis strains” because they are cultivated in their natural environment and have never been crossbred. Strains that are children of landraces or close relatives are considered to be “classic” strains. Strains that have gone through several crosses to tailor the flavor profile, effects, cannabinoids, etc. are considered to be “exotic” strains.

Below, we’ve included a list of some classic genetics:

Northern Lights

Lineage: An inbred descendant of an original Afghani landrace strain

Classification: Pure Indica

Flavor Profile: Woody, piney flavor

Durban Poison 

Lineage: An inbred descendant of a sativa landrace strain grown in South Africa with high THC levels

Classification: Sativa

Flavor Profile: Citrus, and sweet

Blue Dream

Lineage: Blueberry X Haze

Classification: Sativa-Dominant Strain

Flavor Profile: Berry, and sweet

Super Lemon Haze

Lineage: Lemon Skunk X Super Silver Haze

Classification: Sativa-Dominant Strain

Flavor Profile: Sweet, and lemony

Super Silver Haze

Lineage: Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze

Classification: Sativa

Flavor Profile: Citrus, and earthy

Jilly Bean 

Lineage:  Space Queen X Orange Skunk

Classification: Sativa-Dominant Strain

Flavor Profile: Tangy citrus

White Widow 

Lineage:  A Brazilian sativa landrace and a South Indian indica landrace

Classification: Balanced hybrid

Flavor Profile: Pine, and woody

What are the best strains for creativity?

Whether you visit a museum or a national park, summer can be a great time to find creative inspiration. A sativa-dominant strain with high levels of limonene and caryophyllene, such as Cherry Punch, Tres Leches, and Iced Lemonade, can inspire divergent thinking and allow more free-flowing thoughts and ideas. Research shows that cannabis triggers cerebral blood flow (CBF) to the brain’s frontal lobe, stimulating “out-of-the-box thinking.” For a complete list of terpenes and strains that can help you find more inspiration, check out our Best Terpenes for Creativity articles.

Ready to Shop for the Best Summer Strains?

Summer is the perfect time to make memories that will last throughout the year. No matter what you have planned, the strains outlined above can help relieve stress and anxiety, lift your spirits, and help you find inspiration and connection everywhere you look. To find these strains near you, check out our store locator or find us on Weedmaps. You can also order our products for delivery by clicking the SHOP NOW button below.

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As a reminder, be sure to indulge responsibly and abide by consumption guidelines in public places.