Jack Herer Strain Guide

One of the most famous strains of cannabis ever to grace the world is Jack Herer strain. This bud is the namesake of the legendary Hemperor himself. 

Jack Herer was created by crossing three iconic parent strains, and has won countless accolades and awards over the years. So what’s all the buzz about?

Jack Herer History and Genetics

[caption id="attachment_10041" align="alignright" width="487"] Jack Herer is a beautiful flower, with long golden hair and intensely deep coloration.[/caption]

This legendary strain is a sativa-forward hybrid (80/20). Created in the mid-1990s in the Netherlands, breeder Sensi Seeds reportedly created Jack by merging Shiva Skunk and Northern Lights #5 with a Haze hybrid. 

Like Jack Herer, Shiva Skunk was first made by Sensi Seeds. The child of Skunk #1 and Northern Lights #5, this dank strain was the first indica to win the High Times Cup in 1988. With a citrusy and musky flavor, Shiva Skunk is sure to make you sleepy.

Northern Lights #5 is another legendary cultivar. This indica-forward strain is known for its potency, so newbie smokers take heed. This piney bud has been known to induce euphoria and creativity, but it can also knock you out.

Haze (AKA Original Haze) was created by the Haze Brothers in Santa Cruz in the 1960s. There it thrived thanks to the mild climate. This sativa has a peppery aroma along with a woodsy and fruity flavor, and will make you feel both energetic and creative.

Jack Herer is known for its intense cerebral high and accompanying body buzz, along with its woodsy flavor profile. At its peak, the bud appears to be covered in crystals, thanks to all of its trichomes. 

Child strains include Jack's Cleaner, Jack the Ripper, Jack Skellington, and many more.

Who is Jack Herer, and Why You Should Care

If you enjoy smoking weed, then you should know who Jack Herer is, as he’s one of the OGs of marijuana activism. This west coast legend is most famous for his 1985 book The Emperor Wears No Clothes, which passionately advocated for the legalization of hemp.

Herer was often found evangelizing for marijuana at the colorful Venice Beach boardwalk, sporting patriotic and weed-positive tye dye. He also traveled the country and gave numerous speeches, challenging the government and tirelessly singing the praises of cannabis.

Herer died in 2010 at age 70 after suffering a heart attack. However, his legacy lives on as weed becomes legal in more and more states across the U.S. It’s not surprising, then, that one of the finest strains of cannabis out there bears his iconic name.

Jack Herer Terpene Profile

The terpene profile of Jack Herer strain gives it a woodsy aroma and flavor – almost like Pine Sol, but in a good way – with terpinolene, beta-caryophyllene, and ocimene at the forefront.

Here’s how these terpenes impact Jack’s flavor profile.

• Terpinolene: floral and pine (also found in lilacs and nutmeg)
• Caryophyllene: pepper and clove (also found in pepper and basil)
• Ocimene: citrus and earth (also found in mind and orchids)
• Myrcene: pepper and balsam (also found in thyme and mango)
• Limonene: citrus (also found in lemon and orange)
• Phytol: grassy (also found in green tea)
• Pinene: pine (also found in pine and rosemary)
• Nerolidol: floral and citrus (also found in jasmine and lemongrass)

The overall result is an aroma that is peppery, citrusy, sweet, and floral, and a flavor that is spicy, nectary, and piney. One puff and you’ll be transported to a lush forest of dense trees.

Jack Herer Potency

Jack Herer is a potent sativa-forward strain. It contains between 15 percent to 24 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 1 percent (CBN). 

Less than 1 percent of cannabidiol (CBD) is found in this strain.

Jack Herer Strain Effects

There’s a reason that Jack Herer is such a popular strain of weed: It gives you a boost of energy (like Tres Leches, which we reviewed here) as soon as you smoke it, followed by an intense feeling of bliss and well-being. You’ll also find your creative juices start flowing with gusto, as will your desire to have deep conversations.

Keep the Memory of Jack Herer Alive

It’s possible that no one loves marijuana as much as Jack Herer did, which is one reason why this iconic strain bears his name. So every time you light up, you’re no doubt making Jack smile, wherever he may be.