AK-47 Strain: Lineage, Effects, Taste and Awards

AK-47 is a sativa-dominant hybrid created by Simon, the owner and breeder of Serious Seeds, in 1992 after he tested thousands of experimental plants. He has never published the exact pedigree, but says it was bred from Colombian, Mexican, Thai and Afghani seed stock and lands at roughly 65% sativa and 35% indica. Leafly files it as a hybrid with the nickname AK, and you will also see it written AK47 or AK 47.

The name has several explanations. Wikipedia collects a few, from the rifle, to the breeder's initials plus a 47-day grow, to Afghan Kush, while Serious Seeds says it refers to the strain's reputation as a "one hit wonder" rather than to violence. Wikipedia also notes that AK-47 has won awards in both sativa and indica categories, perhaps the only strain to do so.

Serious Seeds now counts 27 awards, including High Times Strain of the Year 2003 and a sativa category win at the Treating Yourself Expo in Toronto. Wikipedia puts the count at 16 by 2020 and dates the Toronto win to 2011; the breeder says 2010.

AllBud describes oversized, spade-shaped, minty green buds with thick orange hairs and a frosty coat of trichomes. Serious Seeds points to a high calyx-to-leaf ratio: lots of flower, few leaves and unusually large calyxes that stack into dense clusters.

Leafly calls the scent sour and earthy, with sweet, floral notes that come through mainly on the taste, and its reviewers most often pick skunk, tobacco and earthy as flavours. AllBud lists earthy, flowery, herbal and spicy aromas, and the breeder mentions spice and sweet citrus. In Leafly's lab data the leading terpene is myrcene, followed by pinene and caryophyllene.

Leafly describes a steady, long-lasting cerebral buzz that keeps people alert and engaged in creative or social activities while leaving them relaxed and mellow. Across more than 3,000 Leafly ratings, the most reported feelings are hungry, happy and talkative, and the site rates the strain as mostly energizing. AllBud's effect tags are creative, euphoric, relaxing, sociable and uplifting.

A grow report published by Serious Seeds describes the high as strong and complex, with a heavy body feel and a clear, euphoric head at the same time. The downsides Leafly users list most are dry mouth, dry eyes and dizziness. Start with a small amount, and follow Health Canada's lower-risk guidelines, which say not to drive for at least 6 hours after using cannabis.

Numbers vary by grower and batch. Leafly lists about 19% THC and 0% CBD, AllBud gives a range of 13 to 20% THC, and Serious Seeds lists about 20% THC and 1% CBD. The breeder also says an independent lab measured 21.5% THC in its 1999 Cannabis Cup sample, the highest of that year's entries. Go by the label on your batch; the guide to how much THC percentage matters explains why the number is only part of the picture.

AK-47 sits behind several well-known strains. Serious Seeds bred White Russian by crossing AK-47 with White Widow, and Wikipedia lists Chronic as a cross of AK-47 with Northern Lights and Skunk #1. Leafly also lists Cherry AK-47 as a descendant.

For the regional lines in its background, compare Afghani, the indica side of the mix, and Thai, one of its three sativa sources.

The menu box on this page shows whether AK-47 is on the GasDank menu right now; if it is not, it lists in-stock hybrid flower instead. Whatever you choose, look for a lab-tested batch with clear THC and CBD numbers and flower that looks and smells fresh. Same-day delivery covers Toronto and the GTA, usually within 1 to 2 hours, and mail order ships across Canada; customers must be 19 or older (21 in Quebec), with ID checked. You can also browse all hybrid flower.