What is Durban Poison?
Leafly describes Durban Poison as a pure sativa that originates from the South African port city of Durban, and lists its parent simply as African. AllBud calls it the inbred descendant of a sativa grown in South Africa and says American cannabis activist Ed Rosenthal found the original strain and brought it back to the United States in the 1970s.
Weedmaps adds that Rosenthal passed seeds to grower and author Mel Frank, who selected for more resin and a quicker finish. Frank's A-line reportedly became the Durban Poison that spread through American gardens, while B-line genetics went to Sam the Skunkman and into Dutch breeding, including the mix behind Skunk #1, though Weedmaps admits decades of retelling have blurred some of the handoffs. It also notes that Durban Poison placed second in the Medical Sativa category at the Denver High Times Cannabis Cup in 2013 and 2014.
Look, smell and taste
Leafly and AllBud both describe round, chunky buds with a thick coat of oversized trichomes, which is why Leafly calls it a quality choice for making concentrates. Weedmaps says the flowers can be denser than the plant's lanky sativa build suggests.
AllBud describes the main smell and taste as earthy and sweet with a subtle pine aroma, and Leafly reviewers' top flavours are pine, earthy and sage. Weedmaps describes sweet earth and pine cut with herbs, citrus, pepper and a sharp anise or black licorice note. Leafly's lab data lists terpinolene as the dominant terpene, followed by myrcene and ocimene.
Effects people report
Leafly reviewers most often report feeling focused, energetic and uplifted, and Leafly rates the effects as mostly energizing. AllBud describes a strong, happy head high suited to creative work and daytime errands, and Weedmaps describes a fast, bright cerebral high with energy, focus and creativity up front.
The negatives Leafly reviewers mention most are feeling anxious, dry mouth and dry eyes, and AllBud lists paranoia and dry mouth as possible side effects. Effects vary from person to person. Health Canada advises starting low and going slow, and its lower-risk guidelines say not to drive for at least 6 hours after using cannabis.
How strong is Durban Poison?
Leafly lists 19% THC and 1% CBG and calls Durban Poison higher in THC than average. Weedmaps gives a range of 15% to 25% THC, and AllBud says levels can reach 24%. THC varies by grower and batch, so go by the lab result on the label.
Similar strains
These strains share Durban Poison's family tree or, according to Weedmaps, a similar profile:
- Platinum Girl Scout Cookies: Leafly lists OG Kush and Durban Poison as its parents.
- Skunk #1: Weedmaps says Durban genetics went into the mix behind it.
- Green Crack: one of the energetic sativas Weedmaps lists as similar.
- Cinderella 99: another strain Weedmaps lists as similar.
Buying Durban Poison
The menu box on this page shows whether Durban Poison is on the GasDank menu right now; if it is not, it lists in-stock sativa flower instead, and you can also browse all sativa flower. Whichever strain you pick, look for lab-tested flower with clear THC and CBD numbers that looks and smells fresh. GasDank delivers same day across Toronto and the GTA, usually within 1 to 2 hours, and ships by mail order across Canada. The minimum order is $40 in Toronto and Mississauga (free delivery from $80), $60 in the outer GTA (free from $160) and nothing for mail order (free shipping from $150). Customers must be 19 or older (21 in Quebec), with ID checked.
