How Do Hemp and Cannabis Strains Get Their Names and Why Are They So Weird, Impolite, or Derogatory?

Walking into a modern dispensary can feel like stepping into an adult candy store run by stand-up comedians. “Purple Monkey Balls,” “Gorilla Glue,” “Girl Scout Cookies,” “Alaskan Thunderfk,” “Schweddy Balls” (yes, that’s real) – the menu reads like a list of craft beers dreamed up by teenagers on a sugar high. It’s equal parts hilarious and perplexing. How on earth do cannabis strains get these names? And why are so many of them weird, impolite, or downright offensive? As a longtime cannabis connoisseur (read: pothead with a notepad), I’ve often wondered if growers are pulling our leg or engaging in a covert contest of “who can out-gonzo name their weed.” After some digging – and smoking – I’ve emerged with answers. Strap in; this ride through the wild world of strain names is about to get bumpy.

The Method Behind the Madness: Believe it or not, there is usually some logic to a strain’s name – at least originally. In the early days, names were pretty straightforward. Strains often indicated their geographic origin or heritage. For instance, in the 1960s and 70s you had classics like “Acapulco Gold,” “Panama Red,” “Hindu Kush,” and “Maui Wowie.” These told you where the bud came from or the landrace genetics it had . If you scored some Thai Stick, you knew it was Thai-grown ganja tied to a stick (and potent as hell). As cannabis breeding proliferated, growers began crossing strains, and the naming got more creative out of necessity. You can only name so many strains after places before you run out of map.

In many cases, strain names reflect some combination of their parentage, flavor, or effects. A simple formula emerged: take part of Mom’s name + part of Dad’s name, or reference the aroma. For example, “Blueberry” (a fruity indica by DJ Short) got its name for its unmistakable blueberry scent. When Blueberry was crossed with the haze family, we got “Blue Dream” – blue from Blueberry and “Dream” hinting at the hazy, dreamlike high (as well as a nod to Haze’s cerebral nature) . “Sour Diesel” is another case: it has a pungent, fuel-like odor (diesel) with a sharp, sour citrus note . Simple enough, right?

Some strain names telegraph their intended effects or potency. A heavy indica that “glues” you to the couch became “Gorilla Glue” because users joked it left them stuck in place, immobile. (A side note: the Gorilla Glue strain was so popular the actual Gorilla Glue adhesive company sued the breeders for trademark infringement – the strain is often now just called “GG4” to avoid legal issues .) Then you have “Green Crack,” a sativa so energizing and buzzy that none other than Snoop Dogg quipped it was like the crack of cannabis – the name, impolite and controversial as it is, stuck. “AK-47” got its moniker for delivering a quick, powerful hit (like the firearm) and perhaps because of its hybrid lineage from various regions (AK could stand for Afghan/Kolumbia as well, depending who you ask). “Trainwreck” was named because, well, users felt like they got hit by a freight train – in a good way!

So why the weird and wacky? Cannabis culture has always had a rebellious, humorous streak. When you operate in illegality for decades, inside jokes and shock value thrive. Growers weren’t exactly filing patents; they were christening their creations in underground markets. A zany name made a strain memorable in word-of-mouth lore and signaled a bit of counter-culture defiance. It’s kind of punk rock – you’re already breaking the law growing pot, why not call your strain “Pigeon Fart” if you want to? No Cannabis Cup judge or DEA agent will ever forget that. There’s also a marketing aspect: as more strains flooded the scene, an outrageous name could make yours stand out. Consumers (especially back in the day) might not have lab data on THC percentages, so names were proxies for potency or uniqueness.

Honoring Heroes and Inside Jokes: Some strains carry the names of cannabis culture icons. We’ve got “Jack Herer,” “Maui Wowie,” “Chemdog,” “Charlotte’s Web,” and yes, “Mr. Nice.” These honor activists, places of origin, legendary plants, or patients. Those names aren’t weird in themselves – what’s weird is that the trend of naming strains after people or pop culture opened the door to all sorts of references. For every dignified homage like Jack Herer, there’s a tongue-in-cheek celebrity nod like “Charlie Sheen” (a strain that surged in 2011 when the actor went on his infamous tiger-blood rant), or “Michael Phelps OG” (cheekily named after the Olympic swimmer’s bong scandal). Breeders sometimes pick names purely as inside jokes or to amuse stoner circles. One famous breeder, Soma, named a strain “Lavender” for its purple color and floral smell – polite enough. Contrast that with “Crouching Tiger Hidden Alien” or “God’s Green Crack,” which sound like someone let a 14-year-old gamer name the inventory.

Cannabis strain names can range from whimsical and humorous to downright bizarre, often carrying unique backstories rooted in pop culture, historical events, genetics, or even private jokes among growers . For example, “Skywalker OG” obviously riffs on Star Wars, hinting it’s an OG Kush so good it’ll send you to a galaxy far, far away. “Bruce Banner” (the Hulk’s alter ego) suggests a strain that is green and incredibly strong. And then there’s my personal favorite oddball: “Boaty McBoatface” – yes, there is a strain named after the famous internet poll to name a research ship. If that doesn’t exemplify stoner humor, I don’t know what does.

Let’s not ignore the strains that venture into the impolite or derogatory. Names like “Cat Piss,” “Dog Shit,” or “Horse Traquillizer” (misspelling intentional) are chosen presumably to shock and amuse. Who in their right mind would want to smoke Cat Piss? Believe it or not, “Cat Piss” is a real strain known for an ammonia-like, uriney odor – so at least it’s truth in advertising . Some connoisseurs love the funky ones; it’s a badge of honor to say “I’ve got some really stanky weed – it literally smells like cat pee.” Similarly, “Dog Shit” got its name because, well, it apparently tasted a bit…funky. It’s almost a reverse psychology marketing: only the brave or truly knowledgeable will try it, and they often end up impressed.

Examples of Outrageous Strain Names (and Origins):

Some of the wildest strain names and their backstories include:

1. Alaskan Thunderf%!k (ATF) – This legendary sativa strain hails from Alaska’s Matanuska Valley. Its name is as bold as its high. Legend says it was named “Alaskan Thunderf**k” because it delivers a “thunderous” cerebral punch that hits like a freight train. Over time, many dispensaries censored it to just “ATF” on labels to be more family-friendly, but the full name still carries legendary status among old-school tokers .

2. Couchlock – One of the most straightforward strain names out there. Couchlock (sometimes just a slang term, sometimes a specific strain) describes exactly what it does: glues you to the couch in a sedated stupor. Early breeders coined this to warn (or entice) consumers about the strain’s deeply relaxing, immobilizing effects – so strong you might feel physically locked to your seat .

3. Cat Piss – As mentioned, not the most inviting name, but memorable! This strain gained notoriety for its strong ammonia-like smell, remarkably akin to a cat’s urine. It’s believed to be a phenotype of Super Silver Haze that just happened to express an extra pungent aroma . Despite the name, it delivers energetic, uplifting effects that many seasoned users adore – proof that in cannabis, sometimes the worse it smells, the better it is.

4. Purple Monkey Balls – Yes, someone went there. This indica strain (reportedly an old Afghani variety) got its name from the appearance of its buds: round, dense, purple-hued nuggets that – if you use some imagination and a juvenile sense of humor – resemble a certain primate’s anatomy . Crass? Sure. But it’s hard to forget. And those who try it usually praise its sweet grape flavor and relaxing high.

5. Meat Breath – A newer entrant in the weird name game, Meat Breath is a hybrid of Meatloaf and Mendo Breath strains. The name comes from its distinct aroma – a bizarre mix of cured meat, fuel, and earthy undertones . It’s unconventional, but those who appreciate funky terpene profiles find Meat Breath unforgettable (and fortunately, it tastes better than it sounds).

6. GMO Cookies (Garlic Cookies) – GMO doesn’t stand for “genetically modified organism” here; it stands for Garlic, Mushrooms, and Onions – reflecting the strain’s extremely savory, garlic-onion smell. Some jokingly say GMO really stands for “Garlic Makes Outrage” because people are shocked weed can smell like an Italian restaurant. This strain (a Chemdog x GSC cross) shows that names can be weird and descriptive.

These examples illustrate a broader point: cannabis strain names can come from genetics, effects, flavors, appearances, places, or pure whimsy . There are often reasons—it’s just that those reasons run through a filter of stoner creativity and counterculture irreverence.

Irreverence as Culture: To understand the naming convention, one must understand cannabis culture. For decades, it existed on the fringe – a subculture thumbing its nose at stuffy societal norms. The wild strain names are an extension of that ethos. It’s language as rebellion. In a world that demanded cannabis stay hidden and serious (Schedule I drug, criminal penalties and all), growers and users made the naming of cannabis an act of playful subversion. It’s similar to how skateboard tricks have bizarre names (who came up with “melon grab” or “stinky pirate”?) or how hackers give programs silly monikers. It bonds the community with a shared lexicon that outsiders might find baffling or off-putting – which is partly the point.

The Impact of Legalization – Reining in the Rudeness? Now that cannabis is coming out of the shadows and into boardrooms, one might wonder: will these wacky names survive? Legal markets are a bit uneasy about selling something called “Alien Cum” (yep, that exists) or “Black Mamba Serial Killer” to the average consumer. There’s been a slight shift towards simplifying or rebranding certain strains for professionalism or to avoid offense/trademark issues. “Girl Scout Cookies,” for example, is often shortened to “GSC” in legal dispensaries to avoid the wrath of the actual Girl Scouts organization. “Gorilla Glue #4” is now often sold as “GG4” or under a different name like “Original Glue” after that lawsuit . Some dispensaries just list strains by effects like “Relax Indica #5” to keep things square for newcomers.

Yet, the quirky tradition persists. Even on dispensary shelves, you’ll find new provocative names emerging (hello “Motorbreath” and “Monkey Spunk”). Part of the allure for consumers is exactly that tongue-in-cheek vibe. It differentiates cannabis from more buttoned-up products. Cannabis marketing often leans into its cultural roots; strain names are a big part of that. Imagine if every strain was just numbered or given a boring, clinical name – a lot of color and lore would be lost.

When Names Go Too Far: Of course, not everyone’s laughing. Some names are derogatory or problematic. Strains that reference racial slurs or illnesses (I recall an old strain colloquially called “Insane OG” which some felt stigmatized mental illness) are being phased out. The industry is slowly learning to balance edgy and respectful. But it’s a fine line. A name like “Jack the Ripper” – is it glorifying violence or just meant to indicate a killer buzz? “AK-47” – off-putting gun reference or just badass branding? These debates pop up as cannabis goes mainstream.

In my view, the strain names are a form of folk art – verbal graffiti from the outlaw years. Some might be crude or shocking, but they carry history and humor. They force a reaction, a conversation. The very question “Why are strain names so weird or impolite?” underscores how unique cannabis culture is. No one asks why wines have names like “Sauvignon Blanc” (pretty tame). But “Zombie Kush” or “God’s Gift” – those spark curiosity and often a story to go with it.

One grower once told me: “We name strains like we name rock bands. You want something people remember, something with a bit of attitude.” That makes sense. Just as rock music revels in showmanship and controversy, cannabis names flash a rebellious grin.

In the Name of Weed: As a final gonzo experiment, I tried to come up with the craziest strain name possible by throwing together random words: Galactic Donkey Funk. Guess what – I Googled it, and some wily breeder already coined “Donkey Butter” and “Galactic Jack.” It’s only a matter of time before those mate and create my hypothetical love-child strain. In cannabis, if you can imagine it, somewhere, someone’s probably growing it and giving it a ridiculous name.

So the next time you find yourself giggling at a dispensary menu or raising an eyebrow at a strain called “Tony Montana” or “Chernobyl,” remember: behind each name is a slice of cannabis history, culture, or humor. Weird, impolite, derogatory – perhaps. But boring? Never. These names reflect the freewheeling spirit that cannabis embodies. Even as the plant enters suits-and-ties territory, its nomenclature keeps one foot firmly in the domain of the subversive and the playful. And honestly, the world could use a bit of that funky, irreverent charm.

So here’s to ATF and Purple Monkey Balls, to Cat Piss and Candyland, to all the absurd and awesome strain names that have given us a laugh and a story to tell. Call it childish, call it crude – I call it cannabis culture, in all its sticky, skunky glory.