What Is Purple Weed?

Of all the weed products available today, purple weed still seems to be one that’s considered the “holy grail” of cannabis. People search far and wide for purple strains like GDP and Purple Haze, but is it really worth the hype? What’s the deal with purple weed, anyway? Is it just a cool color that happens in the growth process or does it offer something extra compared to green, brown, orange, and other weed colors?

Purple weed gets its color from anthocyanin, which is affected by the pH of the plant and usually overshadowed by chlorophyll for most of the growing season. Acidic plants show more red in color while alkaline plants are more blue. If there’s a neutral pH, you get the pretty purple hues that people love. 

In this guide, we’ll talk all about the benefits of purple weed, the most popular strains and their features, and other facts about purple marijuana strains so that you can make the best buying decision and better understand how the genetics and colors can play a role in the effects of the weed that you consume.

Benefits of purple weed

While some people think that purple weed is somehow “better” than green strains or multi-colored strains, that’s usually just a matter of perception. The effects of cannabis come from the strain itself and the genetics, not just the color. With that said, the benefits that come from purple weed strains are multi-faceted. 

Some people enjoy the pain relieving effects of purple strains, along with the relaxing effect that some know as “couch lock.” People who are anxious or struggle with insomnia enjoy strains like GDP to knock their anxiety down a few notches or knock them out for the night so they can sleep. 

Most purple cannabis strains are indica-based, which means they’re designed for relaxing, sleep, pain relief, and other benefits that you don’t find in sativa strains. Of course, as mentioned, the exact effects depend on the specific strain that you choose.

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Popular purple weed strains

There are several purple weed plants that are cultivated today. You may find some in certain areas of the country more frequently than others, but these strains can really be grown in just about all conditions. It’s not hard to find a few of the top purple strains of cannabis if you live in an area with multiple retail stores or dispensaries where you can purchase weed. 

Check out the strains below to get a good introduction to purple cannabis plants and their many benefits. 

Grandaddy Purple (GDP)

Grandaddy Purple, also known as Grandaddy Purp or GDP, is one of the most well-known purple strains and it is beloved by many cannabis enthusiasts around the country and even around the world. GDP is a strain that is known for its euphoric effects and increased appetite. It’s a cross between Big Bud and Purple Urkle, and it offers aromas of berries and grapes. 

Sour Grape

Speaking of grapes, Sour Grape is another purple weed strain to try. This one has a fruity aroma, and is a blend of the aforementioned GDP and Sour Diesel. It’s potent, sour, and uniquely capable of offering energetic and calming effects at the same time. Sour Grape is most commonly chosen for stress relief, muscle tension, and other body aches. 

Obama Kush

A little less purple, Obama Kush is still just as potent as the rest of the strains on this list, offering an indica-dominant hybrid cross of OG Kush and Afghani. Together, they create a euphoric rush that helps people suffering from depression and a lack of motivation. 

Purple Haze

Purple Haze is an OG strain that has been around for a long time. Unlike most purple cannabis, it’s a pure sativa strain, which makes it highly desirable. And yes, it was the inspiration for the Jimi Hendrix song. It has an earthy, sweet flavor and it inspires energy and creativity in those who use it. 

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Facts about purple weed

Despite what people think, purple weed does not come from some type of alteration or deprivation in the growing process. Most commonly, people believe the myth that purple strains are created by using too much nitrogen, depriving plants of carbon dioxide and oxygen, modifying watering schedules, and so forth. That’s not the case. These strains are purple, as mentioned, because of the anthocyanins, which are phytochemicals that are responsible for the coloring of the plant. 

In order for weed strains to become purple, they must be able to produce the various pigments of anthocyanin based on the pH level of the plant. 

Here’s another fact about purple weed: these aren’t “super” weed strains. Some people seek out purple weed because the beautiful colors get people’s attention and give them the hope that such a colorful plant will deliver a whole new smoking experience. While some of the strains are pretty impressive, the color has nothing to do with it. The potency of strains depends entirely on the genetic profile of the plant. 

Purple weed gets a lot more hype than other strains, likely because it’s so beautiful in color. However, people also appreciate the effects of the strains in this color family, so if that’s what you’re looking for, it will definitely deliver. If you are considering purple weed just for its color, you might want to do a little more research. 

Purple cannabis strains are popular among those with muscle and joint conditions, depression and anxiety, and anyone who wants to alleviate stress and body aches. It’s also a good choice for those using cannabis during chemotherapy or cancer treatment since most purple strains do a good job at increasing appetite.

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Where can I get purple weed?

Every dispensary and retail cannabis location that sells marijuana flower (plant material, bud, etc.) will have various purple strains from time to time. Some strains like GDP are mainstays and will be easy to find, while others may be more hit-and-miss depending on where you live, what’s available, and what’s popular. 

If you’re specifically looking for purple weed strains, you could use a resource like iHeartJane, Leafly, or Weedmaps to search for specific strains and products at dispensaries in your area. Your local dispensary or cannabis store may also have a searchable menu that allows you to find out if and when purple strains are in stock. 

The good news is that since these strains tend to be more popular, they shouldn’t be hard to find. People on the West Coast and in Colorado will have the best access to the highest-quality purple strains, but anyone in the world can get their hands on them if they know where to look. More than the color, make sure that you choose weed that’s got a terpene profile and THC level that fits your needs. If that’s within the purple family, that’s a bonus. 

It’s not just a color preference—purple weed has some great effects that many people seek when using cannabis for both medical and recreational enjoyment. There are a host of different strains that qualify as purple weed and they’re all worth a try if you want to experience all that this beautiful color family of cannabis has to offer. Come on into your local Verts Neighborhood Dispensary or check out our online shop to find these strains and others that are sure to please. 

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