14 of the Strongest Sativa Strains to Check Out

Sativa strains are known for their energizing, uplifting, and creative effects, and some of the strongest sativa strains are especially popular with people who suffer from mood and attention disorders or who want relief during the daytime without feeling drowsy.

If you’re looking for a strong “wake and bake” variety to get your day off to a productive start, this list of the most potent sativa strains should give you the get-up-and-go you need.

Haze Cannabis Strains

Some of the strongest sativa-dominant cannabis pre-rolls, THC tinctures, and cannabis edibles are haze strains. Our picks contain upwards of 70% sativa and are easy to find in Seattle and other West Coast dispensaries.

Super Silver Haze

Strain type: 80% sativa/20% indica

Lineage: Skunk x Northern Lights x Original Haze 

Cannabinoid levels: 18-23% THC

If you’ve got a short creative task to do, Super Silver Haze is right on the money. This popular haze hybrid quickly lifts your mind into a creative, energized, and happy space before moving on to a hazy sensation that’s true to the strain’s name. On the inhale, expect a spicy and herbal flavor with notes of citrus on the exhale.

Lemon Haze

Strain type: 70% sativa/30% indica

Lineage: Silver Haze x Lemon Skunk

Cannabinoid levels: 17-22% THC

If you love lemon, you’ll love Lemon Haze! This potent sativa-dominant hybrid smells and tastes like fresh-cut lemon with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste. Happy, uplifting, and euphoric, this strain offers a good combination of uplift, relaxation, and relief. Some consumers even experience couchlock! If you’re new to cannabis, go very lightly with this strain.

Super Lemon Haze

Strain Type: 80% sativa/20% indica

Lineage: Lemon Skunk x Super Silver Haze

Cannabinoid levels: 25% THC, 1% CBD, 2% CBN

The Washington-bred Super Lemon Haze won the Medical Sativa award at the 2014 Seattle Cannabis Cup and continues to be a favorite in the Pacific Northwest. At 25% THC and less than 1% CBD, this sativa-dominant hybrid is one of the strongest sativa strains on the list and is not recommended for beginners. Expect a potent hit of pep, energy, and cerebral stimulation with a delicious sweet-and-sour taste.

Ghost Train Haze

Strain type: 80% sativa/20% indica

Lineage: Ghost OG x Neville’s Wreck

Cannabinoid levels: 27% THC

Ghost Train Haze—named “The Most Potent Strain on Earth” by High Times magazine in 2012—is for experienced cannabis consumers only. This extremely potent sativa-dominant strain will take you tripping with psychedelic sensations if you hit it hard. If you’re prone to paranoia or anxiety, however, it’s best to stop at a little or steer clear of this strain completely. A small dose of this citrusy, piney strain is generally plenty to enjoy a good giggle and feelings of creative stimulation.

Amnesia Haze 

Strain type: 80% sativa/20% indica

Lineage: a Jamaican sativa x a Laotian sativa x an indica-dominant Afghan-Hawaiian

Cannabinoid levels: 20-22% THC, 1% CBD

Take a trip to a tropical island with this spicy, fruity sativa-dominant strain. Amnesia Haze is ideal for clear thinking and a lift in mood in the daytime—after a few tokes, you might collapse with a serious case of the giggles! Savor the earthy smell and fruity flavors and go easy if you are susceptible to paranoia.

Purple Haze 

Strain type: 85% sativa/15% indica

Lineage: Purple Thai x Haze strains

Cannabinoid levels: 26% THC

Spicy berry flavors, cerebral bliss, and a warm body buzz come together in Purple Haze—a sativa-dominant hybrid that was named for the Jimi Hendrix 1967 song and continues to be extremely popular today. In the beginning, expect a sudden hit of energy with cerebral alertness, and a large helping of happy before the effects warm you from head to toe. If you’re looking for a lift, give this strain a try!

Other Strong Sativa Strains

Aside from the Haze family, there are plenty of other strong sativas that you can smoke, vape, or use to make weed cookies. Buckle up tight because these strains are strong!

Strawberry Cough

Strain type: 80% sativa/20% indica

Lineage: classic Haze x Strawberry Fields

Cannabinoid levels: 22-26% THC, 1% CBN

If you’ve never tried Strawberry Cough, you need to put this strain on your to-try list! This sativa-dominant strain has a deliciously sweet strawberry aroma with a slight spiciness on the exhale and will literally make you cough. The effects include a lifted, sociable feeling along with motivation, energy, and physical relief. A great strain for the daytime or an afternoon with friends. 

Tropicana Cookies

Strain type: 70% sativa/30% indica

Lineage: Girl Scout Cookies x Tangie

Cannabinoid levels: 21-25% THC

Another mouth-watering strain with fruity citrus aromas mixed with sweet cookies on the exhale. After a puff or two, you’ll be up and at ’em with energy, motivation, and a feeling of happiness. Later on, physical relaxation accompanies a cerebral high that takes you into the clouds. Perfect for increasing appetite and productivity, and improving your mood.

Sour Diesel

Strain type: 90% sativa/10% indica

Lineage: unknown, possibly Mexican sativa x Chemdog phenotype or mass super skunk x 91 Chemdog

Cannabinoid levels: 26% THC, 2% CBD, 4% DBN

One of the best strains to start your day. There may be some controversy about Sour Diesel’s origins, but there’s no controversy about its effects! This 90% sativa-dominant hybrid has strong energizing effects that will fill you with a sense of creativity and optimism and get your day off to a great start. The aroma of this strain is very pungent with strong notes of diesel and a hint of lemon—it’ll be hard to keep this one a secret! 

Pineapple Express

Strains type: 60% sativa/40% indica

Lineage: Trainwreck x a Hawaiian landrace strain

Cannabinoid levels: 25% THC, 1% CBN

Pineapple Express isn’t quite as extreme as it appears in the movie of the same name, but it’s certainly not mild! This 60% sativa hybrid strain offers great balanced sativa effects with a calmly focused mood, creative awareness, and a pleasant mild body buzz. The taste isn’t anywhere as sweet as Strawberry Cough, but you will notice hints of pineapple with citrus undertones.

Green Crack

Strain type: 65% sativa/35% indica

Lineage: inbred Skunk #1

Cannabinoid levels: 15-25% THC

Whether you know this strain as Green Crack, Green Cush, or simply Cush, you’ll know what we mean when we say this strain is addictive! Created by inbreeding Skunk #1, this slightly sativa-dominant strain has an enticing sweet fruity flavor that’s just as amazing as its strongly energetic and cerebral high. A favorite of Snoop Dogg and marijuana fans in the Pacific Northwest. Be sure to give this one a try!

Jack Herer

Strain type: 80% sativa/20% indica

Lineage: Haze x (Northern Lights #5 x Shiva Skunk)

Cannabinoid levels: 15-24% THC, 1% CBN

The Jack Herer strain, named for the cannabis activist, has to be one of the most well-known cannabis strains on the planet. This 80% sativa variety offers an uplifting, motivating high for getting things done along with a clear-headedness that’s perfect for socializing and conversation. The flavor is lemon-based with hints of both sweet and sour and the aroma is earthy and spicy with pine. A must-try for any cannabis connoisseur.

Durban Poison

Strain type: pure sativa strain

Lineage: inbred from a South African landrace sativa strain

Cannabinoid levels: 24% THC, 1% CBD, 1% CBN

Durban Poison is one of only a few pure sativa strains and was created by inbreeding a South African landrace sativa. With high THC levels and a touch of CBD and CBN, expect a potent head-high and strong sense of happiness that’s perfect for getting things done. Consumers report dry mouth and possible paranoia along with relief from nausea and physical discomfort. The aroma is a mix of sweet earthiness and pine.

Blue Dream

Strain type: 60% sativa/40% indica

Lineage: Blueberry x Haze

Cannabinoid levels: 17-24% THC, 2% CBD, 1% CBN

Blue Dream—the West Coast’s favorite strain—was created by crossing Blueberry with the classic Haze. Like the other sativa-dominant haze strains, Blue Dream will wash you over with wave after wave of energy and motivation along with a complete ability to focus. The body high is relaxing and warm, numbing you from head to toe and even helping you drift off to sleep. With sweet and sugary blueberry flavors, it’s no wonder so many people love this strain!

The Difference between Indica and Sativa Strains

Whereas sativas are thought of as energizing and cerebral, indica strains are thought of as relaxing with a body-focused high, although the actual effects may have more to do with cannabinoid and terpene levels than the genetics of each strain. In any case, the indica/sativa classification system is still helpful when you’re looking for cannabis strains with certain aromas and effects. 

In general, sativa-dominant-labeled strains are best consumed during the day with indicas being preferred at night. If you’re looking for nighttime relaxation, be sure to check out our list of the strongest indica strains. For specific physical effects (such as pain relief or countering inflammation), look for strains that are high in myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool.

Find Your Perfect Sativa Strain

With so many options and hybrid blends, there really is an endless smorgasbord of strong sativa strains to elevate and supercharge your days. 

If there’s a particular flavor or effect that you like, be sure to give that strain a try. While every strain will affect individuals differently, there’s something to be said for these incredibly popular strains. Soon, you could find yourself with a new favorite—or three.