Strain Review: Jack Herer

Bred by: Sensi Seeds
Indica/Sativa: Sativa dominant
Flowering Time: 60-70 days
Yield: Medium-High

As one of the industry’s most awarded strains, it’s become a staple for connoisseur smokers and growers alike and is regarded by many as one of the most elite hybrids ever created.

Ben Dronkers, the pioneering breeder of the Dutch seed company Sensi Seeds, officially released the strain in 1994 but never disclosed its actual lineage. He did such an excellent job of selecting, combining and retaining the traits and characteristics of the genetics used to make this complex, multi-layered hybrid, that those blessed with an experienced palate have since been able to discern its origins. It’s commonly agreed that Jack Herer is a combination of Sensi’s Skunk #1 crossed to their Northern Lights #5. The result of which was then crossed to a true Haze to create the super strain, Jack Herer.

The appearance of the Jack Herer plant and its flowers are typical of a sativa-dominant strain. Its richly dark green leaves are large, but slender and jagged. The flowers display traits commonly associated with both the Skunk #1 and Haze, including lower than usual leaf-to-calyx ratio and a bud structure with a greater surface area consisting of elongated clusters of calyxes commonly referred to as “foxtails.”  You don’t really notice the contribution of the Northern Lights #5 (NL#5) until you encounter Jack’s aroma and flavor.

The aroma of the Jack Herer flower is as complex and diverse as its lineage. Simply rubbing against a plant early in flowering will fill the room with the aroma of Cedar wood and lemon cleaner reminiscent of the NL#5.  As the flowers continue to ripen and develop, the aroma adds a layer of pungent spiciness from the skunk and finally the effervescent, medicine-like smell from the haze. When grown to its potential and properly flushed, all these aromas transfer seamlessly into one of the most unique, identifiable and satisfying flavor combinations ever created.

Upon the first draw, you immediately begin to identify its complex flavors. It’s almost as if you can roll the smoke over the different parts of your tongue and taste each one individually. After exhaling you will enjoy the lingering taste of the haze and lemon cleaner. A single experience smoking this strain is all it takes to be able to confidently identify it in the future as well as recognize strains with which it has been bred.

Users of Jack Herer commonly describe its effects as euphoric, uplifting, thought provoking and cheerful. Medical patients find it useful for relieving conditions, including anxiety, depression and muscle pain. The average THC content is usually around 18 percent, which makes it a good choice for a daytime smoke, but it can also easily put you into the couch should you smoke enough.

For growers, Jack Herer is a moderately easy plant to master. It’s a branchy, fast grower that likes to be topped early and has a tendency to stretch a lot during the first couple weeks of flower. This, along with its potential for heavy yield makes it a perfect strain to grow using the S.C.R.O.G or Screen of Green method. If growing conditions are optimal and everything is properly executed, a grower can expect an average yield of one pound or more per 4’x4’ area.

Jack Herer produces extremely oily buds that almost appear to be dripping with resin. This, along with the higher-than-average surface area of the buds, makes it a great strain for producing delicious concentrates. You’ll be running mostly buds, however, due to the previously mentioned low leaf-to-calyx ratio. This trait also makes Jack Herer easy to trim and manicure at harvest time.

Overall, Jack Herer is a very desirable strain. It offers a little something for everyone, securing its status as a “classic” among smokers and growers everywhere. This perfect hybrid will certainly hold its elite position in the world of cannabis for a long time to come.

Originally published in issue 16 of Cannabis Now. LEARN MORE.