G13 Marijuana Strain Information & Review
This strain has a crazy backstory.
In the 1960s, government scientists allegedly tried to create the strongest indica strain in the world. Supposedly, they created 23 clones and a lab tech smuggled a cutting of the most stable plant — number 13 — to an underground cultivator who gifted it to the world.
Even if you believe that story, today’s G13 is quite different than the fabled government phenotype, a pure Afghani indica called Government Indica Strain 13 (or True G-13 for short). Today’s G13 is generally a 70/30 indica hybrid.
G13 is extremely potent. It’s revered for its classic weed effects which usually begin with euphoria but morph into a happy, relaxing, sedating body lock. If you had to name one strain that defines getting totally blazed, this might be it. Patients with chronic stress and anxiety also love it.
Effects and Side Effects
G13 isn’t for beginners. It’s a classic indica-dominant strain with high THC content, and it delivers its effects with a sledgehammer rather than a craftsman’s tool.
This strain delivers a powerful euphoric and cerebral head high that’s fast to set in. That’s followed by a slower body stone that lasts and lasts. There may be some initial energy or creativity, but couch lock, lethargy, and drowsiness will soon replace it.
G13 could be a good choice for relaxing and crashing after a long work week, or for just killing time when there’s nothing else to do. You certainly shouldn’t expect to take it during the day and then get something accomplished, because the initial burst of creativity and energy fades quickly.
The only things you’ll really want to do after taking up on G13 is grab some Doritos and Twinkies, and perhaps zone out for a while.
The high THC content in this strain can bring on some effects more commonly associated with sativas, like anxiety and paranoia; inexperienced users and those who are prone to those issues are most likely to be affected. Dizziness is also possible, and dry eyes and dry mouth are common — but lethargy and sedation may be the most likely “negative” effects users will feel.
Positive Effects:
- Energy: 1/5
- Creative: 2/5
- Pain: 5/5
- Stress: 4/5
- Sleep: 5/5
- Mood: 4/5
Negative Effects:
- Paranoid: 3/5
- Dry Mouth: 4/5
- Dry Eyes: 4/5
- Lethargy: 5/5
- Cough: 3/5
Bottom Line: G13 will deliver the effects you expect from “classic” weed: a happy and euphoric initial high, followed by a heavy, relaxing body stone and possible sedation. Added anxiety is possible for some smokers, though.
Medical Conditions
One good way to temporarily deal with pain is to be able to forget about it, and G13 is a strain that makes that possible for many patients. Many patients rely on this strain for pain relief; arthritis and headaches are two conditions often treated with this strain.
G13 is also often used by patients dealing with depression, PTSD, stress, and anxiety. It can boost their mood considerably if they don’t experience added anxiety or paranoia as a side effect. Those with gastrointestinal issues and autoimmune diseases may also find some benefit from using this strain.
Flavor and Aroma
Make no mistake, this is a skunky strain. You can’t slip it into a nightstand drawer without anyone knowing it’s there, and you’ll be sending up “weed here!” smoke signals when you fire it up. There’s more to it than just skunk, though; there are pungent elements of berry sweetness, cheese, and earthiness in G13’s aroma.
The flavor follows suit. It’s a taste that melds sweetness and pine along with some other woodsy flavors. G13 has a distinctive flavor that definitely grows on you.
Flavor and Aroma Ratings:
- Earthy: 5/5
- Citrus: 1/5
- Fruity: 4/5
- Spice: 1/5
- Wood: 3/5
Cannabinoids and Terpenes
G13 may often be one of the most potent strains you’ll find sold at a dispensary, with an average THC content of around 20%. It may range as high as the mid-20s, or be somewhere in the high teens, depending on producer and growing conditions. There aren’t high levels of other cannabinoids, though, with both CBD and CBG levels well below 1%.
The terpenes that contribute most of G13’s flavor and aroma (as well as contributing to the THC’s potency via the entourage effect) are linalool, pinene, caryophyllene, humulene, and myrcene.
Lineage
We’ve already discussed most of what’s known (or what’s not known) about where this mysterious strain came from. It was legendary Dutch grower Nevil Schoenmakers who introduced G13 to the world, and there’s never been any confirmation from him as to where it came from.
For that reason, the parentage of G13 still remains unclear. It’s believed to be descended from Afghani indica and possibly Maui Haze, but that’s largely guesswork. Maybe the real story will be declassified one day, along with details of what really happened at Area 51.
Similar Strains
One of the best ways to find strains similar to G13 is to ask five of your favorite stoners what they consider the most classic weed strain they’ve ever tried. They’ll likely name varieties that provide the same type of positive head high and strong body effects.
However, strains with botanical characteristics and user effects similar to G13 include The White, Blackberry, Lemon Cookies, Citral Glue, and Obama Kush.
G13 Strain: FAQ
Q: Is G13 the same strain as G13 Haze?
A: No, because G13 was cultivated by crossing G13 with Haze. G13 Haze was specifically bred to be even more potent than the G13 available in dispensaries, and the Haze genetics make a less-sedating, more energizing strain that’s more euphoric and able to be used during the day — if you can handle its strength.
Q: Did True G-13 survive, and is it available anywhere?
A: If it ever really existed, it’s long gone. The grower who supposedly obtained the cutting, cloned it, and made it available to the world also established the seed bank that still sells G13 seeds, and they’re the indica-hybrid that we know today, not the pure indica that secret government labs allegedly developed more than 50 years ago.
Q: Why does G13 sound so familiar?
A: You probably watch a lot of movies. It was the “$2000 per-ounce strain that won’t make you paranoid” strain featured in the 1999 flick American Beauty.
