That '70s Strain: 9 Groovy Hippie Strains Still Popular Today

TV shows have often paid homage to the disco era, the 1970s, with pop culture references to cannabis, music, and groovy hippie fashion. No television show did it as fondly as “That ‘70s Show.” This popular television series ran from 1998 to 2006 and brought the beloved characters, Eric, Kelso, Jackie, Hyde, Fez, and Donna, to life on TV screens for eight seasons. The show has lived on in reruns and can be played on streaming services for new generations to enjoy. 

The famous “circle” was shown throughout the series in nearly every episode. Eric’s basement became the hangout spot, where the group of friends would sit around in a circle and smoke weed. Though marijuana was never directly shown during the series in these scenes, the camera panned to each characters’ face simulating that they were passing around a joint. The characters never directly used the word marijuana, but they talked about their “stash” frequently. It was apparent that the TV show showcased a significant part of the ‘70s cannabis culture.

In 1971, the War on Drugs deemed marijuana a Schedule I drug, claiming that people who used or consumed cannabis would incur penalties and that the “drugs” had a potential for abuse with no medical benefits. Luckily, the number of states that have legalized marijuana in the United States has increased since then, and the pending federal marijuana legalization has reconsidered the benefits of cannabis and will potentially remove it as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. 

The ‘70s brought with it all good things, including the timeless music from The Bee Gees, Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, and the trendy apparel of bellbottoms, plaid, maxi dresses, and frayed jeans. But most of all, the 1970s is still giving back with its far-out cannabis strains that are still widely sought after today. 

Many of these marijuana strains can be found at your local dispensary, but some are more elusive because they are landrace strains - the pure original form of sativa and indica strains. Today, many cultivators create hybrids from the best-known landrace strains. See our list of nine groovy hippie strains that reign supreme among stoners today.

Nine Old-School ‘70s Cannabis Strains That Are Still Popular Today

1. Acapulco Gold - A sativa strain originating from Acapulco, Mexico, Acapulco Gold cannabis was popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It is still a widely sought-after marijuana strain today, with an average potency of 15% THC. Acapulco Gold appears in gold, green, and brown shades and has orange hairs covering its plentiful resin buds, differentiating this rare sativa strain. This weed strain produces pleasant and pungent flavors that are earthy and woodsy. When smoking Acapulco Gold, deliciously sweet aromas of burnt toffee can linger in the air. After using this classic 1970s sativa strain, you’ll feel energized and motivated, allowing you to be creative and productive. The weed strain also produces cerebral highs that give you a boost of happiness. Acapulco Gold is also a great cannabis strain for medical patients who need pain relief and relaxation.

2. Afghani - From Afghanistan, the Afghani indica landrace strain was brought over to the United States in the 1970s. Being a pure indica strain, Afghani produces sleepy and sedating effects. This weed strain can also increase appetite, improve relaxation, and blanket you with a sense of euphoria. Afghani has an aromatic floral scent and tastes earthy, sweet, herbal, and spicy. Today, cannabis connoisseurs gravitate toward this strain due to the amount of resin produced and its high THC content, ranging between 15% - 25%. Growers use the classic Afghani strain to create some of your favorite hybrid marijuana strains, like LA Confidential, Northern Lights, and Blueberry. The Afghani indica strain is beneficial to medical patients, treating symptoms of pain and insomnia, and stress.  

3. Columbian Gold - The Columbian Gold marijuana strain was found in the Santa Marta Mountains of Columbia in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s. This pure sativa landrace strain produces distinct green and orange buds covered with crystals and appears fluffy. Columbian Gold allows users to experience a high that makes them feel focused, relaxed, and uplifted with absolutely no feelings of anxiety or paranoia. Columbian Gold is an excellent old-school strain for beginners trying cannabis for the first time. However, the potency can range from 14% to 20% THC. The terpenes in this well-known sativa strain give Columbian Gold a skunky sweet aroma, and consumers enjoy the citrus tastes of lemon and lime. A popular hybrid strain that came from Columbian Gold is Skunk #1. Columbian Gold marijuana can treat medical conditions like pain, muscle tension, depression, and ADHD. 

4. Durban Poison - Discovered in the ‘70s in South Africa’s port city of Durban, this pure sativa landrace strain boasts a thick coat of trichomes on its buds. Many users enjoy Durban Poison's earthy, herbal, woody, sweet, and spicy flavors. When smoking this cannabis strain, stoners will feel energized and happy - motivating them to be creative and active. Nowadays, Durban Poison THC percentages are typically between 17% to 26%. This sativa strain can treat health conditions like migraines, epilepsy, anxiety, and depression.

5. G13 - The mysterious G13 strain was also discovered between the late 1960s and early 1970s. While this indica hybrid strain’s origin may not be entirely clear, there are rumors that the United States government agencies were gathering cannabis strains and creating new hybrids with the help of the University of Mississippi. The legend goes that a cannabis breeder got their hands on a sample, and soon the G13 strain was spreading rapidly in popularity across the US. Regardless of whether this is true, G13 is a potent indica hybrid with a THC content of at least 22%. Smoking G13 will give you a balanced high, making you feel both energetic and relaxed while improving your mood. The sweet pine, woody, and mossy flavors have a bit of creaminess that sets this weed strain apart. Patients with medical conditions partake in smoking G13 to improve symptoms of joint pain, migraines, and muscle spasms. 

6. Maui Wowie - Discovered in Maui, Hawaii, in the ‘70s, this sativa dominant marijuana strain is a classic staple for weed enthusiasts. With a THC potency averaging between 13% to 19%, this hippie-friendly cannabis strain is excellent at boosting moods while making users feel a sense of euphoria and relaxation after toking. Users enjoy the tropical notes of pineapple and scents of pine when they smoke Maui Wowie. This sativa is excellent for users who want to be creative, productive, and active after consuming cannabis. Medical benefits include improving symptoms associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. 

7. Original Haze - This popular 1970s hybrid sativa strain comes from Santa Cruz, California. Stoners still seek out this classic cannabis strain for its effects that increase energy and foster creativity. After using OG Haze, users report feeling very relaxed, giggly, and euphoric. Its delicious flavors of blueberry, grape, and lemon make this sativa strain a sought-after treat. The aromas produced are citrusy and sweet as well as earthy and spicy. Boasting a high average THC content of 21%, Original Haze is a ‘70s strain worth purchasing. Consumers also report that Original Haze helps with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and tiredness. 

8. Panama Red - A well-known sativa strain from the late 1960s and early 1970s, Panama Red comes from the Central American country of Panama. Its appearance is easy to spot with reddish hairs and dark green buds. Panama Red gives users an almost psychedelic experience when they light up a joint, as this flower has about 21% THC. With earthy and citrus flavors like lemon, this weed strain enhances your mood, making you happy and energized. People struggling with their mental health enjoy the classic sativa strain, Panama Red, which helps with depression, anxiety, and stress.  

9. Thai - This pure sativa landrace strain made it over to the US from Thailand in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Thai is sometimes referred to as “Thai Sticks” because its buds are often dried and tied into sticks. With a high potency of THC leveling out to about 22%, this sativa strain boosts motivation and positively affects the consumer's mood. With a citrusy aroma and earthy and spicy flavor, Thai is popular old-school marijuana used to create other weed strains we all enjoy, like Haze. The benefits of Thai are numerous, and medical users experience pain relief, uplifted moods, and less stress and lethargy. 

Many cannabis consumers claim that the THC percentages of these strains of the psychedelic ‘70s were less potent than they are today, and they may have been. But we know that the government’s system of measuring potency was not nearly as accurate or regulated as it is nowadays. 

The next time that you visit a weed dispensary, including our dispensary near Elhmurst, ask your budtender for one of these popular old-school ‘70s weed strains. Then, light up a joint, and indulge in some fun past-time TV as you smoke a classic strain. 

You can even get high and join the inner circle of your TV friends when you watch this video of nearly all the “That ‘70s Show” circles throughout the series. Let us know what your favorite 1970s marijuana strain is or which one you are most excited to try during your next toke session. You can even use our free, printable Toke Tracker to make sure you remember which strains are your favorites. Stay trippy hippies!