Over the past thirty years, journeying through the highs of global cannabis culture, I’ve downed a bhang lassi in Varanasi, smoked a gram in Amsterdam, done a doobie in Denver, and got busy with bud in BC.
Yet, after all this, I still think UK weed can’t be beaten.
Hemp has been cultivated in the UK for thousands of years, with evidence of its use dating back to the Neolithic period. Historically, it served various purposes, from making ropes and textiles to being a source of food and medicine.
By the 16th century, it was the go-to crop for shipbuilding and the production of paper. But, as the 20th century progressed, the perception of hemp shifted, especially with the rise of cannabis prohibition in the 1920s.
What was once an essential industrial material became increasingly demonised alongside its psychoactive counterpart, marijuana.
In 1966 Jimi Hendrix didn’t just bring effortless edge, six-string showmanship, and original headband styling from the US – the Seattle native and artists like Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, and The Doors also brought weed. And lots of it.
Marijuana became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture and found a home in The UFO Club on Tottenham Court Road and Camden muso temple, The Roundhouse, creating a distinctly British cannabis culture.
Weed consumption not only made people feel good – it was emblematic of the collective revolution, a response to fifties’ suburban isolation and the emergence of corporate pharma in the form of market-ready housewives’ favourite, Valium.
Law enforcement of the modest yet versatile plant only helped to market cannabis, becoming a symbol for a youth that demanded social equality, and most of all, to be different from their parents.
Around this time, the Welsh ganja legend Howard Marks aka Mr. Nice was puffing on joints between PPE tutorials at Oxford while rubbing shoulders with Germaine Greer and offering Bill Clinton the spliff from which he famously never inhaled.
Later Marks would become the world’s premier marijuana importer, rubbing shoulders with Irish independence leaders, shady CIA ops and doing a stint as an MI6 supergrass all while flooding the UK and Europe with high-grade hashish.
During the eighties and nineties, hash from Morocco quickly became popular because it was more compact and easier to smuggle, leading to a boom of the low-quality, Goldie Lookin’ Chain-championed derivative, soapbar.
Cut with dubious fillers that included plastic and mud, it was the ‘rubber in it that gets you off’. British enthusiasm for cannabis continued but there was plenty of room for higher-quality product.
The 9/11 attack saw a resurgence in Nixon’s war on drugs (Spoiler: drugs win) and the continued repression of local crops in Islamic countries that included Afghan poppy fields and Moroccan kif farms.
A death blow to the Morocco-UK hashish trade route, sticky green weed – soon to be known colloquially as ‘skunk’ – entered the market from Amsterdam and became popular in British joints. Our proximity to the Netherlands, respect for Dutch directness and busy shipping lanes meant that this new, super-potent form of weed flourished in the UK.
Skunk#1 – a strain created from the finest Afghani, Acapulco Gold, and Colombian Gold genes and attributed to Denverite cultivators Sacred Seed Co. was a hit with Dutch growers and quickly found popularity in the UK for its high potency, strong flavour and fast yielding properties.
Dutch breeders were happy to share their knowledge with British growers, who were eager to learn. This partnership led to the UK’s reputation for top-quality weed, as Brits took the best of Dutch genetics combined with cultivation methods and applied them to indoor operations.
Indica-dominant Exodus Cheese by the Luton-based Exodus Collective was a hit with the domestic market and proved British growing prowess globally. Further strains such as Psychosis, SmellyBerry, CheeseDawg, and the northern favourite, Blues were soon filling bong bowls from Aberdeen to Amersham.
Britain’s obsession with growing has deep roots – from the manicured gardens of Victorian estates to the wartime “Dig for Victory” campaign, where cultivating food was a national duty.
This passion for nurturing plants naturally extended to cannabis, with modern growers blending traditional gardening skills and a necessity for stealth and innovation. Brits have long been regarded as master cultivators, turning small, hidden spaces into thriving gardens of potent weed.
Attention to detail, patience, and a willingness to experiment – all gained from centuries of horticulture – have made UK growers some of the best in the world. Whether it’s veg patches or weed, us Brits know how to make things flourish.
In 2001, the discovery of cannabis residue in Shakespeare’s unearthed smoking pipes sparked the seductive theory that Britain’s most famous playwright may have enjoyed a cheeky toke between penning sonnets.
While it could be more rumour than fact, the image of Shakespeare puffing on weed while scribbling iconic works adds a playful twist to British cannabis culture. Could this plant have aroused the surreal and supernatural elements found in A Midsummer Night’s Dream?
Just as cannabis has influenced modern music, art, and literature, the idea that it played a role in shaping Britain’s rich literary tradition makes for an irresistible, if hazy, cultural connection.
It’s the perfect mix of local conditions, grower skill, and culture that makes each region’s weed unique. Various factors contribute to the distinctiveness of cannabis strains, including climate, soil composition, and cultivation techniques.
In the UK, where the black market thrives, prohibition has played a surprisingly positive role, encouraging growers to perfect their craft and produce strains that rival legal markets. This underground scene has developed a culture of innovation and experimentation among growers, many of whom have developed their skills over years of trial and error.
As a result, UK growers have refined unique strains that blend characteristics of imported genetics with local growing expertise.
In addition to cultivation techniques, cultural aspects of cannabis in the UK have contributed to the individuality of its strains. Cannabis consumption shapes subcultures, music scenes, and social movements, adding depth to its cultural significance. This aspect enhances the cannabis experience, transforming it into more than just a product – it becomes integrated with the community and identity that surround it.
Meanwhile, in the US, zero-sum business dominates the US marijuana industry, with labs notorious for providing souped-up THC results to satisfy commercial demands. This emphasis on THC quantity over bud quality is typically capitalist in nature – flashy ‘Cali bags’ often mask mids wrapped in hype and neon-heavy designs.
The US vs UK weed debate has raged for decades. What may seem like a stoner-lite conversation in fact exposes market individualism as not only an outmoded economic model but also as hazardous to consumer health.
Many US consumers find themselves navigating a chaotic market filled with a mix of premium products and low-quality options, leaving them uncertain about the safety of the weed they’re purchasing. With such a rapid rollout, the abundance of overbearing regulations has created a Wild West-style culture where many outlets prioritise profit over product integrity.
A collective investigation between the LA Times and Weed Week discovered that a shocking 59.5% of tested marijuana products revealed pesticide concentrations above either state-allowed levels or current federal standards for tobacco.
This obscene violation of FDA regulation not only signals a dangerously indolent attitude towards marijuana cultivation but also causes the potential for thyroid disease, liver failure, cancer, as well as genetic and neurological damage to both users and unborn children.
From the 1960s counterculture to the underground cultivators of today, the UK’s cannabis culture has always been about more than just getting high. It’s focused on pushing boundaries, whether that’s in art, horticulture, or rebellion against societal norms.
As the dust settles on this booming industry, the need for standardisation and quality control has never been more crucial to ensure that consumers receive the best possible experience, at a reasonable price.
The UK cannabis scene is like a mixtape spliced from rich cultural history, deep-rooted gardening traditions, and a spirit of innovation born from necessity.
From the counterculture movements of the 1960s to the underground cultivation techniques developed under restrictive laws, British growers have transformed challenges into opportunities, crafting exceptional strains that reflect both environment and expertise.
This dedication to quality and creativity has not only elevated the UK’s reputation in the global cannabis market but has also given rise to a vibrant community that celebrates the artistry of cultivation.
The current legislative landscape ensures that UK cannabis remains a globally dominant force, setting new standards for creative genetic profiles and craftsmanship.
As the worldwide marijuana industry wearily picks globalisation from under its fingernails, marijuana is a product that should be viewed as the B.A. Baracus of commodities – it ain’t gettin’ on no plane, fool.
There’s a simple reason every country claims the title of having the best weed in the world – because, at the end of the day, you just can’t beat fresh, locally-grown cannabis.
Given the choice between purchasing weed from an over-designed dispensary in Oakland or picking up a bag from a trusted British grower, the choice is simple. I’ll smoke local every time.
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Yet, after all this, I still think UK weed can’t be beaten.
The wind cries Mary Jane
Hemp has been cultivated in the UK for thousands of years, with evidence of its use dating back to the Neolithic period. Historically, it served various purposes, from making ropes and textiles to being a source of food and medicine.
By the 16th century, it was the go-to crop for shipbuilding and the production of paper. But, as the 20th century progressed, the perception of hemp shifted, especially with the rise of cannabis prohibition in the 1920s.
What was once an essential industrial material became increasingly demonised alongside its psychoactive counterpart, marijuana.
In 1966 Jimi Hendrix didn’t just bring effortless edge, six-string showmanship, and original headband styling from the US – the Seattle native and artists like Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, and The Doors also brought weed. And lots of it.
Marijuana became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture and found a home in The UFO Club on Tottenham Court Road and Camden muso temple, The Roundhouse, creating a distinctly British cannabis culture.
Weed consumption not only made people feel good – it was emblematic of the collective revolution, a response to fifties’ suburban isolation and the emergence of corporate pharma in the form of market-ready housewives’ favourite, Valium.
Law enforcement of the modest yet versatile plant only helped to market cannabis, becoming a symbol for a youth that demanded social equality, and most of all, to be different from their parents.
The Dutch connection
Around this time, the Welsh ganja legend Howard Marks aka Mr. Nice was puffing on joints between PPE tutorials at Oxford while rubbing shoulders with Germaine Greer and offering Bill Clinton the spliff from which he famously never inhaled.
Later Marks would become the world’s premier marijuana importer, rubbing shoulders with Irish independence leaders, shady CIA ops and doing a stint as an MI6 supergrass all while flooding the UK and Europe with high-grade hashish.
During the eighties and nineties, hash from Morocco quickly became popular because it was more compact and easier to smuggle, leading to a boom of the low-quality, Goldie Lookin’ Chain-championed derivative, soapbar.
Cut with dubious fillers that included plastic and mud, it was the ‘rubber in it that gets you off’. British enthusiasm for cannabis continued but there was plenty of room for higher-quality product.
The 9/11 attack saw a resurgence in Nixon’s war on drugs (Spoiler: drugs win) and the continued repression of local crops in Islamic countries that included Afghan poppy fields and Moroccan kif farms.
A death blow to the Morocco-UK hashish trade route, sticky green weed – soon to be known colloquially as ‘skunk’ – entered the market from Amsterdam and became popular in British joints. Our proximity to the Netherlands, respect for Dutch directness and busy shipping lanes meant that this new, super-potent form of weed flourished in the UK.
Skunk#1 – a strain created from the finest Afghani, Acapulco Gold, and Colombian Gold genes and attributed to Denverite cultivators Sacred Seed Co. was a hit with Dutch growers and quickly found popularity in the UK for its high potency, strong flavour and fast yielding properties.
Dutch breeders were happy to share their knowledge with British growers, who were eager to learn. This partnership led to the UK’s reputation for top-quality weed, as Brits took the best of Dutch genetics combined with cultivation methods and applied them to indoor operations.
Indica-dominant Exodus Cheese by the Luton-based Exodus Collective was a hit with the domestic market and proved British growing prowess globally. Further strains such as Psychosis, SmellyBerry, CheeseDawg, and the northern favourite, Blues were soon filling bong bowls from Aberdeen to Amersham.
The bud and the Bard
Britain’s obsession with growing has deep roots – from the manicured gardens of Victorian estates to the wartime “Dig for Victory” campaign, where cultivating food was a national duty.
This passion for nurturing plants naturally extended to cannabis, with modern growers blending traditional gardening skills and a necessity for stealth and innovation. Brits have long been regarded as master cultivators, turning small, hidden spaces into thriving gardens of potent weed.
Attention to detail, patience, and a willingness to experiment – all gained from centuries of horticulture – have made UK growers some of the best in the world. Whether it’s veg patches or weed, us Brits know how to make things flourish.
In 2001, the discovery of cannabis residue in Shakespeare’s unearthed smoking pipes sparked the seductive theory that Britain’s most famous playwright may have enjoyed a cheeky toke between penning sonnets.
While it could be more rumour than fact, the image of Shakespeare puffing on weed while scribbling iconic works adds a playful twist to British cannabis culture. Could this plant have aroused the surreal and supernatural elements found in A Midsummer Night’s Dream?
Just as cannabis has influenced modern music, art, and literature, the idea that it played a role in shaping Britain’s rich literary tradition makes for an irresistible, if hazy, cultural connection.
The death of cannabis capitalism
It’s the perfect mix of local conditions, grower skill, and culture that makes each region’s weed unique. Various factors contribute to the distinctiveness of cannabis strains, including climate, soil composition, and cultivation techniques.
In the UK, where the black market thrives, prohibition has played a surprisingly positive role, encouraging growers to perfect their craft and produce strains that rival legal markets. This underground scene has developed a culture of innovation and experimentation among growers, many of whom have developed their skills over years of trial and error.
As a result, UK growers have refined unique strains that blend characteristics of imported genetics with local growing expertise.
In addition to cultivation techniques, cultural aspects of cannabis in the UK have contributed to the individuality of its strains. Cannabis consumption shapes subcultures, music scenes, and social movements, adding depth to its cultural significance. This aspect enhances the cannabis experience, transforming it into more than just a product – it becomes integrated with the community and identity that surround it.
Meanwhile, in the US, zero-sum business dominates the US marijuana industry, with labs notorious for providing souped-up THC results to satisfy commercial demands. This emphasis on THC quantity over bud quality is typically capitalist in nature – flashy ‘Cali bags’ often mask mids wrapped in hype and neon-heavy designs.
The US vs UK weed debate has raged for decades. What may seem like a stoner-lite conversation in fact exposes market individualism as not only an outmoded economic model but also as hazardous to consumer health.
Many US consumers find themselves navigating a chaotic market filled with a mix of premium products and low-quality options, leaving them uncertain about the safety of the weed they’re purchasing. With such a rapid rollout, the abundance of overbearing regulations has created a Wild West-style culture where many outlets prioritise profit over product integrity.
A collective investigation between the LA Times and Weed Week discovered that a shocking 59.5% of tested marijuana products revealed pesticide concentrations above either state-allowed levels or current federal standards for tobacco.
This obscene violation of FDA regulation not only signals a dangerously indolent attitude towards marijuana cultivation but also causes the potential for thyroid disease, liver failure, cancer, as well as genetic and neurological damage to both users and unborn children.
The future of UK weed
From the 1960s counterculture to the underground cultivators of today, the UK’s cannabis culture has always been about more than just getting high. It’s focused on pushing boundaries, whether that’s in art, horticulture, or rebellion against societal norms.
As the dust settles on this booming industry, the need for standardisation and quality control has never been more crucial to ensure that consumers receive the best possible experience, at a reasonable price.
The UK cannabis scene is like a mixtape spliced from rich cultural history, deep-rooted gardening traditions, and a spirit of innovation born from necessity.
From the counterculture movements of the 1960s to the underground cultivation techniques developed under restrictive laws, British growers have transformed challenges into opportunities, crafting exceptional strains that reflect both environment and expertise.
This dedication to quality and creativity has not only elevated the UK’s reputation in the global cannabis market but has also given rise to a vibrant community that celebrates the artistry of cultivation.
The current legislative landscape ensures that UK cannabis remains a globally dominant force, setting new standards for creative genetic profiles and craftsmanship.
As the worldwide marijuana industry wearily picks globalisation from under its fingernails, marijuana is a product that should be viewed as the B.A. Baracus of commodities – it ain’t gettin’ on no plane, fool.
There’s a simple reason every country claims the title of having the best weed in the world – because, at the end of the day, you just can’t beat fresh, locally-grown cannabis.
Given the choice between purchasing weed from an over-designed dispensary in Oakland or picking up a bag from a trusted British grower, the choice is simple. I’ll smoke local every time.
Continue reading...
