If you're clicking through a CBD selection for the first time, you'll definitely run into names that sound a bit like band names from the early 2000s. Amnesia. Northern Lights. Gorilla Glue. Sounds dramatic, but doesn't make much sense at first. At least, not if you don't know the context.
We're taking a look here at what these names are actually about. Is there a real origin behind them?
The short answer: almost always, there's a real story behind them. And most of the time, it's much more interesting than anything you could imagine.
Strain names: Where do they actually come from?
Cannabis varieties get their names from all sorts of sources. Some point to their origin, some describe the aroma, some the effect – and some just come about by chance in the Grow. The thing is: most classic strain names come from real-life practice. Breeders named their plants after what they noticed about them.
If Flowers stick to the scissors while trimming, it's called Gorilla Glue. If a variety is so strong that you forget what you were just thinking, then Amnesia is actually a pretty fitting name.
Today, you'll find these names on CBD FLOWERS, HHZ Flowers, and CBD HASH, because the genetics of these original varieties are used as the basis for legal hemp products. The breeding focus shifts: instead of THC, it's optimized for CBD or HHZ. But the aroma profile, the structure of the Flowers, and the genetic character remain recognizable. So if you know what's behind the name, you already know a lot about what to expect.
Amnesia CBD: The name as a warning
Amnesia Haze is still considered one of the most well-known Sativa genetics in the world. The name is intentionally a bit over the top, and that's exactly how it was meant. When this variety showed up in Amsterdam coffeeshops, it was famous for its intense, long-lasting high. The term “Amnesia" worked as both a warning and a trademark: this variety is strong enough that you might forget what you were about to do. It sounds dramatic, but that was the whole point.
The origin story of Amnesia Haze, like many classic strains, is surrounded by a few myths. The most common version goes like this:
- The American breeder David Paul Watson brought together genetics from different parts of the world in the early 1990s. Landrace strains from Jamaica, Thailand, Hawaii, and Afghanistan.
- This base then made its way to the Netherlands, where a breeder named Zwiep crossed it with Nevil's Haze.
- The result was Amnesia Haze as we know it today.
- At first, the variety was only available as a clone, before it was distributed as seed.
- In 2004 and 2012, it won the Cannabis Cup. That really cemented its place in the scene.
How the aroma of Amnesia CBD FLOWERS is created
The terpene profile explains a lot: limonene and terpinolene dominate, plus alpha-pinene. This gives it that typical fresh, citrusy aroma you recognize right away when you open the jar. There's always a slightly earthy haze undertone, sometimes a pine note in the finish. With Amnesia CBD FLOWERS, this exact character remains. The breeding goal was to optimize for CBD, not the aroma profile. That's what makes Amnesia CBD one of the most aromatically balanced CBD varieties out there. As HHZ Flowers, you get the same genetic base, but with HHZ as the active Cannabinoid instead of CBD – for All looking for a more intense experience.
Northern Lights CBD: A legend
Northern Lights is something like a staple in the cannabis world. Hardly any Indica genetics from the past decades exist without some share of Northern Lights – this variety made hybrids like Super Silver Haze, Shiva Skunk, and many others possible in the first place. Northern Lights originated in the 1970s near Seattle, Washington.
- Who exactly was behind it is still not entirely clear. A common version names a man nicknamed “The Indian” as the first breeder.
- In 1985, the genetics made their way to Europe, via a Dutch seed bank that later became Sensi Seeds.
- Since then, Northern Lights has won at cannabis conferences several times and is still one of the most widely used base genetics out there.
The name itself comes from the Aurora Borealis, the northern lights. Whether that's because of the plant's appearance – some phenotypes develop purple hues in cool temperatures – or simply because of its geographic origin in the Pacific Northwest, has never really been clarified. The word “Northern Lights" also fits the character: deep, calm, with an almost meditative quality.
Afghani meets Thai – the genetics behind it
Northern Lights is based on a cross between Afghani and Thai. This parent pair explains the profile right away.
- Afghani is a landrace genetic from Afghanistan, known for its compact structure, resinous Flowers, and an earthy, spicy taste with a distinct Hash note.
- Thai, on the other hand, is a Sativa landrace that brings a bit of lightness and a subtle euphoric component that's usually missing from pure indicas.
The result is a variety that's about 90 to 95 percent Indica, but doesn't feel sleepy or heavy – more calming and clear.
Northern Lights CBD FLOWERS have exactly this aroma profile: woody, spicy, with a resinous depth and a light pinene note. The flower structure is dense and compact, the trichome layer noticeably thick – you can feel it when you touch it. Northern Lights CBD HASH especially benefits from this trait: the starting material naturally brings strong resin production thanks to the Afghani genetics, which leads to a dense, aromatically well-defined product in the Hash. The spicy-resinous notes come through even more clearly in the Hash than in the Flowers. The HHZ flower Northern Lights shows the same compact structure and aroma profile – for All who prefer HHZ over Cannabinoid.
- Aroma: Earthy and spicy, pronounced resin notes, pine, and a hint of wood in the background.
- Flower structure: Compact and dense, with a thick trichome layer – typical for Afghani-based genetics.
- Northern Lights CBD HASH: Thanks to its high natural resin production, especially suitable for Hash – the spicy notes come through in a concentrated way.
- Available varieties at Ilove Pot: Northern Lights CBD FLOWERS, HHZ Flower Northern Lights, HHZ Pre-Roll Northern Lights.
Gorilla Glue: an accident
The story behind Gorilla Glue is almost too good to be true. But it is. Here’s the short version:
- It was 2011, and American breeder Joesy Whales had a Chem's Sister plant in his Grow that turned hermaphroditic.
- That means: It unexpectedly developed male pollen and pollinated the neighboring plants in the room – a Sour Dubb and a Chocolate Diesel.
- Most breeders would have thrown out the cross at this point. Joesy let it grow.
- What resulted was a plant with resin production that was simply exceptional.
- While trimming, scissors and fingers literally stuck to the Flowers. Joesy and his partner Lone Watty looked at each other and, without much thought, said: “That sticks like Gorilla Glue.”
The name stuck. Gorilla Glue – later officially known as GG4 – won first place at the Cannabis Cup in Michigan and Los Angeles in 2014 and became one of the most sought-after strains worldwide within just a few years. The end of the story has a bureaucratic twist: The glue manufacturer Gorilla Glue sent a cease and desist letter, so the name officially became GG4. But in the scene, almost everyone still calls it Gorilla Glue.
Gorilla Glue CBD and HHZ
Three parent genetics are in Gorilla Glue: Chem's Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel. This creates one of the most complex aroma profiles among known strains. Chem's Sister brings a sour, almost chemical-like profile. Sour Dubb adds a sweet-sour component. Chocolate Diesel brings in a spicy, slightly chocolatey diesel note. Together, it makes an aroma that’s still clear and distinct: pine up front, earth underneath, diesel on the finish, and a gentle sweetness tying it all together.
Gorilla Glue CBD FLOWERS carry exactly this profile. The terpene spectrum – especially limonene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene – is largely identical in the CBD version of the genetics, since the breeding goal only changes the Cannabinoid ratio, not the aroma components. Gorilla Glue CBD HASH also shows why this genetic works so well for Hash: The extreme natural resin production that gave the strain its name is directly noticeable in Hash – dense end product, intense aroma, clear profile. If you prefer the HHZ Flower Gorilla Glue, you get the same aromatic base with HHZ as Cannabinoid.
- Gorilla Glue CBD FLOWERS: Pine, earth, diesel note, and a gentle sweetness – one of the most complex profiles in the CBD range.
- HHZ Flower Gorilla Glue: Same genetics, same character – with HHZ as the active Cannabinoid for a more intense experience.
- Gorilla Glue CBD HASH: Directly benefits from the extreme resin production of the original plant – dense, intense, and aromatically clear.
- Why the name sticks: GG4 is the official name, Gorilla Glue is the real one – in the scene, the original name still holds strong because it simply tells the story.
Amnesia, Northern Lights and Gorilla Glue compared
Three classics, three completely different profiles. The table shows at a glance what sets the strains apart – so you’ll know right away which direction you want to go with your next purchase.
| Amnesia | Northern Lights | Gorilla Glue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Sativa-dominant | Indica-dominant (90–95%) | Indica-dominant Hybrid (60/40) |
| Origin | Jamaica, Thailand, Hawaii, Afghanistan – refined in the Netherlands | Seattle, USA – Base: Afghani x Thai | Nevada, USA – Base: Chem's Sister, Sour Dubb, Chocolate Diesel |
| Name comes from | Warning about the strength of the original – both ironic and serious | Aurora Borealis – origin and appearance of the plant | Sticky scissors during trimming – direct practical description |
| Aroma | Citrus, lime, haze earth, light pine | Spicy, resinous, pine, wood, earth | Pine, earth, diesel, chocolate, gentle sweetness |
| Main terpenes | Limonene, terpinolene, alpha-pinene | Alpha-pinene, myrcene, terpinolene | Limonene, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene |
| Character | Bright, fresh, energizing | Deep, calm, resinous | Complex, intense, balanced |
| Flower structure | Loose, Sativa-typical, citrus scent when opened | Compact, dense, strong trichome layer | Very dense, extremely resin-rich, sticky |
| As Hash | Fresh, citrus-driven profile – haze comes through concentrated | Spicy-resinous, clearly defined – ideal thanks to Afghani base | Intense and dense – high resin production makes it a Hash machine |
| For whom | Prefers fresh aroma, invigorating character | Looking for earthy, spicy profile, calmer character | Wants complex aroma, intense profile, strong resin quality |
| At Ilove Pot as | CBD FLOWERS, CBD HASH | HHZ Flowers, HHZ Pre-Roll | HHZ Flowers, HHZ Pre-Roll, CBD HASH |
Why these three strains keep showing up
Amnesia, Northern Lights and Gorilla Glue aren’t just random hits. They show up so often in the CBD and HHZ segments because their genetics really work. That goes for both cultivation and the final product.
- Northern Lights naturally brings dense, resinous Flowers and a robust plant, which makes cultivation easier and more consistent.
- Amnesia delivers an aroma profile that many instantly recognize and appreciate.
- Gorilla Glue produces a resin quality that hardly any other genetics can match.
That also explains why these names don't disappear. They describe real, tangible characteristics, and once you've smelled Amnesia CBD FLOWERS, you'll immediately know why the name is no coincidence. At Ilove Pot, we offer all three All because they each have different profiles: Amnesia for those who like it fresh and citrusy, Northern Lights for the spicy-resinous, and Gorilla Glue for the complex and intense. Just take a look at our Hash selection – you'll find all three All characters side by side.
What a good strain name means
Names like Amnesia, Northern Lights, or Gorilla Glue are more like nicknames – created from an observation, an experience, a moment in practice. The best proof of this is Gorilla Glue:
A glue manufacturer won a lawsuit and banned the name. Still, almost everyone in the scene today calls it Gorilla Glue. Names that come about this way can't just be replaced.
This is useful for you: you can already tell quite a lot from the name. Amnesia stands for a sativa-like character, fresh aroma, more uplifting. Northern Lights stands for Indica base, spice, resin, depth. Gorilla Glue means complexity, strong resin production, a profile that comes from several different directions. This applies to Flowers just as much as to Hash. That helps you with your selection more than any product description.
If you're not sure which strain suits you, just write to us. That's exactly what we're here for.
