Few European cities are as closely associated with cannabis culture as Amsterdam. For decades, the Dutch capital has been home to dozens, even hundreds, of coffeeshops where you can “legally” buy cannabis. It is no surprise that Amsterdam has become a Mecca for lovers of green smoke from all over the world, and that some of the most celebrated seed banks and strains come from here. Which Dutch genetics does HiSeeds consider the best?
Some readers may ask us whether old-school strains can stand up to modern Cali Weed or F1 seeds. Although tastes in cannabis have changed since the 1980s and 1990s, classic strains have the edge in at least one respect. Many of them defined what high-quality, potent cannabis means, long before today’s era of THC measurements and marketing hype. Over the decades, coffeeshop customers have selected the best strains with their choices, and many of them still rank among the very best on the cannabis seed market.
How Dutch coffeeshops came about
In the Netherlands, as in the rest of the Western world, cannabis grew sharply in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s. Unlike other countries, however, the Dutch quickly understood that cannabis was not particularly socially dangerous. In the mid-1970s, Dutch lawmakers decided to amend the “Opium Act” and, for the first time, divide drugs into “hard” and “soft”.
From that moment on, the state effectively began to tolerate possession and sale of small amounts of cannabis. On paper, everything was still illegal, but prosecutors received clear instructions on when to turn a blind eye. This is how the famous Dutch gedoogbeleid – the policy of tolerance – came into being. The relaxation of rules at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s made it possible for the first coffeeshops to emerge, where cannabis is sold alongside coffee.
The best genetics from around the world
The free-spirited approach to cannabis quickly turned the Netherlands, and especially its capital Amsterdam, into a pilgrimage site for cannabis lovers from all corners of the world. They brought with them seeds of the best cannabis strains of the time. In the hands of Dutch breeders, these began to produce legendary cultivars in the 1980s and 1990s, many of which are still regarded as some of the best of all time.
Several types of strains were behind what we might call the first wave of Dutch breeding. An important piece of the puzzle was top-quality NLD/BLD hybrids (the classic sativa x indica combination), which arrived in the Netherlands in the hands of breeding pioneers from the USA. Among them was the legendary breeder Sam Skunkman, who brought to Amsterdam not only seeds, but also the know-how to breed stable and extremely potent strains from cannabis.
Dutch breeders often crossed American genetics with proven landrace strains from around the world, such as Afghan hash lines or Thai and Jamaican sativas. The combination of American strains and Afghan indicas produced classics such as Northern Lights and Master Kush. By combining imported Haze lines with tropical sativas, strains such as Amnesia Haze and Super Silver Haze were created.
Top 5 legendary strains from Dutch coffeeshops
Skunk #1
Skunk #1 is perhaps the most important cannabis strain of all time. The strain was created in the 1970s in a unique breeding project by David Watson (Sam the Skunkman), who crossed a huge number of plants over several generations. The result is a stable and extremely potent combination of Afghan indica and Colombian and Mexican sativas.
Skunk #1 is characterised by an intense odour, dense flowers, fast flowering and a balanced effect. Thanks to its top-quality genetics, this strain is also an excellent tool for breeders, and Skunk #1 is the basis of many top cultivars such as Cheese and Critical. Skunk #1 seeds are an ideal choice if you want to experience the atmosphere of the golden age of Dutch coffeeshops.
Northern Lights
“Northern Lights” is a legend of indoor grow rooms. The strain became popular in the 1990s, when indoor growing spread due to increasing repression. Northern Lights was created by crossing Afghan and Thai landrace strains and is considered more of an indica. The strain is renowned for its deeply relaxing and sedative effects and its typical earthy, spicy aroma.
Northern Lights is the basis of many other popular strains, giving them short flowering and strong resin production. Northern Lights genetics became the foundation of cultivars such as Super Silver Haze, Shiva Skunk and Jack Herer. Northern Lights seeds can be recommended to anyone who likes a slower pace and long evenings on the sofa.
White Widow
White Widow is perhaps the best-known Dutch hybrid cannabis strain of all. It was created in the 1990s by crossing a Brazilian sativa and a South Indian indica, and very quickly won the hearts of coffeeshop visitors. White Widow is typical for its dense coating of trichomes, which makes the buds look snow-covered.
The White Widow strain stands out for its fast flowering and robust flowers. Thanks to its unique properties, the strain became the basis of the entire “White” family, which includes cultivars such as White Rhino and Great White Shark. White Widow seeds will be especially appreciated by lovers of the Dutch breeding school and those who nostalgically remember the 1990s and the typical “nederwiet”.
Amnesia Haze
Many consider Amnesia Haze to be the best Dutch Haze of all time. The pedigree of this refined cultivar includes Thai, Jamaican, Hawaiian and Afghan strains. The result is a sativa strain with a medium-length flowering time and an exceptionally strong, long-lasting effect.
Amnesia Haze is characterised by an intense citrus aroma with a hint of incense and a very uplifting effect. This strain is part of other great strains such as Somango Haze and Amnesia Lemon. Amnesia Haze seeds are recommended for more experienced growers who want an authentic Amsterdam sativa experience.
Jack Herer
The Jack Herer cultivar was bred in the Netherlands in the 1990s as a tribute to the American activist and author of “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” of the same name. The cultivar combines sativa Haze lines with the indica classics Northern Lights and Skunk. The result is an uplifting sativa strain with a light body effect and a flowering time of around 10 weeks.
Jack Herer has an unmistakable spicy aroma with hints of pine, lemon and incense, which many associate with an evening walk through the streets of Amsterdam, and in many establishments this strain has been a menu staple for decades. Jack Herer seeds are a must for every cannabis history enthusiast.
You can find more interesting facts from the world of cannabis, advice and tips for growers, and much more on the HiSeeds blog.