That means:

There’s no official naming rulebook. No guarantee of consistency. And no requirement that a name reflects actual effects or the genetics it came from.

So while names can give clues—and if you know the breeder and genetics, they can sometimes be accurate—the name alone is not a reliable way to choose a product.

Instead, names are created by breeders, growers, and brands—each using their own approach.

Unlike cannabis labeling, which is strictly regulated at the state level, strain naming isn’t standardized or controlled.

That’s why names can feel inconsistent, creative, or even confusing depending on where you are, or what shop you are in.

The same type of product could be named very differently depending on who created it—and what they chose to highlight.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common ways cannabis strains are named (with examples of strains).

For example:

Blueberry + Haze → Blue Dream

Crossed strains often combine names or concepts

This can give you a hint about origin, but it doesn’t guarantee how the product will feel. 

“Dream” → calming or uplifting

“Relax” → soothing

“Diesel” → energizing or intense

But here’s the problem:

These are not standardized terms. Two products with similar names can produce completely different experiences depending on their chemical makeup.

So while names can help point you in the right direction, they’re not enough on their own—talking to a knowledgeable budtender, or relying on personal recommendations, can help you better understand how a product is likely to affect you.

🌿 You can learn how to pick out strains based on what they actually do in our FREE Medical Cannabis Class →

- fruits (e.g., Strawberry Cough)

- desserts (e.g., Wedding Cake)

- candy (e.g., Zkittlez)

This naming convention based on aroma & flavor is often tied to terpenes—aromatic compounds found in cannabis (and many other plants) that influence how a product smells, tastes, and can even shape its effects.

For example:

Citrus scents → limonene

Earthy or musky → myrcene

👉 You can learn more about how terpenes work and how they affect your experience in our terpene chart.

When the packaging actually matches the name, it’s fun, it smells amazing, and it often reminds people of flavors or foods they already enjoy.

While a name might reflect aroma, it still doesn’t tell you everything about effects.

🌿 Learn how to choose the right cannabis product for your needs in our FREE Medical Cannabis Class →

This is where things get interesting.

Cannabis strain names are often chosen to stand out on dispensary menus, sound appealing or memorable, and create a specific vibe—like Green Crack, Death Star, or Bruce Banner.

In many cases, they’re designed to make you want to buy the product because the name feels familiar—like a person, movie, song, or place.

These names are often created for branding—not accuracy.

For example, some strains are named after famous people or cultural icons to create instant recognition—like Marley-inspired strains—while others reference movies or pop culture to feel entertaining or familiar, like Skywalker OG.

🌿 Learn how to choose the right cannabis product and how strains like Blue Dream can provide real medical benefits in our FREE Medical Cannabis Class. →

Instead of relying only on strain names, focus on what’s inside the product:

- Cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.)

- Terpenes (flavor + effects)

- Ratios (like 1:1 THC to CBD)

Dosage (how much you’re consuming): 

These factors are what truly determine how cannabis will feel.

It can also help to lean on personal recommendations—from friends, family, or people you trust who have had firsthand experience. But your best resource is often the person who sees it all every day: the budtender.

They work with these products regularly, hear real feedback, and can help guide you toward something that actually fits what you’re looking for.

🌿 Learn how to choose the right cannabis product for your needs in our FREE Medical Cannabis Class →