How long does a hot new cannabis strain stay popular? (life cycle of the marijuana strain)

The process of buying cannabis has changed a lot recently. With the legalization of cannabis in various parts of the world over the past decade, smokers have noticed a noticeable change in their choice of strains.

The trend-driven hype surrounding cannabis strains continues, resulting in the lifespan of each strain becoming shorter and shorter. As a result, many consumers today are more inclined to make purchases based on their preference for specific breeders and brands, rather than specific strains.

In the past, Cannabis Cup results were used to determine the dominant cannabis strains for several years. But in today’s market, consistently finding specific cannabis hybrids can be difficult. This begs a seemingly simple question: what is the typical lifespan of a cannabis strain?

A different perspective on the lifespan of cannabis strains

Elise McDonough, a cannabis specialist and author, recalled developments in cannabis genetics during an interview. She recounted a major event at the 2004 Cannabis Cup, where a Canadian named Reeferman caused a stir on the Dutch scene by winning first place in the Sativa category for Love Potion #1.

According to Elise McDonough, Reeferman burst onto the Dutch scene and outshone all local strains with its unique and refreshing offering. She believes that the activities of the Dutch cannabis industry in the 90’s and early 2000’s are comparable to what the Californians are currently doing. During this time the Dutch had certain strains and breeders crossed everything with each other. Eventually this resulted in a model where all strains became quite similar.

Elise McDonough clarified that Reeferman developed strains like Love Potion by traveling to different parts of the world, discovering landrace strains, cultivating them in vast fields, selecting the best, and then breeding them. Because of this, Reeferman produced exceptionally unique cannabis strains compared to what was available in the Netherlands at the time.

Expressing her opinion, McDonough explained that a similar transformation will take place in California, where people are fed up with the many variations of Cookies strains. She believes that everyone bred and crossed the same strains without any logical methodology, resulting in an indistinguishable mishmash of strains.

McDonough, currently Binske’s director of marketing, takes a fresh look at log lifespans.

McDonough explained that the trend to create new varieties quickly and the resulting hype has put pressure on brands like Binske to constantly bring something new and unique to retailers. Retailers, in turn, are constantly looking for fresh and distinctive varieties to add to their menus.

McDonough emphasized that retailers have different goals than traditional cannabis breeders, who spend several years stabilizing and preserving genetics. She drew a parallel between cannabis and dog breeding, citing Labradoodles as an example that required generations of breeding between Labradors and Poodles.

McDonough found that like dogs, cannabis takes generations to develop stable, consistent, and predictable traits. She explained that these traits are her intellectual property and unique selling point for breeders, which requires years of stabilization work to achieve. However, many of the latest hyped strains are unstable and short-lived.

Marketing and popularity arc as a contributing factor

While unstable genetics can contribute to the short lifespans of newer cannabis strains, Fig Farms Chief Sales Officer Mike Doten believes many other factors also play a role. According to him, unique strains follow an arc of popularity that lasts about five years and involves a rise and fall in demand.

Doten mentioned that they have been trying to phase out strains like Dark Karma, but the high demand for the product has made it difficult. Retailers have stressed the need to keep it growing to avoid losing shelf space, putting them under pressure to maintain its availability.

Doten found that more common strains have shorter lifespans when consumer demand decreases. For example, if they introduced a generic flavor like Gelato #41, they would only have six to eight months to sell it at its usual price before they would have to start reducing quantities and phase it out.

According to Doten, marketing plays a crucial role in extending a strain’s lifespan. He explained that sometimes they introduce several new strains in a month without proper marketing, which can shorten their lifespan. He added that a well-designed marketing package could help extend a strain’s lifespan. A strain’s flavor profile, which fits into overarching popular categories like “fruit” and “gas,” is another element that helps keep it in the spotlight.

Josh Vert, the co-founder of award-winning extract maker Royal Key, explained that one of the main considerations when selecting a strain for the market is its potential to be converted into a cannabis concentrate. The way a particular strain grows is another factor that comes into play.

Vert pointed out that determining a strain’s longevity is a complex matter as it involves various factors such as marketing, strain stability, market perception and overall appeal. He cited Zkittlez as an example of a strain characterized by stability and market appeal.

According to Kayla Extracts Chief of Staff, Alyssa Roberts, the question of the lifespan of a typical strain is a multifaceted one. She supported McDonough’s views, explaining that the pursuit of new flavors often tempts cannabis breeders to ignore genetic stability. Roberts added that a strain’s lifespan is typically around four to five years as it gains popularity and hype before being crossed. She also noted that variability and differentiation of varieties depend on market demand and consumer desires.

Diploma

The lifespan of cannabis strains is a complicated subject influenced by genetics, marketing, and consumer demand. While some varieties might be successful over the long term, others would be fleeting and quickly replaced by new types. Breeders and growers must balance the demand for novel and distinctive strains with the need for genetic consistency and stability as the cannabis industry continues to evolve. The cannabis sector can continue to offer high quality cannabis products that meet the changing needs and tastes of consumers with care and consideration.

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