Log inGet your card
Log in

Get your medical card online in minutes!

Get started
closeup of wedding cake marijuana nugget

The Original Z

The Original Z (popularly known by a trademarked candy name) is an indica-dominant strain (cultivar) bred from a cross of parent plants Grape Ape, Grapefruit, and a third unknown strain. It was developed by Dying Breed Seeds, a collective based in California.

The Original Z has eye-catching purple hues resulting from high concentrations of anthocyanins during the flowering season. The buds are tightly packed, a prominent feature of indica strains, and they’re covered in cloudy white trichomes responsible for the strain’s reported psychoactivity.

The name comes from the candy-like fruit flavor and sour citrus aroma inherited from its fruity parent strains. It’s well-known for its uplifting yet relaxing effects. Therapeutically, it’s primarily used to manage stress, anxiety, and depression. The Original Z typically has a moderate to high THC level of 12% to 18%.

The Original Z won first place at the 2015 Cannabis Cup in San Francisco and first at the 2016 Emerald Cup.

Find The Right Dose For You.

Get cannabis dosing and product guidance from a Leafwell healthcare provider with a one-on-one counseling appointment.

Book an Appointment

Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol

THC

12%-18%

Cannabigerol

CBG

1%

Strain types

  • 70%Indica
  • 30%Sativa

Aromas

  • Citrus
  • Sour

Flavors

  • Citrus
  • Sweet

Terpenes

The dominant terpenes in The Original Z are caryophyllene, linalool and humulene. The caryophyllene contributes to the peppery aroma of The Original Z and may also provide anti-inflammatory benefits for those dealing with conditions such as arthritis.

Linalool has a sweet smell reminiscent of lavender and is known to have soothing effects that may be helpful for patients suffering from stress and anxiety. Humulene also has a peppery aroma and is thought to have antimicrobial properties.

  • Humulene

  • Linalool

  • Beta-Caryophyllene

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are rarely tested for in cannabis, so the flavonoid profile of The Original Z is unknown. Cannflavin A, B, and C are unique to cannabis and are found in all varieties of cannabis, contributing to the plant’s unique flavor and aroma. The Original Z has been described as having a berry, grape, and grapefruit flavor, so it could contain flavonoids like luteolin and naringin.

Effects

The Original Zs has been reported to have the following effects:

  • Calming
  • Focus
  • Euphoria

The following adverse effects have also been reported:

  • Dry Eyes
  • Paranoia
  • Dizziness
  • Dry Mouth
  • Headache

The Original Z has been reported to have several positive effects, along with a few potentially negative effects. Dry mouth and dry eyes are common minor side effects of cannabis use that can usually be alleviated by staying hydrated and using eye drops as needed.
Anxiety and paranoia are rarer side effects of The Original Z. Anxiety/paranoia may be due to the effects of THC on the amygdala, a part of the brain important for alerting you to danger. Consuming lower doses or trying cannabis strains with a lower THC content may help prevent this adverse effect.

Medical Applications

The Original Z has several medicinal uses and has been reported to be especially helpful for alleviating stress and lifting the mood in people with depression. It has also been reported to help stimulate appetite in people with appetite loss.
closeup of wedding cake marijuana nugget
Depression

The Original Z is especially good at helping people relax, meaning it can help ease the symptoms that come with depression.

Organ Systems

  • Brain & Nervous System
Loss of Appetite

The “munchie” effect of The Original Z is shown to help with various conditions that have appetite loss as a symptom.

Organ Systems

  • Endocrine
  • Other
Insomnia

The relaxing, full-body effects of this indica-dominant hybrid means it’ll help you relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Organ Systems

  • Mental / Emotional
  • Brain & Nervous System

Dosing

Dosing on any form of cannabis is very much a personal affair. A particular strain (cultivar) and the dose may be effective for one person and ineffective for another.

Generally, it is best to go slow and low, especially if you are eating cannabis, where a starting dose of 2.5 mg – 5.0 mg is ideal. Those inhaling cannabis should take just one or two puffs at a time, waiting a few minutes between each pull to lower the chances of an overwhelming effect.

Growing

Unfortunately, The Original Z seeds can be hard to come by and are often unavailable for online purchase. The easiest option for those wishing to grow their own Original Z plants is to buy clippings from a healthy plant to propagate clones.

The Original Z can be successfully grown indoors and outdoors as it doesn’t require as much space as some other strains.

Due to The Original Z’s preference for humid environments, growers should be mindful of common molds and mildew. The resinous trichomes of The Original Z provide some anti-fungal resistance, but good air circulation and trimming are essential when The Original Z is grown indoors.

The “sea of green” method can produce a high yield of The Original Z.

height icon

Height

The Original Z only grows up to 3 feet (30 centimeters) indoors.

humidity icon

Humidity and Temperature

The Original Z thrives in a hot and humid climate.

cannabis icon

Flowering

The Original Z flowers between eight to 10 weeks and produces average yields. Allowing The Original Z to grow for 10 weeks before harvesting buds allows for more resinous trichomes and better flavors.

Growers wanting to bring out the purple shades of the buds should expose their plants to cold temperatures before flowering begins to upregulate anthocyanin production. Yields of around 13 ounces (370 grams) per square meter can be expected when plants are grown indoors, and 17 ounces (480 grams) per square meter when grown in a warm, dry outdoor climate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The Original Z make you feel?

The Original Z users have reported experiencing an initial burst of energy and focus accompanied by enhanced sensory awareness, followed by a long relaxing body high.
Some users have reported psychedelic-like effects and a feeling that time has slowed, making them think the effects of The Original Z last longer than they actually do. Such altered perceptions can sometimes be frightening for inexperienced users, so using The Original Z in environments where they feel safe and comfortable is recommended.

What’s The Original Z good for?

Therapeutically, The Original Z is said to be good for alleviating stress and depression and may also help people with insomnia get a good night’s sleep. Some people with ADHD have reported it can help them focus, and some people with reduced appetite from various causes have said it can help motivate them to eat more.

Recreationally, the initial cerebral high produced by The Original Z is said to be good for when you want to do a burst of creative work or be the life of the party, and the subsequent body high is said to help you relax into the couch afterward.

Is The Original Z indica or sativa?

The Original Z weed is an indica-dominant hybrid of cannabis, thought to be around 70% indica and 30% sativa. But take note: While knowing the indica to sativa ratio of a cannabis strain can help predict how it will grow, it is not very useful for predicting levels of compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes, as these depend on the growing conditions as well as the exact genetics of the strain.

Related Strains
closeup of marijuana nug

10th Planet

THC 17%-20%CBD 0.56%-0.87%

closeup of marijuana nug

12 Year OG

THC 17%

closeup of marijuana nug

22

THC 24%CBD 0.5%