Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple, or GDP as it is commonly known, is a popular marijuana strain first bred in 2003 by Ken Estes from the San Francisco Bay. After a tragic motorcycle accident, Ken found himself trying non-traditional medicines when conventional methods failed him in rehabilitation. On a chance encounter, Ken serendipitously discovered cannabis and it led to a life-changing experience. Upon recognizing its healing power while simultaneously energized by his recovery, Ken dedicated himself to a life of cannabis advocacy, research, and ultimately to the creation of the Granddaddy Purple Collective, which is credited with producing the ‘original’ GDP strain.

While phenotypes of Granddaddy Purple can produce variance in coloring, the original strain is unmistakably unique in the depth and richness of its purple hues, a sharply contrasting backdrop for the snow-like crystals that cover the unusually dense buds. If there is anything more marvelous than the resin-rich color scheme, it is the distinctly berry terpene profile for which Granddaddy Purple is truly known: a sweet, berry aroma that is punctuated by a dominant and lingering grape taste.

As a cross between two strong indicas - Big Bud and Purple Urkle - it comes as no surprise that GDP is a highly potent strain with a THC concentration that has been measured to be between 17% to 23%. It has also been shown to contain high levels of cannabigerol (CBG), a fundamental component of all of cannabis’ therapeutic compounds and an indicator of high medical usefulness. While it is probably best known for its analgesic properties, medical patients seeking appetite stimulation, stress reduction, or relief from muscle spasms, migraines or nausea all choose to pull this strain off the shelf. Moreover, as one would expect from an indica strain, Granddaddy Purple is an effective sedative. On top of full-body relaxation, it is an effective treatment for insomnia and when taken at night is effective at helping bring about sleep. In addition to medical benefits, Granddaddy Purple has pronounced and long-lasting psychoactive effects that include intense cerebral euphoria and a heady, dreamlike buzz. As for side-effects, the sedative nature of this 75% indica may lead to a state of general laziness and a severe couch lock for the duration of effects, so best plan on doing nothing when consuming GDP. With prolonged use, it can cause dry mouth and some light dizziness among novice users.

Due to its popularity with medical as well as recreational users and combined with a high yield, Granddaddy Purple is a favorite among cultivators in Washington, Oregon, Michigan, and California. It can be grown by less-experienced growers and has a 60-80 day flowering cycle.