Black cannabis, or ‘black weed,’ breaks the green stereotype with its striking dark purple to near-black tones.

The distinctive coloration of black cannabis stems from an abundance of anthocyanins—natural pigments that also add vibrant purples to eggplants and rich reds to cherries across the plant kingdom.

In black cannabis, these pigments saturate the plant’s tissues, from leaves to flowers and even the trichomes – tiny, crystalline structures crucial for producing the cannabinoids and terpenes that define cannabis’s essence.

However, not every cannabis plant can flaunt this dramatic dark hue. The capacity for dark coloration lies in:

• Genetics: Specific strains like Black Domina, Black Diesel, and Black Widow are genetically predisposed to higher anthocyanin production, allowing them to appear darker in color

• Temperature: The color deepens with the climate—cooler temperatures during the flowering stage trigger anthocyanins to express themselves more vividly, leading to those characteristic dark purple or almost black tones.

• pH Levels: Soil acidity is another influencer. A pH range leaning towards neutral, around 6.5 to 7.0, can encourage anthocyanins to reveal those deeper pigments.

The simple answer is no.

The anthocyanins responsible for the dark coloration of black cannabis are non-psychoactive, meaning the plant’s striking appearance has no direct impact on its potency or THC levels.

While some cultivators may aim to enhance the potency of black cannabis strains through selective breeding, these efforts are independent of the plant’s color.

So, despite its intriguing look, the effects of black cannabis might not differ much from the familiar experiences provided by its green counterparts.

Here’s a roundup of well-known strains that are celebrated for their high levels of anthocyanins and their stunning dark appearances:

• Black Domina

• Black Diesel

• Black Widow

• Sirius Black

• Black Mamba

• Black Orchid

• Black Opium

• Black Pearl

• Black Patronus