Classic · 1970s (Western introduction)
Durban Poison
A pure African landrace sativa — fast-flowering, anise-sweet, parent of Girl Scout Cookies.
- Type
- Pure sativa (landrace)
- Origin
- Durban, South Africa
- Bred by
- Ed Rosenthal (selected & exported 1970s); Sam the Skunkman (stabilised in NL)
- Parents
- South African landrace
History
Ed Rosenthal brought Durban Poison seeds from South Africa in the late 1970s; Sam the Skunkman further refined the line in Amsterdam. Its early flowering for a pure sativa made it valuable for breeding programmes worldwide.
Sensory & chemical profile
Sweet anise, liquorice, pine. 17–24% THC. Terpinolene-dominant.
UK medical relevance
Durban-leaning strains are prescribed in the UK occasionally for daytime focus and energy. Its terpinolene profile is associated with clear-headed activation.
Legacy
Parent of Girl Scout Cookies and a huge fraction of modern hybrids requiring sativa energy.
Notable descendants
- Girl Scout Cookies
- Cherry Pie (× Granddaddy Purple)
- Dutch Treat
Patient note
Heritage strain profiles describe the historical lineage and chemovar template. Modern UK pharmacy SKUs derived from these lines will differ in cannabinoid content, terpene ratio and effect. Always consult your prescribing clinician. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice. Cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK are prescription-only under NICE NG144 guidance.