Do you know Bob Marley's favourite cannabis strain?

Have you ever wondered what Bob Marley's favorite cannabis strain was? We have! And the answer lies somewhere between the obvious and the anecdotal.

A Jamaican variety

It is widely accepted that Bob Marley preferred Lamb’s Breath as a cannabis strain. This particular strain is a landrace cannabis strain native to Jamaica—if one can even consider a variety that came from India with the colonists and their slaves, and which has adapted to the climate of the Rastafarian island, to be «endemic.».

Also known as Lamb’s Bread, it is renowned for its powerful and stimulating sativa effects, which can boost creativity and promote positive introspection. Lamb’s Bread has an unusual aroma for those accustomed to modern strains, with a very «local» appearance.

According to legend, Bob Marley once said that smoking Lamb's Breath allowed people to get to know themselves better: « When you smoke it, it reveals your true self« .

However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the term «Lamb’s Bread» is a slang term often used in Jamaica that simply means “good ganja.” It is also frequently mentioned in the Rastafari religion.

In fact, in an old interview with High Times, Bob Marley never mentions a specific strain called Lamb’s Bread.

Here, it seems that Marley called an unknown variety «lamb’s bread» [which could be translated as «a godsend»?] after realizing that it was of high quality. The origin of the term «lamb’s bread» is therefore as mysterious as how modern Lamb’s Bread came to America. However, the name likely has biblical roots with clear references to Jesus and sacramental offerings.

Note that a biologist is trying to recreate the Jamaican heirloom varieties that Bob Marley used to eat based on local cultivars preserved by the Rastafarians of Jamaica as well as those from other islands in the Caribbean.

What are some other Jamaican varieties?

In addition to Lamb’s Breath, here’s what you can find in Jamaica.

Jamaican

This is another landrace variety of cannabis native to the Caribbean islands. There are several Jamaican varieties and they all tend to be sativa, mainly because of the island’s local climate, which allows for the growth of taller plants. Jamaican landrace strains have been used to create several other strains found today in various countries around the world. A famous example is Jamaican Dream, a 90% sativa strain that has long been a staple on the menus of Amsterdam’s coffeeshops.

Jamaican Yarders

This is a hybrid cannabis strain, but its parent strains are not well documented either. All that is known is that one of its parents is a Jamaican cultivar. It has a rich aroma and flavor profile: fruity, spicy, earthy, tart, and spicy. Its effects include euphoria, creativity, and calmness. It is an excellent medical strain that has also given rise to other interesting cultivars, notably Jamaican Lion, which is mildly psychoactive and readily available in places like California.

Jamaican Pearl

Jamaican Pearl is derived from an old sativa strain known as Early Pearl. It is a plant that has been crossed with various Jamaican strains to strengthen its genetics. The energizing effect of this strain will spread its Caribbean vibes all over the world. Its sweet and spicy flavor evokes the distant, sun-drenched lands of the tropics.

King’s Breath

Just like Lamb’s Breath, there’s King’s Breath (also known as King’s Bread). It’s another sativa strain, native to the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Smoking King’s Breath produces a euphoric cerebral high with a citrus flavor.