What’s Purple Weed? Does Purple Cannabis Get You Higher?

Cannabis comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, including purple weed! 

Different versions of purple bud have captivated stoners for years, serving as arguably some of the most aesthetically pleasing strains you can get your hands on.

That said, have you ever wondered what causes purple strains to have their unique purple color?

While all cannabis strains come with their own distinct set of terpenes, cannabinoids and other components, not all strains contain purple buds. So, why does this happen?

If you’re often pondered on what causes purple weed strains to possess their playful pops of purple hues, you’re in luck!

Today, we’re peeking behind the purple curtain to discover what purple weed is, what makes purple weed strains purple, and settle the debate surrounding if purple buds can, in fact, get you higher.

So, buckle up as we prepare to present the various possibilities surrounding your favourite pretty purple strains!

What is Purple Weed?

Purple cannabis goes by several different names. The cannabis community has affectionately dubbed it purple bud or ‘purps,’ for short. That said, it doesn’t take a Nobel-prize-winning scientist to decipher what this type of cannabis plant is.

In other words, purple weed is exactly what it sounds like – cannabis that is purple or features some variation of purple. 

However, it’s important to clarify that not all purple strains are created equal. 

Some feature a deep purple or dark purple that almost appears black. On the other hand, other cannabis plant varieties will still prominently feature green hues with pops of purple poking out as the dominant colour from the buds of various cannabis strains.

Over time, many stoners have come to associate purple weed with indica-dominant strains that induce couch-lock or make users feel sleepy.

If you were to reflect on this concept further, strains such as Purple Kush or Purple Haze that sent you into a peaceful slumber faster than you could say “goodnight!” may come to mind.

However, we’re here to clarify this purple perversion. 

Not all purple weed strains have an indica strain lineage. There are also examples of purple marijuana that fall under the sativa or hybrid umbrellas. The only way to fully grasp this concept is to try different purple cannabis strains out for yourself.

You’ll discover that several other factors could impact the effects of purple bud, including THC concentration, terpene profile, and more.

Luckily, the component that causes these strains to grow purple also possesses other benefits, serving as a bonus for toking on purple weed. Namely, they have effective pain-reducing properties.

If you’re confused, don’t worry. We’ll explain in more detail below.

Why do Some Weed Strains Turn Purple?

The long-awaited answer to this perplexing purple mystery is over! However, the answer may not be as fulfilling or as earth-shattering as you might think.

The secret behind cannabis growing purple comes down to small molecules called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are essentially compact, water-soluble compounds that plant cells produce and accumulate to serve as a method of protection to defend plants from light damage and UV radiation.

You can find these pigments across a wide assortment of different species in the plant world, including fruits and vegetables. Some familiar examples of particularly colourful foods may include cherries, grapes, blueberries and some nuts.

As we mentioned previously, anthocyanins have benefits outside of making your cannabis purple. One such example we have already stated. The anthocyanin compound is also an effective pain-reliever. They also offer anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and even anti-cancer properties.

In the context of the cannabis world and cannabis flowers, specifically, the specific growing conditions play a massive part in determining whether a cannabis plant will turn purple or contain purple coloring.

The soil environment, in particular, has a significant impact on weed coloring. More specifically, anthocyanin production depends on the soil’s pH level, on top of other substantial factors such as temperatures and lighting.

However, we should also clarify that the marijuana strain itself must have the biological capacity to produce a purple color. 

In other words, even if the conditions are absolutely perfect, not all cannabis strains will grow purple.

Breeders have perfected growing techniques over years of trial and error and practice to get the parameters for turning weed purple just right. 

With this in mind, there are specific conditions they can help foster to facilitate further the likelihood of their crop having a purple color.

For instance, many growers utilize shorter wavelengths, specifically blue and UV light, to enhance anthocyanin production to help grow a purple strain. That said, other types of light, such as those with greener hues, can inhibit anthocyanin production.

Growers need to conduct their own research to determine the best growing practices to produce optimal results.

So, with this new information in mind, the next time you’re puffing on some Purple Kush, Purple Haze or any other purple strain, be sure to take a minute to appreciate how much time and effort went into making your purple bud a reality!

Will Purple Cannabis Get You Higher?

We hate to be the ones to break this to you, and it might hurt a bit to hear (or read), but there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that purple marijuana will get you any higher just because it’s purple.

Much like what our parents taught us growing up, it’s ultimately what’s on the inside that counts. It comes down to the amount of trichomes covering the leaves and buds of the strain in question.

Those leaves could be purple, dark green, pink, or any variation of colors, but how colorful a strain is will not impact its effects or how high you get. So, while it may be more beautiful to look at, that is basically all that sets purple weed apart.

As for the anthocyanin component, it’s best utilized if you make edibles with the plant. Sparking it up and smoking it isn’t likely to preserve most of its beneficial qualities. That said, you can receive similar properties through high-CBD strains.

Should You Try Purple Weed?

At the end of the day, several components contribute to a pleasant smoking experience. While weed coloring won’t necessarily supply anything extra effects-wise, integrating some purple bud into your next sesh could add a heightened aesthetic to the overall affair.

That said, it takes a lot of time, knowledge and effort on behalf of cannabis growers to create these uniquely beautiful strains.

So, the next time you puff on a particularly popular purple strain, such as Purple Urkle, Grand Daddy Purple or Purple Haze, be sure to take a moment to honour the dedicated individuals that contributed to its creation.

What’s your favourite variation of purps? Which would you like to try? Let us know!

Either way, enjoy and happy toking!