AK-47 Strain: Origin, THC, Effects and Price

Last updated 11 October 2026 from live stock · By the Bud Cargo team

What strain is AK-47?

AK-47 is one of the best-known Dutch hybrids of the 1990s, created by Simon of Serious Seeds and released in 1992. Serious Seeds calls it “the legend itself”, and Leafly and AllBud both list its lineage as a blend of Colombian, Mexican, Thai and Afghani varieties: three sativa lines from the Americas and Southeast Asia, stabilised with an Afghan indica.

The name sounds aggressive, but the strain’s reputation is the opposite. Leafly describes “a steady and long-lasting cerebral buzz” and a mellow overall feel, and that contrast is a large part of why the strain has stayed on menus for more than 30 years. Leafly lists “AK” as its short name.

How many awards has AK-47 won?

Serious Seeds counts 27 awards for AK-47: 8 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze. The ones it names include High Times Strain of the Year 2003, first prize in the hash category at the 2005 High Life Cup in Barcelona, and third place in the hybrid category at the 2011 High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam.

Is AK-47 a sativa or indica?

AK-47 is a sativa-dominant hybrid. Serious Seeds rates it 65% sativa and 35% indica, AllBud gives the same 65/35 split, and Leafly files it as a sativa-dominant hybrid. Our sativa category lists it with the other sativa-leaning flower we stock.

The Afghani parent is why it is a hybrid rather than a pure sativa: people tend to describe an uplifting start followed by a relaxed, settled finish. Type labels are only a rough guide, though; THC and terpenes matter as much. Our indica vs sativa vs hybrid guide explains why.

Is Cherry AK-47 a sativa or indica strain?

Cherry AK-47 is a hybrid. Leafly describes it as “a rare cherry-scented phenotype of AK-47” with reddish-purple colouring, lists 19% THC, and gives tree fruit, berry and sweet as its top flavours. It is a selected form of AK-47, not a separate cross, so it shares the same parent line.

How strong is AK-47?

AK-47 is moderately strong to strong, with published THC of about 13% to 21.5%. Leafly lists 19% and AllBud a range of 13% to 20%. The highest figure, 21.5%, is an independent lab result Serious Seeds reports from the 1999 High Times Cannabis Cup. AllBud lists about 1% CBD; Leafly lists 0%.

By today’s standards that puts AK-47 in the middle of the range rather than at the top: many newer dessert and OG strains are listed at 22% or more. These are typical figures for the strain, not results for a specific lot, and we don’t publish lab results for the batch we stock now. Our guide to reading THC percentages explains what the number on a label does and doesn’t tell you.

What does AK-47 feel like?

Most people describe AK-47 as uplifting and sociable, with a calm finish. The top reported feelings on Leafly are hungry, happy and talkative, and AllBud lists creative, euphoric, relaxing, sociable and uplifting. AllBud reviewers say the effect comes on quickly and lasts a long time.

The most common negatives on Leafly are dry mouth, dry eyes and dizziness. Because of the talkative, social profile, it is more often chosen for the daytime or for company than as a late-night strain. This describes what consumers report, not a health claim, and reactions vary with the dose and the person.

What does AK-47 taste and smell like?

AK-47 tastes earthy and skunky with a sweet, floral edge and a lightly spicy exhale. Leafly’s top flavours are skunk, tobacco and earthy. AllBud describes “a sour yet sweet flowery earthy flavor with a lightly spicy exhale” and an aroma with “an earthy and herbal overtone that’s accented by flowery spices.”

Leafly lists myrcene as the dominant terpene, followed by pinene and caryophyllene: myrcene for the earthy, herbal base, pinene for a pine note and caryophyllene for the pepper. The cannabis terpenes guide covers each one.

What does AK-47 look like?

AllBud describes “oversized spade-shaped minty green nugs with lots of thick orange hairs and a coating of frosty amber crystal trichomes”. Serious Seeds notes that it flowers in 53 to 63 days, or 8 to 9 weeks, which is short for a sativa-dominant plant.

AK-47 vs Cherry AK-47: what’s the difference?

The two share genetics and a similar THC level; the difference is mostly flavour and colour. The table uses Leafly data for both, with breeder data from Serious Seeds where Leafly has none.

One naming note: some sellers, including our own Black Cherry Punch product copy, have listed “Cherry AK-47” as a parent of other strains. Strain databases don’t all agree on those claims, so treat any “Cherry AK” lineage on a menu as a label rather than a guarantee.

Where to buy AK-47 online in Canada

Bud Cargo has two AK-47 products in stock today: a full ounce of flower and a shatter.

The AK-47 ounce is graded AA, and at $89 it sits $17 above the $72 median of our 35 in-stock ounce deals. The Boost AK-47 shatter is one of 14 shatters in stock; shatter is far more concentrated than flower, so start with a very small amount. Our shatter guide explains how it is made and used, and the Boost brand guide covers the rest of the range. An ounce is 28 g, just under the 30 g of dried cannabis an adult may carry in public under section 8 of the Cannabis Act.

Orders ship across Canada for $25 to BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, $30 to the rest of the country, and free on orders over $150. You can pay by Interac e-Transfer or credit card. Bud Cargo is a mail-order dispensary, not a provincially licensed retailer.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Serious Seeds, AK-47. Leafly, AK-47 strain profile. AllBud, AK-47. Leafly, Cherry AK-47. Cannabis Act (S.C. 2018, c. 16), section 8. Prices from Bud Cargo’s live in-stock catalogue, 11 October 2026.