Quick answer
The Sour Diesel strain is a sativa-dominant hybrid, about 90% sativa, usually traced to Chemdawg × Super Skunk in early-1990s New York. Leafly lists 19% THC with caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene, and it is known for a loud fuel-and-citrus smell and an energetic, talkative high. Bud Cargo sells a Sour Diesel ounce for $72.
Key takeaways
- Type: sativa-dominant hybrid, about 90% sativa and 10% indica (AllBud, DNA Genetics); Leafly files it as a hybrid.
- Genetics: usually Chemdawg (91) × Super Skunk, but the cross was never documented and other theories exist.
- THC: Leafly 19%, DNA Genetics 19% to 22%+, AllBud 26%. Leafly rates it 4.3 from 8,600 ratings.
- Also called Sour D, Sour Deez and East Coast Sour Diesel (ECSD). Leafly lists Headband and Sour Apple as offspring.
- At Bud Cargo: Sour Diesel ounce $72 (about $2.57/g), Lush 2 mL disposable $36, Dreamers dual vape $72.
Last updated 27 October 2026 from live stock · By the Bud Cargo team
What is the Sour Diesel strain?
Sour Diesel is a sativa-dominant hybrid famous for a fuel-like smell and a fast, energetic high, and it has been one of the most recognised strain names since the 1990s. It is also called Sour D, Sour Deez, The Diesel and East Coast Sour Diesel. Because its history was never written down by a breeder, the main sources agree on the character but not on every detail:
| Source | Type | Listed THC | Genetics | Top terpenes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leafly | Hybrid | 19%, 0% CBD | Chemdawg × Super Skunk | Caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene | 4.3 from 8,600 ratings |
| AllBud | 90% sativa, 10% indica | 26%, 2% CBD | Mass Super Skunk × 91 Chemdog, or Mexican sativa × Chemdog | Not listed | 4.5 from 162 reviews |
| DNA Genetics | About 90% sativa | Around 19% to 22%, some batches higher | Chemdawg ’91 × Super Skunk | Caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene | – |
| SeedFinder | Sativa-dominant | – | Chemdawg × Skunk (consensus; Skunk parent uncertain) | – | – |
The spread in THC figures is normal. Each source reports different lots and growers, and what matters for you is the lot you actually buy.
Where did Sour Diesel come from?
Sour Diesel is generally traced to New York in the early-to-mid 1990s, which is why it is often called East Coast Sour Diesel. Leafly says it first became popular in the early 1990s. SeedFinder credits a New York grower known as AJ, and dates the cross to around 1996, while describing the story as legend rather than record. DNA Genetics calls the exact origin cannabis folklore and notes some people point to West Coast growers instead.
The Chemdawg side has its own story. SeedFinder says Chemdawg grew from bag seeds that a grower known as Chemdog reportedly got around a 1991 Grateful Dead show, which is where the “91” in Chemdawg 91 comes from. We cover that parent in our Chemdawg guide.
Is Sour Diesel a sativa or indica?
Sour Diesel is a sativa-dominant hybrid: AllBud and DNA Genetics both put it at about 90% sativa and 10% indica, and Leafly classifies it as a hybrid. Its effects are the classic daytime kind, so it is usually grouped with sativas on menus, including ours.
Treat the label as a rough guide. A 2019 genetic study of 30 dispensary strains found that samples did not group by indica, sativa or hybrid, and that some samples sold under one name were genetically different (Schwabe and McGlaughlin, Journal of Cannabis Research, 2019). For a strain with as many cuts as Sour Diesel, smell and the product’s own description tell you more than the label. Our indica vs sativa vs hybrid guide explains why.
How strong is the Sour Diesel strain?
Sour Diesel is a mid-to-high THC strain, usually listed around 19% to 22%, with some lots higher. Leafly lists 19% THC and 0% CBD, DNA Genetics says it typically sits around 19% to 22% or more, and AllBud gives 26%. It feels stronger than its number to many people because the onset is fast and heady.
Leafly’s most reported feelings are energetic, uplifted and talkative, and AllBud lists creative, euphoria, happy and uplifting. The negatives most often reported on Leafly are dry mouth, dry eyes and paranoia, which is worth knowing if you are sensitive to racy sativas. Start with a small amount; Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines also recommend favouring lower-THC products and using less often.
What does Sour Diesel taste and smell like?
Sour Diesel smells like fuel first, then sharp citrus over a skunky base. AllBud says it has one of the most pungent aromas of any strain and lists candy, citrus, dank, diesel, skunky and sweet flavours. The name comes from that sour, gasoline-like nose.
Leafly’s terpene order is caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene: caryophyllene brings the peppery bite, limonene the citrus and myrcene the earthy base. Expect a strong smell even through packaging, and store it in an airtight jar.
Why can’t you find Sour Diesel anymore?
You can still find Sour Diesel, but the original cut is hard to verify. SeedFinder says the original East Coast Sour Diesel was never available as feminized seeds, so it travelled as clones, and seed companies later released their own versions under the same name. Today “Sour Diesel” can mean the clone line, a seed version, or a related cross like Lemon Sour Diesel or OG Sour Diesel.
That is the same name problem the 2019 study found across many strains. The practical test is the nose: a true-to-type Sour Diesel should smell unmistakably of fuel. Leafly lists Headband and Sour Apple among its offspring, and the diesel note also shows up in strains like Lime Diesel.
How does Sour Diesel compare with other daytime ounces?
At $72, the Sour Diesel ounce sits just under the middle of our menu: the median of our 37 in-stock ounce deals is $75, and they range from $45 to $110. Here are the sativa-leaning ounces in stock today:
| Ounce deal (28 g) | Price | Per gram | Profile | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon Haze | $55 | $1.96 | Lemon, sativa-leaning | Lemon Haze guide |
| Pineapple Express | $59 | $2.11 | Tropical, sativa-leaning hybrid | – |
| Mango Haze | $62 | $2.21 | Mango, haze | – |
| Lava Flow | $67 | $2.39 | Sativa-leaning hybrid | – |
| Sour Diesel | $72 | $2.57 | Fuel, citrus, skunk | This guide |
An ounce is 28 grams; our grams in an ounce guide breaks that into eighths, quarters and halves. A 28 g ounce is also under the 30 g of dried cannabis an adult can carry in public under section 8 of the Cannabis Act.
Where to buy Sour Diesel online in Canada
Bud Cargo has Sour Diesel in stock as flower and as two vapes. Prices are from our live in-stock catalogue on 27 October 2026:
| Product | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sour Diesel, ounce deal | 28 g flower | $72 |
| Lush 2 mL disposable, Sour Diesel | 2 mL disposable vape | $36 |
| Dreamers dual vape, Sour Diesel and Super Lemon Haze | 6 g two-chamber disposable | $72 |
| So High 5 g vape, Lime Diesel (related diesel strain) | 5 g disposable | $60 |
| So High 5 g vape, Chemdawg (parent strain) | 5 g disposable | $60 |
Disposables need no battery; if one stops working, our vape not hitting guide covers the usual fixes. Browse every flower deal in our ounce deals category.
Orders ship across Canada for $25 to BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, $30 to Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and $35 to the territories. Shipping is free on orders over $150 (over $250 to the territories). 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
How strong is the Sour Diesel strain?
Sour Diesel is a mid-to-high THC strain. Leafly lists 19% THC, DNA Genetics says it typically sits around 19% to 22% with some batches higher, and AllBud gives 26%. Its reputation for strength comes as much from its fast, heady onset as from the number, so start with a small amount.
Is Sour Diesel a sativa or indica?
Sour Diesel is a sativa-dominant hybrid. AllBud and DNA Genetics both put it at about 90% sativa and 10% indica, while Leafly files it as a hybrid. It is one of the best-known daytime strains.
Why can’t you find Sour Diesel anymore?
You can still find it, but the original is hard to pin down. SeedFinder says the original East Coast Sour Diesel was never available as feminized seeds, so it spread as clones, and today many seed versions and cuts are sold under the same name. That is why one Sour Diesel can smell and feel different from the next.
What are the parents of Sour Diesel?
Most sources trace Sour Diesel to Chemdawg (often Chemdawg 91) crossed with Super Skunk. AllBud also mentions a Mexican sativa × Chemdog theory, and SeedFinder notes the Skunk parent is uncertain. Nobody has documented the cross.
Where did Sour Diesel come from?
Sour Diesel is generally traced to New York in the early-to-mid 1990s. SeedFinder credits a grower known as AJ, and Leafly says it first became popular in the early 1990s. It is often called East Coast Sour Diesel for that reason.
What does Sour Diesel taste and smell like?
Sour Diesel smells like fuel with sharp citrus and a skunky base. AllBud describes one of the most pungent aromas of any strain, with candy, citrus, dank, diesel, skunky and sweet flavours. Leafly lists caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene as its main terpenes.
How much is an ounce of Sour Diesel at Bud Cargo?
As of 27 October 2026 the Sour Diesel ounce is $72 for 28 g, about $2.57 per gram, just under the $75 median of our 37 in-stock ounce deals. It is also available as a 2 mL Lush disposable for $36.
Sources: Leafly, Sour Diesel. AllBud, Sour Diesel. DNA Genetics, Sour Diesel. SeedFinder, Sour Diesel. Schwabe AL, McGlaughlin ME (2019), Journal of Cannabis Research 1:3. Public Health Agency of Canada, Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines. Cannabis Act (S.C. 2018, c. 16), section 8. Prices from Bud Cargo’s live in-stock catalogue, 27 October 2026.
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