Girl Scout Cookies Strain (GSC): Genetics, THC, Phenotypes and Where to Buy

Last updated 1 November 2026 from live stock · By the Bud Cargo team

What is the Girl Scout Cookies strain?

Girl Scout Cookies, usually shortened to GSC or simply “Cookies”, is an indica-dominant hybrid that came out of California and went on to become one of the most influential strains of the last two decades. Leafly says GSC is “from the California breeder Jigga”, and AllBud says it “first appeared in California”. With 7,621 ratings on Leafly, it is one of the most reviewed strains anywhere.

The big databases agree on the type and the OG Kush parent. They differ a little on THC and on how they describe the second parent:

A 2019 genetic study of retail cannabis found that products sold under the same strain name were often not genetically consistent (Schwabe and McGlaughlin, Journal of Cannabis Research, 2019). That matters more for GSC than for most strains, because several distinct cuts are all sold as “Cookies”.

What are the parents and phenotypes of GSC?

GSC comes from OG Kush and a Durban Poison line. Leafly names the second parent “F1 Durb”, while AllBud calls it a near-even hybrid of Durban Poison and an F1. In practice, that gives GSC the fuel-and-earth base of OG Kush with some of the lift of Durban Poison, a well-known African sativa.

Thin Mint, Platinum and Forum Cut

GSC is sold as several phenotypes, which are individual plants picked from the same genetics because they had standout traits. Leafly lists two on its GSC page: Thin Mint (also called Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies) and Platinum GSC. Leafly also has a page for Forum Cut Cookies, which it calls “one of the original cuttings of the GSC strain” (hybrid, 21% THC, caryophyllene-led). Our So High Thin Mint Cookies cart ($30) is the Thin Mint side in oil form.

What strains come from GSC?

GSC is a parent or grandparent of a large share of today’s dessert strains. These are the ones we have checked against the strain databases:

If you like GSC, these are the logical next strains to try. They keep the sweet, doughy Cookies base and add citrus, fruit or gas. Leafly also places Purple Churro, a Compound Genetics cross of Cinnamon Horchata and Apples & Bananas, in the GSC dessert family; see our Purple Churro strain guide.

Is GSC more indica or sativa?

GSC is an indica-dominant hybrid. AllBud gives the split as 60% indica and 40% sativa, and Leafly’s description calls it indica-dominant. Leafly’s most reported feelings are relaxed, hungry and happy. Its most reported negatives are dry mouth, dry eyes and feeling anxious. AllBud lists creative, euphoric and relaxing effects. Most people treat it as an evening or after-dinner strain rather than a daytime one.

Keep in mind that indica and sativa labels describe how a strain is sold and how people report feeling. The 2019 study cited above found no clear genetic line between strains sold as indica, sativa and hybrid. Our indica vs sativa vs hybrid guide explains what the labels can and cannot tell you.

Are Cookies a strong strain?

Yes. GSC is a high-THC strain: Leafly lists 25% and AllBud says it can reach 28%. That is higher than many classics, such as Pineapple Express at around 20% on Leafly. Strength still varies from lot to lot, so the result on the batch you buy matters more than the strain name.

The GSC concentrates are a different level again. A distillate syringe or shatter delivers far more THC per use than flower. If you are new to GSC or to concentrates, Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines suggest starting with a small amount, choosing lower-THC products where you can and using less often. Our guide to using shatter explains how concentrates differ from flower.

What does Girl Scout Cookies taste and smell like?

GSC tastes sweet and minty over an earthy, slightly nutty base. Leafly’s top flavours are mint, sweet and earthy. AllBud lists cherry, lemon, mint, sweet and woody flavours, and earthy, nutty, pungent, spicy, sweet and vanilla aromas. The “cookie” name comes from that sweet, baked character.

What terpenes are in GSC?

Leafly lists caryophyllene as the dominant terpene, followed by myrcene and limonene. Caryophyllene gives the peppery, spicy edge, myrcene the earthy base and limonene the lemon note. The same caryophyllene-first profile shows up in Forum Cut Cookies and Mandarin Cookies, which is one way the family resemblance carries through.

Vape, pipe or joint: which GSC format should you choose?

The best format depends on how much control you want. Flower in a joint or pipe gives the full GSC aroma and is the cheapest per gram. A vape is discreet and easy to dose in small puffs. Shatter and distillate are concentrates for experienced users who want a strong effect from a small amount. Here is how the GSC formats we stock compare:

Where can I buy Girl Scout Cookies in Canada?

Bud Cargo has a Girl Scout Cookies ounce (28 g) for $54, in stock as of 1 November 2026. That is about $1.93 per gram and well below the $70 median of the 46 ounce deals we stock ($45 to $110). It sits in our budget buds range. For comparison, the other dessert-style ounces in stock are Wedding Cake at $49 (see our Wedding Cake strain guide), Ice Cream Cake at $50 and Mandarin Cookies at $65.

The ounce is sold as a full 28 g only. For what our flower grades mean, see AAA vs AAAA weed grading in Canada, or browse every hybrid flower in stock.

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.

Adults may carry up to 30 g of dried cannabis or its equivalent in public under the Cannabis Act, so a single ounce is within the limit.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Leafly, GSC. AllBud, Girl Scout Cookies. Leafly, Forum Cut Cookies. Schwabe AL, McGlaughlin ME (2019), Journal of Cannabis Research. Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines. Prices and stock checked on 1 November 2026.