These cannabis strains would go great with these 10 music genres

Cannabis and music have had a long, fruitful history on both sides of the aisle, with the plant inspiring musicians and listeners using it to enhance appreciation. From the early days of jazz to the ’60s hippie movement and beyond, nearly every type of music has felt its hazy influence. 

Now, with cannabis increasingly being legalized in different parts of the world, consumers are being presented with an endless sea of options for how to use the plant. Most can understand the basic strain types and general effects—indica, sativa and hybrids provide mellow, uplifting and middle-ground highs, respectively. But terpenes offer a more complex palette of choices. 

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Terpenes are found in a wide variety of plants and have a multitude of effects attached to them. The science behind cannabis terpenes is still fairly new. But what’s available is already allowing cannabis users to dial in a high that’s more personalized to what they’re searching for. 

If you’re looking to pair your music enthusiasm with cannabis consumption, we broke down how certain terpenes and strains will match the vibes of your favorite genres. Based on the core terpenes found in relation to cannabis, you can discover a set of strains for just about any mood. 

Take a look below to see which cannabis strains and terpenes we recommend trying out while listening to certain music genres.

Pop punk

Strains: Jean Guy, Sour Diesel, Ghost Train Haze
Terpenes to look for: Limonene, pinene, terpinolene

Pop punk brings a fun, energetic and uplifting vibe perfectly suited for a light sativa session to brighten your mood. Strains with high limonene or terpinolene concentration offers stress relief and a giggly high best matched for pop punk. Caryophyllene offers a more relaxing feeling to loosen you up.  

Doom metal

Strains: Purple Kush, MK Ultra, Kosher Kush
Terpenes to look for: Linalool, myrcene (high amounts), caryophyllene

When you’re looking to zone out to some droning doom metal, weed is essential. And finding a strain focused on getting lost in the music is the way to go. Indica-dominant strains such as Purple Kush or MK Ultra are the best options, offering high THC content, heavy sedative effects and a strong body high to lock yourself into your couch. Make sure to keep an eye out for strains with high percentages of myrcene, linalool or caryophyllene to dial in the perfect doomy mellow high.  

Dream pop

Strains: OG Kush, Sherbert, White Widow
Terpenes to look for: Myrcene (high amounts), limonene, terpinolene

The atmospheric serenity radiating from dream pop is the perfect soundtrack to unwind to after a long day. Hybrid- and indica-dominant strains with high levels of myrcene for sedation paired with mood boosters such as limonene or terpinolene match the genre’s soft, intimate and, at times, psychedelic vibe. 

Post-punk

Strains: Blueberry Kush, Skunk Haze, Nuken
Terpenes to look for: Myrcene (high amounts), pinene, linalool, caryophyllene

The hazy and airy post-punk sound calls out to indica smokers, with its dense basslines, soft electronics and laid-back atmosphere. If you’re looking for a nice strain to relax to but maintain enough focus to pay attention to post-punk’s many layers, myrcene-dominant profiles with hints of pinene, linalool or caryophyllene are what to search for. 

Emo rap

Strains: Granddaddy Purple, Blackberry Kush, Rockstar Kush
Terpenes to look for: Myrcene (high amounts), linalool, limonene

When you sit down to listen to sad, ambient hip-hop, you’re probably not looking to use cannabis that’s predominately meant for silliness and laughter. While strains with dense myrcene and linalool profiles will be your focus, mixing in a bit of limonene as a mood booster will allow you to see the bright side of the music while enhancing its sedative sound. 

Progressive metal

Strains: Blue Dream, Mimosa, AK-47
Terpenes to look for: Pinene, myrcene (low amounts), terpinolene

Progressive metal’s foundation is built on spacey sounds, experimentation and creativity. But considering it’s a complex genre to focus on, you’re not going to want to use cannabis that’ll put you to sleep. While myrcene can be sedative above a certain percentage, low levels can give off an energizing effect. Paired with other terpenes such as pinene and terpinolene, a myrcene-focused sativa or hybrid would provide an optimal experience for your next prog-metal listening session. 

Electropop

Strains: MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies), DelaHaze, Cherry Punch
Terpenes to look for: Limonene, pinene, caryophyllene, terpinolene

Pure fun and energy are what electropop has always been about, so it’s only fitting to select high-energy sativa strains when searching for cannabis to match. Mood-boosting terpenes such as limonene and terpinolene are key, while pinene and caryophyllene could offer a relaxing yet focused touch to your high.

Classic rock

Strains: Girl Scout Cookies, Gelato, Candyland
Terpenes to look for: Caryophyllene, limonene, pinene

There’s something soothingly mellow about listening to classic rock despite the music being largely upbeat. That makes smooth and easy hybrids the best cannabis pick for the genre. The relaxing vibes and woodsy taste of a caryophyllene-heavy strain such as Girl Scout Cookies will set the tone for a fuzzy and warm high. It isn’t overwhelming but gives enough of a kick to settle yourself into the couch. 

Math rock

Strains: Sage And Sour, Island Sweet Skunk, Tangie
Terpenes to look for: Limonene, terpinolene, pinene

Math rock is fun and light but above all else, really technical. So when choosing a cannabis strain to match the genre’s mood, you’re going to want something upbeat. An uplifting sativa strain heavy in terpinolene or limonene would be ideal, but pinene is going to be the secret ingredient to keep you focused on the constantly changing rhythms. 

Death metal

Strains: GG#4 (Gorilla Glue), Grapefruit Diesel, Cherry Bomb
Terpenes to look for: Caryophyllene, pinene, linalool

Death metal may not seem like a weed-smoking type of genre given the extremity of the music, yet a huge chunk of the fanbase partake. If you want to best match death metal with the feeling of your high, hybrids with lots of pinene for focusing on the flurry of sounds and caryophyllene for a light, relaxing vibe for the slower sections is your best bet.