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AK-47, also known simply as AK, is a cannabis strain with high THC content. It is a hybrid strain of cannabis that is sativa-dominant; it mixes Colombian, Mexican, Thai, and Afghan strains. A strong and popular strain, it has won multiple cannabis industry awards. The plant genetics of AK-47 have been studied scientifically.[1][2]
Naming
[edit]There is more than one explanation for the name of the strain. One, described by Joe Dolce in Brave New Weed, is that the letters "AK" stand for the breeder and 47 represents the number of days from planting to harvest.[3] Another theory is that it is named after the AK-47 assault rifle. One author says flatly the name "has nothing to do with the AK-47 machine gun" and speculates it may stand for Afghan Kush and the suffix coming from the initial Dutch growers' tracking system.[4] Yet another theory is that it describes the potency. A marijuana review in Way of Leaf said that the name is appropriate because of how powerful the strain is, with its mix of strong strains and its high content of THC and fair level of CBD. It did note that the flavor is sweet and delicate, unlike an assault rifle, writing that it "is as powerful as a gunshot in potency — but not in how it makes you feel".[5] Westword's cannabis column instead felt that despite being "named after one of the most widely used killing machines on the planet, this strain is much more gentle than you'd imagine".[6]
History
[edit]AK-47 cannabis was developed in the Netherlands by Serious Seeds in 1992,[3][5][7][8][9] but may have been bred as early as the 1970s,[10] and is said to exemplify the good quality cannabis strains from the 1990s.[5] It is a hybrid of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica,[11] according to writer Ed Rosenthal in the ratio 65:35,[8] and 50:50 according to physician Rav Ivker.[12] The strain has won awards as both a "sativa" and as an "Indica",[13]: 107 perhaps the only cannabis to have done so.[14] It mixes Colombian, Mexican, Thai, and Afghan strains.[15] The Colombian, Mexican and Thai strains are all sativa, with the Afghan contributing the indica in the hybrid.[10] By 2020, it had won sixteen awards, including the High Times Cannabis Cup and the Best Sativa award at the 2011 Toronto Treating Yourself Expo; it is a popular strain of cannabis.[5][16]
Derived strains and phenotypes
[edit]The strain has been combined with the White Widow strain to produce White Russian cannabis, a plant with "a pleasantly sweet aroma" and a "long lasting effect".[17]
The Chronic strain of cannabis is a cross of AK-47 with Northern Lights and Skunk #1.[16]
The Cherry AK phenotype is occasionally produced by AK-47 plants.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ McKernan, Kevin J.; Helbert, Yvonne; Tadigotla, Vasisht; McLaughlin, Stephen; Spangler, Jessica; Zhang, Lei; Smith, Douglas (2015-10-08). "Single molecule sequencing of THCA synthase reveals copy number variation in modern drug-type Cannabis sativa L": 028654. doi:10.1101/028654. S2CID 86931184. Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
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(help) - ^ van Velzen, R; Schranz, ME (2021-08-03), "Origin and Evolution of the Cannabinoid Oxidocyclase Gene Family", Genome Biol Evol, 13 (8), doi:10.1093/gbe/evab130, PMC 8521752, PMID 34100927
- ^ a b Dolce, Joe (2016). Brave New Weed. HarperCollins. p. 49.
- ^ Lowenfels, Jeff (2019). DIY Autoflowering Cannabis – An Easy Way to Grow Your Own. Gabriola Island, British Columbia: New Society Publishers. ISBN 978-0865719163. OCLC 1088742733.
It is unclear what the AK stands for in this variety, but it makes sense for it to be Afghan Kush...the name has nothing to do with the AK-47 machine gun used in Afghanistan at the time of its discovery. That part of the name probably comes from the Dutch labeling system used during breeding and development.
- ^ a b c d "AK-47 Cannabis Strain Review". Way of Leaf. 2019-01-08. Archived from the original on 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ Fuego, Herbert (August 15, 2018). "Why Colorado Tokers Love AK-47". Westword. Archived from the original on 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ King, Jason (2001). The Cannabible. Ten Speed Press. p. 28. ISBN 1580082084. OCLC 47665611.
- ^ a b Rosenthal, Ed (2001). The Big Book of Buds – Marijuana Varieties from the World's Great Seed Breeders. Vol. 1 (first ed.). Quick American Publishing. p. 2. ISBN 0-932551-39-4.
- ^ Target Group 10-K (Form 10-K), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, December 31, 2019, Commission file number 000-55066
- ^ a b "AK-47 Marijuana Strain - Genetics, Yield, Facts, & Pictures". Olivastu. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ Kraynak, Joe; Ronkin Casey, Kim (2019). Cannabis for Dummies. For Dummies. Wiley. ISBN 978-1119550662. OCLC 1103639743.
- ^ Ivker, Rav (2017). Cannabis for Chronic Pain. Touchstone Books. ISBN 9781501155918. OCLC 1005491525.
- ^ McPartland, John M. (2017). "Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica versus "Sativa" and "Indica"". In Chandra, Suman; Lata, Hemant; ElSohly, Mahmoud A. (eds.). Cannabis Sativa L. - Botany and Biotechnology. Springer International. pp. 101–122. OCLC 1085153615.
- ^ a b Backes, Michael (2017). Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. ISBN 9780316555722. OCLC 1016691315.
- ^ Michaels, Dan (2017). Green: A Pocket Guide to Pot. Chronicle Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1452166117. OCLC 968317406.
- ^ a b Blood, Michael (2020). 100 Best Cannabis Strains, A Pocket Guide for Medicinal and Recreational Use. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1510755963. OCLC 1139768907. Archived from the original on 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ Trofin, Irenne Gabriela; Vlad, Corina Claudia; Noja, Victor Viorel; Dabija, Gabriel (2012). "Identification and Characterization of Special Types of Herbal Cannabis" (PDF). Scientific Bulletin Series B, Chemistry and Materials Science. 74 (1). Politehnica University of Bucharest. ISSN 1454-2331. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2022-03-25.