Amnesia Haze strain: history, flavour and effects of the sativa icon
By the Golden High teamUpdated 16 October 20268 min read
Strains
The Amnesia Haze strain, the one people mean when they say Amnesia weed, is a sativa-dominant variety selected in the Netherlands by breeder Soma and crowned at the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup in 2004, then again in 2012. It's credited with a lemony, earthy taste and a rather cerebral effect. Here's its history, its genetics, its aroma profile, what we really know about its effects, and how you can find it in a Delta-P version.
Amnesia Delta-P 12 %
Our most requested flower: gentle spice, lemony notes and floral touches, at a moderate level.
From4,90 €View product →
Cali Mochi Delta-P 25 %
A sweet, lemony flower that blends the zing of a lemon Amnesia with the roundness of Mochi.
From7,90 €View product →Amnesia weed
Amnesia weed is the Amnesia Haze strain.
“Amnesia”, “Amnesia weed”, “Amnesia Haze”: behind these names sits one and the same family. Amnesia Haze is a cannabis strain selected by Soma's Sacred Seeds, a breeder based in the Netherlands, and later popularised by the seed bank Barney's Farm. It belongs to the Haze family, from which it inherited part of its genetics.
Its name has become a kind of benchmark: you'll find it on countless products, from seeds to CBD flowers. But a name doesn't guarantee a composition. What you buy under the “Amnesia” label depends on the actual plant, how it was grown and, for hemp, its cannabinoid content.
- Breeder: Soma's Sacred Seeds (Netherlands).
- Lineage: Haze, sativa-dominant.
- Awards: Cannabis Cup 2004 (winner), Sativa Cup 2012 (1st place).
- Aroma profile: earthy, with lemon and citrus notes.
Amnesia Haze
From Soma to the Cannabis Cup: a Dutch story.
The history of Amnesia Haze is tied to that of the Cannabis Cup, the competition run in Amsterdam by High Times magazine. According to Wikipedia, the first edition dates back to 1988: judges from all over the world sample the competing strains and vote for their favourites.
1988
First Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, launched by High Times editor Steven Hager.
Creation
Soma crosses Southeast Asian strains (Thai, Cambodian, Laotian), Jamaican Hazes and Afghan-Hawaiian genetics.
Hand-over
According to Barney's Farm, Soma entrusts it with one of his best Amnesia Haze phenotypes.
2004
17th Cannabis Cup: the Amnesia Haze entered by Barney's coffeeshop wins the main competition.
2012
Soma's Sacred Seeds' Amnesia Haze takes first place at the Sativa Cup.
Two wins eight years apart, in two different categories: this double track record probably did a lot for the name's fame, which you now see across a huge number of ranges.
Sativa genetics
Sativa-dominant genetics.
The breeder describes a base of Southeast Asian landraces, those local strains grown for generations in their home region, enriched with Jamaican Hazes. According to Barney's Farm, adding Afghan-Hawaiian genetics acts as an “accelerator”: it shortens flowering, which is very long in pure tropical sativas.
The key thing to remember: an “Amnesia” isn't a standard product. Depending on the phenotype, the growing and the drying, two flowers bearing this name can be very different. To compare Amnesia with another legend, take a look at our article on G13, the mythical strain.
The aroma profile
Lemon, citrus and an earthy base.
Barney's Farm describes an intense blend of earthy aromas lifted by strong lemon and citrus notes. For its autoflowering version, the seed bank lists caryophyllene as the dominant terpene, followed by myrcene and limonene. Limonene is precisely the terpene linked to citrus: the PubChem database describes its smell as pleasant and lemon-like.
Limonene
The terpene of citrus zest. It's behind the “lemon” note people associate with Amnesia.
Caryophyllene
A peppery, spicy terpene that adds depth and that earthier base.
One word of caution, though: the terpene profile varies from one phenotype to another, from one grow to another, and even from batch to batch. To understand what these molecules do, read our feature on terpenes, the secret behind flavour and effects.
Amnesia effects
A reputedly cerebral effect, with caveats.
Amnesia Haze has a reputation for a cerebral, stimulating effect: Soma talks about mental stimulation followed by relaxation. That's a reputation, not a guarantee. Research shows that commercial labels are poor predictors of a flower's actual composition.
Soma's Sacred Seeds · strain sheet
The breeder describes mental stimulation followed by relaxation, and a flowering time of 10 to 12 weeks.
Nature Plants · 2021
More than 100 samples analysed and genotyped: samples labelled “sativa” and “indica” are genetically indistinguishable across the genome. The label is linked to a handful of terpenes, not to a lineage.
PLOS One · 2022
Across commercial samples from six US states, commercial labels don't consistently match the chemical diversity actually measured.
PubChem · limonene
The reference database describes the smell of limonene as pleasant and lemon-like, which explains the “lemon” note associated with the strain.
In practice: the “typical” Amnesia effect is a trend reported by enthusiasts, not a promise. It depends on the actual plant, the amount, the setting and on you. We dig into this debate in sativa, indica, hybrid: do they still mean anything?. References at the bottom of the page.
Choosing well
An “Amnesia” label, so what?.
Because the name is famous, it's also used everywhere. Before buying a flower sold as “Amnesia”, a few simple checks will save you some nasty surprises.
- Trusting the name alone. It points to a sought-after aroma profile, not a guaranteed composition.
- Buying without a stated content. A serious product lists its cannabinoids and stays under 0.3% THC.
- Ignoring the lab test. Every batch should be traceable to a laboratory analysis.
- Going straight for the highest level. Intensity is something you discover gradually.
Smell
Lemon and citrus should hit you as soon as you open the bag.
Check
Stated content, THC under 0.3%, lab analysis available.
Start low
A moderate level, a small amount, time between two uses. Never before driving.
Reminder: our products are for adults only. We make no promise about effects: what you feel depends on the amount, the setting and on you.
Amnesia CBD
Amnesia in a Delta-P version.
The original Amnesia Haze is a THC cannabis strain, so it's banned in France. What shops sell as “Amnesia CBD” or “Amnesia Delta-P” are hemp flowers under 0.3% THC that borrow the strain's name and aroma profile. Ours are Delta-P versions, based on CBDX and lab-tested: not THC Amnesia.
| Amnesia Haze (THC) | Amnesia Delta-P 12 % | Cali Mochi Delta-P 25 % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status in France | Controlled drug | THC under 0.3%, lab-tested | THC under 0.3%, lab-tested |
| Aromas | Earthy, lemon, citrus | Gentle spice, lemon, floral touches | Sweet, fresh, lemony |
| Stated content | Variable, unchecked | 12% Delta-P | 25% Delta-P |
| For whom | — | Discovering, moderate level | Fans of stronger sensations |
Our Amnesia Delta-P 12 % is the shop's most requested flower: a moderate level, with lemony and spicy notes. If you want more intensity in the same citrus register, Cali Mochi Delta-P 25 % combines the zing of a lemon Amnesia with the roundness of Mochi. Amnesia Delta-P is also part of the Pack Amsterdam, alongside three other strains.
To compare all our strains, browse our Delta-P flowers or read our guide Delta-P flowers: which strain to choose. How the range works is explained on our Delta-P page. And as always: start low, and never before driving.
Your questions
What you ask us about Amnesia.
What is the Amnesia Haze strain?
It's the sativa-dominant strain often just called Amnesia weed, selected in the Netherlands by Soma's Sacred Seeds and known for its lemon notes and its Cannabis Cup wins.
Is Amnesia Haze a sativa or an indica?
It's presented as sativa-dominant, bred from Southeast Asian strains and Jamaican Hazes. Studies show, however, that these labels are poor predictors of a flower's actual composition.
What are the effects of Amnesia?
Its reputation is for a cerebral, stimulating effect, followed by relaxation. It's a reported effect, not a guarantee: it depends on the actual plant, the amount and the person.
What does Amnesia Haze taste like?
An earthy base with strong lemon and citrus notes. Limonene, a terpene with a lemony smell, is among the terpenes cited for this family.
Did Amnesia win the Cannabis Cup?
Yes: the Amnesia Haze entered by Barney's won the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup in 2004, and the one from Soma's Sacred Seeds took first place at the Sativa Cup in 2012.
Is Amnesia CBD legal in France?
In France, a hemp “Amnesia” flower under 0.3% THC can be sold. THC Amnesia Haze, on the other hand, remains a controlled drug there. Our Delta-P versions are under 0.3% THC and lab-tested.
Why is Amnesia so popular?
For its double Cannabis Cup record, its easy-to-recognise lemony profile and its reputation for a cerebral effect. In our shop, Amnesia Delta-P 12 % is the most requested flower.
Sources
The references cited in this article.
- Soma's Sacred Seeds. Amnesia Haze.
- Barney's Farm. Amnesia Haze Auto.
- Wikipedia. Cannabis Cup.
- Watts S. et al., Nature Plants (2021). Cannabis labelling is associated with genetic variation in terpene synthase genes.
- Smith C. J. et al., PLOS One (2022). The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States.
- PubChem (NIH). Limonene.
