Best Sativa Strains 2026: Top Picks at NJ Dispensaries

What to Expect

Durban Poison is cannabis in its purest sativa form. This landrace strain from the port city of Durban, South Africa, has been growing naturally for centuries without human hybridization. What you get is the authentic sativa experience, uncut and undiluted by indica genetics. The effects are remarkably clean. Durban Poison delivers energy that feels natural and sustainable rather than jittery or intense. You feel awake, alert, and ready to engage with whatever your day demands. Many consumers describe it as feeling like the best version of their morning coffee, energizing without the crash that follows. The sweet anise flavor is distinctive and sets Durban Poison apart from the citrus and pine profiles that dominate most sativas. There is a pleasant spiciness and earthiness that reminds you this strain has deep roots in the natural world. The terpinolene-dominant profile is responsible for the uplifting, clear-headed quality of the effects. Ocimene adds a subtle layer of brightness that keeps the experience fresh and engaging. At 19-25% THC, Durban Poison is potent enough to be effective for experienced consumers while remaining manageable for those who know their limits. For cannabis purists who want to experience what sativa is supposed to feel like, this is the gold standard.

What to Expect

Super Lemon Haze is sunshine in a jar. This two-time Cannabis Cup winner (2008 and 2009) is a cross of Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze, and it delivers one of the most joyful sativa experiences available in 2026. The moment you open the jar, the aroma hits you. Bright, zesty lemon dominates with a sweet citrus sweetness underneath, followed by subtle herbal spice notes. The flavor follows the nose perfectly, delivering hit after hit of refreshing lemon that makes the smoking experience feel almost uplifting on its own. The effects are where Super Lemon Haze truly shines. An immediate wave of euphoria lifts your mood and brings a wide smile to your face. Creative energy follows, making this an outstanding strain for artistic pursuits, brainstorming sessions, or anything that benefits from an imaginative, enthusiastic headspace. There is also a pleasant energetic body buzz that keeps you moving without weighing you down. At 20-25% THC, Super Lemon Haze is a solid performer that delivers consistent effects. The limonene-dominant terpene profile drives the mood elevation and citrus flavor, while terpinolene adds the creative spark that makes this strain a favorite among artists and musicians.

What to Expect

Tangie is the sativa you reach for when you want a mood boost without the intensity that heavier sativas bring. A remake of the classic Tangerine Dream strain, Tangie is a cross of California Orange and a Skunk hybrid that delivers an experience as refreshing as its namesake citrus fruit. The flavor is where Tangie makes its first impression, and it is a lasting one. Fresh tangerine peels, sweet orange juice, and bright citrus zest dominate every hit. It is one of the most delicious strains on this list, and the taste alone makes the experience enjoyable before the effects even arrive. The effects are gentle and pleasant. A smooth mood uplift settles into your headspace, bringing cheerfulness, social ease, and a mild creative stimulation that never pushes into intensity. Tangie is the conversationalist's sativa. It makes you feel happy, chatty, and engaged without the laser-sharp focus or intense energy of strains like Green Crack. At 19-22% THC, Tangie is one of the more moderate options on this list, which makes it excellent for consumers who enjoy sativa effects but prefer a lighter touch. The pinene content adds a calm, focused quality that helps anxiety-prone consumers enjoy sativa without the racing thoughts that higher-THC strains can produce.

What to Expect

Strawberry Cough is the sativa that puts a smile on your face without putting your mind in overdrive. Named for its sweet strawberry flavor and the smooth cough it can produce, this strain has been a consumer favorite since the early 2000s and remains one of the most approachable sativas available. The effects are remarkably gentle for a sativa. Instead of the intense cerebral rush that strains like Green Crack or Sour Diesel deliver, Strawberry Cough produces a slow-building euphoria that lifts your mood and eases social tension. You feel happy, confident, and comfortable in your own skin. It is the strain that people who say they do not like sativas often discover they actually enjoy. The strawberry flavor is genuine and delightful. Sweet berry notes dominate with a subtle herbal earthiness that adds depth. Each hit tastes like you are breathing in a strawberry field, which makes the experience pleasant from start to finish. At 17-23% THC, Strawberry Cough is one of the mildest sativas on our list, and that is its strength. For beginners who want to explore sativa without being overwhelmed, for consumers who experience anxiety with stronger strains, or for anyone who simply wants a light, happy daytime experience, Strawberry Cough delivers exactly what you need and nothing you do not.

What to Expect

Maui Wowie is a vacation in a strain. This classic Hawaiian sativa has been transporting consumers to a tropical headspace since the 1960s, and its enduring popularity proves that sometimes the old strains really are the best. The effects are mellow and breezy. Unlike the hard-charging energy of Green Crack or the cerebral intensity of Sour Diesel, Maui Wowie delivers a gentle, euphoric lift that feels like sitting on a warm beach with no responsibilities. Your stress fades, your mood brightens, and everything feels a little more relaxed and enjoyable. You still have energy and motivation, but it is the easy, unhurried kind. The tropical pineapple and mango flavor is among the most pleasant in cannabis. Sweet, fruity, and smooth, it turns every session into a mini escape. The citrus undertones add brightness without sharpness. At 17-21% THC, Maui Wowie is a lighter sativa that works beautifully for consumers who want gentle stimulation without intensity. It is an excellent choice for outdoor activities like hiking, beach trips, or gardening, activities where you want to feel good and stay present without being locked into an intense headspace. For beginners, Maui Wowie is one of the safest entry points into sativa strains.

What to Expect

Pineapple Express became a household name thanks to the 2008 comedy, but the strain itself had already been building a reputation as one of the most enjoyable sativa-dominant hybrids in cannabis. A cross of Trainwreck and Hawaiian, Pineapple Express delivers an experience that lives up to the hype. The effects are euphoric and creative without being overwhelmingly energetic. A happy, buzzy headspace settles in and stays for hours, bringing imaginative thoughts and a pleasant sense of engagement with whatever you are doing. There is also a mild body comfort from the hybrid genetics that keeps the experience comfortable and rounded, not purely cerebral. The flavor is tropical paradise. Sweet pineapple and mango dominate, with cedar and earthy spice notes adding complexity. It is one of those strains that tastes as good as it makes you feel. At 19-25% THC, Pineapple Express has enough potency to be effective for experienced consumers while the balanced effects keep it manageable for intermediate users. The myrcene content softens the sativa edge, preventing the experience from feeling too intense or racy. This is the sativa you bring to a gathering, a creative session, or a lazy afternoon that you want to make a little more interesting.

What to Expect

Ghost Train Haze is the heavy artillery of the sativa world. A cross of Ghost OG and Neville's Wreck, this strain earned High Times recognition as one of the strongest strains available and it lives up to that reputation. At 24-28% THC, this is not a casual smoke. The effects are immediate and intense. A powerful wave of cerebral energy crashes over you, heightening your senses and flooding your mind with creative thoughts and euphoric stimulation. Colors seem brighter, music sounds richer, and your brain operates at a level of engagement that can feel almost psychedelic at higher doses. The citrus and floral flavor with piney undertones is complex and enjoyable, adding a pleasant dimension to an already powerful experience. The terpinolene-dominant profile drives the intense cerebral effects while limonene contributes to the mood elevation. This strain is absolutely not for beginners or anxiety-prone consumers. The potency and intense cerebral effects can easily overwhelm someone who is not prepared. Ghost Train Haze is for experienced sativa enthusiasts who have built a tolerance and want the most powerful cerebral experience available. If you know you can handle high-THC sativas and want something that pushes the boundaries, Ghost Train Haze delivers like nothing else.

What to Expect

Amnesia Haze is the marathon runner of the sativa world. Where many strains peak and fade within a couple of hours, Amnesia Haze delivers effects that stretch on and on, making it one of the longest-lasting sativa experiences you can find. A descendant of the legendary Haze genetics with South Asian and Jamaican landrace influences, Amnesia Haze carries a pedigree that shows in every aspect of the experience. The effects are cerebral and euphoric, producing a happy, talkative state that makes it perfect for social situations. You feel mentally sharp, creatively stimulated, and genuinely enthusiastic about whatever you are engaged with. The earthy, lemon, and spicy flavor profile is classic Haze territory, with a complexity that evolves throughout the session. There is a richness to the taste that sets Haze-family strains apart from the simpler flavor profiles of some modern hybrids. At 20-24% THC, Amnesia Haze is strong but not overwhelming. The terpinolene-dominant profile produces that characteristic uplifting, creative quality that makes Haze genetics so beloved. For consumers who want a sativa experience that lasts through an entire afternoon or evening event, Amnesia Haze is the one to choose. Pack it for festivals, long creative sessions, or any occasion where you want the good vibes to keep rolling.