RUNTZ STRAIN, A CANNABIS STRAIN WHICH IS A HYBRID GROWN DELIGHTED

WHAT IS RUNTZ STRAIN:

Runtz strain, also known as "Runtz OG," is a rare hybrid marijuana strain by Cookies. It's made by crossing Zkittlez with Gelato and is loved for its incredibly fruity flavor profile that smells just like a bag of the sugary candy we all know and love. Because of the rising popularity of this strain, it's no surprise Runtz was named Leafly Strain of the Year in 2020. Growers say this strain has resin-drenched buds that range in color from rich purple to lime green. Runtz is celebrated for its creamy smoke that is smooth and welcoming. This strain produces euphoric and uplifting effects that are known to be long-lasting

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF RUNTZ STRAIN:

Runtz, which originated in Los Angeles, is beloved for its fruity flavor profile, potent-yet-balanced high and wide array of colors. (Coming from the Cookies family and being pushed with colorful marketing which hurt, either.) Originally a child of a Gelato #33 phenotype and Zkittlez, Runtz had a huge 2020 and has since sprouted a family of phenotypes, with White Runtz and Pink Runtz becoming popular strains on their own.

Although Colorado got in on the Runtz game later than California did, the movement is up and running now as some of the state's most popular dispensaries and cultivators jump on the bandwagon.

The Runtz strain's visual appeal is hard to deny, and Runtz's name and (if sold by Cookies) vibrant packaging are an instant draw at the store — but the flavor profile and high aren't anything new. Sugar-laden buds and flavor with a strong, even-keeled high could describe half the flower in Denver right now.

Coming out of LA, this strain's candy-like smelling sweetness and colorful nugs lead to its naming. A mix of Zkittlez and Gelato #33, this strain has a smooth flavor that mostly matches the smell, with additional tropical and earthy hints.

With a few different phenotypes, this hybrid strain can lean to either a more dominant sativa or indica. These nugs produce thick resin layers which make it extremely potent in any form. Perhaps that is why this strain is so elusive. Make sure to get your hands on this if you can; it'll have you feeling like a kid in a candy store.

This strain is adaptable to both indoor and outdoor growing conditions. While outdoor cultivation provides a slightly better yield, greater than 600 grams per plant, this strain will still do well indoors. With an indoor flowering time of 63 days, this strain from Apothecary Genetics produces dense nugs that can yield up to 450 grams per square meter.

RUNTZ STRAIN IS A RARE HYBRID:

Runtz is a rare hybrid medical cannabis strain by Cookies. If you’re familiar with Zkittlez and Gelato, the overall flavor profile of Runtz is very similar; after all, it's a hybrid of the two popular strains. Its appearance and scent can be traced directly to its parent strains, especially its deep purple color, resulting from the anthocyanin terpene content found in both Zkittlez and Gelato. 

The tropical aroma comes from its terpenes, the compounds that also contribute to the strain’s flavor. Available in white and pink varieties, Runtz is rare and incredibly potent.

HISTORY OF RUNTZ STRAIN: 

There are many commonalities between Runtz and Cookies, and one of those is their shared use of music as a marketing tactic. Rapper Yung LB made music with Berner in the past, and through his campaigning, he helped create hype for Runtz. Yung LB is a Los Angeles-based rap artist, who comes from a long line of West Coast cannabis rappers from Long Beach, CA. 

Per Cookies, Runtz came from the Runtz crew, composed of “Ray, Nick, and Yung LB.” They used the recipe Berner spoke about to build their own platform to launch Runtz, with Yung LB first debuting the strain in Santa Rosa in December 2017. 

Another famous member of the Runtz team is the rapper Nero, the creator of the White Runtz strain. Not only are Nero and Yung LB great rappers, but they’re savvy businessmen who helped put the Runtz name on the map. Without their interest and promotion, Runtz never would have caught the attention of the Cookies brand and become the household name it is today. 

Over the 100 rap songs use this word “Runtz” in their lyrics as well.

RUNTZ STRAIN WON LEAFLY’S 2020 STRAIN OF THE YEAR:

Speaking of Leafly, “phenomenal quality, soaring demand, and a meteoric rise in pop culture” made Runtz their Leafly Strain of the Year in 2020. Being a relatively new strain (it’s barely three years old!), its popularity reached phenomenal heights in a short amount of time. Here’s more on how Leafly uses data and science to select their Strain of the Year: 

Leafly uses a combo of data and editorial expertise to narrow down the finalists.From there, they review its performance for at least one calendar year, analyzing its trajectory in comparison to other strains.Their independent review excludes any input or influence from outside parties, including the Leafly sales team. Once they review the data, crunch the numbers, and evaluate a strain’s popularity, they officially choose a Strain of the Year. Previous Strains of the Year include Gelato and Wedding Cake.

TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (THC) OF RUNTZ STRAIN:

Since you can buy different versions of Runtz (namely White and Pink, but also Obama and the upcoming Azul), it’s difficult to state exactly what patients can expect, and  the intensity may vary depending on the THC content (Runtz strains range from 19-29% THC.) 

Runtz can have a strong impact on users, so speak to your budtender about your history with medical cannabis use, and he or she can help determine if Runtz is the right choice for you. 

SECRET OF RUNTZ STRAIN IS IN THE TERPENES:

Runtz may be high in THC, but its secret lies in its terpenes. THC powers cannabis’ various effects, but terpenes modulate the effects, making it multidimensional rather than singular and short. The top three terpenes in Runtz lab samples are caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool. Caryophyllene is responsible for Runtz’s citrus flavor; limonene contributes to its gassiness while linalool adds a berry complexity to the strain. This terpene combo is so dominant, it has actually become a criticism of the strain.

WHY TO BUY RUNTZ STRAIN:

Medical cannabis patients can purchase Runtz from a licensed Cookies partner dispensary. And now that Runtz is part of the Cookies fam, you can expect to see more varieties of Runtz in states where medical cannabis is legal.