Education
Jack Herer: Zoom In
Jack Herer
(Pronounced like Terror)
AKA The Jack | Platinum Jack | Premium Jack
(Northern Lights #5 x Haze) x (Skunk #1 x Haze)
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Palate: Herbal Musk, Earthy Spices, Slightly Sweet
Terpene Profile: Terpinolene, Beta-Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Ocimene, Humulene
Effects: Energetic, Clear-Headed, Creative, Mood-Elevating
Cannabis strains are named for a multitude of different reasons. Sometimes the name reflects aromatic or visual qualities, sometimes it hints at lineage, or is simply a portmanteau of the two parent strains. But occasionally strains are named for activists or cultural figures who left an impact within the cannabis community. Jack Herer is one of those names.
The Human
Jack Herer was a cannabis activist, two-time presidential candidate, influential author, and international advocate for hemp and cannabis. He was acknowledged as “The Emperor of Hemp” as a nod to his book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” (1985), a research-driven work that highlights how hemp has become a lost industrial resource, and argues cannabis prohibition was built on misinformation and political corruption. Herer compiled historical documents, court transcripts, government reports, and more into this work and it spread widely as a foundational text for those fighting for cannabis legalization. Although Jack Herer's presidential runs in ‘88 and ‘92 were mostly symbolic, receiving only around 6,000 votes, his name would soon be recognized at a much larger scale, even if they had never heard of the man himself.
The Cultivar
In 1994, Herer’s work had become so impactful that the breeding team of Sensi Seeds dedicated a strain they had been working on for years to his name during the 7th Annual High Times Event in Amsterdam. It also won 1st place in the Cannabis Cup that year. Sensi Seeds was founded by Ben Dronkers in 1985, and is one of the world's oldest, largest, and most influential cannabis seed banks known for strains such as Northern Lights, Afghani #1, Silver Haze, Marley’s Collie, Early Girl, and Skunk #1. Sensi Seeds genetics can be found in the lineages of multiple cuts in the Illinois cannabis market, such as: Jack Herer (obviously), MAC 1, Lime Skunk, Black Afghan, Love Triangle, and many more.
The Legacy
While Jack Herer didn’t live to see full cannabis legalization, the movement he was advocating for went from a national prohibition and federal ban to 40 states installing medical programs, and 25 of those states with recreational programs. It is clear that Jack Herer (the human) made an impact on cannabis culture and played a notable role in moving forward cannabis legalization. The namesake Jack Herer strain carries that impactful reputation forward, with over 20 years of acclaim cementing Jack Herer as an widely recognized and revered staple of our modern cannabis market.
📖 Jack Herer wanted his work to be shared freely and an online version of his book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" is available here
