Jasmine: The Floral Ghost
Jasmine: The Floral Ghost
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
Breeder: Clone-Only Origin (Popularized by DNA Genetics)
Lineage: Silver Haze Hybrid (Exact lineage is a breeder secret/mid-90s selection)
Market Status: The "Ghost Mother"; most smokers have never seen Jasmine on a shelf, but they have likely smoked her children. This elusive cut is famous for being the mother of Cole Train (DNA Genetics). It is a rare, clone-only selection from the mid-90s known for possessing a distinct floral sweetness that doesn't exist in modern poly-hybrids.
Note: Not to be confused with the high-CBD Indica "Jasmine" (Yasmin) by Tikun Olam.
THC Content: 18% – 22% (Estimated based on lineage)
Dominant Terpenes: Ocimene, Terpinolene, Linalool, Myrcene
Key Effects: Clear-Headed Euphoria, Gentle Stimulation, Sensory Enhancement, "Hazy" Calm
In the archives of cannabis breeding, some strains are celebrities, and some are secret ingredients. Jasmine is the latter.
This mysterious cut emerged in the mid-1990s as a unique phenotype of a Silver Haze hybrid. While most Haze strains of that era smelled like cat piss, ammonia, or lemon, this specific plant smelled like a bouquet of fresh wildflowers and honey.
The breeders at DNA Genetics recognized its value immediately. They didn't release it widely as a seed line; instead, they used it as a breeding tool to inject flavor and stability into other strains (most notably crossing it with Trainwreck to create Cole Train). Today, finding the pure Jasmine cut is like finding a ghost, but its legacy lives on in the floral terpene profiles of its offspring.
History and Lineage: The Soft Haze
The origins of Jasmine are shrouded in the typical fog of 90s cannabis lore.
The Lineage (Silver Haze Hybrid): It is widely accepted that Jasmine is a derivative of Silver Haze (Haze x Northern Lights). However, unlike the racy, psychotropic Silver Haze, Jasmine was selected for a softer, more manageable high and a unique "perfume" aroma.
The Selection: Breeders selected this cut because it lacked the aggressive "chemical" smell of standard Hazes. It was softer, sweeter, and more resinous.
The Legacy: It was used by DNA Genetics to "tame" the wild growth structure of the Arcata Trainwreck. The Jasmine provided the structural integrity and mold resistance that made Cole Train a commercial success.
Terpene Profile: Honeysuckle and Tea
Jasmine is named for its smell. It offers a delicate, floral profile that stands in stark contrast to the gas and skunk dominance of the current market.
Dominant Terpenes
Ocimene (The Sweetness): This is the defining terpene. It is responsible for the sweet, woody, and herbal aroma that mimics fresh honey and wildflowers.
Terpinolene (The Haze): Adds a sharp, clean note of pine and floral cleaning products.
Linalool (The Flower): Provides a lavender-like softness that rounds out the bouquet.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is incredibly distinct. It smells of honeysuckle, jasmine tea, fresh hay, and vanilla. It is not "dank" in the traditional sense; it smells like a garden.
The Smoke: Silky and light. It tastes of herbal tea, floral honey, and sweet wood. It has almost no "throat hit," making it a favorite for those who cough easily.
Strain Effects: The Gentle Awakening
Because it is derived from Silver Haze but leans towards the "soft" side, Jasmine offers a Sativa high without the panic.
The Experience
The Rise: The effects are subtle and creeping. You feel a gentle lifting of the spirits and a sharpening of the senses.
The Clarity: It is a highly functional strain. It clears the mental fog without speeding up the heart rate. It is excellent for reading, studying, or working.
The Calm: Unlike many Sativas that make you jittery, Jasmine has a calming, almost meditative quality (likely due to the Linalool).
The Duration: It is a "light" high that fades gently, leaving no burnout or crash.
Best For: Morning yoga, meditation, reading, gardening, and novice smokers who are afraid of racy Sativas.
Growing Jasmine: The Silver Queen
While you likely won't find seeds of pure Jasmine, growing her offspring (Cole Train) reveals her structural traits.
Growth Structure
The Height: As a Haze hybrid, she grows Tall. She has significant internodal spacing and long, thin Sativa fan leaves.
The Time: She is a relatively fast finisher for a Haze, taking 9 to 10 weeks to flower.
The Resistance: This is her hidden superpower. Jasmine passes down elite mold resistance to her progeny. She thrives in humid environments where other Hazes would succumb to botrytis.
The Yield: Moderate. She prioritizes resin quality and terpene production over massive bulk.
Grower’s Tip: If you are lucky enough to hold this cut or a close relative, she loves organic soil. The delicate floral terpenes express best when the plant is flushed thoroughly and grown without harsh salt-based nutrients.
Final Verdict: The Breeder’s Secret
Jasmine is a strain for the history books. It represents a specific moment in cannabis culture when breeders were moving away from "Power" and looking for "Nuance." It offers a floral, honey-sweet terpene profile that is almost extinct in the commercial market. While you may have to hunt for her genetics in strains like Cole Train, the search is worth it to experience one of the most unique Sativa profiles of the 90s.
You should choose Jasmine (or her crosses) if:
You love Floral/Honey/Tea flavors.
You want a Clear-Headed Sativa high without anxiety.
You dislike the smell of Gas or Skunk.
You appreciate Cannabis History.
Score: N/A (The Legendary Mother)