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MONOGRAPH NG-003 · NG PHARMACOPEIA

Sour Diesel

SATIVA

Sour Diesel is East Coast royalty. Emerging from the NYC underground scene in the early '90s, it became THE strain of New York, New Jersey, and the entire Eastern seaboard. The diesel-fuel aroma is one of the most distinctive smells in all of cannabis — you know it before you see it. Sour D defined what a sativa should feel like for an entire generation and remains one of the most requested strains at dispensaries three decades later.

THC
19-25%
CBD
0.1-0.2%
Onset
3-5 minutes
Demand
77/100
§ 01

Identification

SpecimenSour Diesel
ClassificationSATIVA  90% Sativa / 10% Indica
Genetic lineageChemdawg 91 × Super Skunk × Northern Lights (disputed)
BreederAJ (original cut, East Coast)
First documentedEarly 1990s
§ 02

Cannabinoid assay

THC
19-25%
CBD
0.1-0.2%
0%5101520253035%
§ 03

Terpene profile

Caryophyllene
0.41%
Spicy, peppery — stress relief
Myrcene
0.30%
Herbal grounding
Limonene
0.18%
Energizing citrus
§ 04

Subjective effects

Onset3-5 minutes
Duration2-3 hours
Indicated windowMorning / Daytime only. This is a wake-and-bake legend. Do NOT smoke this before bed.

Sour Diesel is rocket fuel for the brain. The onset is fast and unmistakable — a rush of cerebral energy that makes you want to talk, create, move, and do things. It's the strain artists, musicians, and writers reach for when they need to get in the zone. The body high is minimal, which is the point. This is pure head-high territory. At high doses, the energy can tip into anxiety for sensitive users, so start slow.

EnergizingCerebralCreative focusTalkativeUplifting
ParanoiaAnxiety (dose-dependent)Dry mouthDry eyes
§ 05

Therapeutic applications (reported)

DepressionFatigueADHDStressPain (mild-moderate)
Reported applications from user-survey aggregates and observational data; not clinical indications. Data compiled from published lab ranges, breeder documentation, and user-report aggregates. Figures vary by batch, phenotype, and cultivation. Informational only — not medical advice. Verify with your dispensary and its certificate of analysis.
§ 06

Organoleptic properties

Flavor notesDiesel fuel, Citrus, Sour, Earthy, Herbal
Aroma profilePungent diesel, Sour citrus, Skunky, Chemical-like sharpness
§ 07

Administration routes

JointThe classic NYC Sour D experience. Flavor is best through combustion for this strain.
Flower (bong)Faster onset, full diesel flavor.
VaporizerCleaner, but you lose some of the diesel punch.
§ 08

Cultivation data

DifficultyModerate to Hard
Flowering10-12 weeks (long!)
HeightVery tall (6+ feet indoors, 10+ outdoors)
Yield (indoor)500-600g/m²
Yield (outdoor)600-800g/plant
ClimateWarm, sunny. Needs a long growing season outdoors.
TechniquesHeavy training and topping required indoors due to extreme height. SCROG essential.
NotesPatience required — the long flowering time is worth it. Extremely pungent during flower; carbon filter mandatory indoors. Outdoor harvest late October to early November. Big yielder if given space.
§ 09

Market data

Price / eighth$25-50
Avg rating4.2 (14,800 reviews)
Dispensary reach~2,200 locations
Demand index
 77/100
§ 10

Cross-references

Registry · NormalizeGreen.com
Data compiled from published lab ranges, breeder documentation, and user-report aggregates. Figures vary by batch, phenotype, and cultivation. Informational only — not medical advice. Verify with your dispensary and its certificate of analysis.