Gorilla Glue #4

Lab results are available for 2 batches of medical flower of Gorilla Glue #4, both grown in Canada: 22.92 % THC in one, 27.5 % in the other, with CBD below 0.2 % in each. The strain comes from GG Strains and originated from an unplanned pollination; following a trademark dispute, the breeder now calls it GG4 or Original Glue.

Lab Results:

In the first batch, 4 terpenes were closely clustered: β-caryophyllene accounted for 18.5 % of the terpene content, limonene for 18.2 %, β-pinene for 17.5 % and α-humulene for 13.3 %. In the second, β-myrcene led with 17.4 %, ahead of limonene at 15.3 %, β-caryophyllene at 13.2 % and α-bisabolol at 10.9 %. Total terpene content was 12.8 and 10.4 mg/g respectively. Values vary by batch, cultivation and phenotype.

Breeders and strain descriptions usually list caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene as the leading terpenes, with DNA Genetics adding humulene. β-pinene and α-bisabolol, which each ranked among the 4 most abundant in the tested batches, do not appear there. For THC content, GG Strains states 27 to 30 %, while one strain description gives 21 to 26.4 %.

Genetics and Origin:

The parents are considered to be Chem's Sister, Sour Dubb and Chocolate Diesel. A hermaphrodite Chem's Sister pollinated Sour Dubb plants. Joesy Whales, a founding member of GG Strains alongside Lone Watty, sorted out the seeds, and Mardogg, a friend of theirs, kept them; phenotype #4 was selected from among them. Accounts date this to between 2008 and 2010. The name came from the resin that stuck the trimming scissors together.

Where Chocolate Diesel entered the picture remains unclear. The entry from GG Genetics, another name under which GG Strains operates, lists only Sour Dubb × Chem Sister, while another description classifies the strain as (Sour Dubb × Chem's Sister) × Chocolate Diesel. The classification also varies, from indica-dominant with 63 % indica to predominantly sativa.

According to GG Strains, the strain took first place at the High Times Cannabis Cups in Michigan and Los Angeles in 2014, and at the World Cup in Jamaica in 2015. The name led to a dispute with adhesive manufacturer Gorilla Glue: a settlement from October 2017 required GG Strains and its licensees to drop it by September 19, 2018. Barney's Farm crossed Original Glue with The Original Z to create Gorilla Zkittlez.

Aroma and Flavor:

Earth, pine, diesel and chocolate recur throughout the descriptions, along with citrus; GG Strains cites chem notes and diesel for flavor, while GG Genetics describes the scent as lemon with a hint of mint. One grower observed that after 8 to 9 weeks of flowering, fuel dominates the smell, while a musty chocolate note emerges with longer flowering.

Effects:

Users report a euphoric onset that gives way to heavy physical relaxation, at times leading to drowsiness. GG Genetics, by contrast, describes the effect as clear and cerebral. Reported side effects include dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness and feelings of anxiety.

Cultivation:

GG Strains estimates 58 to 63 days of flowering and rates the yield as high; outdoors, harvest falls in October. Growers harvest anywhere from 8 to 9 weeks to 9 to 10 weeks or later, particularly since the trichomes barely turn amber. Strain descriptions rate the difficulty as moderate.

After the switch to 12/12, height roughly doubles, in one documented case from 16 to 68 inches. The thin side branches can only support the flowers, which gain noticeable weight from around week 6 of flowering, with support; a SCROG net is recommended. The plant needs plenty of nutrients and is sensitive to magnesium deficiency and pH fluctuations. Elev8 Seeds warns of hermaphroditism, said to enter the genetics via the hermaphrodite Chem parent plant; light leaks and temperature fluctuations are considered triggers.

Versions from Different Breeders:

According to GG Strains, the company offers the original plant only as a clone. Under the name GG Genetics, the company also lists Original Glue as regular seeds with roughly 67 days of flowering. Feminized versions from other breeders are described as follows:

• DNA Genetics: 9 to 10 weeks flowering, 18 to 32 % THC
• Elev8 Seeds: GG#4 S1 from a self-cross, 8 to 9 weeks
• Original Sensible Seeds: 56 to 63 days, 800 g/m² indoors, 28 % THC
• Blim Burn Seeds: 9 to 10 weeks, 500 to 600 g/m² indoors
• ILGM: 8 to 9 weeks, 25 to 30 % THC, also available as autoflower

An Italian strain bearing the same name was analyzed by the University of Camerino in 2022. It was grown under EU rules with less than 0.2 % THC, is derived from the hemp variety Carmagnola CS, and was CBD-dominant; in the essential oil, (E)-caryophyllene made up the largest share at 18.94 %.

Community Experiences:

Reports consistently describe dense resin coverage. A test grow of 4 plants yielded 950 g. One grower who had received clones labeled as GG4 concluded after harvest that they had not grown genuine GG4: the plants carried less resin and were likely the result of a cross with an unknown indica.