The Story of the Panama Red Cannabis Strain

by Rachel Hantula, customer experience director

Panama Red by Raven Grass

Stoners near and far have heard of the very famous, ever elusive and rare cannabis strain, Panama Red. This classic, old-school cannabis strain is a pure, landrace sativa. It rose to acclaim in the late 1960’s thanks to its speedy and intense effects, bordering on the psychedelic. Its name comes from the fact that it originated from hot, humid, and tropical Panama. 

The country of Panama, like many around the world, has a bit of a bloody history, starting with Spanish domination (that lasted 300 years), then their annexation to Colombia in 1821, and finally achieving independence in 1903. However, even after becoming an independent nation, Panama was troubled by racial tension as well as by heavy criminality linked to cocaine trade and dictatorships. Today, Panama is more peaceful, but still faces social, economical and logistical challenges.

Until the 1970s, Panama produced large quantities of high-grade cannabis, mostly to be exported to the United States and Europe (lucky us). Panama Red was grown mostly along the Pacific coast, where it is slightly less rainy and more fertile. Eventually, the cocaine trade in Panama changed the balances of money and power, leading locals to explore more lucrative  business options.

Cannabis cultivation continued on a small scale for local consumption, but most of the forested areas that were previously used to grow fields of cannabis were converted into landing strips or jungle labs. With this, the existing cannabis culture largely died off in the country of Panama.

The only area where the cannabis production continued basically unchanged was on a group of islands off the south coast, the Pearl Islands (Islas de las Perlas). These islands are said to have the perfect climate to grow sativas: mild temperatures, constant breeze, acceptable humidity, fertile soil, thick forest to hide and protect on the ground as well as from the air.

People of Panama have grown cannabis for a very long time and have passed seeds along generation to generation, since hundreds of years ago. Today, there are Panama Red seeds available from collectors, but they are increasingly rare and hard to find. 

While landrace strains are, in reality, the building blocks of modern cannabis varieties, these strains actually offer a unique experience of their own. Unfortunately, only a handful of users are able to actually say that they have once enjoyed a true, pure, landrace cannabis strain.

Most modern cannabis users are likely to opt for the recent varieties that are specially bred to impress seasoned users with their sensational potency and overwhelming effects. Additionally, landrace strains are far less abundant than today’s easily found, modernized hybrid strains. For that reason, some landrace strains have lost their fame and acclaim over the years. However, this does not change the fact they once took the cannabis world by storm.

Panama Red delivers a mellow yet distinctly happy and euphoric onset that can boost a user’s energy and stimulate creative thoughts at the same time. Some users would describe its overall high as speedy and intense with psychedelic tendencies. Due to Panama Red’s energetic high, it is a great strain choice for social gatherings or any activity that requires active social behavior.

Surprisingly, the strain also offers a mild relaxation to finish off its rather lively onset. To complement its happy high, users are rewarded with a delicious concoction of flavors that can be described as herbal and spicy with some intriguing notes of tropical fruits reminiscent to the sweet and citrus taste of grapefruit.

Luckily for us, Panama Red seeds have found their way to Washington state, although difficult to find. Raven Grass is one of the few who hold these rare genetics and regularly produce it for the people of Washington. Panama Red, as a pure sativa, has a longer than average flowering time. So batches are a bit further apart than most strain varieties but come in hitting beautifully, and just right, every single time. 

Raven Grass describes their Panama Red as “the legend, the most psychedelic cultivar of the 60s and 70’s. A step inside a vivid dream. Colors pulse richer, laughter carries like a breeze. Moments shift, easy as sunshine. Between the light and the profound, bringing hints of significance. Messages from the beyond or within yourself.” 

Indulge for yourself in Panama Red, and see what the decades-long hype has been all about!