The Year of Z: This is Arizona’s top new cannabis strain of 2024

In the diverse world of cannabis, consumers have countless strains from which to choose. The flavor spectrum is vast, ranging from earthy OG strains to fruity Tropicanna varieties, catering to any palate.

Blue Blitz, Tropical Z, Jealousy and Biscotti were among the award-winning strains at this year's Errl Cup in Arizona. At last year's High Times, strains such as Frosted Donuts, Cheetah Piss, Bad Apple and Super Boof received high scores. These winning strains are known for their fruity and tropical flavors and aromas, indicating a shift in consumer preference from traditional earthy kush to more vibrant, candy-like strains.

All are welcome additions to the market. But for the best new strain in Arizona in 2024, Phoenix New Times is selecting Zkittlez.

The Zkittlez strain has been around for nearly a decade, but this year, it made its way to Arizona. It’s now available from Alien Labs. Last year during Spannabis, the largest cannabis event in Europe, Zkittlez was one of the top trending strains, per Leafly. Many of the other highest-ranked strains had Zkittlez genetics. The hype was real — Zkittlez genetic seeds sold for 350 euros per pack during the event.

This indica-dominant hybrid is a result of breeding two iconic strains: Grape Ape and Grapefruit. Expect an aroma that hits you with notes of grape candy, tropical fruits, lavender, ginger, skunk and diesel. It contains high amounts of several beneficial terpenes such as linalool, limonene, alpha humulene and beta-caryophyllene, helping the strain capture honors for Top Indica at several Cannabis Cup competitions throughout California and Michigan and at the 2016 Emerald Cup.

Due to Zkittlez’s desirable flavor traits, it has been pivotal in breeding new genetics and is a parent to many variants, including Blue Zkittlez, Watermelon Zkittlez, Zkittlez Cake, Tropical Zkittlez, Cherry Zkittlez, Zkittlez Crasher, Zkittlez Pie, Zangira, Z Cubed and Zushi. These variants currently are available in Arizona dispensaries, along with the original Zkittlez.

“The commercial cannabis industry needed to point the consumer somewhere, and the candy purple genetics were able to be easily produced with shorter flowering times,” said Matthew Blum, co-founder of Grow Sciences, one of the largest cultivations in the Arizona market.

Grow Sciences has hopped on the Z-train. Next year “is the year of Zkittlez,” Blum said, “and we are currently in production of our Zkittlez Cubed.”

Zkittlez isn't just tasty — it's also great for calming stress and anxiety. Many people use it for its relaxing effects, which can boost mood and help with discomfort. Its balanced CBD and THC levels make it a popular choice for easing muscle tension and promoting a sense of calm.

Strains often represent names inspired by famous products, such as Girl Scout Cookies and Gorilla Glue. These catchy names have sparked legal battles, yet many smaller growers stick to the classic names, even though these strains slowly evolve through crossbreeding and rebranding. Zkittlez's journey follows a similar path.

Recently, the creators of the Zkittlez strain encountered legal trouble from Mars Wrigley, the company behind Skittles, forcing them to change the name to “The Original Z.” However, many growers still produce strains under the Zkittlez name. Alien Labs rebranded their flower simply as "Z."

Dubbed the “best tasting strain on planet earth” by several Reddit users, Zkittlez is a must-try, if you can find it. The next time you’re shopping, ask your budtender to show you the latest Zkittlez crosses available.