The story of Gorilla Glue, a cult cannabis variety

The story commonly told by American breeders describes a pollination mishap: a male plant intended for another cross is said to have pollinated female plants from a different line, giving rise to an unexpected phenotype. The breeders kept this unplanned offspring because of its exceptionally high resin content, visible to the naked eye on the flower heads. This kind of accidental discovery is not unusual in the history of cannabis breeding, where many famous genetics came from an unplanned cross rather than from a rigid selection programme.

Gorilla Glue combines lines drawn from several genetic families familiar to American breeders, blending diesel, chocolate and earthy aromatic profiles. This genetic diversity explains the richness of the terpene profile observed in the plant: dominated by beta-caryophyllene (peppery notes), myrcene (herbaceous notes) and limonene (citrus notes) according to the batches analysed in the laboratory. It is this aromatic complexity, more than the cannabinoid content alone, that built its reputation among connoisseurs.

Three things explain Gorilla Glue's lasting popularity among growers and connoisseurs: a visually spectacular resin production, which makes it a prized variety for producing extracts and hash; a plant architecture that is relatively easy to grow, with an intermediate flowering time; and a powerful aromatic profile that sets it apart from more discreet varieties. These qualities have made it a parent of choice for many subsequent crosses, and Gorilla Glue now appears in the family tree of dozens of hybrid varieties.

In France, the hemp flowers sold under the name "Gorilla Glue CBD" are not the original American variety, which is rich in THC, but phenotypes selected to reproduce a similar aromatic profile and resinous appearance, with a THC level brought below the legal threshold of 0.30 % in the finished product, in line with the Conseil d'État decision of 29 December 2022. The trade name therefore points to a partial sensory and genetic resemblance, not to a strict varietal identity. Our CBD buying guide explains how to check that a flower is compliant, whatever its commercial name.

Does Gorilla Glue CBD contain THC?

Like any hemp flower that is legal in France, it must show a THC level less than or equal to 0.30 % in the finished product. The batch certificate of analysis is what lets you check that.

Why is this variety so resinous?

Its original genetics were selected for precisely that characteristic, a visually abundant production of trichomes, inherited from the accidental cross it came from.

Does Gorilla Glue CBD taste the same as the original American variety?

The aromatic profile comes close, particularly the earthy and peppery notes, but the phenotypes grown for the European CBD market differ genetically from the historic THC-rich variety.

Where exactly does the name "Gorilla Glue" come from?

The name refers to the glue brand of the same name, a nod to the extremely sticky texture of the plant's trichomes at harvest, a trait the variety's first growers were quick to point out.