Did you know that January 2022 and 2023 broke records as some of the warmest weather in Massachusetts? Not that anyone was complaining, but for the past two years, the winter temperatures ranked the fifth warmest in the history of the state. In 2023, Worcester experienced the warmest winter ever recorded.
With the cloudy skies and the temperatures starting to dip, the practice of staying home and keeping warm is as much a Massachusetts winter tradition as watching hockey. For medical cannabis patients looking to cozy up under some blankets rather than venture out into the cold, there are many cannabis strains that are ideal for a weekend of relaxed hibernation.
Massachusetts dispensaries have some of the best medical cannabis strains for conditions like chronic pain relief, deep relaxation, mental stimulation, body relaxation, and more. There are many medical dispensaries providing award-winning strains in Massachusetts to explore.
Our team at MedWell Health and Wellness Centers searched for some of the best cannabis strains for patients in the Bay State. While you may have a good strain that you prefer, it is always a good idea to explore new cannabis strains or use more than one strain, depending on your symptom management goals.
How Do You Know If A Cannabis Strain is Right for You?
The best place to start is to talk about your symptoms with a medical cannabis healthcare provider. Practitioners who certify patients have in-depth knowledge about using medical cannabis to help with symptom management.
Whether you are becoming certified for the first time or renewing your Massachusetts medical card, your certifying practitioner can help you identify strain attributes and suggest THC potency levels that may be most effective for your needs.
Questions to Ask Before Trying a New Medical Cannabis Strain
Before you attend your Massachusetts medical card health evaluation, you can organize some questions you may want to ask the practitioner.
Some of the questions you may ask can include:
- What is the lowest THC potency that can help provide symptom relief?
- What is the best intake method for specific wellness needs?
- What can I take for daytime relief when medical cannabis is not an option?
- Does cannabis conflict with any of the dietary supplements or medications I am currently taking?
Remember to make the most of the time you spend during your medical cannabis health evaluation, which can provide some valuable insights that will help you choose the right products when you visit a dispensary.
1. Peach Pie x Sticky Rice
When the weather dips to low temperatures, we all crave some good comfort food. Peach Pie x Sticky Rice is one of the newer and most interesting cannabis strains in Massachusetts. The fruity flavor is sweet and pleasant, with 25.9% total active cannabinoids and 25.2% THC content. The strain also has THCA and CBG, which can cause feelings of calmness and relaxation without drowsiness.
Where to Find It
The largest dispensary in Massachusetts is NETA, and they have three locations to service patients with a full menu of medical cannabis products. If you want to try Peach Pie x Sticky Rice, order online for pick up.
2. Governmint Oasis
Cultivated by Garden Remedies, Governmint Oasis is a cross between GMO and Gush Mints strains in Massachusetts. Terpene profiles for this strain include limonene, caryophyllene, and humulene, with high THC content. The flavor is described as creamy with notes of hops.
Impressive genetics aside, with an average THC potency of over 30%, Governmint Oasis can cause a strong head high and sedation. Beware of couch lock when exploring Indica strains. While they can be great for stress and pain relief, they can be sedative and aren’t appropriate for daytime use.
Where to Find It
Garden Remedies has three locations to serve medical cannabis patients in Marlborough, Melrose and Newton, Massachusetts, and carries the Governmint Oasis cannabis strain. Bookmark the Garden Remedies specials page for great discounts.
3. Black Ice
A cross between Black Domina and White Widow, the Black Ice strain originated in Spain. Black Ice flower has flavors of sour-sweet berries with earth undertones, and is an Indica dominant strain in Massachusetts.
Because Black Ice leans toward Indica, this hybrid can be a heavy hitter, with an average THC potency of 19% to 24%. Because of the heavy sedative effects of high THC and Indica cannabis strains, Black Ice is best consumed at home in the evening.
Where to Find It
Nature’s Medicines is a family-owned medical cannabis dispensary with locations in Uxbridge, Wareham, and Fall River, Massachusetts. The dispensary carries the Fine Fettle Live Resin Vape in Black Ice.
4. Apple Fritter
When it’s cold outside, you want some rich flavors and feel-good strains. Apple Fritter (or Apple Fritters) is almost an equally balanced hybrid strain, leaning more toward Indica content. This strain was developed from Sour Apple x Animal Cookies in California.
Apple Fritter isn’t for people with low cannabis tolerance or patients new to using medical cannabis. The strain has been recorded with THC levels up to 32%, and it was inducted into the High Times Hall of Fame of the World’s Strongest Strains.
Where to Find It
The Cannabist medical cannabis dispensary has three locations to serve patients in Massachusetts: Lowell, Boston, and Greenfield, and they carry Apple Fritter flower by Triple Seven.
5. Horchata
If you are wondering whether these cannabis plants actually taste like the famous Mexican drink, reviews confirm that the taste of Horchata flower tastes very similar. This strain was developed from Jet Fuel Gelato x Mochi Gelato and has limonene, pinene, and beta-caryophyllene content, and some patients have described it as a smooth smoke and balanced high.
Total active cannabinoids (TAC) are just over 31% in Horchata, and the average THC potency is 29%. The flavor is described as creamy and sweet, with nutty undertones and earthy and diesel flavors on the exhale. Many people choose Horchata to help improve mood and manage stress, as it can cause feelings of euphoria.
Where to Find It
Located in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Harbor House Collective carries the Horchata flower. The dispensary also provides home delivery for patients.
6. Splash
What makes Splash a great strain to enjoy during wintertime? It has a sweet and earthy flavor, with hints of cocoa, thanks to the complex terpene profile. This hybrid strain was bred from Gushers x Chauffeur and is considered a craft strain.
Splash has an average THC potency of 20% to 30%. The top three terpenes in this new strain are myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene.
Where to Find It
Happy Valley has medical cannabis strains for patients at two locations in Massachusetts, in Gloucester and in Boston. Happy Valley describes Splash as a “new and rare clone-only variety that’s flowers are so densely covered in resin that they glisten like a diamond.”
7. Doug Flightie
If you want to try a celebrity cannabis brand, Massachusetts budtenders may recommend Doug Flightie by Highsman. This strain was developed from OGKB 2 1 x Stuffed French Toast #13 and is an Indica dominant strain.
Highsman is the lifestyle brand of Ricky Williams, one of the most memorable running backs in NFL history. Williams was often criticized for claiming he used cannabis to “take care of his body,” and now his personally curated cannabis products and strains are growing in popularity.
Doug Flightie has a 27% THC potency,
Where to Find It
Revolutionary Clinics has a number of guest cultivars on its menu of medical cannabis strains. Doug Flightie seems to be sold out on a regular basis (a nod to how great the strain is) so you may need to call ahead and preorder.
8. Apples & Bananas
The lineage of this strain is beyond impressive because the balanced hybrid (Indica and Sativa) strain was developed from Platinum Cookies X Granddaddy Purple X Blue Power X Gelatti. People who enjoy Apples & Bananas share that they may cause uplifting effects and a mild body high, with a side order of creativity.
Given the name, it is not surprising that the two dominant flavors are sour apple and sweet banana, but it also has a surprisingly spicy aroma with hints of diesel. The total active cannabinoids (TAC) for Apples & Bananas is 23.09%, and the average THC potency is 21%.
Where to Find It
In Springfield, Massachusetts, INSA has a variety of medical cannabis products for patients, including premium strains like Apples & Bananas. At the time of writing, new patients ordering online from INSA could receive $50 off their first two purchases.
9. Coughy Cake
It may take some time to find Coughy Cake flower in stock because of all the strains in Massachusetts; it is very popular. Coughy Cake was developed from Wedding Cake X GMO X TK Skunk, and it is a potent flower with an average of 24% THC. The dominant terpene content in this strain is caryophyllene, which contributed to a balanced high.
Coughy Cake is popular with patients who experience depression or chronic fatigue. It can also stimulate the appetite, which makes it ideal for patients who experience nausea, Cachexia, or appetite loss. Psychoactive effects can include a mild ‘body high’ and sociability; it is one of those strains that can uplift your mood and make you extra talkative.
Where to Find It
Mass Alternative Care provides Coughy Cake in whole flower or prerolls. The dispensary also offers 20% off your first purchase of medical cannabis, a $1 birthday preroll, and a loyalty rewards program.
10. Heat Wave
When the winter snow starts to fly, you may find yourself dreaming of our beautiful Massachusetts summer weather. You can’t change the temperature, but you can try Heat Wave, which is a strain cultivated by The Green Lady Dispensary, and it is a cross between Jet Fuel X Dosidos.
Heat Wave is an Indica dominant hybrid strain, with almost 29% total active cannabinoids. The THC potency for this strain is 26.3%, and it has 0.26% CBD content, which is ideal for patients who have chronic inflammation. Heat Wave also has 1.68% CBGA, 0.21mg of CBC, 0.12% CBG, and 0.05% CBDA.
When consuming Heat Wave cannabis, it tastes like lime, sandalwood, and diesel. The strain can provide feelings of total relaxation and cerebral psychoactive effects.
Where to Find It
The Green Lady Dispensary provides medical cannabis products at their Nantucket location, including Heat Wave, if you want to try it out.

Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.