The story of Chemdawg and Sour Diesel is arguably one of the most fascinating and influential in cannabis history. These two strains, while genetically distinct, are responsible for creating many famous strains that have dominated the cannabis market since their emergence in the early 1990s and continue to this day. But who is really behind these iconic strains? How did these genetics evolve to give rise to modern hybrids like Sour Diesel, GMO Cookies, and Motorbreath? Let's discover the story of Chemdawg, from its origins to its lasting impact on global cannabis.
It all began in the late 80s and early 90s when Greg Krzanowski, aka Chem Dog, attended a Grateful Dead concert in Deer Creek, Indiana. That night, Chem Dog met P-Bud and Joe Brand, two cannabis enthusiasts who, in the concert parking lot, were discussing “Dog Bud”. Intrigued, Chem Dog decided to buy an oz (28 grams) of their Dogbud, a strain he describes as being completely different from anything he had smoked before.
This Dogbud had an extremely strong and distinctive odor, with chemical and gassy aromas. It was a true innovation for its time. After smoking this strain, Chem Dog befriended P-Bud and Joe Brand, and asked them to send him more of this unique strain. Soon after, a package containing several Dogbud seeds arrived in Massachusetts, changing the course of history.
The seeds from this packet produced 13 plants, three of which proved exceptional: Chem 91, Chem’s Sister, and Chem B. These phenotypes all share a strong genetic influence, giving Chemdawg its diesel aroma and unrivaled potency. Joe Brand, one of the protagonists of the story, nicknamed this plant “chemmy” because of its chemical taste and smell. From this, Chem Dog merged the weed name “Dog Bud” with the description “Chem,” and the strain officially became ChemDog and later Chemdawg.
Over the years, other phenotypes appeared, including Chem D and Chem #4, which became classics in the cannabis world. But contrary to popular belief, Chem Dog, P-Bud, and Joe Brand weren't the direct creators of these strains. They found these seeds in Dogbud, which was imported to Massachusetts. They didn't perform any specific crosses or genetic manipulations to create Chemdawg, but their breeding work was essential in introducing these seeds to the world.
Interestingly, Chemdog himself created a strain from his experiments. In 2001, he crossed a Northern Lights #5 with a Chem D, creating the DogDaze strain. This cross resulted in a plant with unique aromas and effects, very different from his other creations, thanks in part to the addition of Haze genetics. DogDaze offers a powerful cerebral high, combining the heaviness of indica with the liveliness of sativa.
Chemdog planned to release 600 DogDaze seeds to the cannabis community, but a series of unfortunate events caused this legendary strain to disappear. During a 2005 trip to Las Vegas, Chem Dog left the box of seeds at his hotel, and when he called to retrieve them, they were thrown away by the staff. This loss marked the tragic end of DogDaze, which was never bred.
Meanwhile, another key player enters the scene: Sour Diesel. According to Chem Dog, Sour Diesel has a similar origin to Chemdawg. Crossing a Chem 91 phenotype with local genetics from the East Coast of the United States (particularly Staten Island) created Sour Diesel, a strain that shares Chemdawg characteristics with a more intense diesel aroma. Sour Diesel quickly became a must-have strain, thanks to its potency and unique aroma.
Today, Chemdawg continues to profoundly influence modern breeding, with strains like Sour Diesel, GMO Cookies, Motorbreath, and many others directly derived from it. While Chem Dog himself was not responsible for the initial Chemdawg crosses, his role as seed distributor and the influence of his creations helped propel Chemdawg genetics worldwide.
Chemdawg has become something of a living legend in cannabis history, representing a turning point where cannabis genetics became more potent and aromatic, ushering in a new era of hybrid strains.
The story of Chemdawg and Sour Diesel is far more complex than it seems. From P-Bud, Joe Brand, and Chem Dog to the creation of Sour Diesel and DogDaze, every step of the way has contributed to building the genetic heritage we know today. While some strains like DogDaze have been lost, their influence continues to be felt in entire generations of new strains. Chemdawg remains a staple of the cannabis world, and its legacy lives on through modern crossbreeds derived from it.
But who created the basic seeds of the ChemDawg? Heimee Cheeba during the creation of the “Skunk” “RKS”???? If any purists can help me, it will be with pleasure
The Dogbud Enigma: RKS, Skunk, Kush ?
Some enthusiasts suggest that the original Dogbud, the mother of the Chemdawg lines, is a rare Skunk phenotype known as Roadkill Skunk (RKS). This strain, with its strong animal and chemical odor, was made famous by underground breeders like Heimee Cheeba, who has been keeping RKS since the 1980s..
Still others suggest a cross between Skunk x Kush, or Skunk x Afghani. However, there is no formal genetic or historical evidence to support these theories to date.
Chemdawg Phenotype Timeline :
Sour Diesel: An Accidental Genesis ?
Another version of the story, relayed in particular by AJ Sour Diesel, says that Sour Diesel came from an accidental cross between a Chem 91 and a DNL (Super Skunk/Northern Lights/Hawaiian hybrid). This cross was apparently stabilized on the East Coast (Long Island & Staten Island), in a closed circle of initiates, explaining the meteoric rise of this strain in the 90s.
The circulating legendary clones :
Original Diesel (Headband)
These clones are now considered living relics and are highly sought after by breeders worldwide for their potency, unique terpene profile and exceptional genetics.