Opinion: When strain names cross the line

Community
1

Dear fellow growers and breeders,

In recent months, a new trend has emerged within our community: the creation of cannabis strains with deliberately provocative names. Titles such as Dirty Gay Biker, Pussy Juice, and most recently, Domestic Violence have surfaced, seemingly aiming to shock or amuse. While creativity in strain naming is valued, this particular direction raises serious concerns.

At first glance, such names might appear as harmless fun or clever marketing. However, they often trivialize serious issues and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. For instance, naming a strain Domestic Violence not only makes light of a grave societal problem but also disrespects victims who have suffered from such abuse. Similarly, Dirty Gay Biker and Pussy Juice can be seen as perpetuating negative stereotypes and objectifying language.

Our community has worked tirelessly to shift the perception of cannabis from an illicit substance to a legitimate therapeutic and recreational product. Introducing strains with offensive names jeopardizes this progress. Regulators and lawmakers may view such naming practices as evidence that the industry lacks maturity and responsibility, potentially leading to stricter regulations or setbacks in legalization efforts.

It’s worth noting that certain jurisdictions have already taken steps to regulate strain names. For example, Oregon has banned names like Girl Scout Cookies and Grape Ape to prevent marketing that could appeal to children. While these actions primarily target child-friendly names, they set a precedent for regulating names deemed inappropriate or offensive.

Some may argue, “It’s just a name,” or “I can name my strain whatever I want.” While creativity is a cornerstone of our community, it should be exercised with awareness and responsibility. The names we choose reflect our values and can influence public perception. By opting for respectful and thoughtful names, we demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to the broader acceptance of cannabis.

As members of the Overgrow community, we have the opportunity to lead by example. Let’s prioritize names that reflect the qualities, effects, or lineage of our strains without resorting to shock value. By doing so, we not only uphold the integrity of our community but also contribute positively to the broader cannabis movement.

I write this not to chastise but to champion our collective goals… Of course, you’re free to name your work as you wish. I only ask that before you hit “publish,” you run your name through a quick filter: “Will this invite new growers… or only stir controversy?” Just make sure the conversation stays about the plant, not a vulgar name.

Sincerely,
Joe

118 Likes
3

When I name a strain I created I usually take a name from both/all the strains that was involved in creating it…

Matanuska O’wreck

Matanuska Thunder Fuck Ă— Ogre Ă— Trainwreck

DK 13

Black Domina × Hawaiian Purple Kush × Pacific’s G13

Vietnam Thunder Fuck

Matanuska Thunder Fuck x Vietnam Black

24 Likes
4

Same. Though mine do get vulgar too due to my 90’s teeth lol.

Unicorn Poop x Cherry Festival = Horny Horse Cherry Red Shitfest
Chocolate Chunk x Peanut Butter Breath = Chocolate Peanut Butter Ballz
Peanut Butter Breath x Chocolate Chunk = Peanut Butter Ballz.

Though these I see as tongue in cheek vulgar vs shock value vulgar.

When I find a shit-terp pheno I’ll finally be able to name something “Fart Magnet”.

Why magnet? Because i’ll grow it with a magnet nearby just to justify the name AND make an ICP reference at the same time.

I do gotta say I love the creative names everyone is coming up with so long as it doesn’t hit a point of diminishing returns (which I will admit I’m often blind to as well when excited)

Thanks for caring about all of us @LemonadeJoe to take the time making and posting this PSA!

:hugs:

29 Likes
5

I’m fine with gross and impossible names, but not when they are deliberately provoking to make sales. More than gross naming, what make me crazy the most is giving politics names. It’s the last thing i want to see in the game, like everybody forget who is harrassing who to just check the list and make quota. EVEN in legalized countries. Cops and shits with canna are just the arm of the politics, since ever.

I understood (only with OG in bonus) that the tendance to “childify” was just a pleasure of regression. Big step for an European ^^ I’m less sensible to this now, a lot less.

Now seriously i will share a trick that have never failed for naming : just smoke a cone, and call the line like the high or the stone is inspiring you lol Even weird, it always work and make its little effect ^^

But you can’t do this with chunks you never germinated, thats the price to pay ^^

20 Likes
6

“Frankenstein’s Daughter” is entirely literal. LIke @philcuisine & @Pigeonman suggested above, I didn’t choose the name, the plant & breeding project chose for me.

Frankie’s Daughters: Unpacking a Frozen Genome

FWIW, I notice the same naming trend in my fly fishing sport, provocative names for new flies promote interest, hence sales.

In any event, I’m sympathetic to your request Boss, and I’ll comply willingly.

-Grouchy :v: :green_heart:

18 Likes
7

I think people are a bit too sensitive these days just call it what you want and that’s that you don’t like it don’t grow it it’s that simple

24 Likes
8

The names don’t offend me at all. I just hate seeing something with a name that makes no sense for its genetics and terps. I like to know where the strains came from and it’s a lot easier if the names stay similar down the line lol

13 Likes
9

I agree i wouldn’t name it half the stuff folks do personally but I just don’t like telling folks what to do with there own gear as it’s there creation and that

8 Likes
10

I grew up in a time when i could decide by myself what was offensive and what was not. Today, the easily offended society wants to tell me what to do and say. It’s out of control and that’s my opinion.
I could give examples but people would be offended :confused:

20 Likes
11

I personally am not interested in all the modern strains. The names are not very creative, imo.

I have a breeding project that ive been working on for 10 years. (MTF X SFV OG)
I call it “Valley Ice”. Both strains originated in a Valley. The word Ice honors the Alaskan landscape, and its also a word we use to describe high trichome production. There is power in intention.

Naming an unstable poly hybrid is rather silly to me. I think we all agree that pollen chucks are fun and Its are a great way to start a project, especially when there is no clear objective.

The last thing I would like to say, most legendary strains were created with powerful intentions. Chucking pollen and slapping a raunchy name on a bag of seeds/flower hardly deserves the same recognition or status of the classics. :sunglasses:

23 Likes
12

I just want to add a little context: A non native speaking seed chucking user asked for name suggestions for his countless “on the side” crosses that he often shares for free. Another user suggested “Domestic Violence” as a name for a Bruce Banner X Wedding Cake cross. The seed chucking user thought the name sounds cool, incorporates both parent plants and so he ran with it. Another user called him out in it, so he started a thread to discuss the topic. Participants reaction was mixed, but most found the name to be distasteful to inappropriate.

I just state this to convey that this was not an insidious marketing ploy by some sophisticated commercial entity. Furthermore I believe that the user probably would not have named this cross “Häusliche Gewalt” (Domestic Violence in his native language). While the translation and meaning are known, it might not carry the same weight for non native speakers and through cultural US hegemony even negatively charged english terms do tend to just “sound cool” to non native speakers. My first association when hearing the term domestic violence is not even domestic violence, but “some kind of 1990s US hardcore metal band that probably sounds a lot like the band Suicidal Tendencies”.

That being said: It’s good to have this discussion.

16 Likes
13

I hear you. But society does change, and with it, our understanding of what’s respectful or harmful also evolves.

Think back to the 90s: ads plastered with naked women were everywhere: billboards, beer commercials, car magazines. At the time, it was considered cool. Today, we’ve come to recognize how that kind of marketing objectified women and contributed to a culture that didn’t take their dignity seriously.

What was once normal is now widely seen as exploitative.

You can still be funny, bold, or weird. Just without needing to cause harm.

41 Likes
14

To me, its just… why name your strain something distasteful/depressing like “Domestic Violence” when you could name it something cool/funny/positive? Words are just words, yes, but its better to try to put out positive energy where you can (easier said than done)

19 Likes
15

I lived through that time. And i never objectified women during that, i respected women. I was able to decide for myself.

12 Likes
16

I don’t think it’s a new trend actually. Strain names have crossed over that line many years ago. I remember having this discussion when Riots cokehead slut came out. It’s something we have to deal with in the cannabis community. I think some people definitely get offended by strain names and it’s a real issue for us to consider when trying to find a new name that hasn’t been used before. Because these days almost all strain names have been used already. Usually 90% of the time when I’m trying to come up with a new name. I’ll do a search and find out someone already used it

9 Likes
17

Add to it that if you search a “white widow” today you will find seeds from the whole spectrum of the global genotype, even inter-species :rofl:

3 Likes
18

What it comes down to is censorship.
Other people deciding whats wrong or right for us. :v:

6 Likes
19

@tuned, sorry I meant to reply to you directly…

I don’t think so because its not an obligation not to use names of that nature, its just posing a question - is naming your strain “domestic violence” going to have a positive cost/benefit? ie it might amuse a small group of people and may upset a larger group, whereas you could name your strain something funny/witty/insightful/etc yknow?

10 Likes
20

Your right. I should start a brand of chunky peanut butter called “Poonut Better” :upside_down_face:

The topic of censorship is multi faceted, as Ai would say. Imagine a child being handed a jar of some “Poonut Better”…

Something to consider: What are the odds of someone having thoughts about Domestic Violence, when they smoke a joint of “Domestic Violence”? Can it be an unintentional subliminal side effect? To be clear, im not suggesting that it would encourage DV acts, but rather ruin a persons high. Its like telling a person not to think about an apple. The word itself creates thoughts of an apple.

The concept is often called the “ironic process theory”. This theory suggests that when you’re told not to think about something (like an apple), you’re more likely to think about it because the act of suppressing the thought requires you to monitor your thoughts, which in turn makes you more aware of the thing you’re trying to suppress.

12 Likes