"E85 is a rare cannabis strain originating from Oakland, California. Like many renowned strains, its exact genetic origins aren't known. Nonetheless, its strong effects have gained it a lot of popularity among both recreational and medical users. Below, we take an in-depth look at E85, its origins, genetics, effects, and much more. History of E85 E85 is a hybrid strain bred by Grandiflora Genetics. Founded in 2008 by grower and breeder Mark McCafferty, Grandiflora markets itself as Oakland's #1 luxury cannabis brand. With a big focus on cannabis culture and hunting down unique phenotypes, McCafferty soon took local rapper Prada under his wing as a brand ambassador. However, Grandiflora really took off in 2018 when one of McCafferty’s unique strain drops (which he orchestrated via Instagram) caught the attention of Cookies founder, Berner. Soon after, Cookies and Grandiflora announced a partnership to collaborate on a variety of strains. Besides E85, a fruity hybrid stemming from some beloved Cali genetic lines, Grandiflora also created: • Blue Limonene • MGM • The Doggy Bagg • Minnit Made • Grandi Melon • Hectane E85 was one of the strains created by Grandiflora in collaboration with Cookies, and was widely commercialized under the Cookies brand. Ever since its creation, E85 has been very elusive, available only in small batches from select dispensaries and fetching high prices. Genetic Lineage of E85 E85 has mysterious genetic origins—some sources claim it's a cross of Lemon Cherry Gelato and Runtz, while others say it's a combination of Wedding Cake and Project 4516. Below we'll explore all of these strains in more detail to see how their genetics may have impacted those of E85. Genetic Variation 1 — Lemon Cherry Gelato x Runtz Lemon Cherry Gelato, as its name suggests, is a unique Gelato variety created by Backpack Boyz in Los Angeles. Unlike the original Gelato #42 (Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint Cookies), Lemon Cherry Gelato allegedly stems from Sunset Sherbet and GSC. It boasts a creamy, Gelato-like aroma with unique sweet lemon overtones. It produces around 25% THC, delivering a relaxing, euphoric stone similar to that of the conventional Gelato. Lemon Cherry Gelato produces dense, bulky, bright green flowers with purple hues and fiery red pistils. Runtz, on the other hand, is a beloved hybrid of Gelato and Zkittlez. Created by the Runtz Crew's head breeder, Nick, and commercialized by both Runtz and Cookies, the Runtz strain has become one of the biggest names in modern weed. While there are now multiple varieties of Runtz circulating the market, the original is known for its sugary sweet, fruity aromas, heavy-hitting effects, and creamy smoke. Leafly named Runtz its Strain of The Year in 2020. Genetic Variation 2 — Wedding Cake x Project 4516 Wedding Cake is a strain created by Seed Junky Genetics. Also known as Triangle Mints #23 or Pink Cookies, it descends from Triangle Kush and Animal Mints and is known for its extremely frosty flowers, rich aromas (which combine rich, earthy cake overtones with hints of vanilla and pepper), and deeply relaxing effects. Besides being a popular strain in its own right, Wedding Cake has also been used to breed other popular hybrids, including LA Kush Cake, Layer Cake, MacFlurry, and many more. Project 4516, on the other hand, is a rare strain from Grandiflora's genetic vault. Believed to be slightly sativa-leaning, this hybrid has been used in the creation of a number of Grandiflora's varieties. Project 4516 produces eye-catching purple buds with a shiny layer of trichomes, and induces a happy, euphoric, and social high. While its genetics haven't been made public by Grandiflora, some sources suggest that Project 4516 is a cross between Platinum Puff (a descendant of Platinum OG) and Gelato 45. Physical Characteristics of E85 E85 was seemingly never available in seed form. However, some retailers stock E85 clones that can fetch up to $350 per cut. Unfortunately, not many growers have shared information about the E85 strain and how it grows. E85 seems to be a vigorous hybrid with average internodal spacing, a strong central stem, and bright green leaves. It appears to demonstrate a good balance of sativa and indica genetics and can grow to medium heights in veg before stretching notably during bloom. E85 produces medium-sized flowers that are dense and made up of tight clusters of bright green calyxes that take on warm, golden hues as they mature. E85 buds may also turn slightly purple in the right conditions, which, combined with their dense covering of crystalline trichomes, only adds to their bag appeal. Properties and Effects of E85 E85 is a potent strain, producing high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. Some batches of E85 have been shown to contain roughly 26% THC and 2.5% terpenes, though this may vary from one batch to another. Rich in caryophyllene, humulene, limonene, and pinene, E85 boasts a pungent..."