The Enduring Legacy of Durban Poison

Lauded as caffeine in cannabis form, Durban Poison is a cannabis strain familiar to many. Beloved for its skunky smell and clear-headed high, Durban Poison remains a classic choice — if you can find it.

Before the advent of wide-scale cannabis operations, cannabis strains were limited to specific geographic regions that provided optimal growing conditions. In the Middle East and Central Asia, craggy mountain landscapes nurtured dense, dark green, and purple indica strains. Conversely, warm and tropical climates in Latin America and Africa fostered the growth of light green sativa plants.

Today, these original strains are known as landrace strains. Cannabis history is preserved in these unhybridized plants native to their regions. Finding them can be a challenge, as modern markets are flooded with hybrid strains and new inventions.

Known locally as “dagga,” Durban Poison is believed to have originated in South Africa and was historically cultivated by the Khoikhoi, San, and Bantu tribes for medicinal and spiritual purposes. During the era of Dutch and British colonization, European settlers disapproved of its use, turning cannabis into another target of control.

In “Marijuana, The First Twelve Thousand Years,” author E.L Abel wrote, “Since Europe sat in judgment of Africa, alcohol was rarely given a second thought, whereas the natives’ use of dagga was considered by many to be morally reprehensible. As long as dagga was taken primarily by the Black man, white Africa took little interest, other than amusement, in these peculiar drug cults. When cannabis subsequently took root in their own cities, however, the fear of contamination by such foreign practices began to alarm segments of white society.”

Although the counterculture of the 1970s brought cannabis into the mainstream, it remains shrouded by a complicated legacy of racial scapegoating. Today, wealthy and white individuals predominantly dominate the industry. A study from Marijuana Business Daily revealed that 81% of business owners are white, while only 10% are Black.

Durban Poison’s expansion out of Africa illustrates a familiar narrative. Once looked down upon by white audiences, it eventually gained popularity, notably in Amsterdam. This surge in popularity is tinged with historical significance given Holland’s colonial past in South Africa.

In 1970, Ed Rosenthal, who would become a prominent cannabis cultivator, journeyed to South Africa seeking diverse cannabis genetics. At 26, Rosenthal’s future in the cannabis industry would become foundational. He co-founded High Times Magazine and was a tireless advocate for cannabis legalization.

Rosenthal meticulously bred multiple plants from seeds acquired during his trip and eventually passed some to another breeder, Mel Frank. Frank experimented with genetics to increase resin production and shorten flowering times. He created an “A” and “B” version of each stock and gave the “B” version to Amsterdam breeder Sam the Skunkman. The rest is history.

Tags: #legacy #Durban #Poison