Girl Scout Cookies is an indica-dominant hybrid cannabis strain, widely reported to be a cross of OG Kush and Durban Poison, known for a sweet, minty, earthy aroma and a strong euphoric, relaxing high. It was developed by the Cookie Fam in the San Francisco Bay Area and went mainstream around 2010 to 2013. THC commonly tests between about 19% and 28%.
Girl Scout Cookies Strain at a Glance
| Type | Indica-dominant hybrid |
|---|---|
| Also known as | GSC |
| Lineage | OG Kush × Durban Poison |
| Breeder / origin | Cookie Fam (San Francisco Bay Area, California) |
| THC | 19–28% (typical lab range) |
| CBD | Under 1% |
| Dominant terpenes | Beta-caryophyllene, Limonene, Humulene, Myrcene |
| Aroma and flavor | sweet, earthy, mint, cherry, sweet dough, earthy spice |
| Reported effects | euphoric, relaxed, happy, creative at low doses |
| Best for | evening use, stress relief, appetite |
| Flowering time | 9–10 weeks |
Where Girl Scout Cookies Comes From
Girl Scout Cookies, usually shortened to GSC, is one of the most influential strains of the last two decades. The common account says the Cookie Fam, a Bay Area group of growers and breeders that includes Berner and Jigga, crossed an OG Kush with Durban Poison. Some breeders have hinted that the public pedigree is a simplified story, and a more complicated F1 line may sit underneath. Treat OG Kush and Durban Poison as the widely repeated version, not a proven one.
The cut drew attention in the late 2000s and exploded around 2010, when Berner built the Cookies brand around it. GSC then won major recognition: reports credit it with a 2012 Cannabis Cup placing in San Francisco and later wins in Denver and elsewhere, though award counts vary by source.
Its real legacy is in its offspring. Thin Mint GSC, Platinum GSC, Gelato, Sunset Sherbet, Wedding Cake-adjacent lines and Do-Si-Dos all lean on GSC genetics, and a whole category of “Cookies” strains followed. If a menu lists a strain with Cookie, Mint, Gelato or Sherbet in the name, there is a good chance GSC is somewhere in the family tree.
Girl Scout Cookies Effects: What It Feels Like
GSC hits in a familiar order. First comes a wave of euphoria and a lighter, happier mood, often with a tingly feeling in the face and shoulders. Some people feel chatty or creative in the first hour, especially at low doses.
Then the body relaxation builds. Muscles loosen, the mind slows and the high settles into a calm, comfortable place. At higher doses it turns sleepy, and the strong THC can be too much for new consumers. Most people use GSC in the late afternoon or evening. It also tends to boost appetite, so a snack is not a bad idea.
Girl Scout Cookies Terpenes, Aroma and Flavor
The aroma is sweet and earthy, like cookie dough with a minty edge and traces of cherry and spice. Cuts descended from Thin Mint GSC lean harder into the mint. A well-cured jar smells strongly even before it is opened.
The smoke tastes sweet and doughy on the inhale, with a mild OG-style earthiness. The exhale brings spice and a faint cherry or mint note. Beta-caryophyllene is the terpene most often reported as dominant, with limonene, humulene and myrcene behind it. Caryophyllene supplies the peppery warmth, limonene a bright citrus lift, and humulene the earthy, woody base.
- Beta-caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, also found in black pepper and cloves
- Limonene: bright citrus, also found in lemon and orange peel
- Humulene: woody and hoppy, also found in hops and basil
- Myrcene: earthy, musky and herbal, also found in mango and hops
Terpene levels vary from grower to grower and batch to batch, so check the lab label on the package. Learn more in our guide to cannabis terpenes.
Side Effects and How to Use Girl Scout Cookies
Dry mouth and dry eyes are the most common complaints. Because GSC is often high in THC, some people get dizzy, overly sleepy or anxious if they take too much. Start with a small amount, drink water, and give it time before taking more.
With Girl Scout Cookies, as with any strain, a smaller dose usually avoids anxiety or grogginess. Our cannabis safety guide covers what to do if you take too much.
Do People Use Girl Scout Cookies for Medical Reasons?
In user reports, GSC comes up for stress, low mood, aches, poor appetite and trouble sleeping. The relaxing body effect is what most people mention. These are consumer reports and not medical claims, and anyone managing a condition should check with a doctor.
These are user reports, not clinical findings. For what research actually supports, see our cannabis health and research section, and talk to your doctor before using cannabis for a health condition.
Growing Girl Scout Cookies
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Flowering: 9–10 weeks
- Yield: Low to medium
- Height: Medium to tall; stretches in early flower
- Environment: Indoor preferred; outdoor in warm, dry climates
GSC is known as a finicky plant with modest yields, and growers often say it rewards patience more than speed. It stretches in early flower, so topping and a screen help keep the canopy even. The flowers are dense and can attract mold, so humidity control and airflow matter, and in wet Pacific Northwest autumns outdoor plants are a risk without a greenhouse. Phenotypes vary, and the Forum cut is the one most people mean when they talk about quality.
Home-grow rules depend on the state: adults can grow at home in states such as California (six plants per residence), Michigan (12 per residence) and Oregon (four per household), while Washington and Illinois allow home growing only for registered medical patients. Check your state in our cannabis laws by state guide before you plant anything.
Strains Like Girl Scout Cookies
- Thin Mint GSC: a minty GSC phenotype many consider the classic
- Gelato: a GSC offspring with a creamier, more dessert-like profile
- Wedding Cake: another heavy, sweet Cookies-family hybrid
- Do-Si-Dos: a GSC cross known for strong, relaxing effects
- OG Kush: one of GSC’s reported parents, with more fuel and earth
- Durban Poison: the other reported parent, an energetic sativa
Browse more hybrid strains, the full strain directory, or our guide to cannabis strains.
More Hybrid Strains to Explore
Gizmo · Glazed Apricot Gelato · Glueberry · Giraffe P · Ginger Tea · Ghostbreath · All hybrid strains
Where to Buy Girl Scout Cookies
Dispensary menus change every week, and Girl Scout Cookies may be sold under its own name, as a cross or as a pre-roll or vape. The fastest way to find it is to check store menus online before you go. In Los Angeles, browse Los Angeles dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Jade Leaf and Catalyst – South Figueroa. In Portland, browse Portland dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Atlantic Farms and Highbrow. You can also browse licensed dispensaries in every state we cover. Adults 21 and older can buy with a valid photo ID; see cannabis laws by state for purchase limits.
Girl Scout Cookies FAQ
Is Girl Scout Cookies indica or sativa?
It is an indica-dominant hybrid. The effects are relaxing and euphoric, with a lighter mental lift at the start.
What is Girl Scout Cookies a cross of?
Most sources list OG Kush and Durban Poison. Some breeders hint that the true pedigree is more complicated.
How strong is Girl Scout Cookies?
It usually tests between about 19% and 28% THC, so it is strong. New users should start small.
What does Girl Scout Cookies taste like?
Sweet, doughy and earthy, with mint, cherry and spice notes.
Who bred Girl Scout Cookies?
The Cookie Fam, a San Francisco Bay Area group of breeders and growers, is credited. Exact dates vary by source.
Is GSC good for sleep?
Many people find it relaxing enough for evening use, and higher doses can be sleepy. Individual response varies.
For adults 21+ in legal states. Strain information reflects breeder descriptions, lab data and user reports; effects vary by person and batch. Not medical advice.
