Black Amber is an indica-dominant cannabis strain bred from GMO Cookies and a twice-backcrossed OZ Kush, known for dark purple buds and a funky, gassy, fruity nose. Full Moon Genetics made the original cross under the name High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Compound Genetics renamed it Black Amber and used it as a breeding parent. Leafly lists it around 21% THC, and some commercial batches have been labeled well above that.
Black Amber Strain at a Glance
| Type | Indica-dominant hybrid |
|---|---|
| Also known as | High Fructose Corn Syrup |
| Lineage | GMO Cookies × OZ Kush Bx2 |
| Breeder / origin | Full Moon Genetics (popularized by Compound Genetics) |
| THC | 21–31% (typical lab range) |
| Aroma and flavor | funk, fuel, sweet berry, grape, earthy kush, diesel, chemical, blue cheese, lime candy |
| Reported effects | relaxed, focused, euphoric |
| Best for | evening use, experienced consumers, unwinding |
| Flowering time | 8–10 weeks |
Where Black Amber Comes From
Black Amber started life with a much less appetizing name. According to Leaf Magazine and SeedFinder, Full Moon Genetics crossed GMO Cookies with a backcrossed OZ Kush and called the result High Fructose Corn Syrup. Compound Genetics later picked it up, renamed it Black Amber after a dark, sweet Japanese plum, and released a set of crosses built on it. That is why some menus credit Fullmoon and others credit Compound: the first made it, the second gave it its current name and spread it.
The pedigree matters for understanding the smoke. GMO Cookies brings the savory, chemical funk of the Chem D line. OZ Kush, an OG-and-Grape Ape descendant in SeedFinder’s family tree, brings the gassy, limey candy side. Leaf Magazine describes Black Amber as mostly OZ Kush on top, with GMO adding color, body and a little funk underneath rather than its full garlic punch.
Not every source agrees. A Vivosun grow guide calls Black Amber a cross of Dark Knight and Purple Kush, but that claim does not match the breeder-linked accounts, so treat it with caution. Leafly lists New Money among its offspring.
Black Amber Effects: What It Feels Like
Leafly reviewers describe Black Amber as mostly calming, with relaxed, focused and euphoric as the top tags. That mix fits an indica-dominant plant from a GMO and OG family: the head stays clear enough to hold a conversation or a movie plot, while the body slowly settles. One Leafly reviewer guessed it at roughly 70 percent indica, which matches how most people describe it.
Potency is the variable to watch. Leafly lists about 21% THC, while a Canadian licensed-producer listing reported batches in the mid-20s to low 30s. If you are newer to GMO-family strains, start with a small amount and wait before taking more. Most people will save it for the evening.
Black Amber Terpenes, Aroma and Flavor
Leafly’s flavor tags for Black Amber are diesel, chemical and blue cheese, which points straight at the GMO side of the family. Leaf Magazine describes the dominant character as OZ Kush’s gas, lime and candy, with GMO adding weight underneath. Breeder copy on SeedFinder adds sweet berries, grape, earthy kush and hints of fuel and spice.
In practice, expect a funky, gassy first impression when you open the jar, with sweeter fruit showing up once it is ground and on a clean first pull. No source we found published a lab terpene profile for Black Amber, so we have left terpenes blank rather than guess.
Side Effects and How to Use Black Amber
Leafly users most often mention dry eyes, dry mouth and dizziness. Those are the usual suspects for a strong indica-leaning strain. Dizziness is more likely if you stand up quickly after a heavy session, so pace yourself and keep water nearby.
If you are new to Black Amber, start with one small inhalation or 2.5 mg in an edible and wait before taking more; see our dosing guide.
Do People Use Black Amber for Medical Reasons?
On Leafly, readers most often say they reach for Black Amber for anxiety (about 40 percent of respondents), with depression and stress each around 16 percent. These are self-reports from a small group of reviewers, not clinical findings, and a high-THC strain can make anxiety worse for some people.
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 Black Amber
- Flowering: 8–10 weeks
- Environment: Indoor or outdoor; outdoor harvest early autumn
SeedFinder lists Black Amber as a feminized release from Full Moon Genetics that flowers in about 63 days, with breeder copy giving 8–10 weeks indoors and an early-autumn outdoor finish. The breeder describes vigorous plants with sturdy branches that respond well to topping, low-stress training and SCROG. Buds are compact and dense, can turn deep purple or nearly black when nights run cool, and carry heavy resin. Dense buds are a mold risk late in the season, so outdoor growers in a wet Pacific Northwest autumn should keep airflow high and watch closely as harvest nears.
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 Black Amber
- GMO Cookies: parent; the source of its savory funk
- Grape Ape: in the OZ Kush side of its family tree
- OG Kush: gassy OG backbone
- Chemdawg: Chem-line diesel and chemical notes
- Purple Kush: dark purple, calming indica
Browse more indica strains, the full strain directory, or our guide to cannabis strains.
More Indica Strains to Explore
Black Cherry Punch · Black Cream Auto · Black Diamond · Biscotti · Big Dipper · Big Bud · All indica strains
Where to Buy Black Amber
Dispensary menus change every week, and Black Amber 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 Salem, browse Salem dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Green Room Dispensary Salem and The Joint on State. In Tacoma, browse Tacoma dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Mary Mart and The Joint Tacoma. 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.
Black Amber FAQ
Is Black Amber indica or sativa?
Black Amber is an indica-dominant hybrid. Leafly files it as a hybrid but describes it as indica-dominant, and SeedFinder’s breeder copy says the same.
What is Black Amber a cross of?
It is GMO Cookies crossed with OZ Kush backcrossed twice (Bx2), according to Leafly, SeedFinder and Leaf Magazine. A Vivosun guide lists Dark Knight and Purple Kush instead, but that does not match breeder accounts.
Who bred Black Amber?
Full Moon Genetics made the original cross as High Fructose Corn Syrup. Compound Genetics renamed it Black Amber and bred with it.
How strong is Black Amber?
Leafly lists about 21% THC, and some commercial batches have been labeled in the mid-20s to around 31%. Treat it as a strong strain.
What does Black Amber taste like?
Expect diesel, chemical funk and a cheesy edge, with sweeter berry, grape and lime candy notes underneath.
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.
