Chemdawg #4 Strain: Effects, Flavor, Terpenes and Lineage

By James Buddsey · Updated October 14, 2026

Chemdawg #4 is a balanced cannabis hybrid from the Chemdawg family, known for a sharp diesel, pine and citrus aroma and a high that mixes mental stimulation with deep body relaxation. It is also called Chemdog 4, Chem 4 or CD4. Leafly lists it at about 25% THC, and it is a parent of well-known strains like Stardawg and Sunshine #4.

Chemdawg #4 Strain at a Glance

Where Chemdawg #4 Comes From

Chemdawg #4 belongs to the Chemdawg (or Chemdog) family, one of the most influential lines in modern cannabis. The numbered cuts, such as #4, are phenotypes pulled from that family, and growers and sellers often disagree over the details of where each came from. Leafly says the genetics trace back to Thai and Nepalese parents, and I have not found a firm breeder record, so that account should be read as the common one rather than settled history.

Its importance is clearer in the offspring. Leafly lists Stardawg and Sunshine #4 among the strains made with Chemdawg #4, and the broader Chem line is behind much of the fuel-heavy flower on shelves today.

Chemdawg #4 Effects: What It Feels Like

The most common reported effects are relaxation, tingling and euphoria. Leafly notes some mental stimulation on top of a mostly calming body effect. The head tends to feel active and chatty at first, and the body feels heavy as the session goes on.

Potency is high, around 25% THC in Leafly’s listing, so new users should be careful. Paranoia and dizziness show up in some reviews, often after larger doses. A small hit in the evening is the safer way to find out how it affects you.

Chemdawg #4 Terpenes, Aroma and Flavor

The smell is sharp and chemical: diesel and pine, with lemon and citrus notes that people often compare to cleaning products. The flavor follows, with a lemon and pine cut and an earthy exhale. Buds are usually light green with many crystals and orange hairs.

Leafly lists caryophyllene as the main terpene, followed by myrcene and humulene. Caryophyllene adds peppery spice, humulene an earthy, woody note and myrcene a ripe, herbal base. Phenotypes vary, and some growers report a fruitier version and others a more diesel-forward one.

• Beta-caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, also found in black pepper and cloves
• Myrcene: earthy, musky and herbal, also found in mango and hops
• Humulene: woody and hoppy, also found in hops and basil

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 Chemdawg #4

Dry mouth, dizziness and occasional paranoia are the most commonly reported effects. The strong potency and the stimulating head can be too much for people sensitive to THC. Start low and hydrate.

If you are new to Chemdawg #4, start with one small inhalation or 2.5 mg in an edible and wait before taking more; see our dosing guide.

Do People Use Chemdawg #4 for Medical Reasons?

Readers most often say they use Chemdawg #4 for stress, pain and anxiety, in that order. These are self-reports and not medical advice.

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 Chemdawg #4

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Flowering: 9–10 weeks
• Yield: About 25–30 g per plant (Leafly)
• Height: Up to 7 ft outdoors, 4–5 ft indoors
• Environment: Indoor or outdoor

Leafly describes Chemdawg #4 as a fairly tall plant that responds well to training, either for multi-branch growth or a sea-of-green setup. It prefers moderate fertilizer. Flowering takes 9 to 10 weeks, which can push harvest into wet fall weather outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, so protection from rain and good airflow help.

Home growing is legal for adults in Oregon (up to four plants per household) but only for registered medical patients in Washington; see the Oregon and Washington law guides. Many Oregon dispensaries sell clones and seeds; see where to buy clones in Eugene.

Strains Like Chemdawg #4

• Chemdawg: the broader family it comes from
• Chem i95: another Chem-family cut with a diesel profile
• Cheese Dawg: a Chemdawg-named cross with a pungent cheese twist
• Sour Diesel: a diesel-forward classic with a similar fuel aroma
• OG Kush: a sharp, piney strain with a related fuel and lemon character

Browse more hybrid strains, the full strain directory, or our guide to cannabis strains.

Where to Buy Chemdawg #4 in Washington and Oregon

Dispensary menus change every week, and Chemdawg #4 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 Seattle, browse Seattle dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Clutch Cannabis and Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis Belltown. In Portland, browse Portland dispensaries and check the menus at stores like Gnome Grown Alberta and Papa Buds. You can also browse every licensed store in Washington and Oregon. Adults 21 and older can buy with a valid photo ID; see cannabis laws by state for purchase limits.

Chemdawg #4 FAQ

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.