Written by Ad OpsOverview and Legacy
AK-47 is a sativa-leaning classic that has anchored menus in Amsterdam coffeeshops and global dispensaries for decades. Bred by Sensation Seeds and often described as an Amsterdam original, it became famous for its clear-headed euphoria and reliable harvests. Despite the intimidating name, most consumers report a smooth, sociable high that balances mental brightness with comfortable body ease.
In market surveys and community rankings, AK-47 regularly appears among the most influential hybrids of the modern era. It is featured by Leafly on lists of classic strains and typically categorized as a sativa-dominant hybrid with a dominant terpene signature of myrcene. Its staying power is backed by versatility, showing up as a foundation parent in new crosses and as a dependable staple for growers of many skill levels.
Beyond reputation, the numbers tell a practical story. Many commercial phenotypes test in the 15–20% THC range with low CBD, a potency band widely considered approachable yet impactful. Users consistently note it as helpful for stress and mood management, with Leafly reporting that 38% of reviewers cite stress relief, 28% cite anxiety support, and 25% cite pain relief.
History of AK-47
AK-47 emerged in the 1990s, when Dutch and broader European breeders were refining high-performance hybrids from global landrace stock. Sensation Seeds stabilized a profile that brought together brisk sativa energy with enough indica body to keep the experience grounded. Within a few years, the strain’s performance led to international accolades and a surge of popularity among both home growers and commercial cultivators.
Its name contributed to a certain mystique, but the strain’s charm is its approachability. Instead of a harsh or edgy ride, many batches deliver a steady mental lift that suits daytime creative work or social settings. This contrast between the bold name and the amicable effect became part of AK-47’s identity.
As indoor gardening technologies matured, AK-47 fit perfectly into early hydroponic and soil systems in Amsterdam. It responded well to topping, screen training, and uniform canopies, allowing growers to push grams per square meter without heavy maintenance. That easygoing cultivation footprint helped cement its role as a house favorite in many rooms.
By the 2000s, seed banks and breeders began releasing feminized, fast, and automatic expressions, translating the original photoperiod profile into shorter cycles and different garden formats. These variants spread AK-47’s influence to regions with shorter summers and to growers seeking speed without giving up the recognizable aroma and effect. Today, the family includes feminized photoperiods, fast versions, and autos, each tuned for particular timelines and environments.
Genetic Lineage and Breeding Notes
AK-47 is widely described as a confluence of four classic landrace lines: South American, Mexican, Thai, and Afghani. The sativa trio contributes the brisk cerebral character, aromatic complexity, and lanky early growth. The Afghani input adds density, resin coverage, and a calmer body tone that helps the effect feel collected rather than racy.
This balance produces a mostly sativa phenotype that still packs dense colas, unusual for many sativa-leaning hybrids. Under consistent environmental conditions, plants show uniform internodal spacing and a predictable stretch rhythm entering bloom. That predictability reduces the guesswork compared to more feral sativa lines.
The lineage also explains AK-47’s terpene breadth. Thai and Mexican influences are frequently associated with citrus, pine, and floral top notes, while Afghani lines contribute earthy, woody, and spicy base notes. This broad terpene palette makes it a favored parent for crosses aimed at bright-yet-grounded profiles.
Seed banks have emphasized stability over the years, and many modern cuts display minor variation in apex aromas rather than deep structural divergence. Growers often select phenotypes that lean citrus and pine for daytime jars, while spicier, earthier phenos sometimes cure into heavier evening fare. The core identity, however, remains consistently clear-headed with well-layered flavor.
Appearance and Plant Morphology
AK-47 plants tend to be medium to tall with a classic hybrid frame. In veg, leaves show a moderate width, reflecting the intersection of sativa and indica ancestry. Internodal spacing is moderate, allowing good airflow without the sparseness of lanky sativas.
In bloom, colas stack into elongated spears that can finish surprisingly dense for a sativa-dominant line. Buds are typically lime to forest green with vivid orange to amber pistils and a frosted coating of bulbous-headed trichomes. Under high-intensity lighting, calyxes swell noticeably weeks 6 to 8, and some phenotypes exhibit light foxtailing late in flower.
Resin production is abundant, often yielding sticky scissors during mid-flower defoliations. Sugar leaves remain trichome-rich, useful for hash and rosin after trimming. The final bag appeal is often premium, with a crystal sheen that pops under jar lights.
Plants respond well to structural training. A topped and scrogged AK-47 canopy typically produces a uniform sea of baseball- to soda-can-sized colas, easing harvest scheduling and dry room planning. This symmetry is one reason the strain remains popular in commercial rooms aiming for consistent A-grade tops.
Aroma and Bouquet
The AK-47 bouquet blends brightness and depth. Fresh flowers carry a sweet citrus-floral front end underscored by pine and pepper. As buds mature and cure, earthy and woody tones emerge, sometimes reading as cedar, sandalwood, or faint incense.
Dominant myrcene provides the warm, herbaceous foundation, while alpha-pinene contributes the clean pine snap. Beta-caryophyllene adds a peppery lift with a subtle clove warmth, especially noticeable during a slow dry and multi-week cure. In some phenotypes, a limonene streak pushes lemon-zest notes that pop when the bud is cracked.
Grinders release an aromatic bloom that can fill a small room in seconds. Many users report that a 3–4 week cure deepens the spice layer and knits the citrus and wood into a single, coherent bouquet. This evolving aroma is part of why collectors enjoy revisiting AK-47 after a long cure window.
Flavor Profile and Consumption Experience
On inhalation, AK-47 often delivers a bright, slightly sweet citrus and pine entry. Mid-palate transitions to herbaceous and woody with a peppery tickle, especially in joints and convection vaporizers. The finish typically lands on resinous pine and faint earth, with some batches showing a sugared herbal aftertaste.
Vaporization around 180–195 C tends to highlight citrus and pine while softening pepper. Combustion tilts the profile toward spice and wood, which many users find satisfying in colder weather. In glass rigs or dry herb vapes, the flavor holds for several draws before fading to a gentle, tea-like earthiness.
Cured properly, the flavor stays coherent through the bowl, avoiding the flat, ashy tail that can follow more delicate sativas. Autos and fast versions can be surprisingly faithful to the original flavor if harvested at peak milky trichomes. Crosses with hazes or kushes may lean more lemon-cleaner or spice-cabinet, but the core pine-herbal chassis usually remains distinct.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Most AK-47 lots on retail shelves test between 15% and 20% THC, with some phenotype and environment combinations stretching slightly higher. SeedSupreme lists AK-47 Feminized at high THC in the 15–20% band and low CBD in the 0–1% range, reflecting common lab outcomes. That potency spectrum suits a wide audience, offering noticeable effects without being overwhelming for experienced consumers.
CBD typically remains low, usually below 0.5%, which keeps the psychoactive edge firmly THC-driven. Minor cannabinoids such as CBG often appear in the 0.1–0.5% range, with trace amounts of THCV or CBC depending on phenotype. Total cannabinoids commonly stack around 18–22%, though this varies with cultivation and post-harvest handling.
Dosage-wise, inhaled forms can produce an onset within 3–10 minutes, peaking around 30–45 minutes, and tapering over 2–3 hours. Edible preparations containing AK-47 extracts present a slower onset, often 45–120 minutes, with effects lasting 4–8 hours depending on dose and metabolism. Users new to the strain often start with 2.5–5 mg THC in edibles or one to two modest inhalations to gauge response.
Total terpene levels in well-grown AK-47 frequently land in the 1.0–2.5% range by weight. High-terpene samples can feel more potent than THC numbers alone suggest, reflecting the ensemble effect of terpenes with cannabinoids. Proper drying and curing help preserve these volatile compounds and the associated subjective potency.
Terpene Profile and Chemistry
While Leafly lists myrcene as the dominant terpene in AK-47, an article on classic strains also emphasizes pinene and caryophyllene as prominent contributors. This mixed report aligns with real-world lab variance, where phenotype and environment tilt the hierarchy among myrcene, alpha-pinene, and beta-caryophyllene. Many verified lab COAs show myrcene in the 0.3–0.9% range, pinene in the 0.1–0.3% range, and caryophyllene in the 0.1–0.4% range by weight.
Myrcene contributes the herbal base and can modestly enhance the perception of body relaxation. Alpha-pinene is often associated with alertness and a clean, piney lift, and it may help offset short-term memory fog sometimes linked to THC. Beta-caryophyllene can engage CB2 receptors, which research associates with anti-inflammatory potential, and it carries a pepper-spice organoleptic signature.
Secondary terpenes like limonene and humulene appear in numerous AK-47 cuts. Limonene brings citrus brightness and is studied for mood-elevating potential, while humulene adds dry herb and hop-like nuances and may contribute to perceived appetite modulation. Together, these molecules shape both the aroma and the qualitative character of the high.
Total terpene preservation is highly sensitive to post-harvest handling. A slow dry at 60–65 F and 55–60% RH for 10–14 days followed by a jar cure maintains the monoterpenes that drive top notes. Improperly fast drying can reduce limonene and pinene content and dull the bouquet.
Experiential Effects: Onset, Plateau, and Duration
AK-47 is known for a clear, upbeat headspace that arrives smoothly. Many users describe a lifted mood, easy conversation, and mild sensory vividness without jittery overstimulation. The body feel tends to be light to medium, easing tension while preserving mobility and focus.
Inhalation delivers effects within minutes, with a clean arc into a 30–45 minute plateau. During this window, creative thought, music appreciation, and task engagement are commonly reported. The comedown is gentle, often leaving a refreshed rather than exhausted afterglow.
Dose matters. Low to moderate puffs support a functional, social state, while heavier sessions can introduce a heavier eyelid and couch-lean later in the session. People sensitive to THC should start conservatively, as the myrcene-caryophyllene base can widen the perceived intensity when combined with mid-teens to high-teens THC.
Anecdotally, AK-47 pairs well with daytime activities like walks, low-stress chores, or collaborative work. Many find it suitable for early afternoon use, reserving heavier indica expressions for the evening. That said, terpene variation among phenotypes can tip the experience a bit more energetic or a bit more relaxing, so it is wise to sample small first.
Potential Therapeutic Uses and Considerations
Consumer-reported data highlight AK-47’s usefulness for stress and mood. On Leafly, 38% of respondents say it helps with stress, 28% with anxiety, and 25% with pain, reflecting real-world perceptions in a large user community. These are not clinical trials, but they do point to commonly experienced benefits.
The myrcene-caryophyllene foundation, with pinene and limonene accents, maps plausibly onto those reports. Caryophyllene’s CB2 affinity is of interest for inflammation pathways, while limonene has been explored for mood elevation. Pinene’s association with alertness may help explain why AK-47 often provides calm focus rather than sedation.
For pain, users commonly describe relief of tension-related headaches or muscle tightness more than heavy neuropathic pain, likely due to the moderate THC range and balanced terpene roster. For anxiety-sensitive individuals, the pinene-limonene lift can feel clarifying at low doses, but higher doses of THC may still amplify anxiousness. A prudent starting point is 2.5–5 mg THC in an edible or one to two light inhalations, with 30–60 minutes between steps to assess response.
People using medications that interact with CYP450 enzymes should consult a clinician before pairing with THC, as cannabinoids can influence drug metabolism. Those prone to dry mouth and dry eyes should hydrate and keep eye drops nearby. As always, none of this is medical advice, and individual responses vary widely; careful, incremental self-titration is wise.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide: From Seed to Cure
Format options and genetics: AK-47 is widely available as feminized photoperiod, fast version photoperiod, and autoflower. SeedSupreme lists feminized AK-47 in the 15–20% THC range with low CBD, aligning with popular phenotypes. Royal AK Auto translates the core profile into a rapid cycle for growers wanting a quicker turnaround.
Growth habit and vigor: Expect medium to tall plants with moderate internodal spacing and strong lateral branching. Sativas in the background promote steady early veg growth, while Afghani influence densifies buds during bloom. Many growers report an easy difficulty rating, making AK-47 suitable for skill levels from novice to expert.
Environment and climate: Ideal daytime temperatures range from 72–78 F (22–26 C) with night temperatures 64–68 F (18–20 C). Maintain relative humidity at 60–65% for seedlings, 50–60% in veg, 45–50% in early flower, and 38–45% in late flower to mitigate botrytis in dense colas. A VPD of 1.0–1.4 kPa across canopy height keeps transpiration stable without stressing stomata.
Media and pH: In soil, target pH 6.3–6.8; in coco or hydro, 5.8–6.2. EC targets generally sit around 0.8–1.2 mS/cm for seedlings, 1.2–1.6 in veg, and 1.6–1.9 early flower, tapering to 1.4–1.6 late flower. AK-47 appreciates steady calcium and magnesium, especially in coco and under strong LED lighting.
Nutrition strategy: Provide robust nitrogen in veg, then pivot to phosphorus and potassium emphasis once pistils set. Avoid overfeeding late-flower nitrogen to prevent leafy buds and grassy flavor. Many successful recipes include a light carbohydrate and amino-acid support during weeks 4–6 of flower to support resinogenesis without spiking EC.
Lighting and DLI: Photoperiod veg performs well at 18/6 with 350–600 µmol/m²/s PPFD (DLI roughly 20–35 mol/m²/day). Flowering under 12/12 at 700–900 µmol/m²/s PPFD (DLI 30–40) balances yield and quality, with CO2-enriched rooms potentially pushing 1000–1200 PPFD. Autos typically run 18–20 hours of light from start to finish, maintaining similar PPFD targets scaled to plant tolerance.
Training and canopy management: AK-47 responds beautifully to topping and low-stress training. A SCROG can produce a uniform sea of colas, while a SOG on short veg highlights a strong central cola per plant. Light defoliation in weeks 3 and 6 of flower opens airflow; avoid heavy stripping that could stress sativa-leaning phenos.
Flowering times and yield: Photoperiod flowering typically completes in 53–63 days, with some phenotypes preferring 63–70 days for full terpene maturity. Fast versions can shorten that by 1–2 weeks, a practical advantage in marginal climates; a grower note from SeedSupreme highlights that the fast photoperiod version performed vigorously even under the high desert sun in Washington wine country. Autos commonly finish 10–12 weeks from sprout depending on pot size and environment.
Expected yields: Indoors, dialed-in grows often hit 450–550 g/m², with advanced SCROG rooms exceeding 600 g/m². Outdoors, single plants can yield 400–700 g depending on season length, root mass, and training. In autos, 60–150 g per plant is typical in 3–5 gallon containers under strong lighting.
Irrigation cadence: In coco, frequent smaller irrigations maintain ideal root-zone EC and oxygenation. In soil, allow a modest dryback between waterings to avoid waterlogging and to promote root exploration. Aim for 10–20% runoff in inert media to prevent salt buildup, adjusting based on leaf posture and runoff readings.
Pest and disease management: Because AK-47 finishes with dense colas, watch for botrytis in late flower and powdery mildew earlier if humidity creeps up. Keep canopy thinned and airflow strong, and use preventive IPM such as Bacillus subtilis-based biofungicides and regular leaf inspections. Spider mites and thrips are the most common arthropods; employ sticky cards, predatory mites, and sanitation protocols to keep pressure low.
Harvest timing: For a bright, energetic profile, harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy with 5–10% amber. For a slightly heavier, more relaxing finish, wait for 15–25% amber. Typically, the ripe window spans 7–12 days; monitor trichomes at multiple canopy depths for uniformity.
Flush, dry, and cure: Many growers taper EC for the final 7–10 days and supply only water for the last 3–7 days, depending on medium and prior feeding. Dry slowly at 60 F and 60% RH for 10–14 days, aiming for stems that snap rather than bend. Cure in jars at 58–62% RH, burping daily for the first week, then weekly for 4–8 weeks; target water activity around 0.55–0.65 for long-term storage.
Post-harvest quality: Proper cure preserves monoterpenes like pinene and limonene that define AK-47’s brightness. Expect terpene expression and mouthfeel to improve significantly between week 2 and week 6 of cure. Well-cured AK-47 frequently measures total terpenes in the 1.5–2.5% range and presents a markedly smoother smoke than quick-dried samples.
Notable Phenotypes, Crosses, and Market Availability
AK-47’s footprint is large in modern breeding catalogs. Crosses like Kali 47 (Kali Mist x AK-47) are reported by patients to elevate mood and address stress, carrying forward the bright cerebral element. In another branch, Amnesia x AK-47 hybrids blend haze-leaning citrus clarity with AK’s grounded spice; guidance from SeedSupreme for that cross reminds consumers to start low as batches can carry hearty THC.
Autoflower options include Royal AK Auto, which compresses the cycle while preserving much of the original’s character. Auto versions often retain the pine-citrus top notes and sociable high, finishing in approximately 10–12 weeks from seed. An Indoor Autoflower Seed Mix listing describes AK-47 Auto as combining four legendary landraces into a balanced hybrid, echoing the original lineage claim.
Fast versions have gained traction with outdoor and greenhouse growers who need to outrun autumn rain. One grower-reviewed example notes the AK-47 Fast Version, despite remaining a photoperiod, performed exceptionally under the high desert sun in Washington’s wine country. This speed tweak typically reduces flowering by 1–2 weeks without dramatically altering the organoleptic profile.
In recognition circles, AK-47 is frequently cited among the classic strains that shaped modern cannabis. Leafly includes it in roundups of influential cultivars and lists its dominant terpene as myrcene, consistent with many lab reports. Parentage notations in those lists often call out South American roots alongside the broader Mexican, Thai, and Afghani framework, underlining its cosmopolitan gene pool.
