The Zkittlez cannabis strain made its long-awaited debut in Arizona in 2024, quickly becoming the state’s top new strain of the year. Originally bred from Grape Ape and Grapefruit, this indica-dominant hybrid is celebrated for its bold flavor profile, featuring notes of grape candy, tropical fruits, lavender, ginger, skunk, and diesel.
Rich in terpenes like linalool, limonene, alpha humulene, and beta-caryophyllene, Zkittlez not only delivers an exceptional taste but also provides therapeutic benefits, such as stress relief, anxiety reduction, and muscle relaxation. Its popularity has fueled the creation of numerous variants, including Blue Zkittlez and Watermelon Zkittlez, which are now widely available in Arizona dispensaries.
Despite legal challenges from Mars Wrigley over its name, leading to rebranding as “The Original Z” or “Z,” the strain remains a consumer favorite, with many calling it the “best tasting strain on planet earth.” The success of Zkittlez represents a broader trend in the cannabis market, with consumers gravitating toward candy-like, fruity strains over traditional earthy flavors.
Local growers like Grow Sciences are embracing the trend, expanding production of Zkittlez crosses and declaring 2025 the “Year of Z,” ensuring the strain’s influence continues to shape Arizona’s cannabis culture.