Gorilla Glue isn’t the first strain to be sued for its name. Many times, breeders and growers choose names that reference other products or cultural objects. But recent history has shown that parodying other well-known companies can land you in hot water.

Cannabis has long operated in the underground, where no rules or trademarks could be enforced. In fact, piggybacking off popular culture became common practice among dealers scribbling names onto Ziploc bags.

As such, you’ll find a long list of strain names that are now questionable in the light of legalization, regulation, and licensed entities. Keep this in mind the next time you’re having difficulty finding a strain that most definitely steps on some corporate toes when it comes to branding. Consider it one of the unintended consequences of legalization. In any case, here are strain names changed to dodge lawsuits.

This is one of the most publicized examples of a company going after a marijuana strain name. In 2017, the glue company Gorilla Glue filed a lawsuit against the makers of the Gorilla Glue weed strain. The strain is now called simply GG. Similarly, all the variants of this strain also go by GG, followed by a number like GG #4.

Obviously, this one wasn’t going to stand for too long. This popular strain is explicitly named after the organization for girls that goes by the exact same name as the strain.

Like the makers of the Gorilla Glue—now GG—strain, the folks behind this one went with a simple solution. Instead of calling it Girl Scout Cookies, it’s now simply GSC.

Thin Mint

Like the other Girl Scout-related strains on this list, Thin Mint had to be done away with when Girl Scouts USA sent a cease and desist letter to a dispensary in Oakland called Magnolia Oakland collective.

But given that thin mints are a perennial favorite among purchasers of real Girl Scout cookies, getting some actual thin mints could be a good option for your post-sesh munchies.

Jägermeister

The Jägermeister cannabis strain wasn’t all very well known to begin with. And now it’s even less well known. That’s because the makers of this strain apparently ditched the moniker in anticipation of potential legal challenges.

Much like the Girl Scout Cookies strains, this strain is being labeled JGR for short, now.

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As far as we’ve heard, the German liquor company didn’t actually file any formal complaint. Instead, it looks like whoever was making and selling this fairly obscure strain simply changed the name before anything bad happened.

Skywalker

George Lucas has built up a massive intellectual property empire. And before legalization started taking off, there was an equally well-known group of cannabis strains with Star Wars related names.

Skywalker was one of the better known Star Wars strains. But that name has since been done away with. As far as we know George Lucas’s company, LucasArts, hasn’t actually filed any lawsuits. Instead, it appears that marijuana companies are changing the name as a preventive measure.

But don’t worry—you’ll still find Star Wars strains under alternative monikers Alien Walker (Ewok), Mazar x Blueberry (Skywalker), and Mazar x Blueberry OG (Skywalker OG).

Candyland

The strain name Candyland hasn’t necessarily been changed universally. And the makers of the popular children’s game haven’t filed a lawsuit. Despite this, the strain name is still banned in some places because it directly references a well-known board game.

For example, the state of Oregon does not allow dispensaries to sell the strain under this specific name. That’s because the state has laws banning any sort of marketing or branding that could appeal to children or underage consumers.

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is on this list for the same reason as Candyland. This is arguably one of the most famous strains in the world. It was designed to be a high CBD, low THC strain intended for children suffering from epilepsy.

And while its name is the same as the well-known children’s book, it was actually named for a young girl who inspired the creators of this strain. Despite this, some places, like Oregon for example, have banned the name for its reference to themes that could appeal to children.

This fruity cross between Grape and Grapefruit strains is known for giving consumers a tasty and well-balanced indica experience.

You probably won’t see it labeled Skittles anywhere. Rather than face a lawsuit, the creators named the fruity strain Zkittlez.

As you can see from this list, many strains that have been around for years have already faced legal challenges. As a result, many of these names have been changed. You’ll find a long list of strain names that are now questionable in the light of legalization, regulation, and licensed entities. Keep this in mind the next time you’re having difficulty finding a strain that most definitely steps on some corporate toes when it comes to branding.

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