We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Cannabis 101
  • Growing
  • Strains & products
  • CBD
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science & tech
  • Industry
  • Reports
  • Canada
  • Podcasts
  • Leafly Lists
Strains & products

Why It’s Virtually Impossible to Identify Your Cannabis Strain Based on a Photo

Bailey RahnPublished on March 1, 2015 · Last updated July 28, 2020

For those of you who thought a magical strain identification scanner was possible and tried to use Leafly’s Marijuana Analysis Recognition Interpreter (or MARI), we’re sorry we fooled you but we couldn’t resist. Over the last few years, we’ve received a comically large volume of emails asking us to identify strains based on bud photos, so we were compelled to finally (a) prank y’all, and (b) explain why this would next to impossible without a really specific and random superpower.

First off, there are tons of strains out there. The Leafly Explorer documents over a thousand varieties, but new hybrids are born all the time. No matter how crisp and clear your photo is, that strain is going to look like many, many others.

Second, even strains with the same genetic background express variable characteristics. Think of wine: can you look at a glass of red and determine whether it’s a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Malbec, a Syrah, a Pinot Noir, a Zinfandel, a Sangiovese, or a Barbera based on sight alone? A Cabernet Sauvignon made in Bordeaux is going to taste different than a Cab Sauv from Napa Valley, which will differ from a Cab Sauv from Canada’s Okanagan Valley, which will be distinct from one crafted in Australia.

Even if each bottle is comprised from the same percentage of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, a variety of factors such as temperature, soil, water, and other growing, cultivation, and processing techniques means that the taste and look of the same type of wine will differ depending on the region (or even different batches from the same region).

These factors affect cannabis as well. Your Blue Dream may not look like your friend’s Blue Dream because strains can exhibit different outward appearances in response to environmental factors – we call these variations within a given strain phenotypes. Here, look:

Leafly Blue Dream cannabis strain
Leafly Blue Dream cannabis strain photo

Two Blue Dreams, two different looks entirely. Like little fraternal nug twins.

If you have a mystery bud, you can use Leafly’s effect and flavor filters to help you narrow it down, but of course, this won’t give you a definitive answer. We’re sorry technology has let you down, but the minute humans figure out how to interpret DNA visually, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
explorerstrains
Bailey Rahn
Bailey Rahn
Bailey is a senior content manager at Leafly, specializing in strains and health. She's spent 7+ years researching cannabis products, spreading patients’ stories, and exploring healthy ways of integrating cannabis into daily life.
View Bailey Rahn's articles

The latest in Strains & products

  • Leafly’s top 11 CBD products for dogs of 2025 image
    Leafly’s top 11 CBD products for dogs of 2025
    Leafly Staff
  • Father’s Day weed gift guide image
    Father’s Day weed gift guide
    Leafly Staff
  • Star signs and cannabis strains: June 2025 horoscopes image
    Star signs and cannabis strains: June 2025 horoscopes
    Carmen Ramirez
  • Leafly’s top 6 THCA pre-rolls of 2025 image
    Leafly’s top 6 THCA pre-rolls of 2025
    Leafly Staff
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.