Skunk #1, also referred to as the Original Skunk #1, is a cultivar created by David Watson — also known as Sam the Skunkman — that serves as the genetic backbone for many of today’s cannabis strains.

Sources trace its origins to 1970’s California. It’s present in countless crossbreeds, and is a descendant of an Afghani landrace strain crossed with Acapulco Gold and Colombian Gold.

Refining his crops over many years, Sam the Skunkman selected phenotypes with the best yields, early flowering times and dense, resinous buds. It was one of the first well-known indoor cannabis varieties, and won several awards, including 1st place at the inaugural High Times Cannabis Cup in 1988.