Hybrid80% Indica / 20% Sativa15–23% THC

Great White Shark

Also known as: Peacemaker, White Shark, Shark Shock

Breeder: Green House Seeds (bred by Shantibaba & Neville Schoenmaker; later released as Shark Shock via Mr. Nice Seeds)

A late-1990s indica-dominant powerhouse renowned for extreme trichome production—trimmers of the era nicknamed it 'shark glue' because the resin would clog scissors within minutes. The dense, crystalline-white buds earned the strain its predatory name. Originally bred at Green House Seeds in Amsterdam, it became one of the definitive indica hybrids of its generation, combining the structure and resin of the White family with the pungent vigor of Super Skunk. Its deeply sedative yet clear-minded stone earned the nickname 'The Peacemaker' in European coffeeshops. Great White Shark earned its name from the voracious, overwhelming nature of its effect—a powerful indica body stone that hits hard and doesn't let go. The 1997 Cannabis Cup victory in the Bio (organic) category demonstrated that its quality comes from the genetics themselves rather than heavy-handed feeding programs. THC content is measured at 14-23% depending on the version and growing conditions (Green House Seeds' current feminized line tests at 22.94% THC). The high begins with an almost immediate body onset: strong physical sedation, muscle relaxation, and a narcotic quality that makes it medicinally valuable for pain therapy, insomnia, and appetite stimulation. Despite the heavy body effects, a clear mental state persists—users report being "stoned but not confused," which is relatively unusual for such potent indica-dominant genetics. The famous resin production earned it the nickname "shark glue" among trimmers, whose scissors would clog faster with this strain than almost any other. CBD content (0.18-1.7% depending on the version) contributes to its therapeutic profile.

Lineage

Super Skunk x White Widow

THC Range

15–23%

Flower Time

8-9 weeks

Difficulty

Easy to Intermediate

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Super Skunk x White Widow

Parent strains in encyclopedia:Super Skunk→White Widow→

Super Skunk: Skunk #1 backcrossed to an Afghan IBL for extra resin and density; contributes the acrid, skunky sweetness and heavy indica frame. White Widow (Brazilian Sativa x South Indian Indica): legendary 50/50 hybrid known for explosive trichome coverage and cerebral potency; contributes the frost, the South American fruit tones, and the mental clarity within the body stone.

Lineage Dispute

Green House Seeds lists parentage as Super Skunk x White Widow (Brazilian Sativa x South Indian Indica). When Shantibaba left GHS and founded Mr. Nice Seeds, he released the same genetics as 'Shark Shock' with lineage listed as Black Widow x Skunk #1. The dispute centers on whether the Skunk parent is Super Skunk (Skunk #1 x Afghan) or plain Skunk #1, and whether White Widow vs Black Widow are identical selections. Most growers who ran both report the Mr. Nice Shark Shock is smoother and earthier than the original GHS Great White Shark, suggesting possible drift in parent selections over time.

Terpene Profile

DOMINANT

Myrcene — Musky, earthy foundation balancing citrus brightness

SECONDARY

Caryophyllene — Spicy, peppery warmth with woody depth

SECONDARY

Humulene — Earthy, hoppy bitterness with subtle spice

SECONDARY

Limonene — Bright citrus lift with lemon and orange zest

SECONDARY

Pinene — Pine and rosemary pairing with citrus for brightness

Aroma: Pungent skunk funk layered over earthy sweetness and tropical fruit. Breaking buds open releases a sharp herbal-floral nose with undertones of citrus zest and damp soil. The Super Skunk ancestry brings an acrid edge that distinguishes it from the cleaner White Widow profile.

Flavor: Earthy and sweet on the inhale with herbal-skunky mid-tones and a fruity, slightly citrus exhale. Some phenotypes express a tobacco-like spice on the finish. Smoother than pure Skunk lines due to the South Indian indica influence.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Fast-hitting—effects are noticeable within 1–3 minutes. Begins as a warm cerebral rush with mild euphoria before the body effects take over.

Strong full-body relaxation with a surprisingly clear-headed mental state. Deeply stoning without total couch-lock in moderate doses. Higher doses push toward narcotic sedation. Appetite stimulation is common. The indica dominance produces heavy limbs and pain relief while maintaining enough sativa influence to keep the mind gently active.

Duration: Long-lasting; 2–3 hours of peak effects with residual relaxation extending further.

Commonly Reported Uses

Chronic painMuscle spasmsInsomniaStress and anxietyAppetite stimulationNausea

Grower's Notes

Flower

8-9 weeks

Indoor Yield

500-800 g/m²

Outdoor Yield

900-1000 g/plant

Difficulty

Easy to Intermediate

Height / Stretch

Short-Medium (90-120cm indoor)

Environment

Indoor, Outdoor

Great White Shark by Green House Seeds is an indica-dominant hybrid (80% indica / 20% sativa) bred from Super Skunk crossed with their legendary White Widow (itself a Brazilian x South Indian cross). Winner of the 1997 High Times Cannabis Cup (Bio category) and the 2005 Highlife Cup, this strain earned the nickname "The Peacemaker" in European markets for its profoundly relaxing yet clear-minded stone. It remains one of Green House Seeds' most commercially successful genetics.

The plant displays strong indica characteristics

short, compact stature with abundant lateral branching and dense foliage. Indoor height is highly manageable at 90-120 cm, making it ideal for low-ceiling grow rooms and multi-tier cultivation systems. Outdoors, plants grow wider rather than taller, reaching 150-190 cm. The branching pattern creates a naturally bushy, globe-shaped canopy.

Growth Structure and Training

SOG (Sea of Green) and SCROG (Screen of Green) are the recommended training techniques—the plant's natural architecture is perfectly suited to both. For SOG, use 9-16 plants per square meter with minimal veg time (1-2 weeks after rooting clones). For SCROG, top once and let lateral branches fill a net over 3-4 weeks of veg. The short, stout structure means less training effort compared to sativa-dominant varieties.

Growth Structure and Training

During vegetation, maintain 18/6 light at 400-600 PPFD with temps at 72-78F and 50-60% humidity. Great White Shark tolerates medium-to-high fertilizer levels—this is a robust, forgiving feeder that handles aggressive nutrient programs without significant stress. Feed at 1.4-2.0 EC during veg with standard NPK ratios. Transition to bloom nutrients (elevated PK) when switching to 12/12.

Flowering is fast

8-9 weeks, with most growers harvesting at 8 weeks (55-58 days). Green House Seeds notes that running an extra week to 9 weeks produces extra resin and a special sweet taste—worthwhile for quality-focused growers. Buds develop dense, compact, rock-hard structure typical of elite indica genetics. They become extremely heavy with resin, often requiring branch support in the final 2-3 weeks.

Environment and Climate

The critical cultivation challenge is managing the dense bud structure in relation to humidity and airflow. These rock-hard, tightly packed buds create internal microclimates that can harbor mold if humidity spikes or airflow is insufficient. Maintain 40-50% RH during flower with consistent air movement through the canopy. Defoliate selectively to allow air penetration between bud sites—don't over-defoliate, as the broad leaves fuel the dense bud development.

Yields are exceptional

500-800 g/m² indoors (up to 700 g/m² in the Green House Seeds specification), and up to 900-1000 g/plant outdoors under ideal conditions. These are elite production numbers that make Great White Shark commercially attractive. Outdoor harvest falls at the end of September in the Northern Hemisphere.

Bud Structure and Trichomes

The terpene profile features earthy, sweet, and fruity notes with Skunk pungency and herbal undertones. Dominant terpenes are myrcene, alpha-humulene, and beta-caryophyllene. The effect is very strong body stone—narcotic, long-lasting, and medicinally effective for pain management. Post-harvest, the dense buds require careful drying: slow and steady at 60F/60% RH for 12-14 days minimum. Check center of larger buds for moisture before jarring to prevent mold during cure.

History & Origin

Bred in the mid-1990s at Green House Seeds in Amsterdam by Shantibaba (Howard Marks) and Neville Schoenmaker. Released commercially circa 1996–1997. Won 2nd place in both the Bio and Best Cannabis categories at the 10th High Times Cannabis Cup in 1997—notably, the 1st place winner 'Peace Maker' entered by De Dampkring coffeeshop was the same genetics grown under its Dutch coffeeshop alias. After Shantibaba departed Green House Seeds in 1998, he re-released the genetics through Mr. Nice Seeds under the name 'Shark Shock,' using what he states is the original breeding stock. Green House Seeds continues to sell the strain under the Great White Shark name. The strain went on to win 1st place at the Highlife Cup 2005 in both the Hydro-Seedbanks and SuperCup categories. It remains one of the most influential indica-dominant hybrids of the 1990s and a key building block for CBD-rich medical crosses.

Awards & Recognition

●2nd Place Bio — High Times Cannabis Cup 1997 (Greenhouse)
●2nd Place Best Cannabis — High Times Cannabis Cup 1997 (Greenhouse)
●1st Place Hydro Seedbanks — Highlife Cup 2005 (Green House Seeds)
●1st Place SuperCup — Highlife Cup 2005 (Green House Seeds)
●1st Prize, Bio HTCC (High Times Cannabis Cup) 1997
●1st Prize, Highlife Festival 2005

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Great White Shark as a parent:

CBD Shark— Cannatonic x Shark Shock; pioneering high-CBD medical cultivar

Shark Shock CBD— Shark Shock x CBD-dominant male; 1:1 THC:CBD ratio

Euphoria— Royal Medic x Shark Shock; CBD-focused

Hammer Shark— Shark Shock x Dieseltonic

White Shark— Dutch Quality Seeds

Shark Infested Custard— Shark Shock x Custard Cream

Shock Wave— Shark Shock x Alien Rift

Frequently Asked Questions

7 common questions about Great White Shark

What is Great White Shark and what are its genetics?

Great White Shark is a hybrid cannabis strain (80% Indica / 20% Sativa) bred by Green House Seeds (bred by Shantibaba & Neville Schoenmaker; later released as Shark Shock via Mr. Nice Seeds). It is a cross of Super Skunk x White Widow, testing at 15–23% THC. A late-1990s indica-dominant powerhouse renowned for extreme trichome production—trimmers of the era nicknamed it 'shark glue' because the resin would clog scissors within minutes. The dense, crystalline-white buds earned the strain its predatory name.

What does Great White Shark smell and taste like?

Great White Shark's dominant terpenes are Myrcene. The aroma is described as pungent skunk funk layered over earthy sweetness and tropical fruit. breaking buds open releases a sharp herbal-floral nose with undertones of citrus zest and damp soil. the super skunk ancestry brings an acrid edge that distinguishes it from the cleaner white widow profile.. The flavor profile features earthy and sweet on the inhale with herbal-skunky mid-tones and a fruity, slightly citrus exhale. some phenotypes express a tobacco-like spice on the finish. smoother than pure skunk lines due to the south indian indica influence..

What are the effects of Great White Shark?

Fast-hitting—effects are noticeable within 1–3 minutes. Begins as a warm cerebral rush with mild euphoria before the body effects take over. Strong full-body relaxation with a surprisingly clear-headed mental state. Deeply stoning without total couch-lock in moderate doses. Duration is typically long-lasting; 2–3 hours of peak effects with residual relaxation extending further.. Commonly reported uses include Chronic pain, Muscle spasms, Insomnia, Stress and anxiety.

How hard is Great White Shark to grow?

Great White Shark is rated easy to intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 8-9 weeks, reaches short-medium (90-120cm indoor) in height, and yields 500-800 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor, outdoor environments.

What are the parent strains of Great White Shark?

Great White Shark is a cross of Super Skunk and White Widow. Super Skunk: Skunk #1 backcrossed to an Afghan IBL for extra resin and density; contributes the acrid, skunky sweetness and heavy indica frame. White Widow (Brazilian Sativa x South Indian Indica): legendary 50/50 hybrid known for explosive trichome coverage and cerebral potency; contributes the frost, the South American fruit tones, and the mental clarity within the body stone..

What strains were bred from Great White Shark?

Great White Shark has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including CBD Shark, Shark Shock CBD, Euphoria, Hammer Shark, White Shark. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.

Has Great White Shark won any cannabis awards?

Yes. Great White Shark has received recognition including 2nd Place Bio — High Times Cannabis Cup 1997 (Greenhouse); 2nd Place Best Cannabis — High Times Cannabis Cup 1997 (Greenhouse); 1st Place Hydro Seedbanks — Highlife Cup 2005 (Green House Seeds).

Sources & References (22)

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