Romulan: The Legendary Strain Every Budtender Should Know

• Where’d She Come From?
• The Cultivator
• Times ‘Strain’ on the ‘Effect’
• The Inception
• Why Should Budtenders Know This?
• Index of Key Cannabis Terms

Where’d She Come From?

Romulan, a cornerstone strain in cannabis breeding, has murky origins like many legacy strains. It is widely believed that Romulan gained its strength from its presence in British Columbia (BC) and was initially popularized by returning GIs after the Korean War. Veterans seeking relief from war-induced trauma found solace in cannabis, and Romulan became a treasured cultivar in their communities.

The Cultivator

The original breeder of Romulan remains unknown, though many attribute its rise to the influence of Korean War veterans in British Columbia. Some believe that a small group of these veterans began cultivating Romulan, stabilizing its genetics and popularizing it in the underground cannabis scene of the 1960s and ’70s.

Romulan’s genetics, believed to be indica-dominant, have created numerous modern hybrids that have inherited its distinct potency and rich cannabinoid profile.

Times Strain on the Effect

The original Romulan is known for its distinct aroma, flavor, and effects. While its pungent, earthy, and piney aroma remains a staple, genetic drift and cultivation techniques have slightly altered its character over time.

Moreover, through the utilization of breeding and cloning capacities, many growers have strengthened the plant’s resilience, boosting its viability and immune response.

Over time, that genetic drift has resulted in iterationa and variations of the original strain. It should be noted that one may find it difficult to describe the specific aroma, flavor, and smoke Romulan makes to a person who hasn’t ever experienced it prior to the period 2000-2007.

Modern iterations still feature its signature earthy, piney scent and potent effects, but contemporary cultivation techniques have altered its overall expression. Shes just ever so different from modern iterations.

Growers have adapted the strain for increased resilience, enhancing its immune response and making it more viable in both commercial and non-commercial grows. Romulan remains a potent hybrid loved by many for its sedative, body-relaxing qualities. The science is still developing, but we believe Romulan produces elevated levels of the terpene called Myrcene

Myrcene is known for its dankity and affectation, yanking smokers into a whirlwind of sedation and analgesia. Just another point to Romulan’s legacy.



The Inception

Initially, Romulan was sold as regular seed, which allowed for rich genetic diversity and the ability for breeders to develop new strains through traditional selection.

However, by the 1980s, demand for Romulan seeds unsurprisigly skyrocketed, and they became increasingly scarce. To ensure ease of cultivation, stabilization, and preservation of the lineage, feminized seeds and clone-only variants became more common.

While we recognize that there are positives and negatives associated with regular, feminized, and Clone-only methods, we want to go on record clearly: at BTE, we are regular seed fans because we arent looking for mass production and we love this plant as unadulterated as it can get. We feel that feminization has led to long term genetic drift, increased hermi occurrences, and some alteration to strain characteristics.

Despite its evolution into feminized and clone-only forms, many veteran growers still value the original regular seeds for their genetic stability and robustness, indeed making Romulan a challenging but rewarding plant to grow.



Why Should Budtenders Know This?

Romulan isn’t just any legacy strain. It is a foundational strain that has given rise to a variety of modern cultivars. Budtenders should be well-versed in Romulan’s genetics, as many popular strains today are either direct descendants or hybrids with Romulan in their lineage. Understanding this strain’s history and genetic influence allows budtenders to make informed recommendations to customers who seek specific effects or potency levels.



Additionally, Romulan’s consistent effects—deep relaxation, pain relief, and sleep support—make it a go-to strain for medical patients. Knowledge of its widespread use in modern cultivars also enables budtenders to explain why certain strains carry similar profiles, even when marketed under different names.

The Intra vs. Extra-Korean-Canadian Debate

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As previously stated, the exact origins of Romulan remain debated. At present, there are two primary competing theories for Romulans origins: the Intra-Korean-Canadian Origin Theory (IKCO) and the Extra-Korean-Canadian Origin Theory (EKCO). In a nutshell, both theories revolve around the Korean War & Romulan’s stabilization in British Columbia, Canada.

The IKCO

According to the Intra-Korean-Canadian Origin theory, Romulan was bred by Federation Seeds in British Columbia after the Korean War, stabilizing through Afghani landraces. This theory claims Romulan is an indica-dominant strain.

The EKCO

The Extra-Korean-Canadian theory suggests Romulan existed before it was popularized in BC, potentially tracing back to Southeast Asia or Colombia. This theory positions Romulan as a hybrid with sativa influences.

While the truth remains uncertain, these competing origin stories add to the mystique of Romulan and underscore its global influence on cannabis breeding.

Rom: A Juggernaut Original

So how did Romulan obtain such global supremacy? Simple: By being epic! Anyone who recalls, or even hears about her potency and effects will surely agree that Romulan’s stupifying, heavy, and strong effects are almost unmatched across the spectrum; and for sure across the Indica market. Her derivatives stretch into all segments of the legal marketplace, from flower to concentrates, and vape pods.

In order to appreciate how good Romulan really is, we asked one of the biggest and most well-respected figures in the industry, Mr. Kevin Jodrey, Founder of Wonderland Nursery & Ganjier® Sommelier. Heres what he had to say about Romulan:




[Romulan is] So strong it puts a dent in your head like the Romulans from Star Trek had. Once I heard that, I knew I had to try it, and it didn’t disappoint at all. One of the true legends that could still stand with any of today. Similar to skunk 1 in its parentage, Romulan’s piney, hashy, narcotic, day-killer, appetite-increasing demon of Canada has indeed built a reputation that still lives on today

When a world-renown cannabis guru like Mr. Jodrey goes on record with that testimonial for Romulan, its all you need to know. Some of the biggest and most talented names we know and love in this industry-family have been trained, mentored, and led by Jodrey in his Ganjier® program in the Emerald Triangle.

Jodrey’s allusion to Star Trek is a big part of the history snd development of Romulan.

According to Federation Seed Co and growers of the Original BC Romulan, this strain got its name from the popular TV series Star Trek which first aired in the late 1960s. While there is some debate on this topic, there are strong connections between the strain and the show.

The Star Trek Connection: Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before


In the series, a group of humanoid creatures called Romulans were distinct from humans in that they possessed ridges on their heads, creating a V-shaped area on the forehead.



Romulan Mythology

It was a writer named Paul Schneider created the Romulans as a futuristic extension of ancient Roman civilization, naming their homeworlds after the mythical founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. The Romulans were a warlike species, just like Rome when it made the Mediterranean its personal lake..

Schneider aimed to develop a Romanesque set of antagonists worthy of the gallant Captain Kirk, and the concept proved quite successful. D.C. Fontana another writer, suggested that Schneider’s use of Roman themes led to his limited recognition for creating the Romulans.

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who had a personal interest in ancient Rome, approved of the Romulans’ militaristic characteristics, which aligned with Schneider’s depiction. Initially, however, Roddenberry had envisioned the Romulans as a representation of 1960s’ Chinese Communists.

Roddenberry was not unique in this regard. George Lucas, native of @budtenderjacks territory, Modesto, Ca, and creator of Star Wars modeled his Empire on Nazi Germany.

So, What Can We Say?

There is much to be said of Romulan, and all the Legacy Strains. A truely original strain, Romulans legacy still lives on to this day, unbeknownst to its own fans. Combining superior genetics with well-offered human intervention. With finesse and character, immersion and solace, Romulan is a pioneer, the archerype of good bud, and of course, effects that boldly go where no one has gone before!

Index of Key Cannabis Terms

• Cultivar: A plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding.
• Chemovar: A chemically distinct entity within a species that varies in its cannabinoid and terpene profile.
• Strain: A term often used interchangeably with cultivar, referring to a cannabis variety with specific characteristics.
• Genotype: The genetic constitution of a plant, which determines its potential traits.
• Phenotype: The observable characteristics of a plant, such as its appearance, aroma, and effects, which result from the interaction between its genotype and environment.