Thin Mints Strain

Thin Mints Strain: The Thin Mint Cut of Girl Scout Cookies

The Thin Mints strain — properly Thin Mint GSC, also sold as Thin Mint Cookies — is not a separate cross. It is one specific, named selection of GSC (Girl Scout Cookies), the OG Kush × Durban Poison hybrid that launched the whole cookie family. Leafly calls it "one of the main sub-types of the legendary GSC strain," and a Cannabis Now interview with Sherbinski describes Jigga's Thin Mint Cookies as "unquestionably the original Cookies strain." It smells like sweet mint over cookie dough, starts with a euphoric head lift, and settles into a tingly, relaxed body. It sits in the mints-and-dessert corner of our THCA flower collection.

That relationship is the key to understanding it. Our GSC encyclopedia entry covers the Girl Scout Cookies family as a whole; this page is about the Thin Mint cut specifically — what makes it different, why it became the go-to Cookies clone for breeders, and how it fathered Gelato. Below: genetics and where sources disagree, terpenes, flavor, effects, potency, comparisons with its relatives, how to use it, how to grow it, and how to judge a bag.

Thin Mints Strain Genetics & Lineage

• What it is: A phenotype — one plant selected from GSC seed and kept alive as clones. Every true Thin Mint is a cutting of that selection; seed versions are reproductions.
• Type: Hybrid, with no consensus on the lean. Leafly says hybrid, SeedFinder "mostly indica," Vivosun indica-dominant, and AllBud 50/50. Elev8 Seeds sums up the contradiction well: slightly indica-dominant on paper, slightly sativa in feel.
• Ancestry: OG Kush × Durban Poison. Leafly lists the parents as OG Kush and "F1 Durb"; SeedFinder lists them, marked "probably," as a South Florida OG Kush × F1 Durban.
• Credited to: Jigga, the San Francisco breeder Leafly credits with GSC. Cookie Fam and Berner are often named alongside him in the Cookies story, but we found no primary source tying them specifically to the Thin Mint selection.
• THC: Leafly 20%; growers-notebook 18%; AllBud 20–28%; Vivosun 20–28%.
• CBD: Negligible. Leafly lists about 1% CBG.
• Aliases: Thin Mint, Thin Mint GSC, Thin Mint Cookies, Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.

Thin Mint vs GSC: is it the same strain?

Yes and no. Genetically, Thin Mint is Girl Scout Cookies — same parents, same seed lot. But "GSC" on a menu can mean any of several cuts, and they don't all smell or hit the same. Leafly names two variations, "Thin Mint (aka Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies)" and "Platinum GSC," and Forum Cut is another GSC clone you'll see on menus. Thin Mint is the one breeders reached for most, which is why its name shows up in so many lineages. Think of GSC as the family name and Thin Mint as one sibling with its own personality: mintier, more menthol, and — according to Cannabis Now — the original.

Where the sources disagree

• The OG parent: most sources simply say OG Kush; SeedFinder specifies a South Florida OG Kush and marks the whole tree "probably."
• A Cherry Pie theory: SeedFinder quotes an unverified social-media claim that the original Cookies was a Cherry Pie / Cherry Kush hybrid, and notes that others reject it. Treat it as folklore unless better evidence appears.
• One strain or two? AllBud keeps separate "Thin Mint" and "Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies" pages and warns not to confuse them, yet both describe a GSC phenotype from OG Kush and Durban Poison. Leafly treats the names as aliases, and so do we.

The Gelato connection

Thin Mint's biggest legacy is its children. In the Cannabis Now interview with Sherbinski, he explains that he and Jigga crossed Sunset Sherbert with Thin Mint Cookies, "the Cookies pollinating the Sherbert and vice versa," started with about 200 seeds and kept 25 phenotypes — numbered by pot, which is where Gelato 33 and Gelato 41 come from. Leafly also lists Gorilla Cookies and Lava Cake as Thin Mint children, and Blueberry Cookies uses it too.

Thin Mints Terpene Profile

Leafly lists caryophyllene as Thin Mint's dominant terpene, followed by limonene and linalool; Vivosun adds myrcene. That caryophyllene lead is classic GSC. Caryophyllene is also unusual among terpenes — a 2008 PNAS study identified beta-caryophyllene as a "dietary cannabinoid" that binds CB2 receptors.

• Caryophyllene: Peppery and spicy — the warm, doughy base under the mint, and the only common terpene known to act directly on CB2 receptors.
• Limonene: A bright, sweet lift that keeps the nose from reading as pure earth, and a driver of the euphoric onset.
• Linalool: Floral and soft; it helps give Thin Mint its cool, smooth edge and its calm finish.
• Myrcene: Earthy and musky — the relaxed body floor that deepens with dose.

Why does it taste like mint? No single terpene explains it. Leafly tags the flavor "mint, menthol, sweet," but menthol isn't a typical cannabis terpene — the cool impression comes from the whole blend, with caryophyllene's spice and linalool's floral softness against the sweetness. Growers on SeedFinder add a twist: young plants smell like "lemon pledge," and the aroma shifts as the flowers mature.

Appearance

Thin Mint looks like the cookie family at its best: dense, medium-sized buds in dark forest green streaked with royal purple, threaded with orange pistils and buried under a heavy coat of white crystals. Leafly and the Elev8 seed listing both describe dark green and purple hues under "a heavy coat of crystals"; AllBud reviewers add white frost and orange-brown hairs. Purple expression is strongest when night temperatures drop late in flower.

Aroma and Flavor

Open the jar and you get sweet mint first — cool, almost menthol — then cookie dough, earth and a peppery, nutty spice underneath. Break a bud and the spice and kush notes get louder; AllBud reviewers mention chemical, kush and even grapefruit hints. On the inhale it's sweet and minty; on the exhale it's earthy, herbal and spicy, with a lingering cool finish. Vivosun and some reviewers describe a chocolate-mint, Girl Scout cookie impression — hence the name. Compared with generic GSC, Thin Mint is the mintier, more menthol-forward cut.

Recreational Effects

Thin Mint hits fast with a euphoric, happy head change, then spreads into a tingly, relaxed body. On Leafly, with nearly 900 ratings averaging 4.6 stars, the top reported effects are:

• Relaxed: the most-reported effect — a calm that builds steadily.
• Tingly: a body buzz many reviewers notice first.
• Euphoric: a strong mood lift in the first half hour.
• Happy, creative and focused: AllBud adds these, especially early in the session.
• Hungry: AllBud notes strong appetite, a GSC trademark.

How the high unfolds: onset, peak and duration

• First 5 minutes: a quick head change — mood lifts, focus sharpens.
• 15–60 minutes: the peak — euphoric and chatty up top, tingly and loose in the body.
• 1–3 hours: the body takes over; at higher doses it gets heavy and sleepy. AllBud reviewers warn it can "creep."

Small doses work in the late afternoon; larger ones are an evening strain. Leafly's own description is blunt: its psychoactivity is not suited to novice consumers.

→ Experience it yourself — shop Diesel Hemp's THCA Flower

How Strong Is Thin Mints? THC and Potency

Thin Mint is a potent, classic-era strain rather than a modern 30%+ record chaser. Here's what the main databases list:

• Leafly: 20% THC, about 1% CBG.
• growers-notebook: 18% THC.
• AllBud: 20–28% on its Thin Mint page (one reviewer reports a 29% crop test); 24% in one test on its Thin Mint GSC page.
• Vivosun: 20–27% on one guide, 20–28% on another.

So expect the high teens to high 20s, with grower and cure mattering more than the name. That's still strong enough that every source warns beginners off.

Awards

Thin Mint has real Cup history. According to High Times' official 2014 Seattle results, "Thin Mint Cookies" from Gold Coast Collection took 3rd place for Best U.S. Hybrid at the 2014 U.S. Cannabis Cup in Seattle. GSC as a family has won more — but that podium belongs to the Thin Mint cut by name.

THCA flower is labeled differently from dispensary flower: the lab reports THCA, which converts to THC when heated, plus a small amount of delta-9 THC. When you compare a batch of Thin Mints against the 18–28% range above, compare total THC on the COA, not the headline number — our guide on how to read a THCA flower COA walks through the math.

Thin Mints vs Similar Strains

• vs GSC (Girl Scout Cookies): the family name. Thin Mint is one cut of it — mintier and more menthol than a generic GSC jar, with the same euphoric-then-heavy arc. If a menu just says "GSC," ask which cut.
• vs Platinum GSC and Forum Cut: other named GSC clones. Leafly lists Platinum GSC as a separate variation; we found no reliable side-by-side data, so judge them by nose and COA.
• vs Gelato: Thin Mint's most famous child, crossed with Sunset Sherbert. Gelato is sweeter and fruitier, with sherbet berry over the cookie base.
• vs Mint Chocolate Chip: a mint-and-cocoa descendant (some sources give Thin Mint GSC as its mother). Similar cool mint, more chocolate, heavier body.
• vs Kush Mints and Animal Mints: a separate, newer mints branch of the cookie tree. Gassier and more vanilla than Thin Mint. Our Straw Gua Mintz is a Kush Mints cross — the closest mints-family flower on our shelf, though fruitier and brighter than Thin Mint.
• vs Gorilla Cookies: Thin Mint GSC crossed with GG4 — louder, gassier and heavier.

Who Thin Mints Is (and Isn't) For

Good fit: experienced smokers who want a flavorful, classic cookie strain; evenings, unwinding, food and a good movie; anyone curious where Gelato came from.

Poor fit: beginners, anyone prone to THC anxiety, or someone who needs to stay sharp for hours. For a cookie-family body with more gas, Mule Fuel (GMO Cookies × Lurch — GMO itself descends from GSC) is the heavier option on our shelf.

How to Use Thin Mints THCA Flower — and How Much

THCA has to be heated to do anything. Raw, it isn't intoxicating; heat converts it to THC (decarboxylation), which is why the method matters as much as the strain.

• Smoking (joint, pipe, bong): the fastest onset. Take one or two small hits, then wait 10–15 minutes before deciding on more.
• Dry-herb vaporizer: the best way to taste the mint. Around 340–370°F keeps the cool, sweet top notes; 385–405°F brings out the spice and cookie-dough weight.
• Pre-rolls: the no-prep option — see our THCA pre-rolls.
• Homemade edibles: decarb the flower first. Edibles take 30–120 minutes to kick in and last far longer, so start low and wait the full two hours.

How much? New or occasional users: one small puff, then wait 15–30 minutes — reviewers say it creeps. Regular users usually find two or three hits delivers the full arc. You can always add more; you can't take it back.

Medicinal Benefits

These are uses consumers report on Leafly and other databases, not established clinical outcomes. Individual response varies with dose, tolerance and chemotype.

• Stress: the most-cited reason on Leafly (about 33% of reviewers).
• Low mood: about 29% — consistent with the euphoric onset.
• Anxiety: about 28% report help, though "anxious" is also among its top negatives, so dose matters.
• Appetite and sleep: AllBud and Leafly's description mention low appetite and insomnia — the heavy, hungry back half of the high.
• Aches and tension: Leafly's description notes use for pain and swelling.

For a plain-language primer on how terpenes are thought to shape these effects, see Project CBD on terpenes. Nothing here is medical advice, and nothing on this page is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you take prescription medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor before using any cannabis product.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Dry mouth — Leafly's top negative; AllBud adds dry or watery eyes.
• Anxiety — reported especially at high doses or low tolerance.
• Dizziness — Leafly's third most-reported negative.
• Heavy sedation — one AllBud reviewer warns of a body "coma" if you overdo it.

Is Thin Mints good for sleep? At higher doses, often — the body side gets heavy. At low doses it's more euphoric than sleepy. Don't drive after using it, and talk to your doctor first if you take prescription medication, are pregnant or nursing, or have a heart condition.

Is It Real Thin Mint? How to Judge a Good Bag

• Ask about the cut. "Thin Mint GSC" should mean the clone. Seed-grown "Thin Mint" (S1s and backcrosses) can vary a lot.
• Don't trust the label alone. "Thin Mintz" pre-rolls and infused brands, or crosses like Thin Mint × Jealousy, aren't the same thing.
• A current third-party COA naming the lab, with THCA, delta-9 and total THC. Ours are on the lab results page.
• Mint on the nose. A real Thin Mint should smell sweet and minty over dough and spice — not just earthy.
• Dense, frosty, purple-streaked buds with a proper cure — hay or grass smell means it was rushed.

Growing Thin Mints

True Thin Mint is a clone-only cut — SeedFinder lists it under "Clone Only Strains" — so most home growers start from feminized seed lines such as Elev8's "Thin Mint GSC (f.k.a. Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies)." Expect some variation from seed.

• Flowering: about 8–10 weeks indoors (SeedFinder around 67 days; Elev8 9 weeks; Vivosun 8–10).
• Yield: modest. SeedFinder calls it "not a big yielder, but strong and tasty"; Vivosun estimates 400–500 g/m² indoors and up to about 600 g per plant outdoors.
• Training: Leafly says it does well as a multi-branched plant or in sea of green, with moderate feeding. Topping and low-stress training help.
• Climate: 70–80°F with moderate humidity indoors (Vivosun); a late-flower night-temperature drop brings out the purple.
• Outdoors: harvest in October in the Northern Hemisphere.

Is Thin Mints THCA Flower Legal?

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is federally legal when it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis — see the USDA hemp program. THCA flower is sold under that rule. State laws differ and are changing, so check your state before you order. And whatever the label says, THCA flower will show up on a drug test — heated, it is THC.

Shop Premium Flower at Diesel Hemp

• Straw Gua Mintz THCA Flower — our closest mints-family match — a Kush Mints cross with a cool, frosty exhale, fruitier and brighter than Thin Mint.
• THCA Flower — the full lineup, grown in Colorado by Diesel Hemp and partner farms.
• THCA Pre-Rolls — the same flower, pre-rolled.
• THCA Small Buds — same genetics, smaller nugs, better price per gram.
• What THCA flower actually is — the encyclopedia explainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thin Mints strain indica or sativa?

Thin Mints is a hybrid with no consensus on the lean. Leafly calls it a hybrid, SeedFinder 'mostly indica,' Vivosun indica-dominant and AllBud 50/50. In practice it opens euphoric and finishes relaxed.

Is Thin Mint the same as GSC?

Thin Mint is one specific phenotype — a clone selection — of GSC (Girl Scout Cookies), from the same OG Kush × Durban Poison seed. Leafly calls it one of GSC's main sub-types, and Cannabis Now quotes it as the original Cookies cut. It's mintier than a generic GSC jar.

Is Thin Mints the same as Thin Mint Cookies or Thin Mint GSC?

Yes. Thin Mint, Thin Mints, Thin Mint GSC, Thin Mint Cookies and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies all refer to the same GSC cut. Branded products like 'Thin Mintz' pre-rolls or Thin Mint × Jealousy crosses are different things.

What are the parents of Thin Mints?

OG Kush × Durban Poison — the same parents as GSC. SeedFinder lists them, marked 'probably,' as a South Florida OG Kush × F1 Durban.

Who bred Thin Mint GSC?

Leafly credits GSC to Jigga, a San Francisco breeder, and Cannabis Now describes Jigga's Thin Mint Cookies as the original Cookies strain.

How strong is Thin Mints?

Leafly lists 20% THC; other sources range from 18% to 28%, with one reviewer-reported test at 29%. It's potent enough that every database warns beginners off.

What does Thin Mints taste like?

Sweet mint and menthol up front, cookie dough in the middle, and an earthy, nutty, peppery finish. Some reviewers also note chocolate-mint and chemical hints.

Did Thin Mint win any awards?

Yes. Thin Mint Cookies from Gold Coast Collection placed 3rd for Best U.S. Hybrid at the 2014 High Times Cannabis Cup in Seattle, per High Times' official results.

What strains come from Thin Mint?

Most famously Gelato (Sunset Sherbert × Thin Mint Cookies), including Gelato 33 and Gelato 41. Leafly also lists Gorilla Cookies and Lava Cake as children, and Blueberry Cookies uses Thin Mint GSC too.

Is Thin Mints good for sleep?

At higher doses, often — the body side turns heavy and sleepy. At low doses it's more euphoric and relaxed than sedating.

Is Thin Mints good for anxiety?

It's mixed. About 28% of Leafly reviewers say it helps with anxiety, but 'anxious' is also one of its top negatives. Low doses are the safer approach.

How long does Thin Mints take to flower?

About 8–10 weeks indoors — SeedFinder lists around 67 days and Elev8 9 weeks — with outdoor harvests in October.

Where can I buy Thin Mints THCA flower online?

Thin Mints isn't in the Diesel Hemp shop right now. The closest mints-family match is Straw Gua Mintz THCA Flower — a Kush Mints cross with a cool, frosty finish, though fruitier and brighter than Thin Mint, from $29. For a heavier cookie-family body, try Mule Fuel, from $65. Both are third-party lab tested, with free shipping over $75.

Related Strains

• Key Lime Pie — OG Kush × Durban Poison.
• GSC (Girl Scout Cookies) — the family Thin Mint was selected from.
• OG Kush — the OG parent behind the cookie body.
• Durban Poison — the sativa landrace parent behind the euphoric lift.
• Gelato — Sunset Sherbert × Thin Mint Cookies — its most famous child.
• Gelato 33 — the Larry Bird pheno of the Thin Mint × Sherbert cross.
• Gorilla Cookies — GG4 × Thin Mint GSC — louder and gassier.
• Lava Cake — Thin Mint GSC × Grape Pie — a sedating dessert child.
• Mint Chocolate Chip — a mint-and-cocoa cookie descendant.
• Kush Mints — the newer mints branch behind our Straw Gua Mintz.
• Platinum Cookies — the frosty Platinum cut of GSC, a 2013 Cannabis Cup winner.
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