GMO Cookies Strain Review (Spinach)

Let me tell you what it was like when I tried the GMO Cookies strain from Spinach.

First of all, the name had me confused for a few minutes. I mean, GMO? I couldn’t understand why they thought the phrase genetically modified organisms was an appealing name.

It turns out that GMO stands for Garlic, Mushroom, Onion, according to Spinach’s GMO Cookies page. Yes, go ahead. Laugh at me. It also goes by Garlic Cookies, so don’t be confused if you see it advertised as such. So, let me tell you how it went in this GMO Cookies strain review.

Legal note: This review is for adults 21+ where cannabis is legal. In the US, cannabis is still a Schedule I drug under federal law, except for FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana, which a 2026 Justice Department order moved to Schedule III. State laws differ.

I was looking for something to help me relax over the weekend because I’d had a long week at work running across the region. I had been away from home for a while, so it was a kind of welcome-back thing I was gifting myself. Whoa! It was good. Here are some specifics about my gift.

• Lineage: Deep Sour Kush x Girl Scout Cookies, per Spinach
• Type: Indica dominant
• Potency: High THC, very little CBD (levels vary by batch)
• Terpene Profile: Spinach lists caryophyllene, myrcene and humulene; varies by batch
• Packaging Details: ‍Packaged on 23/01/2023 Tested on 02/02/2023 (10 days later)
• Pricing Details: Purchased online for $17.95 for 3.5g ($5.12/gram), the price at the time of purchase

Appearance: 4/5

Fresh from the bag, it had an appealing fluffy, and airy appearance. The buds were bright green with some orange hairs, just the way I like my cannabis. However, the moisture level wasn’t all that, although I can’t say it was too dry.

Aroma: 4/5

It’s all in there: the garlic, mushrooms, and onions. When you pop that bag, the flavors race up your nostrils fast and furiously. But it wasn’t overpowering, and I smoked about half a gram on that first day. Or maybe it’s because I grew up loving garlicky food, so it didn’t taste out of place in cannabis. Well, anyway, I liked it.

Additionally, I’ve tried many Girl Scout Cookies strains, so I am used to indica-dominant strains.

Flavor: 4/5

Honestly, I found the quality top-notch for that price range. I am even thinking of trying some GMO Cookies edibles.

I also picked up a fuel-like, diesel note. Spinach describes the flavor as sweet and savory with a deep sour kush character. If you aren’t into garlic and onions, you might notice the diesel note first.

Effects: 5/5

When the high kicked in, it came in heavy and dense. It had me sluggish for a while, but the high didn’t last long enough to cause burnout.

Since I was looking for something to chill me out after a hard week, this one went deep and relieved tension. I relaxed a few minutes into smoking it.

Overall: 4/5

It’s a strain I can buy again to enjoy that relaxed feeling I experienced within minutes. Although I liked the garlic flavor, I wouldn’t say it is something I want to taste every other day. So, yes, I’d try this again, but on days when I feel a bit adventurous.

If you’re drawn to those garlicky-fuel terpene profiles, you might also enjoy reading our full review of the Khalifa Mints strain.

I’d recommend this strain to people with previous experience with such a high THC level. Also, if you haven’t tried a garlic-flavored strain, this one can be off-putting the first few days. But it has a good price range for an Indica-dominant strain.

Alternatives

• Tom Ford Island Pink Strain: Another high-THC strain with a strong diesel aroma, softened by some vanilla notes.
• Mendo Breath: Another high-THC option. The aroma is strong with an array of aromas like garlic and cheese. The only downside might be in the packaging, as the nugs aren’t fluffy, appealing balls. You might have to throw them into a blender first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GMO Cookies strain Indica or Sativa?

Spinach sells GMO Cookies as an indica. Keep in mind that indica and sativa labels don’t reliably predict a strain’s chemistry or effects.

What are the effects of GMO Cookies?

For me, GMO Cookies was strong enough that I’d only use it at night. It gave me a heavy high within minutes, so plan to stay in. Higher doses felt sedating.

Why are GMO Cookies so strong?

Spinach sells it as a high-THC strain, so it’s best for experienced adult users. THC levels vary by batch, so check the label on yours.

Sources

• GMO Cookies, Spinach (Cronos Group)
• Cannabis labelling is associated with genetic variation in terpene synthase genes, Nature Plants
• Department of Justice Eases Control of Medical Marijuana, Congressional Research Service