Are Lamb’s Breath and Lamb’s Bread the Same?

For years, cannabis enthusiasts have debated whether Lamb’s Breath and Lamb’s Bread are merely two names for the same strain. Both are often described as iconic landrace sativas with deep roots in Jamaican cannabis culture. However, insights from Steve Lamb’s book, The Smuggler’s Ghost, challenge this narrative, shedding light on their possible differences.

Steve Lamb’s Smuggling Legacy

Steve Lamb, a teenage smuggler from St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, gained fame for being the first to import Jamaican ganja into the United States. According to his book, the cannabis he initially brought over was the native Jamaican sativa known as Lamb’s Breath. These early shipments were rich in seeds, as Jamaican farmers traditionally did not remove male plants before flowering.

To improve quality, Lamb worked with local farmers, teaching them to identify and remove male plants early in the growth cycle. He also introduced indica seeds to Jamaica, encouraging cross-pollination between the native Lamb’s Breath sativa and indica strains. This collaboration, he claims, led to the creation of a new strain—Lamb’s Bread, named for its dense, loaf-like buds.

Characteristics of Lamb’s Breath and Lamb’s Bread

Plants from original Lamb’s Breath seeds often exhibit classic sativa traits, including:

• Narrow leaves and red stems
• Long spacing between nodes
• High vigor and disease resistance
• Sweet, sticky floral scents
• Energizing and euphoric effects

In contrast, plants with indica genetics introduced during Lamb’s breeding program may show:

• Shorter stature and wider leaves
• Frosty buds with dank, skunky scents
• Energizing effects without sedative “couch lock”

Both variants are highly valued for their rich cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

Legacy of Bob Marley and Lamb’s Breath

Bob Marley famously praised Lamb’s Breath as his favorite strain. Was he referring to the pure sativa Lamb’s Breath, or the hybrid Lamb’s Bread? The distinction may not matter to some, but it raises intriguing questions about the evolution of cannabis strains and their cultural significance.