The term “skunk” is used all over to refer to recent, high-THC varieties of cannabis.
No, skunk weed has been around since the 80’s that I know of, though I’m sure it was around prior to my knowledge of it.
It refers to a particularly stinky weed. It reeks. In a very good way.
You know it as soon as you smoke it, because it doesn’t smell like any other weed, and it’s quite potent.
In terms of recent, high THC varieties, the only one I cam across that qualifies as skunk weed was what I referred to as California purple weed. Literally purple. I recall that it is generally Humboldt County outdo, as the brothers say. Just the smell of it alone will knock you out, you don’t ven need to smoke it. You can smell it from a mile away while it is not even being smoked and is in multiple plastics bags or even vacuum sealed.