Jamaican Dream AA+

It’s hard to go wrong with a strong landrace backbone. Jamaican Dream relies on the potent sativas that grow in Jamaica’s highlands to deliver striking sativa effects. Although its exact genetic mix is not documented, this strain’s Spanish-based growers Eva Seeds tout its giddy energy and exceptionally short flowering time. Jamaican Dream’s potency has earned it top prizes in several European cannabis competitions.

Jamaican Dream impresses right off the bat, with large, well-formed flowers. These nuggets tend to hold various shapes, roughly spadelike in some cases but irregular and chunky in others. The buds have a structure that seems to be dense at its core but raged around the fringes, with leaves that spiral outward and cling loosely to their central stems. The leaves themselves are a pale sea green, although some phenotypes of the strain show off eye-catching patches of purple; these surprising hues appear when cold weather activates anthocyanin pigments during the growing process. Finally, a crown of crystalline white trichomes covers these flowers, making them both potent and very sticky.

A tropical citrus aroma dominates the top notes of Jamaican Dream’s scent, along with a distinct whiff of pineapple. On closer inspection, there are more mellow, woodsy notes as well. Pulling apart the buds, meanwhile, yields a slightly peppery kick. When combusted in a pipe or a joint, this strain burns with a smooth, light smoke that goes down easily. On the exhale, this smoke tastes both spicy and citrusy.

Perhaps unsurprising given its sativa background, Jamaican Dream strikes the user very quickly. The user may be struck by a shift in cognition, in which thoughts and ideas can take on a new intensity, drowning out any external conditions. This change in thinking is accompanied by some odd physical sensations, which can include anything from a flushing in the cheeks to a slight pressure around the jaw and temples. For the uninitiated, or for those prone to paranoia, this sort of mind race can become disorienting and unpleasant. In the right set and setting, though, Jamaican Dream provides the kind of sure in energy that some consumers need to accompany a day’s tasks — whether they consist of complicated, work-related responsibilities or mundane activities like house cleaning. Alternatively, this bud may loosen inhibitions, allowing for an unfettered creativity to take over. This is a useful property for those who are brainstorming or working on open-ended creative projects. Jamaican Dream’s effects can be so strong as to make some smokers feel jumpy or energetic. This animated state can be put to use with exercise or social interaction — or even sex if the mood is right. Even as this strain’s relatively long-lasting high wears on, physical effects tend to stay in the margins. As such, it isn’t very well-suited to kicking back and decompressing if you need relaxation more than motivation. Because of its mostly buzzy, wide-awake sensation, Jamaican Dream is best enjoyed during the daytime. It can even provide a powerful boost to your morning coffee.

Jamaican Dream’s mentally-activating effects can have many uses for medical cannabis patients as well. Its enduring sense of focus can help those with attention deficit disorders to concentrate on a single task. Its upbeat mood may also temporarily improve the symptoms of mild to moderate depression and stress. Physically, this strain’s anti-inflammatory properties may take care of minor irritations like headaches and nausea. Because its cerebral energy is so intense, though, Jamaican Dream is not recommended for those who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance.

Jamaican Dream is a great strain for connoisseurs to chase, as it uses some of the best hand-selected Jamaican landrace varieties available. Its vibrant daytime energy can be a great way to enhance a hiking trip.