American Pie

American Pie is a balanced hybrid with a bold, dank aroma. Ironically enough, American Pie isn’t American at all — it was created by Barcelona-based Pyramid Seeds as a cross between White Widow and South African sativa Power Plant. This internationally-conceived strain bursts with flavor and offers a slightly sativa-leaning high that’s at home in all kinds of situations. American Pie’s THC content has been measured at between 18% and 20%

Flowers of American Pie are medium to large in size and have an almost conical structure, tapering down from a broad base into a pointy tip. These buds have an apparently blended internal structure, with the solid core more typical of indicas but with loose, fringed leaves that often come with sativa-dominant strains. The leaves themselves are a bright shade of lime green and are twisted through with brown and orange pistils. Crystalline white trichomes finish off these impressive flowers and make them sticky to the touch.

Inspecting American Pie’s cured flowers is apt to detect some sweet and slightly fruity aromas. A deeper whiff may pick up on a musky undertone as well, redolent of damp soil. Grinding up these solid buds, meanwhile, yields more of a spicy kick that can tickle the palate. When American Pie is combusted, it burns with a thick smoke that may smell somewhat harsh and acrid. On the exhale, this heavy smoke leaves a lingering earthy, pine-tinged flavor.

American Pie’s high hits quickly, surprising smokers with a sudden a pressure around the temples and forehead; some weird tics like flushed cheeks or an increase in salivation are also possible. One these sensations die down, though, users can detect a change in their patterns of thinking. Certain concepts (or even stationary objects) can seem to command a new intensity or fascination. Smokers who are immersed in conversation or surrounded by stimuli may also find their thoughts jumping around in a kind of unfettered free association. For some, American Pie can exercise changes in sensory perception, leading to trippy phenomena like visual and auditory distortions, mild hallucinations, or an ineffable sense of time dilation. While all this mental stimulation can facilitate extended work on detailed tasks, it can also simply be enjoyed as background entertainment while smokers go about an otherwise mundane agenda.

As this head high wears on, its physical components slowly begin to emerge. A tingle of relaxation may start to emanate throughout the body, relieving deep-seated tensions and allowing for deep, restorative breathing. Users who may have been active or out and about may find themselves rushing for the conveniences of home. Fortunately, American Pie’s initially cerebral mindset remains intact, allowing users to maintain lucid thoughts and conversations. This bud’s slow burn of sedation can gradually outstrip motivation, though, and is better suited to mellow activities like binge-watching. Because of its multi-phase high, American Pie is recommended for consumption later in the day or starting in early evening.

American Pie’s wide-ranging recreational properties can also have several benefits for medical cannabis patients. The mental stimulation that comes with its onset can help those with attention deficit disorders to execute one task at a time. Additionally, its uptick in mood may temporarily improve the difficult symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. American Pie can also soothe physical pain, whether minor and temporary or chronic, as due to conditions like fibromyalgia or COPD. Because its cerebral intensity can result in obsessive, recursive patterns of thinking, though, American Pie is not recommended for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.

Fortunately for enterprising home growers, seeds of American Pie are widely available for sale online. The strain can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor success depends on a semi-humid, Mediterranean-like climate. Perhaps due to their hardy South African landrace genes, American Pie’s plants can be rather tall and may require indoor gardeners to manage their height with occasional pruning. This strain flowers within 9 to 10 weeks when grown indoors and is ready for outdoor harvest in early to mid October. At maturity, it offers a high yield of up to 51 grams (or 1.8 ounces) of flower per square foot of greenery.

No matter where you’re from or where you’re toking, American Pie provides a relaxing high that’s right at home in all kinds of situations. It’s as fun to smoke alone as it is to share with some giddy, like-minded friends.