Cali Gold

Cali Gold is an indica-dominant hybrid that explodes with flavor and potency. Originally from the Golden State, this bud is a cross between two relatively rare strains: Jah OG Kush (which also has roots in California) and DS Gold. Cali Gold is well-known for its ability to relax the user’s body and mind without entirely incapacitating them. This soothing strain’s THC content has been measured at between 16% and 21%.

Cali Gold’s flowers tend to be only small to medium in size, adhering in tight, almost spherical formations. The buds hold the dense structure one might expect of an indica variety, with its leaves curling tightly inward toward their central stems. The leaves themselves are a bright shade of spring green and are twisted through with orange and brown pistils. Finally, translucent amber trichomes cover these already-colorful buds, giving them the yellowish glow to which the strain’s name refers.

When properly cured, Cali Gold has a predominantly earthy smell that’s accented by some grassy, vegetal notes. There are also light and pleasant floral scents lurking underneath, brightening up the overall impression. Meanwhile, grinding up Cali Gold’s nuggets gives off the scent of rich and woodsy pine. When burnt in a pipe or a joint, the strain gives off a smooth and easily palatable smoke. This smoke tastes lemony with some hints of dank earth on the exhale.

Cali Gold takes effect quickly, considering its indica roots. Shortly after inhaling its pleasant herbal smoke, smokers are apt to experience some unusual cognitive effects, beginning with a change in sensory perception. Sights and sounds may take on a new intensity and dimension, while some pseudo-hallucinogenic effects like time dilation or warped depth perception are also possible. Soon after, smokers may also detect some slight uptick in the pace and complexity of their patterns of thought. Ideas may jump around in free association or may turn themselves over and over in the consumer’s mind. This kind of cerebral shift can be a good way to enhance productivity, whether the user is attempting to finish work-based tasks or to power through boring, time-consuming errands.

This strain’s physical effects take hold in almost equal measure, first relaxing the facial muscles and then pulverizing any lingering tension in the core and limbs. As time passes, these effects become more pronounced, weighing down eyelids and inspiring susceptible consumers to assume a horizontal position in the closest comfortable surroundings. Because of this propensity towards couchlock, Cali Gold is best enjoyed at night, when smokers can fully enjoy its descent into numbness and sedation.

Cali Gold’s downbeat properties can also prove useful to medical cannabis patients as well. It can relieve aches and pains, whether they’re temporary, as due to injury, or chronic, as due to conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis. The strain can also take the sting out of minor annoyances like headaches and indigestion. Psychologically speaking, Cali Gold’s calming nature can temporarily relieve the acute symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. At a high enough dosage, it’s also liable to lull insomniacs into a deep, fulfilling sleep. Because this bud is not known to induce a powerfully cerebral mindset with recursive patterns of thinking, it is a good option for patients who are prone to panic and paranoia, or who have a low tolerance for THC.

Seeds of Cali Gold do not appear to have been cultivated for commercial sale. As such, prospective growers must obtain clippings from mature, healthy plants of the strain in order to foster genetically identical clones. Cali Gold can be grown indoors or out, although success outdoors depends on a semi-humid climate similar to that of its native California, with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These crops tend to have an indica silhouette, growing short and bushy with wide lateral branches. Vigilant growers should be sure to regularly “top” their plants by cutting back any broad fan leaves that could block light and air from nurturing flowering nodes on lower branches. Cali Gold has a brief flowering time of about 8 to 9 weeks when grown indoors.

Cali Gold determines a new gold standard for soothing, well-balanced hybrids. If you bring this strain out in crowded social settings, be sure to bring enough to share, as its complex aroma is sure to attract some attention.