Clementine

Oh my darlin’, oh my darlin’, Clementine is a sativa-leaning hybrid with uniquely mellow effects.

Created by Crockett Family Farms, the same collective who gave us Chocolope, Clementine stimulates unconventional thinking, tempered out by a subtle body high. It is a potent combination of Tangie and Lemon Skunk that boasts citrus, pine, and diesel scents. A concentrated wax preparation of Clementine won the title of Second Best Sativa concentrate in the 2015 High Times Cannabis Cup. Cannabis testing lab Analytical 360 has measured samples of Clementine to have as much as 27% THC.

Clementine is distinguished by impressively large flowers that taper down from their bases into pointed, almost conical buds. The elongated flowers have a characteristically sativa bud structure, in which the thin and fluffy leaves cling loosely to their central stems. Leaves themselves are a yellowish-green and are threaded through with brown pistils. Cloudy, translucent trichomes give these buds a slightly white tint and make them very difficult to break up without the use of a grinder. When properly cured, flowers of Clementine have a sweet citrus aroma. Lemon and orange notes blend with the rich scent of pine. Breaking open or grinding the buds yields more of a diesel odor. Clementine burns with a smooth, lung-expanding smoke. On the exhale, this smoke leaves behind the faintly chemical taste of lemon-scented cleaning products. Although it doesn’t have much of a hashy, skunky smell, Clementine stills emits a certain  pungency when burnt; as such, smokers trying to remain discreet should take the necessary precautions.

Clementine’s high takes hold quickly, although it doesn’t have the cerebral intensity that comes with some other sativas. Rather, smokers may feel more perceptive and attuned to their surroundings. As they taper down from the peak of the high, smokers may also find themselves attaching their attention to abstract concepts and engaging in creative thinking and problem solving. Clementine also works with more mundane activities like running errands or cleaning the house. A slight sense of physical relaxation and decreased tension can pull users down to earth in the event that they’re overpowered by recursive, cerebral thinking. A classic wake-and-bake strain, Clementine may not be the best flower to smoke just before bedtime, as it can leave users alert or overstimulated.

Clementine can also offer some psychological benefits for medical cannabis patients. Its powerful mood enhancement may ease the symptoms of stress and depression, helping smokers to exercise their energy more mindfully and deliberately. Its clearheaded capacity for focus can also be helpful for those with attention deficit disorders. Because initial cerebral effects come about quickly, Clementine may not be a great choice for patients who are prone to panic or who have lower than average THC tolerance.

Clementine’s creators Crockett Family Farms have released seeds of the strain for commercial sale. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out, although successful outdoor cultivation calls for a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants can grow tall, especially during the flowering stage; growers should attempt to keep this height manageable through regular pruning and trimming. This strain has an unusually short flowering time for a sativa, at 8 to 9 weeks when grown indoors. Growers can expect Clementine to yield as much as 46 to 55 grams (or 1.6 to 1.9 ounces) of flower per square foot of plant. Just as this strain can be a pungent smoke, it can also be a very smelly grow — those growing indoors may want to invest in odor-control measures like carbon air filters or exhaust fans.

Grow should also properly cure their flowers to preserve Clementine’s unique citrus flavor. Curing involves first hanging buds upside down by the stem for about a week in conditions with 50% humidity and 70 degree temperatures. Once stems snap off of the flowers easily, buds can then be sealed in airtight jars in ambient humidity of 60-65% and a temperature of around 70 degrees. While they cure, the buds should be checked at least daily for a week for signs of mold.

With bold flavors and an enduring, thoughtful high, Clementine proves that that taste doesn’t have to come at the expense of psychoactivity. Enjoyable in both solo or social settings, Clementine is a great option for sativa fans who may be looking for something a little more mild than usual.