Kimbo Kush

Kimbo Kush is a powerful indica-leaning hybrid that appeals to users with its fruity taste and its relaxing physical high. Named for the late Kimbo Slice, a larger than life mixed martial arts fighter and boxer, this strain was created by the prolific Exotic Genetix, the same breeders who gave us the tasty Cookies and Cream. Kimbo Kush is a cross between Blackberry Kush and indica heavy hitter Starfighter. It’s known to be a strong and spacey painkiller for cannabis novices and aficionados alike. Cannabis testing laboratory Analytical 360 has found flowers of Kimbo Kush to have between 15.5% and an impressive 27% THC content.

True to its namesake, Kimbo Kush has large, chunky buds that hold a relatively loose and fluffy bud structure for an indica-dominant strain. Its leaves are predominantly a pale spring green; some phenotypes show shades of purple. This latter color comes about during the growing process when unusually cold weather stimulates pigments (called anthocyanins) in the plant — the process is similar to the way foliage changes color in autumn. These colorful flowers are thickly coated in trichomes, giving the cured buds an icy sheen and making them very sticky to the touch. Deep and fruity notes of citrus and berry waft up from the flowers. There’s also a trace of dank earth, courtesy of grandparent strain OG Kush. When combusted, Kimbo Kush has a remarkably smooth smoke for an indica that tastes sour at first but carries a fruity flavor on the exhale. This particularly pungent strain has a lingering funk, and smokers looking to maintain discretion should take some precautions.

Kimbo Kush creeps up slowly, sometimes taking several minutes before hitting users with its thorough relaxation. Smokers may initially feel an increased heaviness in their head and limbs, inspiring them to sit down if they aren’t already doing so. Contended sluggishness follows: users may feel perfectly happy to stay put listening to music or watching TV. Although there may be some psychedelic effects like amplified sounds or time dilation, Kimbo Kush primarily acts on the body, leaving the mind pleasantly foggy. These almost narcotic effects may be as medically effective as they are recreationally entertaining. This strain has the ability to dull chronic aches and pains and to blunt the acute symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In large enough doses, it can even be a quick fix for stubborn insomnia. Kimbo Kush is suited to evening and bedtime use. Those consuming during the day should plan on lolling away a few unproductive hours. This is known to be a potent strain, even for experienced smokers; any users should wait a few minutes for the high to take hold before amping up their dosage.

Seeds of Kimbo Kush are available for purchase online from Exotic Genetix; prospective growers can also try and obtain clippings to grow as “clones,” although for the time being, this seems to be a difficult strain to come by. Kimbo Kush can be grown outdoors in climates with consistent daytime temperatures between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It may be more successful indoors, where growers can meticulously control temperature and humidity. As is typical of indica varieties, this strain’s plants grow squat and bushy, with broad leaves and strong lateral branches. Growers should be sure to trim any light-blocking fan leaves in order to let light and air reach the lower flowering nodes. Growers looking to increase their crop’s bag appeal should bring out this strain’s subtle purple accents by artificially “shocking” the plants, exposing them to cold temperatures just before flowering begins. Finally, Kimbo Kush is as pungent during the growing phase as it is when it’s smoked, so cultivators trying to keep their grow operations secret should install odor control measures like exhaust fans.

With a complex taste and a powerful, enduring high, Kimbo Kush is the perfect choice for some mellow alone time or for a low-key get together with familiar friends. Better enjoyed after dark than consumed as a wake-and-bake strain, it’s great for unwinding after a long day. This strain’s high concentrations of THC can deliver a knockout sedative punch that Kimbo Slice himself would be proud to claim as a legacy.