Raw Diesel

Not a strain for the faint of heart (or palate), Raw Diesel is a powerful and pungent hybrid. Created by G13 Labs, the purveyors of Gigabud, this well-balanced strain is a cross between local favorite NYC Diesel and G13 Haze. With serious bag appeal and a long-lasting high to back it up, it’s no wonder Raw Diesel if so popular. This strain’s THC content has been measured at between 13% and 19%.

This well-bred bud’s flowers tend to be larger in size, a long and tapered shape, somewhat like miniature cypress trees. They maintain a sativa-influenced bud structure, with fluffy-looking leaves that spiral loosely outward from their central stems. The leaves are a pale sea green and exist in almost equal proportion to dark brown hairs, which are actually botanical reproductive structures called pistils. Finally, a high volume of translucent white trichomes coats all visible surfaces of these large flowers, accounting for their very sticky texture.

On initial inspection, Raw Diesel passes on its unmistakable astringent aroma of gasoline. There are also some earthy base notes, suggestive of damp soil. Grinding up the flowers yields a spicy herbal scent often associated with grandparent strain Haze. When burned, Raw Diesel releases an acrid, stinging smoke that’s liable to sting the eyes or palate. On the exhale, this harsh smoke tastes like diesel fumes with some lingering sweet and sour funk.

Raw Diesel’s high zooms right into the user’s head, boosting blood flow to the temples and causing mild side effects like increased salivation and a flushing in the cheeks. What comes after is an uplifted mental state in which any earlier concerns are pushed to the side. Instead, consumers typically experience an uplift in their cerebral functioning, stopping to dwell on ideas or concepts that might otherwise interest them. The bud can also provoke a sped-up kind of “mindrace” in which thoughts flow from one to the next in bizarre associations. Raw Diesel’s tendency to amplify inner monologues can make it a useful social lubricant, helping conversation flow in party settings. While potent, this mental stimulation tends not to last very long, and those looking to take advantage of it by plowing through a to-do list should plan accordingly. After relatively little time, Raw Diesel’s vibe becomes less focused and slowly more relaxing. While it may not necessarily enable them to accomplish any complicated, analytical tasks, smokers may find that this cloudy, laid-back energy is a great way to enjoy some introspective solo time. As time passes or as dosage is increased, this strain’s palpable body high may progress into entrenched couch-lock, leaving consumers able to pull little more than a binge-watching (or eating) session. Because of its two-stage high, Raw Diesel is best enjoyed in the afternoon or evening, especially on a day when the smoker has no set agenda. Beware that if toked right before bed, this bud is liable to keep users wide awake.

Raw Diesel’s versatile properties also make it a good treatment for some medical cannabis patients. The bud’s focused, cerebral onset may be of use to those with attention deficit disorders, helping them to focus on a single task. Its mental uplift can also soothe the symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. Physiologically speaking, Raw Diesel’s subtle body high may dull aches and pains that are due to disease or injury, while its anti-inflammatory effects can take care of common irritations like indigestion. Because of its fast-paced, recursive patterns of thinking, Raw Diesel should be consumed with caution and in moderation by patients who are prone to paranoia or who have a low THC tolerance.

G13 Labs has made seeds of Raw Diesel available online. This hardy, resilient strain may be a good option for newcomers to cannabis cultivation. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out, although success outdoors calls for a hot and semi-humid climate. Plants tend to grow short and bushy and provide gardeners with a medium yield at harvest time.

Raw Diesel makes for a good middle-of-the-road smoke for those who don’t want to be totally overwhelmed by cerebral sativa effects. If you’re enjoying it in public, beware that its trademark pungency may just attract some unwanted attention.