Ray Charles

Named after the legendary jazz pianist and singer, Ray Charles is a bold indica with an undeniable pungency. This bud’s exact genetic background is not well documented, but it’s thought to be a pure indica and descended from an Afghani landrace. What’s clear is that this strain provides knockout relaxation and is best enjoyed as a soothing evening treat. Its THC content has been measures at between 15% and 21%.

Ray Charles stands out with large, well-formed flowers that cling together in formations that range from tapered and elongated to roughly spherical. These buds make their indica heritage clear with compact, closely-packed buds and small leaves. The leaves themselves are a dark shade of forest green and are threaded through with vibrant orange and rust-colored pistils. Finally, Ray Charles’ impressive flowers are crowned with a coat of icy white trichomes.

When properly cured, flowers of Ray Charles give off a sour-sweet funk, somewhat like compost or fertilizer. A second whiff reveals some astringent, almost chemical odors. Grinding up the buds gives off a rich, hashy aroma reminiscent of Afghani. When combusted in a pipe or a joint, Ray Charles releases a harsh smoke that may make the user cough or make their eyes water. This smoke has some lingering sweet diesel fumes on the exhale.

Even experienced cannabis consumers may be surprised by how slowly and subtly this bud creeps up. Several minutes after toking, users tend to feel a weightiness in the eyelids and extremities, as well as an increased blood pressure around the temples. Weird sensory phenomena are also reported, including a distortion of depth perception (especially when looking at phone or tablet screens) and a feeling of time moving more slowly. Those who are happy to revel in such psychedelic properties can enhance them with some atmospheric music (maybe some Ray Charles himself) or moody lighting. Ray Charles’ relaxing vibe is more than likely to have consumers heading for the closest comfortable surface where they can remain horizontal for the foreseeable future. This body high can be so potent as to make the smoker feel as if they’re floating or disconnected from different parts of their body. As time wears on, or as dosage is increased, Ray Charles can bring about couch-lock in its truest sense, making the afflicted both unable — and usually unwilling — to move or stand. All these immobilizing and calming properties can make the bud a great way to set the tone for a binge-watching session or an intimate gathering with some like-minded friends. Because of its sedative, almost narcotic vibe, this is one bud best enjoyed after dark — or on a day off when you’d like to sleep in or nap for as long as possible.

Ray Charles’ deeply relaxing properties can have several benefits for medical cannabis patients as well. It can temporarily relieve the harsh symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, or even PTSD. The strain’s body high can also numb physical pain, whether it’s due to injury or to chronic conditions like lupus or fibromyalgia. At the right dosage and in properly comfortable conditions, Ray Charles can even lull insomniacs into a deep and restful sleep. Because it’s not likely to bring about long bouts of recursive thinking, this strain is a good option for patients who are prone to panic or paranoia, or who have a low THC tolerance.

Seeds of this mellow strain are unfortunately not available for sale online. Instead, prospective growers should obtain clippings of mature plants in order to foster clones. It can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor growing calls for a semi-humid, Mediterranean-like climate. This strain’s plants are pure indica, with a short and bushy silhouette that has strong tendency for lateral branching. Ray Charles flowers within a brief 8 to 9 weeks.

Although hard to find, this super-sedative bud is a strain worth chasing. For a pleasant and irreverent kick, roll a joint of Ray Charles mixed with some of the more well-balanced Stevie Wonder.