Sour Willie

Get your mind out of the gutter — Sour Willie is a sativa-dominant hybrid with mental effects sure to impress cannabis newcomers and veterans alike. A cross between perennial favorite Sour Diesel and Willie Nelson’s own eponymous hybrid, this bud comes with a bold citrus flavor as well as an animating, buzzy high. Sour Willie’s THC content has been measured at between 15% and an eye-popping 29%.

Sour Willie is marked by small to medium-sized flowers that chunky shapes, ranging from roughly spherical to rounded and bullet-like. These buds have a decidedly indica internal structure, with small, wide leaves that twist inward toward a dense core. The leaves themselves are a pale matcha green and are shot through with curly brown and orange pistils. Finally, crystalline white trichomes cover all visible nooks and crannies of these solid flowers.

When properly cured, flowers of Sour Willie carry a predominantly fruity, orange-inflected aroma. A second whiff of these flowers, meanwhile, may detect some trademark sour, skunky notes lurking underneath. Grinding up these buds, meanwhile, may reveal a more peppery, incense-like odor. When Sour Willie is combusted in a pipe or a joint, it burns with a heavy, acrid smoke that’s liable to tickle the palate and trigger a coughing fit. On the exhale, though, this sour smoke tastes more like sweet citrus.

Unsurprisingly, given its sativa genetics, Sour Willie doesn’t require much time before its effects take hold. Within a few minutes, the strain can exercise a mild headrush along with weird sensations like some twitching temples and cheekbones. Some consumers may also feel some stimulation of their salivary glands. Once these unfamiliar tics subside, smokers can tune into the strain’s cognitive changes. Users of Sour Willie may find that their internal monologues seem much louder than usual, or that their ideas have taken on a new intensity. For some, this cerebral mood can enable focus on detailed tasks or may help them find creative solutions to problem-solving scenarios. The strain may also provide inspiration for those working on more creative, open-ended projects. When shared in social situations, Sour Willie’s buzzy effects can translate into chattiness and friendly vibes.

Even as Sour Willie’s high wears on, users aren’t saddled with heavy physical effects. Instead, smokers may feel a surge of energy that can be used in the service of activities like moderate exercise or household chores. In the right set and setting — and with the right companion(s), of course — some may even find that Sour Willie can be a powerful aphrodisiac. Because of its persistent and energetic effects, Sour Willie is recommended for daytime (or even morning) consumption; if used before bed, it’s may keep smokers overly wired.

Sour Willie’s playful, energized high can even have some usefulness for medical cannabis patients. Its strong cerebral onset can allow those with attention deficit disorders to stay focused on a single task. Additionally, its elevated mood may distract from the difficult symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. On the physical end of the spectrum, Sour Willie may be an effective analgesic for all kinds of aches and pains, as well as an anti-inflammatory agent that can treat headaches, cramps, and the like. The bud’s ability to stoke hunger, meanwhile, can make it a great appetite enhancement for those dealing with diminished hunger due to digestive diseases or to treatment like chemotherapy. However, because it comes with a higher than average risk of recursive, obsessive thinking, Sour Willie is not recommended for patients who are prone to paranoia or panic.

Unfortunately for home growers, seeds of Sour Willie are not available for purchase online. Instead, the strain can be propagated from clippings, taken from mature, healthy plants. These “clones” can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor cultivation typically requires a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this a sativa-dominant variety, its indica-leaning flowers suggest that its plants grow short and bushy and may require occasional pruning of any large, light-blocking fan leaves. These indica buds also imply that crops reach the flowering stage within about 8 to 9 weeks.

A potent and social smoke, Sour Willie can be especially fun to share with friends. If you do break it out in public, though, bring enough to share, as this pungent bud is sure to turn some heads.