Last weekend in San Bernardino saw another epic battle between growers in the 2014 High Times Los Angeles Cannabis Cup. California’s best heirlooms, classic favorites, and new crossbred varieties fought head-to-head in their respective categories: indica, sativa, and hybrid. In case you weren’t there to witness the history, here are the strains that took this year’s bronze, silver and gold.
BEST SATIVAS
1st Place — Red Dragon from RCP Sacramento
Characteristics of Red Dragon:
- Cross between West Himalayan Kush and Utopia Haze
- Sweet, fruity aroma
- Induces euphoric, happy, and uplifting effects; good for social gatherings
- May effectively treat depression and stress disorders
- High THC may cause paranoia in anxiety-prone individuals
- Grows best indoors with a 8 to 10 week flowering time
2nd Place — Silver Haze from Gold Coast Collection
Characteristics of Silver Haze:
- Cross between Haze, Northern Lights, and Skunk
- Fruity, pine aroma
- Euphoric head and body effects; allows mental clarity
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor gardens; 8 to 10 week flowering time
3rd Place — Crystal Coma from Alpha Medic
Characteristics of Crystal Coma:
- Said to be a cross between Cheese and Skunk #1
- Heavy trance-like effects; relaxing mental calm
- THC content of up to 26%
- Good for nighttime treatment of stress disorders, pain, and sleeplessness
BEST INDICAS
1st Place — XXX OG from Life is Good Healing
Characteristics of XXX OG:
- Cross between OG Kush and XXX
- Earthy, pine, and lemon aroma
- Sedating and lethargic effects; heavy relaxation
- May effectively treat sleeplessness, severe nausea, and chronic pain
2nd Place — Veganic LA Confidential from Private Stock for Buds and Roses
Characteristics of LA Confidential:
- Cross between Afghani landrace and Southern California Afghani
- Sweet, earthy, pine aroma
- Cerebral euphoria and full-body relaxation
- Used by patients to treat acute pain and sleep disorders
3rd Place — Blackwater from Terrapin Terpene Collective
Characteristics of Blackwater:
- Hybrid of Mendo Purps and San Fernando Valley OG Kush
- Grape, lemon, and pine aroma
- Mellow cerebral experience that melts into a head-to-toe euphoric calm; may cause some mental cloudiness
- Patients have reported its success in treating pain, appetite loss, multiple sclerosis, and stress disorders
- Flowering time of 8 to 10 weeks
BEST HYBRIDS
1st Place — GG4 from Standard Seed Collective
Characteristics of GG4:
- Said to come from Chemsis, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel
- Chunky, conic, crystal-covered buds
- 56 to 60 day flowering time
2nd Place — Alpha OG from Alpha Medic
Characteristics of Alpha OG:
- OG Kush phenotype
- Pine aroma
- Consistently tests over 20% THC when grown optimally
- May treat sleep apnea, appetite and weight loss, nausea, and chronic pain
3rd Place — Redding OG from RCP Sacramento
Characteristics of Redding OG:
- Long-lasting and uplifting; energizing enough for social activities
- High THC content
- May help with sleeplessness, appetite loss, depression, and stress
photo credit: kevinthoule via photopincc
