Weed Coast: This Marijuana Strain Will Have You California Dreamin’

“Maybe I am still riding on the high of patchouli oil, palm trees and Melrose Ave., but something about this weed was remarkably reminiscent of my time in Cali.”

If California could be summed up in a strain, it would be Blue Dream. Lucky for us Vancouverites, local dispensaries seem to be well-stocked as of late.

This sativa-dominant hybrid hovered around the top of “must-try” list for a while and after falling in love with L.A. over Christmas, it seemed a fitting time to end the wait. As if I placed an order with the universe itself, I stumbled across a new batch on the shelves of Weeds only a few days after touching back down from vacation.

Hailing from the Golden State, this strain is a top-notch hybrid, highlighting the best qualities of two already fantastic flowers. It marries Blueberry (a legendary indica) with the Haze sativa for a knockout mental and physical combo. While Haze brings a classic high-energy euphoria to the table, Blueberry adds an incredible flavour and aroma, all while anchoring the high to a tranquil relaxation. In the past, I have found Haze, or some Haze hybrids, to be overpoweringly energetic, even anxiety-inducing at times. Pairing Blueberry as a dancing partner, however, seems to eliminate those negative side effects and just leave enough room for the sativa’s powerfully cerebral qualities.

Admittedly, I was a little disappointed when the budtender handed me a gram of green weed. Somewhere in my pot-drenched fantasyland I had envisioned a strain named “Blue Dream” to don a turquoise hue and come in cumulus cloud-like shapes. Alas, the bud is fairly standard in appearance—light green and dense, with rusty-red hairs. When I cracked open the baggie, however, I felt slightly vindicated when greeted by a pleasant waft of blueberry sweetness. If anything, just snag an opportunity to indulge in a sniff the next time you see this strain on your dispensary’s shelves.

Lighting up just before embarking on a semi-tedious walk (too short to cab, too long to enjoy) to a local brewery, I noticed immediately that the first level of Blue Dream’s high delivers a dramatic spike in energy. Before I knew what hit me, I was power-walking my way through dreary North Vancouver, imagining I was back on the boardwalks in Venice Beach. I arrived at Deep Cove Brewery, slightly sweaty but unfazed by the Jane-Fonda-esque workout I had just managed to complete. You won’t have to wait long before your high evolves into the next stage of stoned either. Shortly after sitting down, I began to develop some noticeable psychedelic enhancements. Colours appeared more vibrant and the conversational murmurs surrounding me melted into one chorus of white noise. None of this struck me as alarming, however, as I seemed to have an unending supply of what I can only describe as “chill.”

Before I knew what hit me, I was power-walking my way through dreary North Vancouver, imagining I was back on the boardwalks in Venice Beach.

Once the burst of energetic euphoria was spent, the high wound down into a numb, warm sleep inducer. I don’t medicate for chronic pain, but any body aches or discomfort melted into a soft, warm, glowy body high. Internet chatter boasts Blue Dream as one of the top strains for pain relief, but I was only able to experience a tiny taste of its power. As a sleep aid, however, it worked wonders. It’s rare that I am ever in search of a narcotic, cartoon-hammer-to-the-head type of strain, so I was pleasantly surprised when I softly segued into a heavy sleep.

The one downside of this strain, for someone who slacks on the whole “stocked kitchen” part of adulting, is that it requires a certain amount of front-end preparation. I learned my lesson the hard way when I lit up the next day with no clear idea about what refreshments I had on hand…it got ugly. I tried to take down a box of dry Triscuits which made things insurmountably worse. All I’ll leave you with here is: the munchies are real with this strain.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Raincouver. But I would be remiss to say I wasn’t craving the dose of Vitamin D and serotonin I had experienced just a few short weeks prior. Maybe I am still riding on the high of patchouli oil, palm trees and Melrose Ave., but something about this weed was remarkably reminiscent of my time in Cali…chill, happy, vibrant and creative…and I was spared the L.A. traffic.

Blue Dream

The breakdown: Sativa-dominant hybrid. $12/gram. Weeds. 1108 Richards St.

Find more of Piper’s pot recommendations here.