Black Cherry Pie is a fruity, well-balanced hybrid with roots in Vermont. The creation of Green Mountain Collective, the strain is a cross between two flavor-forward varieties: Cherry Pie and Blackberry Kush. The resulting buds are both colorful and fragrant, lending some serious bag appeal to complement Black Cherry Pie’s potent high. The strain’s THC content has been measured at between 20% and 26%.

Black Cherry Pie stands out from the pack with large, striking flowers. These oversized blossoms maintain a solid, tapered shape, much like miniature pinecones. Their internal structure hews more indica, with a dense core composed of tightly-curled leaves. These leaves themselves are a dappled mix of mossy green and deep purple; the latter colors come about thanks to anthocyanin pigments, which can be activated by cold weather. Finally, these thick, multi-colored nuggets are sprinkled with icy white trichomes.

A strong fruity scent wafts up from cured flowers of Black Cherry Pie, with some distinct notes of berry and plum. A second whiff may also detect some earthy notes of soil and dried wood. When flowers are ground up, on the other hand, their odor becomes slightly more sour, somewhat like fermented organic matter. Burning the flowers gives off a smoke that’s thick but smooth and easily ingested. On the exhale, this smoke has traces of fruity and sour flavor.

Black Cherry Pie goes right to the head, striking users fairly soon after it’s ingested. Initial signs that the strain is doing its job include a feeling of pressure around the temples and some flushing in the cheeks. As these unfamiliar sensations dissolve, smokers may feel as if their focus has sharpened and their thoughts have become more intense -- concepts that might not otherwise interest them may suddenly become fascinating. This cerebral activation can help properly motivated users to get work done on detailed, analytical tasks. Alternatively, Black Cherry Pie can spark creative inspiration for less structured pursuits like artistic projects or open-ended brainstorming sessions. When it’s shared in social settings, this bud can turn up the volume of internal monologues, facilitating free-flowing conversation and friendly vibes.

After about an hour (or sooner, if intake is increased), Black Cherry Pie’s initial mental stimulation may start to give way to more embodied effects. A tingle of relaxation that begins near the base of the neck may radiate out through the core and extremities. Smokers who may have been out and about may find themselves moving more slowly and may want to make a beeline for the comforts and conveniences of home. At this stage, the strain’s mindset becomes more dreamy and cloudy and may be better suited to mindless activities like binge-watching. In a particularly cozy set and setting, the strain can contribute to couch lock, and eventually, sleep. Because of its slow dip into sedation, Black Cherry Pie is recommended for late afternoon or evening consumption.

Black Cherry Pie’s versatile recreational effects can also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. For one, its tuned-in way of thinking can help those with attention deficit disorders to stay focused on one thing at a time. Additionally, its mood-enhancing properties can take the sting out of mild to moderate cases of stress and depression. On the physical side of things, Black Cherry Pie may relieve deep-seated aches and pains as well as inflammation-related discomforts like headaches. Because it comes with some risk of disorienting “mindrace,” however, this strain should be consumed with some caution and moderation by patients who are prone to panic or paranoia.

Green Mountain Collective has not yet made seeds of Black Cherry PIe available for sale online. Those looking to grow this bud at home should somehow obtain “clones,” or clippings from mature, healthy plants. These clones can be cultivated indoors or out, with outdoor success depending on a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants have short, bushy stature and may call for occasional pruning. Gardeners who want to highlight this strain’s signature blue and purple hues should also expose their crops to nighttime temperatures of between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, just before flowering begins. Black Cherry Pie reaches maturity within about 8 to 9 weeks when grown indoors.

A fruity smoke that’s right at home in a variety of settings, Black Cherry Pie is worth sampling by indica and sativa lovers alike.