Cherry Bomb is a well-balanced hybrid that makes for a good all-purpose smoke. Born from an unnamed California indica and fabled Mr. Greengenes landrace sativa from Hawaii, this bud offers mental engagement that’s tempered by a calm physical sedation. Its dank and fruity flavor only serves to complement this multilayered high. Consumers outside the U.S. should note that Netherland-based company Bomb Seeds also offers a strain named Cherry Bomb, with more indica-heavy effects and roots in perennial favorite Big Bud.

Cherry Bomb has true bag appeal, wowing buyers with its medium to large-sized flowers. The buds have a seemingly hybridized structure, dense and compact at their center like many indicas, but with fluffy, loose leaves that seem more characteristic of sativa varieties. The leaves are a pale sage green, although some phenotypes of Cherry Bomb boast faint shades of purple; these latter hues come about when pigments called anthocyanins are stimulated by cold weather during the growing process. Finally, a coating of sticky, icy white trichomes insure the buds’ psychoactivity.

When properly cured, flowers of Cherry Bomb carry a deeply fruity scent that leans more toward berry than cherry. This sweet aroma is undercut by a more musky, earthy tone, redolent of damp earth. Grinding up the buds, meanwhile, releases a pungent hit of skunk. When burnt, Cherry Bomb gives off a smooth and unusually palatable smoke. The smoke has flavors of blueberry and blackberry on the exhale with some herbal hints.

Cherry Bomb takes effect relatively quickly, working its magic on the head before users may even have had a chance to exhale its flavorful smoke. The strain makes itself known with concerted blood pressure in the head, resulting in strange tics like a pulsing in the temples or an increase in salivation. These physical sensations are followed up cognitive changes like an intensity of certain thoughts or feelings. The smoker may also find that their stream of consciousness flowing more rapidly as they being to make heretofore unseen associations between certain concepts. This cerebral, tuned-in way of thinking can pave the way for executing complicated analytical tasks. It may also provide some much-needed background color for those struggling through menial household chores like doing the dishes or laundry. As some time passes, however, this acute mental state beings to even out, aided by Cherry Bomb’s palpable indica side. Deep breathing may happen more freely and easily as users find themselves suddenly more relaxed. While this bud still allows for concentration and coherent conversations, its latter effects are likely to outstrip the energy and motivation that characterize its onset. At this point, Cherry Bomb is best suited to mellow activities, whether you’re alone or sharing the strain with some likeminded friends. The eventual combination of mental and physical stimulation that comes with this high is a great way to enhance activities that involve full brain-body coordination -- including, but not limited to, dancing, moderate exercise, and even sex. Because of its slow decline into drowsiness, Cherry Bomb is recommended for consumption between late afternoon and evening.

Cherry Bomb’s versatility gives it several applications for medical cannabis patients as well. The sense of focus that comes with its onset can be a boon to those with attention deficit disorders. Its generally upbeat vibe can also temporarily take the sting out of mild to moderate cases of stress and depression. Cherry Bomb may also soothe physical pain, whether it’s deep-seated and chronic or due to simple everyday inflammation like a headache. Because it can lead to intensely recursive patterns of thinking at first, this strain is not recommended for patients who are prone to panic or paranoia or who have a low tolerance for THC.

Seeds of Cherry Bomb are not available online, forcing prospective home growers to seek out clippings that can be grown as clones. Once obtained, clones can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor cultivation requires a hot, sunny, and semi-humid climate. Plants tend to grow tall and branchy and may need to be trimmed back early in the vegetative stage to fit in indoor spaces. Finally, gardeners looking to bring out Cherry Bomb’s full purple potential should briefly expose their crops to nighttime temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees below average. This strain flowers within 9 to 10 weeks when grown indoors.

Cherry Bomb is a fun smoke whether you’re enjoying it alone or sharing it in a social situation. If you do break this fruity strain out in public, bring enough to share, as its aroma is sure to turn some heads.