Dairy Queen is a hybrid that, while sativa-dominant, offers an incredibly well-balanced high that’s versatile enough to suit any mood or setting. It is the brainchild of TGA Subcool, the prolific growing collective that has also created inventive strains like Cheesequake and Pennywise. This bud is a cross between English staple Cheese and sativa favorite Cinderella 99. Cannabis testing lab Analytical 360 has measured Dairy Queen’s potency at between 14% and 28% THC.

Dairy Queen’s flowers are medium to large and range in shape from spade-like to almost cylindrical. With a dense and chunky-looking structure, the buds appear more indica. The tightly-packed leaves are a dark shade of forest green and shot through with a high volume of pale brown pistils. Crystalline white trichomes give a sheen to these tight buds and make them difficult to break up.

When properly cured, Dairy Queen’s flowers have a bright, fruity aroma. These tropical notes exist alongside the sour tang passed on from parent strain Cheese. Meanwhile, breaking the dense buds open yields some spicy, nutty scents. When burnt, these clashing flavor profiles create an acrid smoke that may sting the sinuses and tickle the palate. While the taste of this harsh smoke may be objectionable to some, many find that it has a smooth, dessert-like aftertaste with hints of vanilla. Finally, smokers should note that this can be a particularly pungent smoke; those looking to maintain discretion should take precautions.

Dairy Queen hits smokers relatively quickly, creating some changes in perception. External stimuli can take on a new dimension and seem more interesting than they otherwise might. In addition to this sensory distortion, smokers may detect some increased mental stimulation, resulting in freely-associative patterns of thought. This mindset comes without any of the disorienting effects that come with stronger, more cerebral strains, and allows users to remain lucid and able to work or converse. As time wears on, a mild sense of physical relaxation creeps in. The slow meld of mental and physical effects can be good for certain kinds of exercise and, notably, sex. In more low-energy situations, Dairy Queen is great for simply zoning out after a long day. It can be solo and introspective or buzzy and social. Beware, though, that as dosage increases, so does the likelihood of couchlock. Because it is so versatile, Dairy Queen is as appropriate for waking-and-baking as it is for enjoying as a bedtime treat.

Dairy Queen can also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. Its tendency to instill focus and concentration may be of use to those with attention deficit disorders. The strain’s mood-elevating effects can also ease the difficult symptoms of stress and depression, helping the afflicted to spend their time more presently and consciously. Physiologically, this bud may offers some degree of relief from deep-seated aches and pains or from everyday irritations like headaches. Because its high does not often lead to paranoid, recursive thinking, Dairy Queen is a good option for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.

TGA Subcool sells seeds of Dairy Queen through several online retailers. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out, although successful outdoor cultivation calls for a semi-humid climate with consistent daytime temperatures between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Dairy Queen’s plants grow short and bushy and can easily be accommodated in indoor grow spaces. Growers should take time to “top” their crops, trimming away leaves that might block light and air from reaching any low-growing flowering nodes. This strain flowers within 7 to 8 weeks when grown indoors. Additionally, just as it is a pungent smoke, this bud can be a very smell crop to grow; those looking to keep their growing operations under wraps should invest in odor control measures like carbon air filters or exhaust fans.

Whether you’re enjoying it at home alone or out with some friends, Dairy Queen’s mellow high is sure to leave a lasting impression -- it may even leaving you craving some grub from this strain’s fast food namesake.