Dream Star is a sativa-leaning hybrid that reveals its multi-faceted effects over time. This unique strain was created by the California-based Oaksterdam Seed Company as a cross between the uber-popular Blue Dream and hybrid Stardawg. It has a very unusual flavor profile, with strong notes of earth and coffee. Multiple cannabis testing labs have measured samples of Dream Star and found them to have THC levels from 16% to 25%.

Dream Star sets itself apart with massive, chunky buds that hold the elongated, almost cylindrical shape characteristic of sativa-dominant varieties. The forest green leaves carry relatively few hairy pistils and have a fluffy, ragged-looking text, in contrast to the dense, tightly-coiled leaves of indica buds. Flowers of Dream Star have a dank, almost rotting smell with a powerful underlying sweetness, leaving the overall impression of vinegar. Grinding up or breaking open the long buds gives off a slight ammonia tang, evidence of the Chemdawg in this strain’s genetics. When combusted, Dream Star burns with a very smooth smoke. On the exhale, this smoke carries the surprisingly creamy taste of coffee and cocoa, mixed with some woodsy, piney funk.

Dream Star has a bracing high that takes hold quickly, manifesting as a pressure around the eyes and temples. These effects are accompanied by a kind of hyper-awareness of the smoker’s surroundings. Such a distorted perception of external stimuli may be disorienting for some. In the right set and setting, though, this cerebral high is matched by a powerful uplift in mood. These mental effects can approach euphoria for some. As the high wears on, Dream Star’s psychedelic characteristics gives way to a tingling relaxation that spreads from the neck down through the torso, and finally to the limbs and extremities. The smoker’s mental faculties may remain intact and they may still be able to maintain conversation and complete some creative or analytical work. However, Dream Star eventually leads to couch-lock, rendering its fans happily immobilized. Many smokers note that, despite its potency, Dream Star is blessedly absent of any groggy and unpleasant “comedown” as its high wears off. This strain’s wide-reaching effects can be enjoyed at any time of day. Try toking before a hike to enjoy maximum sensory stimulation; as Dream Star’s indica side kicks in, you can slow down your pace and set up camp or lay out a gluttonous picnic.

Dream Star also has some applications for medical cannabis patients. Its balanced mental and physical effects may be of use to those with stress, depression, and anxiety, as it can eliminate stressors and encourage mindfulness and deliberate action. This strain can also help patients with attention deficit disorders to maintain lucid focus on a single task. The sedative properties that creep in on Dream Star’s backend can dull troubling aches and pains. In large enough doses, the strain can even act against stubborn cases of insomnia, lulling smokers into a deep and refreshing sleep. Because of its initial cerebral effects, Dream Star may not be the best strain for cannabis newcomers, or for patients who are particularly prone to panic.

Seeds of this strain have not been mass-produced for commercial sale. As such, those looking to grow Dream Star should obtain clippings from mature, healthy plants in order to grow genetically identical “clones.” Once obtained, Dream Star can be grown indoors or out, although successful outdoor cultivation calls for a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures in the 70-degree Fahrenheit range. Dream Star flowers within 9 weeks when grown indoors; as it blossoms, growers should be sure to support the plants’ branches with stakes or other supports in order to keep them from drooping under the weight of the long, chunky flowers. Growers should also take the time to cure their harvested flowers, first hanging and drying the buds for a week and then sealing them in airtight jars, checking regularly for mold.

Dream Star is yet another example of the genetic bounty that powerhouse Blue Dream has to offer. Dream Star has even made a name for itself in the breeding market: backcrossed with Blue Dream, it has yielded the potent Double Dream.