Green Lantern is a superhero of a strain with pronounced sativa effects but uncertain parentage. Some conjecture that it’s a relative recent cross between Green Crack and resinous White Rhino, while others speculate that this bud dates back to the heyday of its comic book namesake in the 1960s. Whatever its lineage, there’s no denying that Green Lantern offers a refreshing aroma and a long-lasting, head-focused high. Its THC content has been measured at between 14% and an impressive 28%.

When trimmed, Green Lantern is marked by small to medium-sized flowers that cling together in a clustered, popcorn-like formation. These nugs hold a roughly spherical shape and, despite the strain’s sativa character, have the tight, dense bud structure common to predominantly indica varieties. Leaves are a pale shade of spring green, made even lighter by a blanket of sticky white trichomes. Finally, orange and yellow pistils twist their way through these hard and dense flowers.

On initial inspection, flowers of Green Lantern burst with a pleasant blend of lemon and pine, not unlike some artificially-scented home cleaning products. There are also some dank notes of earth and pine lurking underneath these bright top notes. When this bud is ground up or broken apart, it yields chemical-tinged fumes, perhaps hinting at some degree of Sour Diesel in the mysterious strain’s genetics. Green Lantern’s smoke can be harsh and cough-inducing when it is burnt in a pipe or a joint. On the exhale, this acrid smoke tastes like pine with a dash of citrus funk.

Unlike many other sativa strains, Green Lantern may take several minutes before revealing the extent of its effects. Eventually, however, smokers will begin to feel some mental stimulation that begins as a tingle around the eyes and temples. This sensation soon morphs into an increased awareness of one’s surroundings, including an intense experience of external stimuli -- certain sounds and colors can take on unexpected new dimensions. Users may also detect an improvement in mood, which in a properly relaxed set and setting can reach euphoric levels. Freely-associative patterns of thought are common, as is a newfound introspection. As such, Green Lantern is a great strain for savoring during some quality solo time. Alternatively, in social situations, this buzzy variety may make for some stimulating conversation and camaraderie. This bud’s uses are not exclusively recreation -- its lasting capacity for mental focus makes Green Lantern a resource for productivity when it comes to all kinds of work, both analytical and creative. With very few physical effects and almost no danger of couch lock, this strain is an optimal choice for smokers who’d like to remain awake and active. Better in brightest day than in blackest night, Green Lantern is not a strain to enjoy right before bed, as it’s likely to keep users wired.

Green Lantern’s buzzy mental effects can also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. Its strong, unadulterated focus may help those with attention deficit disorders to sustain focus on complex tasks. Meanwhile, the bud’s upbeat, positive vibes may temporarily take the edge off of the troubling symptoms of mild to moderate cases of stress and depression. Physiologically speaking, some anti-inflammatory effects may relieve everyday irritations like indigestion and headaches. Because its intense, cerebral mindset may lend itself to paranoia, Green Lantern is not a good choice for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.

Since Green Lantern’s parentage and original breeders are unknown, seeds of the strain are not available for sale. As such, prospective growers should obtain clippings from mature, healthy plants of this strain from a reliable source in order to grow genetically identical clones. The plants can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor growing requires a semi-humid, Mediterranean-like climate. Because sativa-dominant strains can grow very tall, indoor growers should train their crop height by pruning back plants early on in the vegetative stage. There is no specific information available on flowering timelines for Green Lantern, but the strain’s strong sativa effects imply a long wait of at least 9 to 10 weeks before buds are ready for harvest.

Green Lantern’s super sativa power is a must-try for experienced cannabis consumers who may be looking for a deep psychedelic experience. The strain can also be a good way to enhance buzzy daytime activities like running errands or even going for a jog.