Although Haole is descended from Hawaiian landraces, its genetics are not entirely native to Hawaii -- in fact, the word Haole is Hawaiian for “foreigner.” This indica-dominant hybrid is a cross between Hawaiian sativa Maui Wowie and popular mainland hybrid LA Confidential. It was created by Colorado-based Reserva Privada, the breeders responsible for creating Strawberry Banana and Citrix. With a memorably spicy taste and a soothing balance between relaxing and stimulating effects, Haole is an enjoyable strain no matter where you’re from. Its THC level has been tested at between 12% and 17%.

Haole is marked by relatively small, spherical buds. Although tiny, these flowers still manage to impress with a dense, tight bud structure. The leaves are a vibrant shade of lime green and are twisted through with curly orange and yellowish pistils. A blanket of frosty, translucent white trichomes caps off these colorful flowers and accounts for their high psychoactivity.

When properly cured, Haole’s flowers burst with an earthy, funky scent, reminiscent of some classic Kush strains. These dank notes are accompanied by notably sweet undertones. Meanwhile, grinding up the tight flowers releases some hints of spice. When combusted, Haole burns with a somewhat harsh smoke that irritate the sinuses and trigger coughing. On the exhale, this acrid smoke leaves behind a sweet, slightly peppery taste. Finally, smokers should keep in mind that this can be a particularly pungent smoke, and may want to take some precaution if discretion is desired.

Haole offers a creeper of a high -- several minutes after savoring (or coughing up) this bud, smokers may begin to feel a tingle in the neck and temples, spreading slowly downward through the spine. This sensation soon melts into a pervasive body stone, numbing the extremities and making them feel suddenly heavy. Some users may also detect a decrease in muscular tension. Within short order, consumers are plunged into a deep feeling of relaxation and, in the right circumstances, may fall victim to couchlock. After an hour or so, though, Haole’s dreamy, lazy mindset gives way to the strain’s sativa side: a strong cerebral mindset takes over, causing rapid cycles of freely-associative thought. While smokers may remain stationary thanks to this bud’s weighty effects, they can still accomplish work -- whether it’s task-based and analytical or more freewheeling and creative. Haole’s combination of relaxation and mental engagement also makes it a very social strain that can facilitate easy conversation and good vibes among like-minded friends. Best enjoyed in the late afternoon to early evening, Haole should be avoided just before bed, as it’s liable to hit smokers with some undesirable wired energy that can render sleep impossible.

Haole may also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. Its soothing physical effects can relieve aches and pains, whether they’re temporary, as due to injury, or chronic, as due to conditions like fibromyalgia or lupus. The strain’s anti-inflammatory effects may also take care of everyday irritations like headaches and indigestion. Psychologically speaking, Haole can temporarily take the edge off of some cases of stress and depression. It may also help those with attention deficit disorders sustain focus on single tasks. Because of the burst of cerebral energy on its backend, Haole may not be a good choice for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance.

Although seeds of Haole were once available for sale online from Reserva Privada, they do not appear to be consistently stocked. As such, home growers may need to obtain clippings from mature plants of the strain in order to grow genetically identical clones. Fortunately, the bud’s sturdy landrace genetics make it an easy grow that’s resistant to adverse conditions and user-friendly for newcomers to cultivation. Plants grow short and bushy with strong lateral branching and may require occasional pruning of their large, light-blocking fan leaves. Haole flowers within a long 9 to 10 weeks when grown indoors. Finally, just as this can be a pungent smoke, it can be a very smelly grow; indoor growers looking to keep their operations under wraps should invest in odor control measures like carbon air filters.

Haole’s rare psychoactive profile, building from a body stone to a soaring cerebral high, is valuable for all sorts of moods and settings and can be appreciated by cannabis newbies and veterans alike.