Hawaiian Mayan Gold is a potent and carefully crafted hybrid that leans toward the sativa end of the spectrum. Created by prolific breeders Pua Mana 1st Hawaiian Pakalōlō Seed Bank, this strain is a cross between two illustrious sativa landraces: Colombian Mojito and Kona Gold. A pure sativa, Hawaiian Mayan Gold is as visually impressive as it is potent, with large and fragrant flowers. THC levels of this strain have been measured at between 15% and 23%.

Flowers of Hawaiian Mayan Gold are generally larger than average and have a spadelike shape, flaring out from a broad base before tapering into a pointed tip. The structure of these buds hews more sativa, with leaves holding together closely at their core but spiraling outward at their fringes, giving the flowers a somewhat fluffy appearance. The leaves themselves are a pale shade of sage green and are twisted through with dark, rust-colored pistils. Finally, they’re covered in a dense blanket of trichomes that make the buds sticky and hard to break up by hand.

Hawaiian Mayan Gold bursts with flavor, offering up notes of fresh orange and pineapple. This tropical fruity scent is also undercut by some overripe, almost fermented scents. When these flower are pulled apart or ground up, meanwhile, they may have more of a tangy, skunky odor. Burning the buds gives off a smooth and uncommonly palatable smoke that mingles flavors of citrus and skunk on the exhale.

Unsurprisingly, given its sativa status, Hawaiian Mayan Gold takes effect shortly after consumption. Users will immediately feel a headrush, marked by strange sensations like an increased pulse around the temples and lower forehead. Once these facial tics fade away, though, smokers are granted access to an elevated plane of thinking in which ideas may flow with a much greater frequency. Concepts -- or even plain old objects -- that might not otherwise hold any interest can suddenly become fascinating; similarly, stimuli like words or suggestions may trigger bouts of random free association. For those who are properly motivated, this kind of cerebral activation can help accomplish work on detailed, analytical tasks. Alternatively, it may provide a steady background buzz for consumers who are facing a day full of boring errands or household chores.

Even as this strain’s high wears on, users are unburdened by any heavy body stone. While some may experience mild relaxation or a capacity for deep, restorative breathing, these effects are not typically strong enough to derail a smoker’s plans. Instead, Hawaiian Mayan Gold’s blend of mental and physical stimulation can help to enhance activities that require complex, full-body coordination -- including exercise, dancing, and, given the right company, even sex. Because of it mostly upbeat, energetic vibe, Hawaiian Mayan Gold is recommended for daytime (or for experienced consumers, even wake-and-bake) use.

Hawaiian Mayan Gold’s wide-ranging effects can also have a few uses for medical cannabis patients. For one, its mental acuity can help those with attention deficit disorders to sustain concentration on one task at a time. Additionally, its generally lift in mood can help relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. Physical benefits include pain relief, whether smokers are suffering from temporary inflammation like headaches and cramps or from chronic pain as due to conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Hawaiian Mayan Gold’s ability to provoke the munchies can even make it a viable appetite stimulant for patients experiencing diminished hunger due to digestive conditions or to treatments like chemotherapy. However, because its initial sense of “mindrace” can be disorienting, this strain is not recommended for patients who are prone to paranoia or panic.

Although Pua Mana has previously made seeds of Hawaiian Mayan Gold available online, supplies do not appear to be regularly stocked. Instead, those looking to cultivate their own may need to obtain clippings from mature, healthy plants of the strain in order to foster “clones.” These can be grown in controlled indoor conditions or outdoors in a hot, humid climate; that said, the strain’s hardy landrace genetics may make it resistant to adverse growing conditions like temperature fluctuations. These landrace sativa genes also mean that plants can grow particularly tall; this may call for occasional pruning by indoor growers. Although Hawaiian Mayan Gold requires a long 10 to 11 weeks to reach its flowering stage, patient gardeners are rewarded with a high yield of buds.

A must-try for sativa fans, Hawaiian Mayan Gold is a well-crafted bud with a long-lasting high. Its complex genetic background also makes the strain worth seeking out by landrace collectors.