Like pop diva Adele, Dutch cannabis breeder KC Brains seems to have started naming strains for his age. Following up on the popular KC 33 is his KC 36, an indica-leaning hybrid with a fruity flavor profile. This bud is a cross between KC’s own KC 606 and the notoriously sticky White Widow. It comes with a THC composition of between 16% and 24%.

KC 36 stands out with medium to large-sized flowers that maintain a roughly spherical shape. These globular flowers hold together with a characteristically dense indica structure, with small leaves that curl tightly inward. These leaves are a pale shade of sage green and are accented by curly orange pistils that thread their way through the buds. Finally, parent strain White Widow passes on its tendency towards high trichome production, resulting in a carpet of sticky, cloudy white trichomes on all visible surfaces of the flowers.

On first inspection, these compact flowers have a sweet, fruity aroma with some distinct notes of berry. A second whiff may pick up on the scent of grape as well. When these chunky buds are ground up or broken apart, however, they may yield a more objectionable skunky odor. Combusted in a pipe or a joint, KC 36 burns with a smooth and easy smoke that has flavors of fruity with some light herbal hints on the exhale.

Like many other indicas, KC 36 takes some time before asserting its potency. Some 10 to 15 minutes after toking, consumers may pick up on an increased blood pressure around the temples and forehead, accompanied by odd tics like an increase in salivation or some flushing in the cheeks. These unfamiliar sensations are followed up by a kind of spacey, unfamiliar mental state. Focus may drift between topics (or even inanimate objects) and the user may find that their visual and auditory perception is subject to slight distortions. Other commonly reported phenomena include a flattening of depth -- especially on phone or tablet screens -- and an inexplicable sensation of time passing more slowly.

As time passes (or as dosage is increased), these trippy feelings are paired with a palpable sense of bodily relaxation. Any tightly-held muscular tension may loosen up, and the consumer may find themselves able to breathe more deeply and freely. Unfortunately for busy or motivated smokers, though, KC 36 can be so relaxing as to confound any big plans for the day. Within relatively short order, users are weighed down with lethargy and will probably be more comfortable sinking into the closest couch than running errands or trying to get complicated work done. Instead, KC 36 goes well with some snacks, close friends, and a good binge-watching session. Thanks to its mostly downbeat vibe, this strain is recommended for nighttime consumption -- or at least during an undemanding morning or afternoon.

KC 36’s pervasive relaxation can have value for medical cannabis patients as well. Its mood-boosting properties can temporarily quell the difficult symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. The strain can soothe physical pain too, serving as an analgesic for aches and pains, whether they’re temporary, as due to injury, or chronic, as due to conditions like lupus or arthritis. Its ability to induce the munchies also makes it a great appetite stimulant for those struggling with hunger (or lack thereof). For smokers who are susceptible and properly relaxed, KC 36 can even be a great sleep aid! Because it is not likely to bring about paranoid, recursive stretches of thinking, this bud is recommended for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance.

Fortunately for home growers, KC Seeds has made seeds of KC 36 available for sale online. Once obtained, the strain can be grown indoors or out; although outdoor cultivation favors daily temperatures around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the strain’s solid genetics can be resilient in colder climates at higher latitudes or elevations. Plants tend to grow short and bushy with strong patterns of lateral branches. KC 36 flowers within 6 to 8 weeks when grown indoors and is ready for outdoor harvest in late September through early October.

With a pleasantly incapacitating body stone, KC 36 is a must-try for indica lovers. Thanks to its hardy genetics, it also makes a great first-time grow for newcomers to cannabis cultivation.