LA Sunshine is a balanced hybrid with a complicated patchwork of genetics. The strain was created by Darkhorse Genetics on behalf of comedians and cannabis advocate Cheech and Chong. Its background includes Starfighter, Strawberry Diesel, and Coal Creek Kush, among others. It offers a one-two punch of effects and a bold, tangy flavor. LA Sunshine’s THC content has been measured at levels between 19% and 27%.

Buds of LA Sunshine are distinguished by a chunky, solid shape that distracts from their relatively small size. The roughly spherical flowers cling together in tight, popcorn-like clusters and maintain a dense indica structure. Their tightly-coiled leaves are a dark shade of forest green and are shot through with dark red and rust-colored hairs -- which are actually pistils, meant to catch pollen from fertilizing male plants. Finally, LA Sunshine’s flowers are made even sunnier by the presence of bright, sticky trichomes.

LA Sunshine comes with a standout aroma that’s marked by refreshing top notes of citrus. There are also some dank and earthy scents lurking underneath. When these pebbly buds are ground up or broken apart, meanwhile, they may give off an astringent chemical tang. When LA Sunshine is burnt, it gives off a smooth and fruity smoke that’s easy to ingest. On the exhale, this smoke has a pronounced orange flavor.

This strain can be something of a creeper and may not affect smokers until 10 to 15 minutes after it’s consumed. Eventually, its high becomes apparent with a tingly feeling in the lower forehead and temples; some consumers also report an increase in salivation. As these strange sensations become more familiar, users may notice some subtle stimulation of their thought processes. Ideas may jump from one to the next in rapid succession, causing an easy distraction. In some cases, changes in sensory perception are also possible, resulting in strange auditory or visual distortions like flattened depth perception. More abstract, ineffable experiences may also happen, like a sense of time passing much more slowly. Those who are so disposed can enjoy these psychedelic properties by turning on a favorite album or a visually engaging movie.

After some time, a mild feeling of relaxation creeps in, progressively weighing down the limbs and then the eyelids. Smokers who earlier might have chased a burst of productivity could find themselves demotivated while those may have been out and about might suddenly want to head home. Lounging around and snacking or watching TV can be a more welcome activity at this point; if you’re sharing LA Confidential with friends, a game night is one fun way to share the hybrid’s buzzy social effects. Because it slowly steps down from stimulation into relaxation, LA Sunshine is best reserved for later in the day or early in the evening.

LA Sunshine’s wide-ranging recreational effects can have similarly versatile applications for medical cannabis patients. Its initial feelings of focus can help focus the attention of those with attention deficit disorders. The strain’s easygoing euphoria may also temporarily boost mood in instances of mild to moderate stress or depression. Physical benefits include relief from serious aches and pains, whether they’re temporary and injury-related or due to chronic conditions like lupus or arthritis. Anti-inflammatory properties, meanwhile, range from headache improvement to cessation of cramps or nausea. For sufficiently relaxed smokers, the bud can even put insomniacs into a restful sleep. Because it comes with some risk of obsessive and recursive patterns of thinking, LA Sunshine is not recommended for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance.

Although breeder Dark Horse Genetics had at one point made seeds of LA Sunshine available for sale online, they have since retired the strain’s stock. Instead, home growers should obtain clippings from mature, healthy plants of the strain that can be propagated as genetically identical “clones.” These can be grown indoors or out, although success outdoors depends on a hot and semi-humid climate; even so, LA Sunshine is said to be a user-friendly grow for newcomers to cannabis cultivation. The strain’s indica-inflected flowers suggest that its plants grow short and bushy and that they may have a short flowering time of between 8 to 9 weeks.

LA Sunshine is a well-balanced hybrid that’s at home in a variety of situations. Appropriately enough, it’s a great enhancement to sunshine-filled activities like hiking, camping, or a day in the park.