Sharing its name with a fruity cocktail from popular theme restaurant The Rainforest Cafe, Panama Punch is a sativa-leaning hybrid. This strain is a cross between award-winning sativa Neville’s Haze and Panama Mean Green and has all the potency and pungency of its parents. The THC content of Panama Punch has been measured at between 17% and 23%

Panama Punch makes it bag appeal clear right off the bat with large and well-formed flowers. These buds have a dense indica-influenced structure and maintain a tapered, cone-like shape. The small, curled leaves are a patchwork of dark and light green, often flecked with spots of deep purple; these indigo hues are the product of high concentrations of anthocyanin pigment in the bud’s genetics. Glossy white trichomes finish off these already-colorful flowers, giving them a dewy and silvery sheen.

Flowers of Panama Punch emit a strong citrus aroma, tinged with some tropical notes of pineapple and grapefruit. A closer inspection may pick up on some floral accents as well. Meanwhile, grinding up these compact flowers releases more of a peppery, herbal tang that may be familiar to fans of Haze. When it is burnt in a pipe or joint, Panama Punch gives off a rich and fragrant smoke that’s typically easy on the lungs. On the exhale, this smoke has a sweet, fruity flavor.

Shortly after it’s ingested, Panama Punch exerts a buzzy head rush that comes with some tingling around the temples and eyes. Other initial sensations include flushing in the cheeks or an increase in salivation. Eventually, these tics subside, leaving users with a uptick in the intensity of their thinking. Certain ideas or concepts may suddenly absorb the smoker’s attention, while ideas may flow rapidly in a kind of uninhibited free association. As a result, Panama Punch can be a great way to get some work done, whether you need to take on detailed analytical tasks or creative projects. In social settings, the strain’s mental stimulation can even spill over into free-flowing conversation, making it a great way to break the ice. In addition to this lucid cerebral state, Panama Punch can come with a jolt in physical energy that can burnt off with some moderate exercise.

An hour or so into the strain’s high, some weighty physical sensations may begin to creep in. Limbs and eyelids alike can begin to droop and smokers who may have been active might find themselves rushing for repose on the closest couch. Fortunately, Panama Punch’s body high doesn’t come at the expense of its keyed-up mindset and users who are so inclined can still achieve some measure of conversation or productivity. If dosage is increased however, this bud may lead to more of a trippy, dreamy vibe as users slowly sink under the weight of its sedation. Because of its gradual descent into drowsiness, Panama Punch is recommended for afternoon or evening use -- or at least during an especially slow day.

Panama Punch’s versatility translates into a few different users for medical cannabis patients. Its attentive and thoughtful energy can be a concentration aid for those with attention deficit disorders. The strain’s mellow euphoria may also temporarily obscure the symptoms of stress and depression. Physically speaking, this bud’s body high has the power to pulverize deep-seated aches and pains, both minor and chronic. Its anti-inflammatory effects, meanwhile, can treat everyday irritations like nausea or cramps. Because its onset can bring some sense of paranoia in the wrong set and setting, however, Panama Punch is not recommended for patients who are prone to panic or anxiety.

Seeds of Panama Punch are not available for purchase online and those looking to cultivate the strain at home should seek out clippings that can be fostered as “clones.” The strain may be grown indoors or out, although outdoor cultivation requires a semi-humid climate with consistent daytime sunlight and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants can reach heights of over six feet, meaning that indoor gardeners should occasionally prune back their crops to keep heights manageable. Those looking to show off this strain’s purple highlights should expose their plants to nighttime temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees below average just before flowering begins -- which happens after about 10 weeks for indoor grows.

Panama Punch is a pleasant all-purpose smoke whether you’re consuming alone or sharing with friends. If you do break this fruity strain out in public, though, be sure to have enough to go around, as its tropical aroma is sure to turn some heads.