With roots in Northeastern Afghanistan, Pure Afghan is a landrace indica with storied genetics. This strain has been commercially cultivated by proflic growers DNA Genetics from seed stock originating in Afghanistan’s fourth-largest city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Pure Afghan offers deep, almost narcotic relaxation as well as a surprisingly sweet flavor profile. Its THC content has been measured at between 12% and 21%.

Flowers of Pure Afghan tend to be visually unremarkable, with a small to medium size and a rounded, popcorn-like shape. These pebbly buds have a decidedly compact and dense indica structure, with small, dark green leaves. The flowers are twisted through with dark, reddish-brown pistils and their inner and outer nooks and crannies are covered in icy white trichomes.

On first inspection, Pure Afghan’s earthy, dank aroma may be familiar to fans of the closely-related strain Afghani. A second whiff, however, reveals some light, floral notes as well. Grinding up or breaking open the flowers yields a peppery, hashy odor. When this strain is burnt, it yields an acrid smoke that may sting the palate and sinuses and cause watery eyes. On the exhale, this coke tastes woody with some bright herbal accents.

As might be expected of an entirely indica variety, Pure Afghan takes quite a while before its high hits. Within 15 minutes or so, users may be struck by a sudden weightiness in the head, along with faint pressure around the temples and lower forehead. These physical sensations are followed by a change in the user’s patterns of thinking, in which the stream of consciousness may take on a more rambling, dreamy quality. While it’s well-suited to lazy introspection, Pure Afghan’s mindset isn’t quite as good for concentration or analysis, so those with a full to-do list should plan accordingly. Some consumers may also experience distortions in their sensory perception like an intensification of some sights and sounds and a feeling of time moving much more slowly. Those who want to bask in these psychedelic effects can push them even further by turning on some atmospheric music or watching a visually-engaging movie. As time passes, Pure Afghan begins to unleash waves of physical relaxation that complement its mental calm. Any smokers that may have been physically active may find themselves overcome by the desire to stretch out on the closest couch. This strain's feeling of sedation can be a great way to wind down after a long day or week of work; in a high enough dosage and under the right circumstances, Pure Afghan may even bring about deep, restful sleep. Because of its mostly downbeat vibes, the strain is recommended for consumption at nighttime -- or at least during a day when you have nothing else to do.

Pure Afghan’s deeply relaxing properties can have some uses for medical cannabis patients as well. Its passive state of sedation can temporarily soothe the symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. These same physical effects can dull pain, whether it’s chronic, as due to conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia, or temporary, as due to injury. Some users may find that this strain’s tendency to induce hunger can work as a viable appetite stimulant. As noted, Pure Afghan can even lull users to sleep in the right set and setting, making it a potential treatment for entrenched cases of insomnia. Because it is not likely to trigger intense, paranoid thinking, Pure Afghan is a good option for patients who are prone to panic; however, its body high can be so strong as to be somewhat disorienting, and those with a lower THC tolerance should consume this bud with caution.

Seeds of Pure Afghan are available for sale online. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out. Thanks to its landrace roots, strain is a hardy grow and may prove hard for even newbies gardeners to kill. Plants are on the short, bushy side, and growers may need to occasionally trim away any broad leaves that block light from reaching other flowering nodes. Pure Afghan flowers within a short 7 to 8 weeks when grown indoors. It can offer a yield of anywhere from 37 to 55 grams (or 1.3 to 2 ounces) of flower per square foot of plant.

The potent landrace is a must-try for cannabis nerds. If you’re toking in public, keep in mind that Pure Afghan can be a very pungent bud and may attract the wrong kind of attention without proper precautions.