Valley Girl is a well-balanced hybrid created from two potent ocean-grown strains.The creation of Archive Seeds, purveyors of Golden Ticket, this bud is a cross between San Fernando Valley OG (from which the strain gets its name) and Face Off OG. It offers a mellow, indica-leaning high that any high-strung consumers, valley girl or not, can appreciate. A piney, floral aroma is enough to win over any holdouts. This strain’s THC content has been measured at between 16% and a whopping 31%.

Valley Girl impresses right off the bat with medium to large-sized flowers. These buds adhere in a dense structure typical of indica-dominant varieties. The small, olive-colored leaves curl tightly inward toward their central stems and are twisted through with vibrant orange pistils. Finally, a sprinkling of white trichomes accounts for this bud’s psychoactivity and makes the flowers very sticky to the touch.

A sweet, vegetal aroma wafts up from cured buds of this strain. A second whiff reveals some fresh, sharp notes of pine lurking underneath. Grinding up these flowers gives off a spicy, peppery character the reveals Valley Girl’s OG Kush lineage. When combusted in a pipe or a joint, Valley Girl gives off an uncommonly smooth and easy smoke. This smoke tastes sweet and piney on the exhale.

Valley Girl’s high can take a few minutes to set in; when it does arrive, it increases blood flow to the head, resulting in a slight pressure in the lower forehead as well as some possible flushing in the cheeks. Within short order, these symptoms give way to a kind of sensory distortion in which smokers experience trippy phenomena ranging from slight visual quirks to the ineffable sense of time passing more slowly. Those who appreciate this kind of psychedelic immersion can intensify it by turning on some spacey music or watching an engaging movie (Clueless or the 1983 Nicholas Cage comedy Valley Girl seem especially relevant here). Once they become accustomed to this strain’s vibe, consumers may notice that it confers some mental stimulation, adding a new dynamic to otherwise mundane thoughts or bringing to light new connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. Although this kind of freewheeling inspiration can be a great way to kickstart creative projects like brainstorming, it might not be as useful for accomplishing detail-oriented work tasks. As this high wears on, its indica side becomes gradually more pronounced. A tingle of relaxation can begin to make limbs and eyelids feel weighty in equal measure, while a slowly sinking feeling can lead some users to seek comfort on the closest comfortable couch. At this point, any prior motivation or notion of productivity tends to go out the window in favor of a more kicked-back, passive relaxation. Valley Girl’s combination of physical relaxation and mental engagement can be a great way to pass the time and enjoy giddy conversation with like-minded friends. Because it starts off relatively animated before melting into slow-moving sedation, Valley Girl is recommended for consumption between late afternoon and early evening.

Valley Girl’s versatile properties give it a few different applications for medical cannabis patients. Its early feelings of concentration can be a boon to those with attention deficit disorders. Its upbeat vibe can also temporarily relieve the harsh symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. Physiologically speaking, the strain can also soothe aches and pains, whether they’re temporary, as due to injury, or chronic, as due to conditions like fibromyalgia. Because it can bring about some recursive patterns of thinking that can veer into paranoia, patients who are prone to panic should consume Valley Girl with caution and in moderation.

Archive Seeds has made seeds of Valley Girl available for purchase online. Once obtained, the strain can be grown indoors or out, although successful outdoor cultivation calls for a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants tend to grow short and bushy and may require occasional pruning. Valley Girl flowers within 9 to 10 weeks when grown indoors and offers a high yield of flowers at maturity.

Valley Girl’s full spectrum of effects make it a compelling option for indica and sativa lovers alike. It’s as enjoyable when savored alone as it is when shared with friends.