Hydrolife Magazine April/May 2017 (Canada Edition)

heal
CUT AND DRIED:
A MONTHLY LOOK AT DIFFERENT MMJ STRAINS
BY BILLY BISHOP
There has always been something singularly difficult about trying to convey
the taste and aroma of a powerful Kush. It’s all about that “Kushiness” or,
more specifically, that “Kush smell” that is so
difficult to define: Citrus, gasoline, pine
needles, chlorophyll. A unique scent and
taste that is all of these and yet none.
starkiller
Sometimes a Kush leans towards the
piney… more often towards the fuelly…
and hopefully towards the lemony or
citrusy. Some describe it as jet fuel, but
I don’t know what jet fuel smells like.
The often-used term “diesel” is quite
appropriate for Kush strains but really
doesn’t do the aroma justice. No verbal
description does.
Origins
This descriptive challenge continues
with Starkiller, the latest and greatest
70/30 indica/sativa hybrid from Broken
Coast Cannabis. This award-winning
strain is a cross between Skywalker
OG and Rare Dankness #2.
Physical Description
Visually, it is a deep, dark green
with delicate, wispy orange hairs
and a predilection for robust, large,
solid colas covered in a fine velvet of
shimmering, sparkling trichomes. The
colour and appearance of Starkiller
is unusually dark and lush. The
trichomes create levels of light that
make the colas seem to have a texture
and depth like folds of dark velvet.
Taste and aroma
Starkiller offers a rich and heady aroma
focused strongly on ambrosial, deepforest
chlorophyll notes, mixed with
more subtle tones of pine nuts, menthol,
and oiled leather. All swirling around
a strong, lemony centre. A very lemony
centre. When smoked, it produces
highly aromatic flavours reminiscent
of forest undergrowth and fresh
green vegetables, with undertones of
caramelized sugar and gasoline fumes
at the back of the throat.
Award Winner
Starkiller is already a well-known
contender (it was winner of Best Hybrid
Flower at the 2016 Colorado Cannabis
Cup), but Broken Coast has shown its
chops by developing this strain into a
seriously top-notch finished product. I
know I say this every time, but this is my
favourite strain ever.
Topping out the THC at 23.2 per cent,
this is also the one of the strongest
strains I’ve tested and it shows. This
was one of the fastest-hitting and
powerful highs I have experienced.
Although highly physically reactive, it
provided gentle cerebral stimulation,
so it had an easy, even-keeled feel
throughout the entire experience.
Medical Suitability
This is an outstanding option for pain
management. It is strong, sedative,
and helpful for inducing sleep. The
immediately noticeable muscle-relaxant
properties will appeal particularly to
patients with muscular or joint injuries,
sciatica, back and neck pain, and
spasmodic digestive tract conditions.
A patient with Crohn’s or colitis will
not only appreciate alleviation from
spasmodic episodes but enjoy a mild
appetite enhancement and a boost to
taste and scent experience. A strong,
effective medicine both physically
and mentally, Starkiller is also a great
choice for managing your anxiety under
challenging circumstances. The CBD
levels are around one per cent.
A success story
Selected from more than 120 seed options,
this phenotype is Broken Coast’s
latest attempt to one-up its already
impressive stock of quality, high-potency
options. As a growing option, Broken
Coast tells me that this phenotype produces
large, dense buds with high yields
for this type of hybrid. Shorter and stockier
than her true OG sisters, Starkiller is
an ideal size and structure for efficient
and successful indoor growing.
I get the feeling that the Broken Coast
crew is quite proud of this one. They
should be.
Billy Bishop is a long-time cannabis
patient and suffers from extended postconcussion
syndrome. This is a complex
disorder in which various symptoms
including headaches, nausea, dizziness,
and depression can last for weeks,
months, or years after the initial head
injury that caused the concussion.
36
grow. heal. live. enjoy.
myhydrolife.ca