As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Western nations have compensated unfavorable climatic conditions for growing outdoor weed with science. Advanced genetics makes it possible to develop strains possessing THC levels almost double what you’d find in Africa. Does this mean Africa is smoking reggie?
What defines good weed?
1. THC content
Gorilla Glue 4 is a strain that’s been around for more than 5 years. It’s a heavy hitter thanks to it’s staggering 27% THC levels. Girl Scout Cookies from Berner also belongs in the same league because it contains 20%THC.
Africa has awesome weed but you never hear much about it because cultivation is still old school. You’ll never come across a ganja farmer in Africa taking their buds to the lab for analysis. The lack of cannabis related technology makes it impossible to analyse landrace strains from different countries.
Science also shows that strains have unique mental effects due to their individual compositions of THC and accompanying cannabinoids. A strain containing THC 14% might feel less potent if it has a significant amount of cannabidiol compared to a similar one with zero CBD. Especially where growing conditions vary.
In most African countries, the sun shines 8-9 months annually. The sun’s ultraviolet rays make it possible for cannabinoids to flourish optimally in landrace strains. GoIP Global Inc has already taken advantage of East Africa’s brilliant climate by applying for a cannabis cultivation permit in Kenya
2. Flavors.
Wedding Cake is an Indica dominant hybrid popular for its tasty flavors. Berner, the man behind Girl Scout Cookies also launched Lemon Cookies sativa. This strain contains 21% THC and has a distinct flavor of honey mixed with lemon.
East Africa has a diversity of soils ranging from red volcanic found in highlands to black cotton variety found near lakes. When you combine this with varied climates, you’ll notice that African strains have rare earthy flavors you can’t replicate in a laboratory. It’s amazing how the Shashamane sativa from Ethiopia tastes like green mangoes yet there’s no record of grafting.
3. Appearance
You only get one chance to make a first impression. When you walk into a cannabis dispensary, you’ll notice fat green nugs that are manicured so beautifully that it tempts you to buy everything. Some commercial growers even use special LED lights to stimulate growth of trichomes.
In a continent where cannabis is illegal and neighbors consider it taboo, marijuana farmers resort to guerilla cultivation. Growing weed in confined spaces makes it difficult to control pollination and that’s why most buds from Africa you see on Duby or Instagram have seeds in plenty.
Also, most growers don’t cure their weed using mason jars stored in the dark. After harvest, weed growers just lay out the yield in the sun to dry. Sometimes the strong heat and constant wind end up destroying trichomes.
4. Growing duration
The longer a plant takes to mature, the more resources you need to grow it. That’s why indoor growing is popular with cannabis sellers because it makes plants grow at twice the speed it would take outdoors. A strain that takes 6 months under the sun will only require 8-10 weeks under intense LED grow lights and a hydroponic setup.
In Africa, the sun shines 8-9 months consistently and this makes growing weed easy. It takes about 6-7 months for most sativas to mature. While this duration doesn’t compare with indoor growing, the yields you get are definitely worth the wait. Plus, you get to enjoy the strain’s fully developed cannabinoids thanks to solar ultraviolet rays.
5. Variety
What’s you favorite sativa strain? You might come across a group of friends that love sativa but each individual has a personal favorite strain. Where there’s plenty of weed, consumers have the freedom to try out a variety of flavors and cannabinoids.
East Africa’s climate provides conducive environments for sativas to flourish. On the other hand, countries at the southern part of Africa have a variety of landrace indica strains.
Explore landrace strains
We’ve covered the main factors that define what good weed is and it’s clear that African landrace strains match expectations. Are you planning to visit Africa soon? Make sure you sample as much weed as you can!
East Africa Genes 