Sun Ra is a sativa-dominant hybrid that comes to us from prolific breeders Colorado Seed Inc. It is a cross between two of the company’s own proprietary sativas: Sunburn and Rebel God Smoke.
Ostensibly named for the American jazz musician (who, in turn, named himself after the Ancient Egyptian sun god) Sun Ra has well-balanced effects and a complex, fruity flavor profile. This strain’s THC content has been measured at between 17% and 23%.
Sun Ra stands out from the pack right away with medium to large-sized flowers. The buds adhere in a conical formation, tapering down from a broad base into a pointed tip. Despite mostly sativa genetics, they appear to have more of an indica-typical internal structure, composed of a dense core of tightly-curled leaves. These leaves themselves are a muted shade of olive green and are capped off by curly orange pistils and glittering, translucent trichomes.
Flowers of Sun Ra give off a fruity, citrus-tinged aroma once they’re cured. A second inspection may also pick up on some underlying earthiness and musk. Breaking apart or grinding up these thick flowers, meanwhile, gives off more of an acrid, skunky odor. When combusted in a pipe or a joint, Sun Ra burns with a light, fruity smoke that’s typically easy on the lungs. On the exhale, this smoke tastes like pure tropical fruit.
Almost immediately after ingestion, Sun Ra hits users with a headrush and a buzzy feeling of stimulation. A tingly feeling around the temples and cheekbones and an increase in salivation may be some initial signs that the strain is doing its job. As smokers become more accustomed to these sensations, they may notice a change in their patterns of thinking. Thoughts or conversations may seem to take on a new complexity or interconnectedness. Similarly, users may find themselves jumping from one idea to the next in a kind of rapid free associations. Sun Ra’s cerebral mood can be a great way to facilitate work on complicated, detail-oriented tasks. It may also open up pathways of creative thinking for those engaged in more freewheeling, artistic projects. When it is shared in social situations, the strain can spark talkativeness and camaraderie, even among relative strangers. For some, Sun Ra may even bring about a surge of physical energy.
After about an hour into the high, some body-focused effects begin to seep in, taking off some of the earlier edge. A feeling of heaviness can creep into the limbs and core and can make any concerted physical activity much more difficult. Those who are consuming at home may find themselves ready to stretch out on the closest couch. Fortunately, though, Sun Ra’s physical properties do not come at the cost of its mental acuity; consumers who are so inclined may be able to achieve some measure of productivity. Because of its slow decrescendo into sleepiness, Sun Ra is recommended for late afternoon or evening use.
Sun Ra’s wide-ranging effects can have several applications for medical cannabis patients as well. Its initially tuned-in, cerebral mood can those with attention deficit disorders to focus on one task at a time. Its mostly upbeat vibe can also temporarily improve the symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. On the physical side of things, the strain can relieve aches and pains, as well as minor inflammations like cramps and headaches. Sun Ra’s tendency to induce the munchies can even improve appetite for those dealing with digestive issues or with harsh treatments like chemotherapy. Because it can trigger some recursive, obsessive bouts of thinking, this strain is not recommended for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.
Colorado Seed Inc has not made seeds of Sun Ra available for sale online. Those looking to grow this hybrid at home should somehow obtain clippings from mature, healthy plants of the strain. These clippings can be grown as genetically identical “clones” and may thrive indoors or outdoors in a hot and humid climate. While little information is available regarding best practices for cultivating this specific strain, its indica-influenced flowers suggest that plants grow short and bushy and that they have a relatively brief flowering time of around 8 weeks.
With a head buzz that melts into a deep body stone, Sun Ra is a must-try for indica and sativa lovers alike. Its pleasant citrus aroma is icing on this very psychoactive cake.