Strain Review: Willy's Wonder

More formally known as William's Wonder, this indica has long been a member of the hall of fame of strains. Willy's Wonder is known for its heavy high and sweet, flavorful taste. But the batch now available at Today's Herbal Choice (2606 SE Gladstone St., 971-544-7685, thcglad.com) is a different take on the classic strain. This Willy's Wonder comes from a recent outdoor harvest in Southern Oregon, and is finding shelf space across the state.

Aesthetics and aroma: It doesn't glitter like climate-controlled indoor buds, without trichome-laden clusters tended to perfection. The matte green leaves are loose and wild, dotted with pockets of purple and decent clumps of frosty hairs.

Smoke: Most outdoor-grown pot tastes like dry, dirty hay, hence the term "ditchweed." Willy's Wonder has a slightly skunky sweetness to it, but the taste is bland compared to the curated symphonies of flavor that come from well-grown indoor buds.

Effects: Within 15 minutes of tossing the roach to the curb, a joint of Willy's Wonder further narrowed my eyes into squints and left my shoulders and back noticeably loose. Tested at 24.1 percent THC and 0.1 percent CBD, this batch should be smoked when one has time to zone out. Like the best outdoors strains, and surely the inspiration for the name, this weed's heavy high comes out of nowhere with a disorienting jolt. One second you're grimacing at the taste of malnourished vegetation still on your lips, the next it's difficult to recall whether you've eaten today. A strong euphoria sets in, quickly erasing any negative feelings about the looks or flavor of the natural buds. One is moved to a place of complacent flexibility, totally in line with the small-town chill of the southern lands from whence it came.

Verdict: In terms of sun-grown buds, it falls in the middle. It doesn't taste fantastic or smoke very well, but it's better than most outdoor flavors and has glimmers of trichomes, to the credit of the grower. The satisfying indica high is true to Willy's legend, but the relaxation fades after an hour. If used for insomnia, that short-lived high does improve your chances of avoiding the grogginess of an indica hangover.

WWeek 2015