Hard Candy, also known as Route 66 in some parts of the United States, is a fairly potent Indica strain. Hard Candy has a THC level of around 17-23% and a CBD level of 0.5-0.91%.
Though we do not know the breeder, we do know that this strain is made up of a combination of Cotton Candy, and ACDC. Cotton Candy is itself a hybrid strain, and though it is very popular, we have very little information on where it came from. The only known parent of Cotton Candy is Sweet Tooth.
While Cotton Candy is a hybrid strain, Hard Candy’s other parent, ACDC, is more CBD dominant which produces little to no intoxicating effects. It is instead mainly used in the medical marijuana industry.
Due to its genetics, Hard Candy will have a wide variety of effects on you both mentally and physically when smoked.
Origin
The origin of Hard Candy can be found mainly in the west, with it being created in the United States. However, a part of this strain can be traced to Afghanistan, potentially through its ACDC parent.
Strain Appearance
Depending on where you buy the strain from, Hard Candy will look either deep green or dark orange/brown in color. Due to the high THC level in this strain, you will notice tiny shiny flecks of THC covering the nug, which also gives it a slightly sticky feel. Aside from that, it will look like a typical nug of marijuana.
Strain Flavor
Hard Candy is known to have many flavors, so it depends on where you buy it from.
Typically though, it will taste sweet or fruity, just like candy. There is a wide variety of documented tastes though. A nutty flavor is commonly reported when Hard Candy is smoked, with people saying it tastes like chestnut and pine.
Some people have also reported that this strain tastes like cheese when smoked.
Strain Aroma
As the typical flavors of Hard Candy are either fruity or nutty, these flavors are reflected in the aroma. This strain is pretty potent in smell, especially if you have a nutty variant of Hard Candy.
The nutty smell is very close to the typical marijuana smell we all know, and so it may be best to smoke this away from people as they will most likely notice the smell from far away.
The fruity smell is quite sweet, though it still has a large hint of that typical weed smell. Still, it is not as bad as the nutty one, and probably will not be picked up on by as many people.
Strain Cannabinoids
Hard Candy contains a huge variety of cannabinoids, with the most prevalent one THC as this is a THC dominant strain. Here are all the cannabinoids in Hard Candy, and their levels. These levels will vary depending on where you buy this strain from though, so this is just the average.
- THC – 17-23%
- CBD – 0.05-0.91%
- CBC – 0/39-0.54%
- CBG – 0.13-1.06%
- CBN – 0.07-0.17%
- THCV – 0.21-0.91%
Strain Terpenes
Hard Candy is made up of three Terpenes. The first is Ocimene, which is found in many sweet strains of marijuana. It’s known for producing a woody and herbaceous smell when smoked and has a sweet, candy-like taste.
It’s very beneficial in altering a person’s mood, as people who smoke Ocimene-dominant marijuana say that gives them a burst of energy and uplifts their mood or brings them out of a slump.
The second most prevalent terpenes in Hard Candy is Myrcene. This is commonly found in almost every strain of marijuana. It is popular because it comes into effect very quickly once smoked and has a relaxing calming effect.
After a long day, this terpene is able to relax your muscles and give you a long, restful sleep.
Though it is able to relax the body and mind, Myrcene is able to prevent the feeling of being “couch-locked” (being unable to move) when smoking a strain with high THC levels.
You will still be able to move around, but it is able to make you feel less stressed and prevent any lightheaded feelings that can come from smoking.
The final terpene in Hard Candy is Caryophyllene, which is also found in a lot of medical marijuana strains. This is because this terpene targets the endocannabinoid system which can reduce any aches and pains you might be suffering with.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties. This terpene can give weed a spicy flavor, similar to that found in black pepper or cloves.
Strain Side Effects
Hard Candy has several beneficial side effects, as well as a few negative ones. The biggest and best side effect of this strain is the feeling of calm that it can give you. Smoking this after a stressful day is an excellent way to calm yourself down and relax your body.
It is also a very effective pain reliever, which is why it’s popular in the medical marijuana community. Hard Candy has been known to relieve the symptoms of many medical ailments such as PTSD, hypertension, Parkinson’s, fatigue, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Other beneficial side effects include a feeling of euphoria, creativity, giddiness, happiness, and a better and more focused outlook.
Like with all strains, there are a few negative side effects that comes with smoking this. These include hunger, fatigue, anxiety, dry mouth, and heightened sensory perception.
Medical Benefits
As mentioned, Hard Candy is very popular in the medical marijuana community due to its many medicinal properties and applications. As it is an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, it is a good choice for people who suffer from chronic pain from illnesses like Parkinson’s Multiple Sclerosis, or hypertension.
If a person does not suffer from these, it is still a good strain if a person works in a strenuous job and needs to relax their muscles after a long day at work.
It is also beneficial for people who suffer from insomnia as this strain is able to calm the mind and guide them into a deep and restful sleep.
Strain Review
Hard Candy is a very fast-acting strain, so whether you are smoking it or have an editable version, you will feel the effects very quickly (something that is not very common with edible in general as they usually take a long time to take effect).
The first effect you may notice is your face feeling warm and getting a little red, as well as your pupils getting larger. This is not a negative experience in the slightest, it’s just a sign that the weed is taking effect.
Next, you will notice a calm and relaxed feeling flowing through your body. You won’t realize just how tense your muscles were until the Hard Candy loosens everything up and you can sink down in your chair and feel all comfortable and warm.
While you may worry that this strain will make you couch-locked or sleepy instantly, the opposite is true.
Yes, you will feel calm and relaxed, but you will also feel focused, energized, and won’t suffer from too much brain fog. You will easily be able to keep up a conversation with your friends or participate in any activities they’re doing whether that’s having a games night or just chilling.
If you want to use this strain to help you sleep, then we recommend smoking it around 2 hours before bed, or four hours if you have an editable version. This will give it plenty of time to take effect and will begin to calm you down for the night.
Once in bed, you will quickly fall into a deep and restful sleep, and the next morning you will wake up feeling refreshed and energized for the day.
Strain Grow Info
Strain Seeds
Hard Candy seeds are sold by almost every seed company and can easily be bought online, as well as in some marijuana stores.
Strain Flowering Time
Hard Candy takes around 48 – 67 days to flower, and can be fully harvested after around 73 days. If grown indoors, then the plant will grow to be 30-60 inches tall, while if grown outside it will be larger at around 60-80 inches tall.
Strain Yield
Where you are growing the Hard Candy plant will impact how much weed you get from it. If grown indoors, you will get a yield of 0.5 – 1 Oz/Ft² (~ 300 g/m²). If grown outside, then the yield will be higher, with you getting around 10 – 15 Oz/plant (~ 400 g/plant).
This website will serve as the ultimate guide and record for various different cannabis strains that are available, from melon gum and golden goat, to wookie and hog strains. There is so much to learn about each strain, and each has its own benefits and medicinal properties.
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