Aptly named after an American brand of hard candy, the Jolly Rancher strain is known for its tart and fruity flavor combined with a cerebral high effect.
This sativa-dominant strain is most commonly used amongst those who require a clear mindset to function properly, stimulating creativity and productivity while keeping the brain relaxed.
To avoid confusion, the Jolly Rancher strain is also known as the Happy Rancher strain.
Here is everything you need to know about the Jolly Rancher strain!
Strain History
Genetics
While the genetic history of the Jolly Rancher strain is largely unknown, it is believed amongst most growers that the two strains responsible for the hybrid are Hell’s Angel OG and Jack The Ripper.
Hell’s Angel OG is an indica-dominant strain with pain-relieving and therapeutic effects, while Jack The Ripper is a sativa-dominant strain that works to boost productivity.
However, it is also argued that Freedom Baby and Tang Tang are part of Jolly Ranchers’ lineage alongside Jack The Ripper.
Origin
As with the genetic history, the origins of the Jolly Rancher strain are uncertain. What is known about the strain, however, is that it was probably originally bred by Breeder Steve in the 90s, a licensed breeder based in the west coast of the United States.
The popularity of Jolly Rancher is most widespread in California, and thanks to the popularity of the strain, the origins have become slightly warped depending on what each grower will say.
Strain Appearance
The Jolly Rancher strain features fairly dense buds, though they aren’t as dense as some strains that are like rocks. The buds are light in color, with prominent hints of orange and even purple hairs.
These buds are covered with dense trichome hairs, making the overall bud look something like a candy. The trichome hairs are also covered by a sticky resin coating, providing a glow to the “ball” of candy.
Strain Flavor
The Jolly Rancher strain, as the name aptly suggests, features a unique sweet flavor that can only be likened to Jolly Rancher candy. These flavors are fruity, with prominent citrus and lemon tones and a hint of candied grapes.
However, this sweetness is combined with an earthy flavor matched with skunk on the exhalation. The overall flavor is often described as sour but sweet.
Strain Aroma
The aroma of the Jolly Rancher strain is similar to its taste – while the base scent is predominantly earthy and skunk-like, it is matched with sweet tones of citrus and the zesty sourness of lemon. When the bud is broken apart, the aroma becomes slightly more spicy. Once combusted and ground, people nearby will smell wet soil.
Strain Cannabinoids
- THC: 19-22.5%
- CBD: 0.16-0.95%
- THCV: 0.29-1.63%
- CBG: 0.34-1.73%
- CBN: 0.07-0.28%
- CBC: 0.12-1.44%
Strain Terpenes
The Jolly Rancher strain features several terpenes, including pinene, limonene, linalool, eucalyptol, and caryophyllene.
Pinene is the most common terpene found in nature, featuring a pine needle aroma and pain-relieving properties. Limonene is responsible for the strain’s distinctive citrus aroma and flavor, and linalool is known for its calming effects.
Eucalyptol is slightly spicy in scent and flavor, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties suitable for respiratory issues. Caryophyllene is also known for its spiciness, which is why it’s commonly used as a food additive.
Strain Side Effects
The Jolly Rancher strain has a fairly slow onset, but once it hits the user (at varying times depending on THC tolerances), the main side effect is a cerebral high.
This means that it essentially clears the mind of the user without making them feel drowsy, thus providing a productive boost of creativity and inspiration.
This is quite common in sativa-dominant strains, and is why the Jolly Rancher strain is mostly consumed during the daytime to encourage the user to get tasks done.
In the simplest form, Jolly Rancher gives the user a view of the world through rose-colored glasses. Hours seem shorter, tasks are less difficult to complete, and the general mood is happiness.
The physical side effects of this strain are similar to the mental ones, as the strain works to relax any tension without making the body exhausted.
Consuming the Jolly Rancher strain stops the user from feeling tired within several hours, allowing for long periods of concentration.
Any behavioral changes in the user are completely down to the Jolly Rancher strain. Users are known to giggle at the smallest things and will generally walk around in a happier mood.
However, you can only have so much of a good time, because one too many tokes can lead to dizziness and a case of the munchies.
As with any other cannabis strain, there are some negative side effects to be wary of. These include cottonmouth, dry eyes, paranoia, dizziness, and headaches.
Almost all of these can be aided with a glass of water and only consuming a small amount of the strain if your THC tolerance is low.
Medical Benefits
One of the main medical benefits of the Jolly Rancher strain is its mentally calming properties that help to lessen the symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Some users have even turned to Jolly Rancher to improve their productivity as an alternative to antidepressants. For people who have ADD or ADHD, Jolly Rancher is said to work wonders for providing a few hours of concentration
With the ability to relieve the user of an overwhelming sense of dread and lack of motivation, Jolly Rancher is ideal for those who struggle to complete everyday tasks like doing the laundry, cleaning the house, and sorting through bills.
As for physical medical benefits, the Jolly Rancher strain features antiemetic properties to aid or prevent nausea. It also has pain-relieving benefits to soothe muscle aches or the discomfort of gastrointestinal issues.
In some cases, people with a particularly low THC tolerance might feel sleepy after consuming Jolly Rancher, so it can also help with insomnia or fatigue.
Strain Review
The Jolly Rancher strain, also aptly known as the Happy Rancher strain, is a widely popular strain particularly in the west coast of the United States known for its euphoria-inducing properties.
As a sativa-dominant strain, it’ll provide the user with a clear head without making them drowsy, thus providing them with a positive mindset to be productive throughout the day.
With a moderate to high average THC level of 20%, users can expect to feel creative, inspired, relaxed, and temporarily free from the symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorders.
Users should be aware of the potential negative side effects, which include (but are not limited to) dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, and an increased appetite.
While an increased appetite is normal in sativa-dominant strains, this is something to keep in mind if the user has any difficulties with eating.
Strain Grow Info
Strain Seeds
Despite its popularity, it’s not actually that easy to find Jolly Rancher seeds. However, due to its sativa-indica balance, the Jolly Rancher strain is surprisingly easy to grow, which is ideal for beginner growers.
This is also due to its tall-but-manageable height, allowing for virtually all the buds to receive adequate airflow, sunlight, and other nutrients – meaning you don’t have to plant the seeds following a specific method if you’re totally new to the game.
Strain Flowering Time
The flowering time of the Jolly Rancher strain ranges between 45-60 days depending on the environment it grows in. For indoor conditions, the flowering time is generally between 8-9 weeks, while outdoor setups are ready to harvest in the first week of September to the second or third week of October.
Strain Yield
The average yield of a Jolly Rancher strain plant is 12 to 14 ounces per square meter (or per plant if you’re growing it outdoors).
When it comes to the ideal environment and climate for this strain, Jolly Rancher is fairly resilient to a variety of conditions, but it thrives best in Mediterranean climates.
This is why Jolly Rancher is mostly grown outdoors in California, or in an indoor setup that mimics these conditions. As long as the lighting, humidity, temperature, and airflow of the setup can replicate Mediterranean-like conditions, your Jolly Rancher plants will flourish just fine.
This strain absolutely loves sunlight, which is part of the reason why they grow so tall. Ranging between 30-80” in height depending on its environment (they tend to grow taller outdoors), the stalks are surprisingly resilient, ensuring that the plant isn’t damaged by wind or other weather types.
These stalks can also handle sudden changes in temperature, which is why they are considered so hardy in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Interestingly, if exposed to cold temperatures during the night will make the buds even brighter in color towards the last two weeks of the flowering process.
Due to the strain’s unique terpene combination, Jolly Rancher grows best in soil. This is because soil features nutrients that work to bring out the flavors of each terpene, giving the strain its distinctive sour candy-like flavor.
If you enjoyed this article, then you might like to read our post on the Lemongrass strain.
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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