Why White Widow Is Considered the Most Popular Cannabis Strain
The Canadian cannabis market features hundreds of strains, each known for its unique effects and benefits. Among the expanding selection of cannabis flowers, one strain that stands out is the respected White Widow.
Experienced users have many reasons for loving this strain, but as a beginner, you might be curious about what sets it apart. You might wonder why many users eagerly search for a "dispensary near me" online to experience it firsthand.
Key Takeaways:
The cannabis community accepted that White Widow is a hybrid of Brazilian Sativa and South Indian Indica.
White Widow cannabis strain earns big popularity due to its distinctive white appearance.
Among the 15 strains used by subjects to alleviate pain stemming from various conditions.
White Widow Strain
Renowned Dutch breeders Green House Seeds developed White Widow in the early 1990s. Although there is some debate about its genetic lineage, many believe it to be a hybrid cross between a Brazilian Sativa and a South Indian Indica.
The Controversial Origin - Who Discovered White Widow?
Green House was the first to market the strain, initially offering it as buds in their coffee shops and later as regular cannabis seeds. The exact origin remained somewhat unclear. The strain gained widespread attention, particularly its unique resin production, which was uncommon in the mid-90s.
Ingemar
The dispute over White Widow has caused significant confusion in the cannabis community. One version was Ingemar, a Dutch grower, who stated that White Widow was bred from two seeds and stabilized for six years.
While he kept the genetic details a secret, he insisted that the genes sold by Green House were his and that he granted Arjan Roskam, the founder of Green House coffeeshops and co-founder of Green House Seed Company, exclusive permission to use them.
Shantibaba
Shantibaba, the co-founder of Mr. Nice Seeds, claims that White Widow results from crossing Brazilian and Indian genetics. He states that the seeds that won the first cup in 1995 came exclusively from his plants.
Despite controversies and the emergence of multiple feminized versions, Shantibaba still claims to own the original plants.
Scott Blakey, also known as Shantibaba, began his career at Green House Seeds in the 1990s, co-owning the company with Arjan Roskam in 1994. He brought back seeds from Kerala, which were used to create White Widow by crossing them with a Brazilian female plant.
Green House Seeds released the original Widow in 1994. After disagreements with Arjan, Shantibaba left and partnered with Howard Marks and Neville to find Mr. Nice Seed Bank.
White Widow’s Genetic Composition
White Widow has a predominantly balanced genetic composition that leans slightly towards Indica. It consists of around 60% Indica and 40% Sativa genetics. This delicate balance contributes to the strain's harmonious effects by blending cerebral stimulation and physical relaxation.
The strain has moderate cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound known for its potential therapeutic benefits. White Widow's CBD levels are relatively lower than some strains, but they still contribute to the overall effect and may offer some medicinal properties.
Appearance and Aroma
The leaves are commonly dense and compact, characteristic of its Indica-dominant hybrid lineage. The standout characteristic of White Widow is its dense flowers trimmed with attractive frosty white trichomes.
The hair-like structures on the buds, called pistils, can be orange, brown, or another colour, contrasting slightly with the mainly white appearance. The buds' stickiness and potency are partly due to their high resin content.
White Widow offers a piney fragrance with a hint of citrus. You'll first notice earthy undertones followed by spicy and peppery notes, commonly compared to cinnamon and nutmeg.
White Widow does not taste sweet despite the buds' frosty appearance, which resembles frosted sugar.
Effects and Medical Benefits of White Widow
Psychoactive Effects
Despite its Indica-dominant genetics, White Widow delivers a predominantly cerebral experience. The strain's high THC content induces a potent psychoactive experience characterized by euphoria, uplifted mood, and a burst of creativity.
The cerebral effects of White Widow are mildly relaxing and saturate the entire body. You may experience a soothing sensation that helps alleviate stress and tension.
Excessive consumption can lead to an adverse experience, which differs from the euphoria described earlier.
Medical Benefits
Chronic Pain Relief. A study from the 2018 Journal of Headache and Pain issue found that medicinal users reported White Widow as one of the most helpful strains for pain relief. Their reported ailments primarily included headaches, chronic pain, and arthritis.
Stress and Anxiety Reduction. In a 2018 survey examining the role of cannabis in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety, subjects using medical cannabis reported a significant 58% reduction in feelings of anxiety and stress.
Reduce Nightmares. In a crossover trial with 10 PTSD patients, the addition of THC to pharmacotherapy resulted in a reduction in self-reported nightmares.
Appetite Stimulation. It can be helpful for users experiencing a lack of appetite due to cancer or HIV/AIDS. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body. When these cannabinoids bind to receptors on the tongue, they heighten the brain's response to sweet flavours and boost the craving for fatty foods. A clinical study demonstrated that inhaling cannabis can elevate levels of hunger-inducing hormones.
Best Practices for Consuming White Widow Strain
Start with a low dosage and gradually increase as needed to gauge your tolerance and avoid overconsumption.
Choose an environment where you feel comfortable and safe.
Experiment with different methods to find the one that suits your preferences and desired effects.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and keep snacks close at hand in case you feel hungry.
Customer Reviews
"It gets me moving. Smoking White Widow is like taking medication for me."
"I can hear the static in the air."
"I recommend it to those who want their mind woken up, have physical pain, want to do."
"Definitely leans more on the Indica side for me, especially body-wise, which I like. When I was in the hospital recovering from surgery, I had some canna peanut butter with White Widow, and it helped with the pain way better than the pain meds they were giving me."
White Widow vs. Other Popular Strains
The Frosty Friend You Didn't Know You Needed
The intriguing history, snowy appearance, and effective pain management abilities of White Widow root its popularity. It offers a balanced effect, neither overly energizing nor heavily sedating. This strain leaves a lasting impression on many cannabis users. If you haven't experienced it yet, consider enjoying this Indica-dominant cannabis at GrassLife for gentle relaxation this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does White Widow take to kick in?
Smoking white widow marijuana's full effect can vary depending on the consumption method, tolerance, and dosage. When you smoke or vaporize it, White Widow marijuana effects occur within minutes, with the full onset occurring within 10 to 30 minutes. The high lasts between 1.5 to two hours.
What are the terpene components of White Widow?
Its primary terpenes comprise Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Trans-nerolidol.
Myrcene is among the key components responsible for the calming effects of cannabis.
Limonene can potentially alleviate anxiety.
Caryophyllene contributes to anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Trans-nerolidol contributes to sedative and anti-anxiety properties.
Is White Widow an albino weed?
Albinism in cannabis presents as a genetic anomaly that can severely impede plant growth. Even if an albino cannabis plant manages to survive, the resulting buds contain significantly lower THC levels.
Several cannabis strains yield white-coloured buds without possessing the albino trait. These strains showcase white resin crystals on their surface. White Widow stands out among these varieties as one of the most renowned examples.
