If you’ve watched the 2008 stoner movie Pineapple Express starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, you’ve probably already heard of the Pineapple Express weed strain. This strain became one of the more popular strains as a result of the movie’s success, although it has existed on the market long before the movie even came out.
From its fruity tropical flavor to the energizing high it provides, this is one potent strain. Pineapple Express is a Sativa-dominant strain that gives users a high like no other.
Read on to find out more about the effects, side effects, and the THC/CBD content of this powerful blend. We will get into how you can grow it, as well as list the medical benefits of using Pineapple Express.
Pineapple Express Strain Review
This Sativa-dominant hybrid is a cross between two landrace strains:
- Hawaiian
- Trainwreck
Combining these two strains results in a 60% to 40% ratio of Sativa to Indica.
It’s qualified as one of the daytime strains since it induces a feeling of relaxation and a boost in creativity. That being said, you shouldn’t take it before you go to work, as it can make you too relaxed to perform more complex tasks.
Is Pineapple Express Weed THC or CBD Dominant?
The Pineapple Express blend can transport you right to Hawaii with its tropical aroma and the mix of pineapple and citrus flavors. Its high THC levels range between 14-19%, while there are some growers that even manage THC levels of up to 24%. On the other hand, the CBD levels aren’t that significant with less than < 1%, as well as CBN levels which are <0.1% (CBN is produced naturally in cannabis plants as THC oxidizes after being exposed to heat and light).
The plant has dense light green buds full of resin with orange and sometimes purple-colored pistils, and long water leaves that grow particularly high. It has a distinctive smell of tropical fruits and florals, reminding you of fresh mangoes and apples, with hints of pineapple, as well as pine and cedar on the exhale.
The terpenes profile of the Pineapple Express weed strain is the one that gives it its recognizable name, and it contains the following terpenes:
- Beta Caryophyllene – 0.41%;
- Alpha Humulene – 0.16%;
- Beta Myrcene – 0.13%.
General Info and Origin
G13 Labs, a cannabis seed company based in the UK, claims that it originated this hybrid strain back in the 2000s, from where it spread to a huge amount of dispensaries in Colorado for use as medical marijuana.
However, a lot of other growers and seed banks claim that they are also the first creators of this strain. The Dutch have even been said to have consumed this powerful ganja long before it commercially appeared on the market in the 2000s. As a result of that, today there are different variations of this strain on the market, and each has different THC levels.
Pineapple Express Effects
Even though the 2008 movie Pineapple Express painted this strain out to be very high in THC content and able to produce insane effects, this isn’t quite how this weed works. As a result of the Sativa strain being more potent, users can experience a body-numbing feeling and relaxation. Generally, people take this type of weed to help rid themselves of creative blocks, as well as feelings of stress and depression.
When consuming Pineapple Express, recreational users report feeling:
- Euphoric;
- Energized;
- Uplifted;
- Creative;
- Relaxed;
- Focused.
Medical Benefits of Pineapple Express
Medical marijuana has been used to treat some medical conditions and mood disorders in the past 6000 years by most cultures, given that it provides numerous medicinal benefits. It can help with chronic as well as mild pains, muscle tightness, seizures, and it’s even used to treat clinical depression.
Because Pineapple Express has an uplifting and energizing effect, it gets patients excited and adventurous about their lives. The ability this weed has to calm, stimulate, and boost creativity is perfect for people who suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, and even PTSD.
However, for users suffering from a mental disorder, overconsumption can lead to worsening of the symptoms, and can even cause paranoia. That’s why moderate doses are better when using this strain, or any other type of cannabis for that matter. Apart from smoking it, this strain can be vaped, put inside a bong, in edibles, tinctures, and other cannabis products.
How to Grow Pineapple Express?
If you decide to grow your own Pineapple Express strain, you should know that it’s moderately difficult to do so. It might not be recommended for novel growers, although as you start growing it, you will learn more about how to cultivate this type of weed. This strain is resistant to bugs, pests, as well as molds, so it’s easy to maintain. Since Pineapple Express was originally cultivated in a tropical climate in Hawaii, this is the most important growing information that you will need to take into account.
Growers need to mimic this climate no matter if they grow it indoors or outdoors (since the plant can thrive both ways). The branches grow really high, so if you’re growing indoors, you will need to have enough room in order to grow it, and you can use both hydroponics and soil for planting.
This auto-flowering strain yields high amounts of weed (around 18 ounces per square meter if grown inside, and 19 ounces per plant if grown outside). The harvesting time is about 10 weeks, although if you are growing outdoors it may need a bit more time until it’s ready for harvesting.
What Are the Side Effects of the Pineapple Express Marijuana Strain?
Like every other strain, this one has a few mild side effects as well. As a Sativa and Indica hybrid, it can produce the most common side effects like dry mouth and dry eyes, and, in some cases, even paranoia, dizziness, and anxiety.
In order to prevent dry mouth, you should always keep yourself hydrated and drink a lot of water. If you experience dry eyes, it’s good to keep a bottle of moisturizing eye drops close. People who don’t respond well to weed with a high THC content should refrain from using this strain, including those who suffer from panic attacks.
Other than these minor side effects, Pineapple Express is generally considered relatively risk-free.
Pineapple Express Cannabis Strain in a Nutshell
Whether you’re looking for a great strain for your next vape session with your friends, or you’re looking for a creativity booster, Pineapple Express might be the strain for you.
This hybrid blend of Sativa and Indica can get you energized, uplifted, and ready to tackle your next adventure, or get you in a creative mood for your next project. Apart from using Pineapple Express recreationally, you could use it medicinally, as a treatment for mild and chronic pains, as well as for mood disorders.
If you would like to grow it yourself, you should know that the cultivation is moderately hard, although Pineapple Express is resistant to a lot of pests, bugs, and molds. The typical harvesting period is about 10 weeks when growing indoors, or a few weeks more if growing outdoors.
Users should also be aware of the mild side effects that can occur while using this weed including dry mouth and eyes, as well as the more serious ones like paranoia and anxiety. In order to avoid side effects, use it responsibly and in moderation.
