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What strains did Dr. Dre smoke while working on his classic record, The Chronic? We'll never know. We do know that in 1994, two years after the landmark album dropped, Simon of Dutch breeder Serious Seeds decided to pay a small tribute: "[He] had finally succeeded in breeding a big-yielding strain, which delivers connoisseur-quality bud of a very high potency, until then thought an impossible combo," says a spokesman for the company today. "Back then, the most common term for the best weed around was Chronic, immortalized by Dr. Dre's album in 1992. Simon thought that would be a fitting name for his new creation and named the new cross Chronic."
And so in honor of the release of the movie Straight Outta Compton, we're reviewing a strain named after Dr. Dre's debut. If you want to up the ante of your viewing experience and have a medical card, head to Emerald Leaf Institute at 3827 NE Columbia Blvd. for an impressive, affordable batch for $9 a gram. Don't let the 19.7 percent THC fool you: This shit hits hard.
Aesthetics and aroma: This is a blend of three stunners: Northern Lights, Skunk and AK-47. It has a memorable, pungent scent of spice and lemon, and an expertly cured crop should give off sweeter hints of honey. The massive nugs are densely packed and coated in golden hairs, so even the smaller nugs wink at you with dozens of gilded strands.
Smoke: With a bong, the lemon taste came out a bit more than with a joint. The earthy flavor of the flower follows the smoke down as you rip a smooth bowl, leaving a fresh taste on your tongue. Many consider this a more delicate strain that loses flavor easier than others with improper storage, so opt for a small, glass jar with a tight seal when putting some Chronic away for later.
Effects: I don't know how high Dre felt when he found Chronic, but this strain is felt almost immediately and doesn't stop anytime soon. One rip went straight to my head, making me want to settle into my couch and zone out. Peripheral concerns quickly dissipate, but suddenly every unimportant task becomes extra distracting. My looming cellphone bill and oil change slid off my radar, yet I became keenly aware of how dusty my blinds were and proceeded to lose an hour in stoned cleaning mode. You don't feel a ton of physical relief, but the head high is so strong that it'd be hard to snap out of it long enough to notice that your neck is still sore.
Verdict: This heavy high is not for the weak of lung, or for just anyone's wake-and-bake session. I have high tolerance for flower, but I was eventually sapped of any work ethic or motivation even to click "Continue Watching" on the Netflix pop-up. That was fine for a Sunday evening when I had time to spare, but it took several hours for the high to fade enough to feel like making ramen for dinner. However, for those who experience severe anxiety, this is effective for easing the sense of being overwhelmed. It allows you to stop panicking, take a moment to breathe, and once the high starts to lighten up, prioritize what is really worth stressing over.
Willamette Week