By: Giulia Alvarez-Katz
The cannabis strain AK-47, despite its somewhat foreboding name, is a delightfully relaxing hybrid first developed in the Netherlands in 1992.
Its age and overwhelming popularity make it one of the most accessible strains around.
AK-47 at a glance
| Effects | Flavors | Common Use | THC % | CBD % | Type |
|
|
|
16% | 1% | Hybrid:
65% Sativa 35% Indica |
What is AK47 cannabis?
A prize-winning, international mix of Afghani, Thai, Colombian, and Mexican varieties of cannabis, AK-47 is a mainstay in most dispensaries, with wide availability and effects most cannabis users are well-accustomed to.
It creates a wonderful balance of effects due to its hybrid lineage, meaning it’s a great choice for anyone seeking a user-friendly cannabis experience.
This strain comes incredibly well-recommended, with a long history of receiving awards across the world.
AK47 review: Flavor, smell, appearance
The aroma of AK-47 differs greatly between flowering and combustion and opens up to reveal an even larger variety of fragrances and flavors in the mouth.
To the uninitiated, it perhaps doesn’t have as thrilling a bouquet as newer, highly fruited strains best known for their distinct aromas, but its diversity and blends of fragrances can become anyone’s choice favorite.
It’s quite a classic strain, aroma-wise, and there’s comfort in familiarity.
Flavor
Upon combustion, AK-47 reveals a taste some might describe as incongruent with the smell– but much like wine, this is quite intoxicating and provides a point of interest not necessarily shared with other strains.
Its flavor is well-rounded, earthy, and spicy– to some, almost chemical, approaching a slightly ammonia-like taste.
Some liken the flavor to incense, especially sandalwood, due to the gorgeous blend of smokiness and spiced wood.
Its flavor also reminds the user of the herbaceousness of burning rosemary and thyme on a wood fire, which means it’s a lovely option to use in the winter months, as this flavor can help create a pleasant ambiance of coziness.
Smell
The bouquet of AK-47 is completely divergent from its flavor: On the tongue, AK-47 is intensely earthy, almost mulchy, and smoky– but on the nose, AK-47 is sour, fruity, and overwhelmingly sweet.
The flower’s smell is very powerful, and the base note underpinning all that almost-cloying sweetness is a fresh, floral note, brightening up the whole aroma.
The herbaceousness that can be tasted is hardly detectable on the nose–but it certainly is present, just barely noticeable behind the florals and the sourness.
The balance of fragrances in AK-47 is quite striking, which isn’t surprising for such a renowned strain.
Appearance
AK-47’s buds are long and narrow– almost extruded. These boast a vivid, highly saturated lime green color contrasted by deep orange pistils that stretch along the length of the flower.
These flowers don’t look incredibly dense to the naked eye but, upon further inspection, the enormous amount of sticky, snowy-white trichomes that coat these flowers assuages any worries one might have about the potency of this strain.
Mind and body effects of AK47
While a given strain’s effects can vary greatly from person to person, many of those that have tried AK-47 have reported numerous effects– most commonly, a pleasant balance of uplifting energy and physical body relaxation.
The uplifted, euphoric effect could be attributed to its majority-Sativa genetics, and the undercurrent of calming effects could be due to the not-insignificant Indica lineage.
This combination was reported to be incredibly conducive to creativity and other relaxing activities, with several users reporting that they enjoyed listening to and making music, making artwork, or even simply relaxing after work with a movie or a book.
It makes for a great strain option to wind down after a long day.
Possible medical benefits of AK47
Some users of AK-47 report its effectiveness in increasing appetite and soothing nausea, which could make it an appropriate strain to use before a meal.
Some have said AK-47’s uplifting, energetic effects could help with stress and depression. Others point to AK-47’s Indica portion and report its potential capacity to soothe chronic pain due to its physically relaxing properties.
Judging by AK-47’s terpenic content, its high beta-caryophyllene content might support that, because beta-caryophyllene has been shown to exert analgesic (pain-relieving) effects in mice.
Review of AK47 side effects
Side-effects can vary from person to person, but some of the neutral or adverse side effects reported were dry mouth and eyes, dizziness, and increased appetite.
Some have also reported sleepiness, though, for many, that is a positive. Apropos of that, another reported side-effect was what has been called “couch-lock”, a state of seriously deep physical relaxation.
Again, for some users, that intense degree of tranquility is exactly their goal– but those not seeking this sort of effect should consider this, and perhaps try a less relaxing strain.
To sum it up: AK47 review
AK-47 has a reputation fitting of its name: notorious, international, a little mysterious… but using this strain isn’t quite as frightening or ferocious as the name implies.
It’s a potent, relaxing, euphoric strain with a user-friendly range of effects and great potential to become anyone’s favorite if it wasn’t already.
Its wide availability and quasi-universal adoration made it a 27-time award winner, some of those awards won as recently as 2018.
It’s an instant classic, and worth trying… if only to see what the hype is all about!
FAQS
Is AK-47 a Sativa or Indica?
AK-47 is a hybrid, with 65% Sativa and 35% Indica genetics.
Is AK-47 strain exotic?
No, it is widely available– many growers across the U.S. and Canada produce it. In the U.S. it can be found in Oregon, Washington, and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
What is the AK-47 strain price?
The price varies across locations, but at one dispensary in Washington the price per 28 grams was about $300 USD, so about $10.70 USD per gram.
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Giulia Alvarez-Katz is a writer who focuses on cannabis culture and lifestyle.