Laughing Buddha

For Laughing Buddha, Barney's Farm crossed a pure Thai landrace with a Jamaican hybrid from its own breeding. The breeder classifies the result as 80 % sativa, other strain descriptions arrive at 75 %, and one retailer at 70 %. One consumer, judging by the effects, took the strain for more of a hybrid at a ratio of 60 to 40. At the High Times Cannabis Cup 2003 in Amsterdam it placed 3rd.

Genetics and Origin:

On its own website, Barney's Farm lists the strain only in general terms as a cup winner. The 2003 placing is documented in several strain descriptions, one of which also lists a 3rd place in the sativa category at the Karma Cup 2016.

Laughing Buddha is documented as a parent of Highena, a creation of White Lightning Seeds that crosses the Barney's Farm plant with Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Humboldt Seed Company.

THC and CBD Content:

Barney's Farm states 24 % THC. Other strain descriptions give 18 % THC and 0.4 % CBD, another gives 22 % THC; one retailer lists 18 % THC and 0 to 1 % CBD.

Lab Results:

Published analyses of individual harvests from the USA, whose lab is not named, range from 15.6 % THC (2017) to 27.83 % THC (2026); the more recent measurement showed 0.10 % CBD. Values vary by batch, cultivation and phenotype. The terpene results diverge: in 2017 terpinolene dominated, alongside ocimene, myrcene, β-caryophyllene, limonene and pinene, whereas in 2026 caryophyllene, pinene and myrcene led. Summarized lab certificates from the USA give on average myrcene ahead of terpinolene and limonene, while other strain descriptions name myrcene, caryophyllene and limonene.

Aroma and Flavor:

The breeder describes the scent as fresh and sweet, like exotic fruit, and names roasted bell pepper, pineapple, lemon and herbs for flavor. Other strain descriptions add earthy notes, spice, tea and sage, and one mentions lime, banana and raspberry. Consumers describe a sweetness followed by a peppery herbal note. One report compares the peculiar sweetness to mango and also finds citrus and earth, while another finds woody and nutty undertones.

Effects:

In consumer reports, lifted mood, giggling and euphoria are in the foreground. Also mentioned are energy, creativity, focus and talkativeness, occasionally a tingling or sexual arousal; individual consumers perceived music and colors more intensely.

Not all accounts fit a stimulating sativa. One report describes deep relaxation and tiredness after an invigorating start, and growers mention a strong body effect. A long-time consumer complains that flowers from various producers have recently fallen short of what they were used to. Side effects mentioned are dry mouth and dry eyes, in one case also brief paranoia. Another report describes anxiety, racing heart and distorted vision. Some consumers rate the effect as very strong.

Cultivation:

The Barney's Farm version is feminized. The breeder gives a flowering time of 70 to 75 days, 500 to 600 g/m² indoors at 100 to 110 cm in height, and 800 g per plant outdoors at 120 to 150 cm; outdoors, harvest falls in the 3rd to 4th week of October. According to the breeder, the heavy, firm buds need support in the last 3 weeks of flowering.

Other information on flowering time differs clearly: strain descriptions give 75 to 90 days, 80 to 90 days or 7 to 9 weeks, and one retailer 11 to 12 weeks. Outdoor harvest times also found include mid-October and late October to early November. One description considers the strain suitable for hot climates and points to oversized colas that need support.

Grow reports paint an inconsistent picture. One indoor grow ended after 75 to 80 days with bushy plants about 120 cm tall, with many side shoots, hard buds and a good ratio of calyxes to leaves; individual colas measured 13 × 60 cm. The report cites high nutrient demand, a good response to topping the main stem, no fungal problems and a need for support in flowering. Outdoors, one plant grew to about 2.5 m, yielded less than expected at harvest in mid-October, reacted sensitively to feeding errors and developed mold. Another grower, by contrast, reports a plant that withstood pests and fungal infestation outdoors. In another indoor attempt, 4 of 5 seeds did not germinate.