Ministry of Cannabis
Kandahar is named after the southernmost region of
Afghanistan, an arid terrain that sweeps east from the base of
the Hindu Kush. In current times, this area is known for war
and turmoil, but the city of Kandahar has an ancient history
with man and marijuana. Kandahar is one of the oldest known
human settlements and served as a bustling hub of trade,
linking crucial routes through south and central Asia. The
Kandahar marketplace was once filled with an abundance of
aromas and textures from tobacco, silk, wool, and fresh and
dried fruits, and also quite possibly hashish. This area is
believed to be the birthplace of cannabis indica.
The Kandahar namesake strain is an indica hybrid with a
pure Afghani mother and a father Afghani that has been
crossed with a California Skunk to balance its characteristics.
The Kandahar plant is a trademark indica—a squat, branchy
plant with compact, tightly formed calyxes that evolve into pale
green, resinous cones. The branches do not climb and stretch
like its sativa cousin, but instead stay reserved and close,
creating a narrow Christmas-tree growth profile.
Although optimal as a multi-branch plant, Kandahar can be
tamed to a sea of green by a grower determined to use this
technique. The leaflets are a paler green than one might expect
from such a heavy indica, but they are thick with many leaflets.
As Kandahar reaches maturity, the leaves may start to turn a
bright yellow or may purple if the weather turns cold. Unlike
some indicas, this plant can really soak up the PK, and she still
takes 8–9 weeks to reach optimal ripening. Kandahar has good
resistance to mold and fares well if the nights get a little nippy.
Outside gardeners who plant in late July can harvest in the
beginning of October. On average, indoor yields will range
around 1 pound (500g) per square meter, or 14 ounces (400g)
per plant outside.
If you have just sniffed plants with strong candy-sweet
aromas, then Kandahar will not seem sweet by comparison.
However, on its own, this variety captures the complexity of a
street bazaar with sour-sweet fragrances that combine ripe
fruit and dry forest muskiness. Once cured, the buds are nice
tight nuggets with a woodsy and nutty taste and a hint of
sandalwood. As they are burned they get the pleasantly warm
fragrance of toasted nuts. The high settles deep in the body
with a potential for couchlock intensity. Down tempo music,
television, or other undemanding yet sensory activities will pair
well with Kandahar’s sedating qualities. It’s all good—sit back,
soak it in, and enjoy the satisfying sense of relaxation.
