The sprawling mountains of Iran bloom with native flora every year: elms and ironwood trees, tulips and daffodils, even something called Dwarf Eelgrass. But scattered throughout the forests and flowerbeds, like in neighboring Afghanistan and Pakistan, another flower has been thriving for thousands of years: cannabis.
Mag Landrace is just one of the Persian nation’s homegrown strains, beloved for its intense indica effects, deep green and purple hues, and abundance of trichomes, resins and oils that make it ideal for smoking and hash-making. It’s finally in the states and available for patients and casual users alike to discover and delight in, and here’s why.
What is the History of Mag Landrace?
A cannabis landrace is a strain that has grown wildly or with minimal human intervention for an extended period of time, often for thousands of years. They are also often more resistant to pests and environmental stressors than hybrid plants.
Mag Landrace has not been bred or crossed with any other cultivar, so it has no parents and retains its original pure indica genetics. It’s easily identified by its thin, dark green and purple buds, fiery orange pistils and sticky coatings of trichomes.
The use of cannabis in Iran was documented as early as the third century as an integral part of religious practice, included in a beverage that was said to open “the eye to the soul.”
Most landrace strains have passed from their native countries in Asia and Africa into the Western world through the seed banks of Holland with little genetic intervention, but this strain is an exception. While other landrace strains like Durban Poison and Afghani #1 have been grown in the U.S for decades, Mag Landrace was only recently brought over for industry-scale cultivation.
The Mag Landrace available in the United States is straight from the source, likely from a clone acquired in Iran by the Illinois-based medical marijuana company Ataraxia (now part of Verano Holdings). Only Nevada and Illinois currently carry Verano products, but the company has plans for multiple states and Puerto Rico in the works.
What are the Medicinal Effects & Uses of Mag Landrace?
Mag Landrace is a pure indica and provides a bouquet of sedating and mellowing effects, with a euphoric twist.
Many report a giggly, social high soon after smoking or vaping Mag Landrace that gradually eases into a relaxed body buzz. This makes it ideal for treating physical ailments like chronic pain, nausea and insomnia, but due to the mental euphoria it imparts, this strain has also been recommended for easing symptoms of anxiety, attention deficit disorder and stress. It will also definitely give you the munchies.
Mag Landrace is a highly resinous plant and produces a relatively high amount of THC, with testing indicating a consistent range of 25 to 30 percent. Seasoned smokers and patients seeking intense relief will have a great time, but new users may find it too sedating or intense for day-to-day consumption.
What are the Primary Terpenes in Mag Landrace?
This pungent landrace strain is naturally saturated in trichomes, and lab results prove high cannabinoid and terpene content. Mag Landrace’s profile exhibits a diesel-laden earthy aroma with an herbaceous flavor to match.
- Beta-Caryophyllene: Mag Landrace’s peppery and musky aroma comes from an abundance of beta-caryophyllene, a terpene also found in cloves, rosemary, hops and black pepper that is also FDA-approved for use in food products.
Beta caryophyllene has shown potential for mitigating pain and inflammatory conditions like colitis. Even though it is not a cannabinoid, caryophyllene has been proven to bind with CB2 endocannabinoid receptors in the body, which manifest primarily in the immune and gastrointestinal systems.
While research is limited, this terpene may also prove effective fighting cancer cells.
- Humulene: Humulene, also called alpha-humulene or alpha-caryophyllene, is a terpene found in a variety of cannabis strains as well as hops, cilantro, ginseng and sage.
Studies indicate humulene has anti-inflammatory abilities when administered both topically and internally; this terpene can also help fight off allergies. Humulene-rich essential oils, like balsam fir oil, have shown potential for fighting cancer cells in animals and aid in wound healing.
There is also evidence to suggest humulene acts like an antioxidant when applied topically, possibly combating photo-aging from sun exposure.
- Myrcene: Myrcene is one of if not the most abundant terpene in cannabis, manifesting primarily in indica strains like Grandaddy Purple and Cherry Pie, as well as lemongrass, cardamom, parsley and mango fruit.
Myrcene has a musky aroma, hopsy taste and contributes to the intense body highs of many cannabis strains.
Like many other terpenes, myrcene naturally combats inflammation in the body and has shown to fight and destroy breast cancer cells, albeit it has yet to be tested on humans.
What Cannabis Varieties are Similar to Mag Landrace?
- Mag 91 (Mag Landrace x Chemdawg 91)
- Afghani 1 (landrace)
- Hindu Kush (landrace)
- Grandaddy Purple (Purple Urkle x Big Bud)
- Kosher Kush
For more, check out our complete collection of cannabis strain reviews.
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