Even though the name evokes a party atmosphere, this strain is more than just a great taste and a delicious smell. It is packed full of THC and is fairly speedy given it is almost pure Sativa.

Strength

Carnival tests consistently at around 23% THC, which, in modern terms, puts it into the category of “high but not overwhelming”. If you’re used to Indicas then you’re definitely going to notice the difference, Carnival is capable of dealing with much more severe pain and much more challenging emotional issues. It’s also very definitely a head strain, offering a happy, energetic high without the deep stone you get from Indicas. This obviously marks it out for daytime use. Having said that 23% THC is what we’d see as about the limit of what you could use at night time to deal with pain and still expect to be able to settle down for a decent night’s sleep. Hence, although we wouldn’t describe it as an insomnia strain, we wouldn’t rule it out for use later in the day.

Yield

If we’re honest, we’d describe the yield as acceptable rather than exciting. You can feasibly get 400-450gr/m2 indoors or up to 300gr/plant outdoors. To be perfectly frank, there are plenty of strains out there, which offer the same or even better yields in much more compact packages, but you’ll be hard pushed to find any which offer the same sort of level of THC.

Speed

Carnival flowers in about 9 weeks. Admittedly this is on the longer side for most modern strains, but that’s because most modern strains tend to have a lot of Indica genetics to keep them nice and compact for people who need to fit their plants into the tightest of spaces. Carnival is unusual in that it is almost pure Sativa and seen in that light, it is actually pretty quick.

Taste

While Ministry of Cannabis has declined to reveal the exact genetics behind Carnival, it is widely believed that the mother was a haze and the taste certainly supports that theory. It has the classic earthy base, which is balanced by fruitiness and with top notes of clean, crisp, menthol pine.

Bag Appeal

If you’re expecting a strain called Carnival to be full of bright pistils then frankly you’re going to be in for a disappointment, in fact, when it comes to appearance Carnival is a bit underwhelming. Having said that, the high THC level goes hand-in-hand with a decent level of resin production, so you do get plenty of nicely glittery trichomes and the nugs do feel good and solid in the hand and hold their shape until you decide to break them up. There’s also that lovely Haze smell to enjoy, full of dank earthiness balanced with fruity sweetness and refreshing pine.

We suspect Carnival is going to be one of those strains you either really love or really don’t. Haze-based strains still have plenty of fans and if you’re one of them, then we’d certainly suggest giving Carnival a try since it’s fairly quick and easy for a strain with a high percentage of Haze genetics. Even if you’re not a particular fan of Haze, if you’re looking for a strain with high THC which is still relatively undemanding, then again, we’d say Carnival was definitely worth a look. On the other hand, if you’re prepared to accept a lower level of THC, then there are plenty of Indica-based strains out there which offer THC levels in the mid- to high-teens and are both more compact and easier to grow, especially the autoflowering varieties.

When you need some help to reach that nirvana of Zen-like relaxation, then reaching for Zensation by Ministry of Cannabis could be just what the doctor ordered.

Strength

Average THC content is in the region of 22%, it has been known to vary between around 20% and around 22%, so if you find its effect varies a little when you use it, it’s probably not your imagination, just slight differences in the THC level. The good news is that even the lower end of the THC range is more than enough to tackle acute physical pain and/or to pull you out of the emotional blues. Underneath all that THC, however, is an old-fashioned (75%) Indica, which just wants to help you relax and does a great job of soothing both physical aches and pains and mental cares and worries. This means that Zensation can be used day or night although obviously not when you’re driving.

Yield

Indoors, you’re looking at 450 gr/m2 and outdoors you can expect up to 400 gr/ plant. This is fairly standard for modern Indicas. There are certainly higher yielders out there, but they tend to have a lower level of Sativa genetics and hence less THC. Overall, therefore, if you think in terms of maximum THC for minimum grow space, Zensation is indisputably an excellent choice.

Speed

Zensation flowers in 8 to 9 weeks, which is on the longer side for a strain which is fundamentally Indica, again, generally speaking if you want a high level of THC you have to be prepared to give it a bit of time to develop. Having said that, if you compare Zensation to Sativas (which is reasonable given its THC level) then it’s a pretty speedy option. Outdoors, you’ll be harvesting towards the later end of September, which should be feasible for most of Europe, except perhaps those in the further north.

Taste

Even if Zensation had no medical benefits whatsoever, we’d still happily smoke or vape it to enjoy its delicious flavour and smell. While Ministry of Cannabis has kept the exact genetics a guarded secret, we’re guessing there has to be some Skunk in there somewhere because there’s a definite pungency to the base, although we’d say it was mainly wood, some people say cedar wood. If you’re not a big skunk fan don’t worry because the body is full of berry sweetness, some people say cherries, while the top notes are crisp and fresh, but we’d say juniper rather than pine. The aroma is likewise rich and complex with a warm, woody base, sweetness and a herbal edge for freshness and interest.

Bag Appeal

The common theory behind the genetics of Zensation is that it was a high-THC Indica crossed with White Widow or one of its close relatives. That’s certainly what it looks like in the bag, with dark green nugs overloaded with the frosty trichomes which are White Widow’s hallmark and with plenty of orange pistils to add colour and interest. Nugs are gloriously sticky and when you’re ready to enjoy them you’re certainly want to use a grinder to crumble them and release that glorious odour.

We think Zensation will hit the sweet spot for many people in that it offers a lot of THC in a fairly compact package. Basically, if you’re looking for more THC than this, then you’re going to have to look at Sativas with everything that implies in terms of space and care requirements. It also has an absolutely fabulous taste and smell and it looks good too both as a plant and in the bag.

Selling its fantastic and feminised seeds, it is no surprise that Nirvana Seeds decided to name this strain ‘Wonder Woman’. Born from crossing the 1998 Cannabis Cup winning Ice strain with a hybrid composed of Skunk and Afghani genes, Wonder Woman was always destined for greatness. Luckily, Nirvana Seeds made the most of their fantastic formula to create the strain we have before us today.
Still in demand after its recognition in the late nineties, Wonder Woman has no need to look back on her past glory days as she remains a firm favourite with veteran smokers and casual users alike.

Strength

Wonder Woman is a very well balanced hybrid that generally measures 60% sativa and 40% indica. Its 16-20% THC levels provide enough potency to let you feel the richness of its effects, yet without the excess weight that can see a little go too far too quickly.

This is especially relevant for regular or heavy smokers, with veteran cannabis aficionados often claiming that it is difficult to build a tolerance to Wonder Woman. Unlike so many other strains, this is one lady that will not let you down.

Being lucky enough to possess both quality genetics and a near-equal sativa-indica distribution, it is no surprise Wonder Woman offers a very enjoyable smoke. This is, above all, a relaxing strain for both body and mind. It will see you unwinding in gentle bliss as wave after wave of tension is washed from your body with ease.

This is no basic couch-locking and mind-numbing experience, however, as Wonder Woman pairs this tranquillity with an uplifting sense of motivation and focus. This means that our golden girl may even help you unwind as you’re cleaning the dishes or filling out those forms for the bank. She may even help you start the day right, paired with a coffee for an instant smile and sunny disposition.

In the evening Wonder Woman may even help you banish your worries, calm your mind, and see you drift peacefully to sleep. But for those who wish to see what the strain can do for them between waking and sleeping, experimenting with various quantities may see you reach a point of creative inspiration paired with a gentle euphoria.

Medicinal users will appreciate the perfect ratio of THC to CBD which will see it potentially effective against depression, stress and anxiety.

Yield

Wonder Woman is no small yielder, she grows big, glistening buds and putting her in a Sea of Green (SoG) setup will see you net 600g per m2 of quality bud.

Speed

Despite having a large chunk of its genes in the sativa camp, visually Wonder Woman is straight-up indica and will only reach 2-3ft in height. Its shape and growing habits, however, may betray its sativa heritage to the trained eye.
Indoor growing is generally recommended for Wonder Woman, allowing her to show her better side in nearly all aspects, including THC production. The plant will take 9 to 11 weeks to flower, thriving in a hydroponic setup or the SoG previously mentioned. It will be fairly forgiving of newbie mistakes too, with its easy-going genetics making this a good strain to practise your cultivation skills on.

This not only makes her a great choice for beginners but veteran growers too, its resilience and reliable nature earning it countless fans. This resilience will also see Wonder Woman able to grow outside, especially in a greenhouse, provided it is not too humid. While any sign of such humidity will not be appreciated by the strain due to increased mold, conversely providing a Mediterranean style environment will see it giving the biggest rock-hard buds you’re likely to find, all easily trimmed off and ready to cure.

Taste

Those of you with a delicate sense of taste will be able to experience the strain’s unusual but enticing mixture of flavours. Wonder Woman will present a diesel type taste mixed in with a lemony citrus to give a sweet and lasting flavour. This is especially pronounced on the exhale, mixed in among the harsh smoke.

Bag Appeal

Wonder Woman is one skunky strain, with close attention to its scent revealing hints of diesel and even a trace of fruitiness. The strength of the scent varies plant by plant, with some being pungent enough for scent filtering measures to be necessary.

Visually the strain has a tight flowering structure to the bud which gives it a satisfying density. This is paired with a surface so resinous that some nearby soap and water is advised before handling. This stickiness will mean a good grinder is advised for the best experience.

Sparkling among the stickiness, however, is a dusting of bright trichomes that add an alluring finish to the strain.

If you’re worried that Big Bud XXL is the supersize version of the already-mighty Big Bud, then you can relax. The XXL bit is just to show that this is the version of Big Bud developed by the Ministry of Cannabis seed bank.

Strength

At about 15% THC Big Bud XXL is in line with its (almost) namesake and is quite strong enough to deal with moderate pain and everyday emotional issues such as anxiety and stress. While its exact genetics have been kept under wraps, it is known that Big Bud XXL is 80% Indica, so this is best thought off as a night-time strain, which will knock pain on the head and send you on your way to sleep or to put it another way, this strain delivers a relaxing stone right after the head high, so be prepared to allow yourself plenty of time to be cocooned in it.

Yield

Yield is on a par with what you’d expect from classic Big Bud. You can feasibly harvest 500-650 gr/m2 indoors and up to 1 kg/plant outdoors. That’s a lot of bud. In fact even today, Big Bud and its various spin offs, like Big Bud XXL are still some of the highest yielders around and the bud is good quality as well as plentiful.

Speed

Big Bud XXL is a photoperiod strain and it flowers in about 7 to 8 weeks, meaning that it is ready to harvest around early/mid-September. That means it is a realistic option for growers in most of Europe, in fact a few Big Bud XXL plants could give you enough medical marijuana to last you all year, particularly if you can grow them outside for maximum yields. If you do want or need to grow indoors then Big Bud XXL is still a reasonable option. In spite of the name, it’s still essentially an Indica, albeit a rather tall one. Left to its own devices, you can expect it to reach about 1.5M indoors, but if you want, you can keep its height down with plant training.

Taste

The taste of Big Bud XXL is pretty much identical to the original Big Bud. It has an earthy baseline with plenty of skunk but there are sweeter top notes to take off the edge and add a lighter touch.

Bag Appeal

For most people the most appealing feature of a bag of Big Bud XXL will be its weight. Apart from that, it has to be said Big Bud XXL isn’t the prettiest strain around, but it does have quality to go with its quantity. Resin production is perfectly respectable so the dense, green nugs stay intact until you actually take the decision to start crumbling them and while there are other strains out there with more colour to them, Big Bud XXL does have a decent sprinkling of orange pistils to make it look a bit more cheerful. There’s also a warm, musky, herbal odour which will go down well with fans of skunk.

Ministry of Cannabis has been very coy about revealing the exact genetic details of Big Bud XXL but as far as we can see it’s pretty much identical to the original Big Bud, with everything that implies. In other words, if you have the space and you put in the work, you’ll get monster yields of high-quality skunk. Just remember that skunk odours aren’t for everyone, so if you plan to grow this strain be responsible about odour control.

Northern Lights is one of the longest-established, old-school classics there is, it has given rise to numerous respected hybrids and has also been turned into an autoflowering strain by a number of seed banks. This review is specifically on the Ministry of Cannabis autoflowering version.

Strength

A THC level of around 15% puts Auto Northern Lights slap bang in the middle of what would be considered a medium level of THC by today’s standards. It’s certainly enough to deliver fast-acting pain relief and a noticeable boost to your mood, but it will keep the high to an energizing lift rather than a return ticket to a newly-discovered solar system. At heart, however, Auto Northern Lights (MOC) is very much an old-school Indica, which means it delivers a powerfully, relaxing body stone right after the initial head high. This means that it’s best kept for evening and is a great all-round option for dealing with any pain which could trouble your sleep and giving you a gentle but firm push into the land of nod.

Yield

Auto Northern Lights (MOC) offers yields of up to 120 gr per plant indoors or up to 250 gr per plant outdoors. While it’s fair to say there are heavier-yielding strains out there, that’s still a more than decent return from an autoflowering strain, which requires such little effort to grow. It’s also worth remembering that the the MOC version of Auto Northern Lights is fairly low on odour even in the later flowering stages, so while you’re still going to have to stay on top of odour control, it’s much less of an issue than with many other strains.

Speed

You’ll be all bagged up in 6 weeks, in fact you might even be done in a little less. That’s about as speedy as it gets, at least for now. Part of the reason why Auto Northern Lights (MOC) can finish its growth cycle so quickly is because it doesn’t really grow all that much. The original Northern Lights rarely went much above a metre indoors and this autoflowering version has Ruderalis added to keep it even shorter. Having said that, if it has space to grow outdoors, it can get rather bigger – and will give you bigger yields.

Taste

Auto Northern Lights (MOC) is essentially the original Northern Lights with the addition of Ruderalis. This means that the taste is basically the same as the original Northern Lights. It has a strong earthy body but the top notes are sweet and there is pine for freshness. Some people say that this version is a bit more pungent than the original.

Bag Appeal

The original Northern Lights got its name because of its covering of glittering white trichomes and you’ll be pleased to hear that Auto Northern Lights (MOC) is just the same. While the resin may be the highlight (literally) of the contents of your bag, overall Auto Northern Lights is quite attractive to look at. There isn’t all that much in the way of orange pistils, but the dark, glossy green nugs catch the eye nicely and feel good and solid in the hand.

It’s good to see that Ministry of Cannabis has basically left a popular favourite largely untouched, they’ve just added ruderalis to make it easier to grow. Overall, we’d say Auto Northern Lights (MOC) was a really solid choice for anyone and particularly for beginners since it offers a winning combination of compact size, speed, ease of growing, decent yield, good taste and meaningful medical benefits. We especially like the fact that Auto Northern Lights (MOC) is a reliable and consistent performer, which will do just fine in soil, coir or hydro and genuinely is perfectly happy both indoors and outdoors rather than being one of those strains which will only grow outdoors if you’re prepared to pamper and cosset it.