Why Colorado Tokers Love Bubble Jack

Spotting a hybrid with genetics worth getting excited about is becoming less common every year. That strain is either some new Cookies hybrid or another spin on OG Kush, and I’ve already had my fill of both. But coming across Bubble Jack, an obvious cross of classic Bubblegum and Jack Herer, finally gave me something to believe in again. With the anniversary of the Emperor of Hemp’s death less than a month away, I figured it was a fitting time to give ol’ Jackie Bubbles a try.

All due respect to Jack Herer the human, but I probably would’ve been excited to try Bubble Jack at any time of the year. The thick whiffs of bubblegum, vanilla, wood and fruit are so distinct that they make me think that I could have guessed the strain’s genetics blindfolded. (I probably couldn’t, but the smells are so clear and layered that I’m cocky enough to think so.) Each smell starts with chalky, sweet and fruity scents — like a stick of bubblegum — followed by pinching notes of pine and wood, and a subtle lemon twist at the end.

Bubble Jack’s parents create relatively consistent cannabis effects: Bubblegum is known as a calming, restful strain that tastes just like it sounds, while Jack Herer is an uplifting but disorienting hybrid that carries notes of pine and citrus. Their child’s flavor profile might be layered, but the effects are more of a blend. Each session of Bubble Jack brought on a sense of bewilderment that didn’t die off for a solid twenty minutes, and my decision-making wasn’t exactly sterling after that. Just ask the employees at King Soopers, who watched me spend at least half an hour deciding what kind of peanut butter and barbecue sauce to buy (they were for different dishes — I wasn’t that high).

I’ve seen Bubble Jack at Emerald Fields, the medical-only Pink House and Verde Natural, and I think Verde Natural’s wholesale grow is responsible for most, if not all, of the commercial Bubble Jack in Denver. Luckily for us, it tastes like fruity bubblegum with hints of Vanilla Kush, and carries a high that lasts for hours.

Looks: Bubble Jack looks like a classic Haze strain, with bright-green open calyxes, peach pistils and a blanket of trichomes like mini dewdrops. Those football-shaped buds can still be mildly compact, though, so keep that in mind when growing.

Smell: Experienced consumers will notice the blunt mix of both parental strains’ aromas immediately, but that mixture is more like a layered dip or a Neopolitan, starting with tutti-frutti-like scents and creamy hints of hash. Those sweet notes are followed by dirty notes of pine and wood, with lingering citrus at the back end.

Flavor: The naked flavors shine through during smoke sessions, with a sugary, vanilla-like smoke that coats the sides of your mouth with a fruity, earthy aftertaste reminiscent of kale smoothies or cold-pressed juice.

Effects: Definitely an after-work or after-chores strain, because Bubble Jack can render even remedial decisions difficult. That said, the high still makes getting lost in a movie, book or playlist very easy, and my sleep schedule greatly benefited from Bubble Jack’s relaxing effects. I’ve heard of the potent high giving users unfocused energy but have never experienced it myself. Medical patients have used the strain for anxiety, headaches, eating and sleeping disorders, minor pain and stress.

Home grower’s take: “You’re getting clones of it, or you’re not growing it at all. Don’t think there are seeds of this out here. Just okay yields, but the potency and flavor make it worth the time, in my opinion. I’ve only grown it once, though, and haven’t heard of it around here since. Doesn’t mean you can’t find it, but it’s way easier to find it in a dispensary if you’re just trying to smoke it.”

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