Oaxacan
Oaxacan
Also known as: Oaxacan Highland, Oaxacan Gold, Highland Oaxacan, Oaxacan Sativa
Overview
Oaxacan is a pure sativa landrace strain originating from the highland regions of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. This legendary strain gained tremendous popularity in the United States during the 1970s, becoming part of cannabis history during the era before the War on Drugs. The strain represents the pinnacle of classic sativa genetics, featuring vibrant green hues and an uplifting high that has made it a cornerstone of cannabis culture. As a highland-adapted cannabis population, Oaxacan was naturally shaped by altitude, strong sun exposure, and pronounced dry seasons in its native environment.
The physical appearance of authentic Oaxacan flowers differs significantly from modern commercial cannabis, appearing more like wispy, elongated ferns with long and skinny leaves that spiral loosely outward from their central stems rather than adhering together in dense nuggets. The leaves typically display a vivid kelly green color streaked with brown, and cold weather late in the growing process can produce phenotypes with deep purple patches from high concentrations of anthocyanin pigment, complemented by white trichomes and curly red pistils. While pure Oaxacan landraces are rare in modern seed catalogs, their genetic fingerprints survive in hybrids that have been selected for faster flowering and improved structure, helping keep the Oaxacan profile relevant for contemporary cultivation.
Effects
Reported Medical Uses
- Users report enhanced focus and concentration for ADHD symptoms
- May help with mild to moderate stress and depression
- Often used for fatigue and low energy
- Users report pain relief for headaches and body aches
- May assist with social anxiety
- Often used to stimulate appetite
This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional.
Possible Negative Effects
Growing Information
Oaxacan is a long-flowering pure sativa that typically requires 13-16 weeks to mature, with some phenotypes potentially needing up to 20 weeks of flowering time. Traditional landrace varieties like Oaxacan have relatively long flowering periods, typically taking 10-13 weeks to fully mature. The strain grows successfully at latitudes as far north as 45 degrees despite being native to hot and humid Mexico, though being purely sativa, plants can reach tall heights requiring regular trimming of weak branches for indoor cultivation. Oaxacan is characterized by tall growth, slender branches, narrow leaf blades, and significant stretching during flowering, making it ideal for outdoor growing but manageable indoors with proper space and training techniques. Cold temperatures (but not freezing) just before flowering can bring out purple coloration in the buds. Commercial seed cultivation is rare, so prospective growers typically must obtain clippings to grow identical clones rather than seeds.