Understanding the Maui Wowie Cannabis Strain
Strain Type: Sativa
Maui Wowie, also known as Maui Waui, is one of the granddaddies of great cannabis smoking experiences, and legendary in popular culture for its energizing and uplifting effects and feelings of euphoria. It’s a sativa-dominant strain that originated sometimes in the late 1960s or early 1970s, and was cultivated in the nutrient-rich volcanic soil on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The complete genetic lineage is unknown, although one dominant strain of the flower is the Hawaiian sativa cannabis, which lends Maui Wowie its predominant tropical, pineapple aroma and taste. Buds are a beautiful, vibrant light green, with orange and yellow pistils, have a tropical, fruity aroma with pineapple scents, and the dense flower is covered by a milky coating of trichomes.
Back in the day, Maui Waui was considered highly potent cannabis, with a THC level in the high teens that far exceeded the more common 8-10 percent THC found in most cannabis at the time. Since then, of course, more potent cannabis strains have been cultivated, but Maui Waui is still a favorite of users looking for a powerful and happy high, with a smooth, energetic body buzz and THC levels now reaching between 20 percent to 28 percent. Due to the fact that Maui Waui requires a tropical climate to grow outdoors, many growers must replicate those conditions indoors with special attention to interior temperatures, humidity levels, lighting, and nutrient-rich soil to cultivate the plant in various climates.
Lineage of Maui Wowie
Cannabis is not an indigenous plant to the Hawaiian islands. It was brought to Hawaii in the late 1800s or early 1900s and flourished in the nutrient and mineral-rich volcanic soil throughout the islands. Although the exact genetic lineage of Maui Wowie is unknown, the plant’s origins can be traced to the late 1960s when air travel to the islands from the continental US made it affordable for cannabis enthusiasts to enjoy the wide variety of buds that grew there. On the island of Maui, the new and more potent Maui Wowie strain was cultivated by crossing unidentified varieties of cannabis with Hawaiian sativa cannabis, the dominant strain that gives Maui Wowie many of its creativity-inducing and stress-reducing properties. The result was an experience unparallelled at the time, with THC levels more than double the levels in cannabis that was available then.
About Hawaiian Sativa Cannabis
This pure sativa strain found in Maui Wowie has long, curved flowers that give the plant the nickname ‘banana pot”. However, its taste and aroma are citrusy and tropical, and the buds are a lovely light green with milky, sticky trichomes. It provides energizing effects, both cerebral and physical, and is commonly used to help people deal with stress and anxiety.
Flavor and Aroma
Maui Wowie is instantly recognizable by its full, spirited tropical notes, in particular pineapple and other sweet and citrusy scents. Citrus also plays a role in the taste of the flowers, as well as earthy tones suggested by Maui Wowie’s terpenes that provide a delightful experience for the senses.
The chemical compounds that provide plants with their unique aromas and flavors are called terpenes. In the case of Maui Wowie, four terpenes are primarily responsible for its sweet herbal scent and relaxing effects.
- Myrcene is perhaps the most abundant terpene in Maui Wowie cannabis strains, providing a berry-like scent and taste and producing a soothing, calming feeling.
- Caryophyllene is a terpene that’s also found in pepper and cloves and gives the Maui Wowie flower a peppery taste.
- Pinene, which you might guess from its name, lends properties to the bud that give it an invigorating pine-needle taste and aroma. It’s a terpene that has been shown to produce anti-anxiety effects and help manage arthritis and muscle soreness.
- Terpinolene is a terpene found in many plants in addition to cannabis, including sage, lilac, apples, conifer trees. Its aroma is pine-like with hints of herbal, floral, and citrusy notes.
THC and CBD Content of Maui Wowie
The THC and CBD content of Maui Wowie plays a significant role in potential benefits and energizing effects of the flower, making it a potent cannabis choice for users who want to embrace the day and enjoy a smooth, creative, and happy high. Maui Wowie is a high-THC level sativa strain, with levels ranging from 20 percent to 28 percent that make it a perfect choice for reducing anxiety and stress while letting good vibrations flow. The flower’s CBD levels are much lower, often below 1 percent which is not enough to significantly moderate the effects of the THC. However, it does work in conjunction with the THC to produce the ‘entourage effect’ that results from THC and other cannabinoids working in unison to create a fuller cannabis experience.
Effect of Maui Wowie
From its earliest days, Maui Wowie has been prized for inducing feelings of happiness and euphoria in users. It also spurs creativity and increases focus, making it a great choice for outdoor activities and social settings. Maui Wowie has also been known to cause the munchies, which makes it an excellent treatment for people dealing with eating disorders. The sativa strain in Maui Wowie also can reduce stress and alleviate depression and anxiety. Even though the flower’s CBD levels are very low, it still offers pain relief and can treat spasms and other physical ailments through the bud’s unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Uses for Maui Wowie
Maui Wowie continues to be a popular cannabis choice for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Users report mood enhancement and increased energy levels, and the strain provides relief from stress and fatigue.
Recreational cannabis users enjoy the uplifting high that enhances productive activities and improves focus. Maui Wowie provides a lively, alert buzz so it’s ideal for daytime use, for social situations, and when enjoying the great outdoors. The flower boosts creativity and, even though users feel vigorous and uplifted, it also provides a sense of relaxation without sleepiness.
Medicinal cannabis users find Maui Wowie helpful for dealing with stress and anxiety and treating conditions like depression and constant fatigue. It’s been successful for pain management and reducing joint inflammation. Maui Wowie is also known to increase appetite which is helpful for people undergoing treatments that affect desires for food.
Growing Maui Wowie
The growing environment, whether being cultivated indoors or outdoors, matters with Maui Wowie because the plant thrives in a tropical climate with long hours of sunshine and warm days and nights.
When grown outdoors, the plant needs fertile soil and room for its roots to expand in a search for nutrients. It’s a fairly hardy plant, growing up to 10 feet outdoors, and can stand up to most disease, mold, mildew, and insects.
Indoors, Maui Wowie requires a well-ventilated space in a dedicated room or tent, with high quality grow lights. During the vegetive stage, the plant needs about 18 hours of light. During the flowering stage, follow a schedule of 12 hours light and 12 hours of darkness. Humidity should be kept at around 50 percent during vegetation and reduced to 30-40 percent during flowering. Use organic fertilizers and supplements to provide nutrients and plant in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
One rule of thumb to follow is to pick the buds when the trichomes appear milky white. Growers can expect a harvest of roughly fourteen ounces of cannabis per square meter indoors and sixteen ounces of flower per outdoor plant.
Potential Side Effects of Maui Wowie
Experiences using Maui Wowie can be different for different people. Generally, if properly consumed, the bud should provide an exhilarating, euphoric experience. However, as with any cannabis product there may be potential side effects which, in the case of Maui Wowie, can be easily mitigated. Dry mouth or cottonmouth and dehydration are common side effects so it’s recommended to stay hydrated throughout use. Dry eyes are another possible reaction to Maui Wowie. This condition can be remedied with eye drops. Consuming too much Maui Wowie too quickly may also result in dizziness. Fortunately, this feeling is usually temporary and the effects are rather mild. As with all cannabis, if the strain is unfamiliar, it’s advisable to go slow and gradually increase dosages. Always consume in moderation and be aware of THC limitations.
