Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka is a sativa strain that took third place in the concentrates category of the 2014 Denver Cannabis Cup.

About Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka is a sativa-dominant strain with a smooth yet energetic high that’s great for cannabis novices. Created by Spanish seed company Mr. Natural, this hybrid is a cross between the Thai-descended Chocolate Trip and famed Cinderella 99. With a robust flavor and powerful effects, it’s no wonder that a concentrate produced from Willy Wonka took home honors in the 2014 High Times Cannabis Cup in Denver. This strain scores consistently high marks for potency — cannabis testing lab Analytical 360 found multiple samples of Willy Wonka to have between 20% and 28% THC.

Flowers of Willy Wonka tend to be on the smaller side. The nugs, which cling together in a dense, clustered bud structure, are broad at their base and taper into a spade-like point. Hairy red pistils twist their way through the tightly-packed leaves. The leaves themselves are what really make Willy Wonka stand out — a mossy green, they are often mottled with deep shades of purple. These surprising hues are the result of pigments called anthocyanins in the plant’s genetics. When agitated by cold weather, these pigments create shades of blue and purple in much the same way that depleted chlorophyll levels cause foliage to change color in autumn. Finally, much like the similarly alliterative strain White Widow, Willy Wonka is covered in a blanket of translucent white trichomes that account for its psychoactivity.

The sharp smell of citrus wafts up from cured flowers of Willy Wonka; many smokers also detect distinct notes of apricot in its aroma. Underlying this fruity bouquet is a dank base of pine and damp earth. Breaking open the buds also reveals hints of musk. When combusted, Willy Wonka burns with a smooth smoke that’s easy on the lungs and sinuses. Appropriately enough, this sweet smoke tastes like rich cocoa on the exhale; Willy Wonka himself would doubtless be proud of this unique mix of flavors.

Something of a creeper, Willy Wonka may take several minutes before its effects begin to emerge. A slight distortion of sight and vision is accompanied by surging feelings of euphoria. Endowed with a burst of energy, smokers may feel moved to engage with their surroundings, making this a great strain for exercise. The strain’s lasting feeling of focus can also set the mood for work productivity, whether you’re in a creative or a more analytical field. In social settings, Willy Wonka can inspire intense, engaging conversations with like-minded companions. As the high wears on, users may feel a slight tingle or a mounting sense of relaxation — but this bud isn’t likely to bring about inescapable couch-lock. A great choice for daytime use, Willy Wonka is just what the doctor ordered for a soothing wake-and-bake session; consumed at night, it’s more likely to keep smokers buzzed and alert before bed. For those with a high THC tolerance, Willy Wonka’s effects tend to taper off relatively early.

Willy Wonka can have several uses for medical cannabis patients as well. Its clear-minded lucidity can be a boon to those with attention deficit disorders, greatly improving focus. Its ability to elevate mood can also temporarily relieve the troubling symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. Because its physical effects are more subtle, Willy Wonka can be great for mild irritations like headaches or nausea but may not work as well in soothing chronic, nerve-related pain. Because its initial are energetic without being overly cerebral, this strain can be a great choice for those who are prone to panic.

Willy Wonka of Weed Edibles

Penn Chan is the British Willy Wonka of weed. Working in and around London, he creates an array of delicious sweets and infuses them with cannabis—perfect for any medicinal users who don’t like relieving their pain by inhaling burning plant matter.

His medical edibles—or “medibles”—are on a par with what’s being produced in weed-legal states in the US, as any of his 1,600 Facebook fans would probably tell you. Only, it’s not like you can just walk into a dispensary and pick up one of his creations, because actual time and money is still being spent on enforcing the UK’s primitive cannabis laws, Penn has to ensure that he only helps those he knows and trusts.

You medicated your mum?

Yeah. I remember when I was 17 and my friend turned up with some purple buds. I found two seeds, which I planted, and my mum found this little cress growing in a 35mm film case on my windowsill. She went apeshit and kicked me out the house. Fast forward 15 years and she was on loads of painkillers for her condition—all these horrible things that were messing her up. They turned her into a vegetable. She was always really anti-cannabis, but she’s kind of come to accept it more over the last ten years because I’ve been using it for so long. She’s come to see that I haven’t lost my job, I’m employed, I’m married and have a family—a complete functioning member of society.

What kind of clients do you have?

Firstly, I wouldn’t call them clients, as I don’t make meds to make money. I also wouldn’t really say they were patients, either. I’d say they were friends I know on a first-person basis and have been introduced to, or acquaintances. It always has to be on a first-person basis, just for my own safety.

Yeah, it’s not like you can just put your name out there.
That’d be suicide, especially in our community—I’d be bombarded by everyone who wants to try it, and I don’t have the resources or the materials to do that.

What kind of help do you provide, specifically?
I’ve helped people from all walks of life with all sorts of conditions. A lot of my patients are friends with my mum, then there are my older relatives and acquaintances, because they suffer from a lot of age-related aches, pains, and illnesses. I’ve also helped people who suffer from [ALS] and MS; there are three people with MS who I help regularly. There’s a multitude of different things that my sweets and cannabis can be useful for.