Forget theofficial Winter Solstice date of December 21 the coldest seasonis already upon us in the U.S. and if you live anywhere near the East Coast or Midwest youre probablyfeeling the brunt of itand its only mid-December. And soon enough itll be freezing cold and snowyor at least drearily rainingacross most of America which makes it high time to begin considering the best medicinal and recreational strains to get you through wintertime. Call on this pot to handle the polar vortex thats going to make life miserable for millions from now until Spring has sprung. MEDICINAL TO KICK WINTER BLUES AND DEPRESSION The blues blow. And the harsh winter weathers forced hibernation also brings on claustrophobic depression and anxiety which can manifest as cabin fever. Also for millions of Americans this season can be extremely SADespeciallyfor those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder a legitimate depressive disorder that strikes people at the same time each year generally in the winter. So to combat the double-downers of cabin fever and SAD heres an introductory list ofparticular strains that can help pot patients across North America. 1. Maui Wowie A photo posted by Pineapple Exchange (@pineappleexchange) on Dec 12 2016 at 12:11pm PST Hit winter upside the head with a blast from the Pacific. This optimism-breeding sativa hastropical aromas and flavors transporting the user to the mildest climates of Hawaii. The euphoria combined with itscitrus and pineapple taste is the perfect antidote to another shitty winter on the mainland. This is a classic original sativa; its majestic origins fueled in the extremely fertile mineral-rich volcanic soil on the island of Maui. 2. O. G. Kush A photo posted by Sunset Sherb Sum Sirius (@darealsherb) on Dec 16 2016 at 6:15am PST This intricate indica has been crushing stress since its rise in the hip-hop culture of the 1990s favored by such legendary bands as Cypress Hill. During winter O.G. Kush can equally dismiss depression-related anxiety brought on by cabin fever and SAD. Kush derives from the landrace strains of Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan and while O.G.s genetics remain shrouded in some ambiguity its generally considered a Southern California specialty combining the venerable Hindu Kush from the East with Chemdawg from the West. 3. Gorilla Glue A photo posted by @el_jefe_gardens on Dec 15 2016 at 4:54pm PST Yes the sticky-icky Glue was one of 2016s trendiest strainsbut its not just hype. The ability of this sativa-dominant to medicate and change your mood from SAD to glad is as good as it gets. Its also one of the most versatile strains as offshoots like GG 1 2 4 and 5 offer varying levels of medicinal efficacy with some being more indica-dominant but all of them offering especially sweet smoke. 4. Granddaddy Purple A photo posted by Stoner Couple (@ganjaroyalitiess) on Dec 14 2016 at 9:01pm PST Besides the really cool-looking nugs GDP will appease those bouncing off the walls and in need of some serious couch-lock with the ultra-relaxing effects these flowers spawn. Created in 2003 by Ken Estes combination of Purple Urkel and Big Bud GDP yields dense flowers and a grape flavor that goes down smooth in a water pipe. Trapped indoors? Smoke da Purps while getting funky and jamming out toPrince. 5. Green Crack A photo posted by Damp;J (@teech_and_bong) on Dec 13 2016 at 6:59pm PST Forget the passive approachblast away your blahs with this head-rushing hard-charging jade sativa that brings many to an instant place of happiness that no wind can chill. Puff down one of the dense buds with Skunk 1 parentage to replace your dragging depression with introspective interest in just about anything. But dont get too carried away that lint on your tacky Santa sweater isnt really as fascinating as it seems when stoned on this weed! Other Seasonal Medicinal Strains to Consider 6. Auroraa 90 percent indica that will right all winter wrongs. 7. Hawaiian Punch another tropical sativa to melt away the snow drift clogging your mind. Bonus Winter Medicinal Edible: Gramola by Pura Vida Gramolayummy granola with 120 mg of THChas a unique ability to elevate from depression with the user feeling a lift-off in the mind that leaves behind all your frostbitten fretting. Munch on Gramola which pairs perfectly with a warm cup of seasonal tea. RECREATIONAL TO ENHANCE THE SEASON For those who fortunately dont get depressed this time of year winter is welcomed for its beauty and for providing unique new experiences. Here are are some seasonal strain suggestions whether youre trying to withstand the cold augment and/or recover from winter sports or make holiday lights all the brighter and merrier For a list like this its pretty much mandatory to start with Northern Lights A photo posted by Esha Mara Lee (@eshamaralee) on Dec 15 2016 at 5:07pm PST This classic indica strain named for the often spectacular and downright trippy natural light displays occurring in Arctic regions is a harmonic choice for the season. Arguably one of the most globally famed pot strains NL originates from Holland which can often make it more available on the East Coast than the West. 2. White Rhino A photo posted by CDNBUDZ (@cdnbudz) on Dec 13 2016 at 7:22pm PST The trichrome-covered flowers create a snow bud effect that can be puffed down while enjoying a snow-capped landscape for a holistic seasonal experience. Let White Rhinos exotic origins and mellowing buzz take you away from that gross snow-slush melting on your back porch as this hybrid indica-dominants genetics hail from Brazil India and Afghanistan. 3. Jack Frost A photo posted by Sweetooth (@sweetooth06) on Dec 16 2016 at 9:35am PST Into winter sports? This great-tasting high-flying sativa from the always reliable Jack Herer family is the perfect strain to blaze before leaping onto a snowboard or skiing down the death slope. Frosts parentage also makes it an ideal smoke for the season with snowy White Widow and Arctic-inspired Northern Lights 5 mated with the aforementioned super-sativa Jack Herer. 4. Ice A photo posted by Luke amp; Ted ???? (@realpotheads420) on Dec 9 2016 at 5:17am PST This virtually pure hybrid (50 percent sativa/50 percent indica) is another great yuletide choice with its rich trichrome sprinkles and its dense parentage. Skunk Northern Lights Afghani landrace and Shiva were blended to craft this strain that offers the best of both weed worlds. Although dont let the name fool you when it comes to flavor Ice is spicy not minty. 5. Sour Tsunami A photo posted by .Cannabis Photographer????PDX (@resinated_lens) on Oct 26 2016 at 10:10am PDT Leave the glaciers behind and catch a gargantuan ganja wave of this unique strain bred specifically for a high CBD content perfect for mind and muscle recovery back at the lodge after tumbling down mountains. As noted by Medical Jane Sour Tsunami was developed by renowned grower Lawrence Ringo of Southern Humboldt Seed Collective with each Sour Tsu seed boasting a 25 percent chance of having up to 11 percent CBD making it one of the richest CBD strains out there. OTHERS TO CONSIDER 6. Candylanda sweet sativa-dominant to compliment holiday treats. 7. Afgoo a potent indica also good for relaxing after winter sportsor shoveling snow if you lead a more mundane existence. Bonus Edible: Madame Munchies Winter Edition Macaroons Get in the holidayspirit with these roons decorated like snowmen and snowflakes! What do you think? Let us hear YOUR Winter Weed suggestions in the comments below. 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