UPDATED ON 06/22/21: HMS Health, the original cultivators of Stardawg reviewed in this post, have been acquired by Kind Tree Cannabis.
Kind Tree has transferred all but a few HMS strains over to the Kind Tree label but this is the only change and this review remains a valid and accurate explanation of this strain since only the names of the cultivator have been changed, nothing else. In short: if you’re here looking for Kind Tree strains and you are seeing them listed as HMS strains, they are in fact the same.
We will be steadily updating all reviews of strains originally produced by HMS which are now owned and continue to be cultivated by Kind Tree Cannabis.
STRAIN: Stardawg
PRODUCER: Kind Tree (formerly HMS Health)
MEDIUM: Flower
PURCHASED: Ethos Catonsville Medical Dispensary / Catonsville Mission Medical Dispensary @missioncatonsville
CLASS: Sativa Hybrid
LINEAGE: Chemdawg 4 X Tres Dawg
POTENCY: MED-high
THCa 26.30%
THC 0.67%
THC VA 0.23%
CBDA 0.09%
CBGA 0.65%
CBG 0.12%
CBCA 0.65%
TOTAL TERPS 3.15%
NOTABLE TERPENES:
1. Beta-Myrcene 1.32%!
2. Limonene 0.74%
3. Caryophyllene 0.59%
4. Humalene 0.21%
5. Beta-Pinene 0.10%
EFFECTS (MIND + BODY)
MIND;
- + Cerebral euphoria/ feeling well being
- +“Head buzz” feeling overall
- +elevation of mood overall
- +Increased ability to focus [STANDOUT EFFECT]
- +Mentally energizing/ motivating
NOTE: Stardawg may be a good strain for patients that suffer from anxiety or panic disorder
BODY;
- + “body buzz” feeling
- +immediate ocular and facial pressure
- -/+ increase in appetite w/ successive sessions**
- -dry “cotton” mouth+ Dry eyes **
- +/- sedation and heaviness of body that will induce sleep **
- -/+potential for haze-daze**
**in higher doses/IMO
BEST USED:Early Morning/ Morning / Daytime/ Early Evening – this is not a strain for waking necessarily but I found in smaller doses it can be quite motivating.
APPLICATIONS (MEDICINAL + RECREATIONAL):
MEDICINAL;
Could help mitigate or alleviate. some symptoms associated with:
- ADD/HD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
- Anxiety/ panic disorder/ panic attacks
- Lethargy/ Lack of Motivation
NOTE: G Purps can really provide a feeling of physical comfort and a sort of detachment. This would prove a nice relaxing distracted state of mind for those dealing with anxiety and acute depression
RECREATIONAL;
- Lends itself to activities requiring attention to detail / increased focus
- Artistic endeavors/ creative pastimes/ hobbies/ etc.
- Can be socially/ conversationally stimulating
- Gardening/ yard work/ etc
- Misc- a very productive morning strain in small to medium doses at this potency
APPEARANCE, AROMA, + TASTE:
APPEARANCE;
The quarter ounce I purchased from Ethos/ formerly Mission Catonsville was comprised of several, maybe 6 medium (approx. 1″ x 1.25″ diameter) which appeared almost velvety in texture. The buds were bushy, but dense. Most of the bud material seemed rough trimmed and there were several leaves left (I personally don’t mind this and find it to be pleasing to the eye). There was some yellow/yellowish orange on some of the outer leaves of the buds, which I believe to be typical of Stardawg. I have seen examples of Stardawg that exhibit the same yellowing.
This would normally lead one to believe that there might have been some nutrient deficiency during the grow. But, in this case, I believe it to be normal for Stardawg. Please let us know what you think in the comments.
Good For Bowls and Rolls:
I barely had to use a grinder for the frosty buds in the quarter of Stardawg I purchased.
There have been a few times I’ve had HMS flower that I suspected some curing issues.
But, I’m fairy certain this batch was cured correctly even in spite of some of the yellowed sugar leaf material, which I believe is somewhat commonly characteristic of Stardawg as it resembles a Diesel strain at times. The leaf material has a velvety appearance with large curling sugar leaves and fairly dense buds which were all very similar in their larger than average size.
I’d say from the look of it, the quarter was comprised of these large bulbous buds.
AROMA:
- Musky- skunk aroma very pungent- especially at a distance.
- Pine-detected some fragrances resembling fresh pine needles at close
- Sour- non-descript sour note
- Earth- strong aroma of soil or Pete moss at close range
TASTE:
- Evergreen- pine upon exhaling
- Artificial – faint intermittent generic Chem aftertaste
- Earth- mineral-soil taste
- Musk- minor undercurrent of Afghan hash aroma at tail end of exhale
A CLOSER LOOK INSIDE:
The limonene in this batch is quite high at .74% and seems to give Stardawg its euphoric uplift.
This is balanced by .59% Caryophyllene, but the balance starts to head into serious sedation with 1.32% of Beta-Myrcene.
This seems to give Stardawg the weight of a heavy stone that can leave you comfortably planted or headed for bed.
CONCLUSION:
Stardawg is a very potent combination of Tres Dawg X Chemdawg4, named for its trichomes that shine like stars, and providing a myriad of effects. Users are presented with an immediate euphoric mental uptick courtesy of the Thai genetics of Chemdawg 4, followed by waves of physical euphoria from Tres Dawg’s Afghan genetics.
THE LONG ROAD HOME (…my toke)
I tend to like Afghan strains. They are mostly praised by their ability to help the body unwind. While this is very valid, my psychological makeup or mental disposition seems to gain benefits that many would ascribe to Sativa strains.
At times I find Afghani strains to be motivating, creatively inspiring, and cerebrally up-lifting. Following that notion, I also consider some of these Afghan related strains to be very conducive to productivity particularly in the morning
Such is the case with Stardawg who’s Sativa designation masks its Afghan lineage from its Tres Dawg genetics.
Given that Northern Lights is said to be a cross of a Thai Afghan phenotypes. Stardawg’s combo Chemdawg 4 with its Nepalese Thai origins, and Tres Dawg with its Afghani origins, almost makes Stardawg a sort of like a Northern Lights variant in my opinion. That being said, Stardawg offers a sort of classic or maybe even familiar set of effects.
For one thing it is energizing and motivating and will enhance focus. Of course, in higher doses, I found myself pleasantly sleepy.
I would definitely purchase Stardawg again.
I was, however, a bit surprised that the trichome content, at least in this batch, didn’t showcase an overwhelming amount of crystalline luster. Since Stardawg is said to be named for this characteristic I would’ve thought it would be obvious immediately. The trichomes did, indeed have a shine to them, but they didn’t seem to be in abundance. Either way, a very pleasing flower.
