There are so many new exotic strains hitting the DC weed scene. One of the most recent ones we’ve come across is the uber-potent and deeply sedative Now & Later strain. Also referred to as the Now N Later strain, named after the sugary candy, packs a wallop with impressive mouth-watering flavors and an incredibly soothing, sleepy high that can help with a multitude of medical ailments as well as a handful of mental maladies. This delicious Indica-dominant strain is making its way into a variety of DC medicine cabinets, so we’re covering everything you need to know about it in our full review below. In this article, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the delicious Now & Later strain, including its lineage, phenotypes, smell, taste, effects, medical uses, and cultivation best practices.
Now & Later: Background
The Now & Later strain is considered a balanced 50/50 hybrid, though many users report that it takes on more indica-dominant effects. It comes from a pheno-hunted cross between Zkittles X Abula, which is a sativa-dominant hybrid by Pacific NW Roots. It gets its namesake from the classic candy of the same name and takes on a lot of similar properties. For example, the strain is a great option for any time of day. It tastes great, hits hard, and lasts long, making it possible to kick back and relax and enjoy whatever the day throws at you before sending you off into a long and peaceful rest. The one key difference is that the strain doesn’t take on tropical fruit flavors like the candy. Instead, it offers a great mix of herbal, earthy, and woody flavors and uber-high potency levels of 20-26% THC.
Now & Later Cultivation
Growing the Now & Later strain is rated moderate to difficult since the strain itself is a bit of a bugger to track down. It was originally bred by Beyond Top Shelf by crossing Zkittlez with Abula and is ready to harvest in approximately 65 days. While it grows readily, it does require a fair amount of trimming and training before flipping into the flower cycle to ensure that it focuses more on cola production. The flowers themselves are rather dense and frosty, so great care should be taken to avoid common issues like mold or powdery mildew. Be sure to monitor your humidity levels closely during all stages of the grow cycle and avoid letting your colas sit or lean on anything other than trellis netting. Otherwise, it grows well. Seeds haven’t been released as of yet.
Now & Later Appearance
Now & Later plants are beautiful and bushy. They grow dense foliage ranging in shades from dark green to a deep ocean blue. Her water leaves are large and wide, growing in the standard indica-dominant style. She produces massive colas in a ton of different colors, though she tends to only throw purple hues in cooler climates. Each individual bud breaks away from the main colas in small, round pieces. Each one is dense and hard, ranging from dark olive green to purple with long, thin pistils in shades of electric orange and red. The most dazzling aspect of Now & Later’s appearance is of course her trichomes. Each of her flowers is coated in a thick layer of bright white trichomes that give the flowers some contrast and a crystalline appearance.
Now & Later Scent, Flavor, and Effects
While the appearance of the flowers is ultimately captivating, the Now & Later strain scores high marks in all other areas, including her aroma, flavor, and effects. While growing, her aroma is very herbal and natural, including notes of pungent earth, wood, and spice. She offers a notable sour citrus fragrance that is reminiscent of tropical candies, though the lasting impression is that of natural terps. When the flowers are dried and agitated via grinding or chopping, more subtle notes make an appearance. She throws unique scents of sour watermelon and cherry candy along with a pungent herbal funk that leaves you with a mouth-watering sensation.
All of the detectable scents make their way into the flavor profile, surprisingly enough. With many new strains, the flavor is often inferior in comparison to the scent, but Now & Later doesn’t leave anyone feeling disappointed. On the inhale, the first impression of the strain is that its notably sweet and sour, though very earthy. The smoke itself is pretty thick and spicy, bringing herbal flavors and wood terps to the forefront. However, the strain mellows out a lot on the exhale, leaving you with a lasting impression of sour watermelon and cherry candies. The aftertaste is pretty rich and woody with a few of those citrus terps leftover. All in all, delicious.
As you breathe your first puff out, the effects of the Now & Later strain take hold. You’ll feel an initial uplifted sensation that helps to melt away most of the days stresses while boosting your spirits. It comes with a blissful and inspiring euphoric effect that keeps your energy levels feeling pretty nominal. Depending on the dose, this effect may take a sedative, deeply relaxing turn. Even in small doses, Now & Later promotes a very soothing and relaxing body high that leads to a sense of sedation and couch lock. The ultimate impression is that of an extremely relaxing and soothing strain that can battle physical symptoms and help you drift off to a peaceful, long-lasting sleep.
Medical Uses of Now & Later
The Now & Later strain is considered pretty heavy. That coupled with its above-average levels of THC (ranging from 20-26% THC on average) make it a great choice for medical patients seeking nighttime relief. Its euphoric and uplifting effects are a great choice for managing symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and letting go of the struggles of a long day, but also promote a ton of relief within the physical body. On the physical side of things, Now & Later may be able to help with ailments such as chronic pain, headaches, muscle spasms, nausea or appetite loss, and cramps.
Now & Later Strain Review
To summarize, the Now & Later strain offers some of the best aromas, flavors and effects you can find within the newest generation of cannabis strains. Its unique earthy funk promotes deep physical relaxation and soothes the psyche, making it an excellent choice for both medical patients and recreational users alike. If we had to give the Now & Later strain a star rating, we’d have to go with a 4.5. It earns points for its spicy herbal flavor and for its incredible mix of mental sedation and physical relief, though we have to knock a few points off for its rarity and for its moderate difficulty in cultivation and susceptibility to diseases and mold like powdery mildew. Regardless of the technicalities, Now & Later is a terrific strain for just about anyone who enjoys a soothing smoke sesh. The next time you stumble across the Now & Later strain at your favorite smoke shop or delivery service, you shouldn’t hesitate to treat yourself with an 1/8th. It’s pretty impossible to be disappointed with it. An alternative strain you might like is the birthday cake strain. Also if you want to get your hands on some high quality Now N Later Strain seeds here is a great place to try.
