Hawaii Heartbreak Strain Review (Headstash)

Can I just start this Hawaii Heartbreak strain review by saying that it’s completely fine for LPs and brands to keep the actual strain names? Nothing wrong with Headstash as a name! All right, now that we got that out of the way, let’s break down this cultivar in more detail.

Headstash is an Indica-dominant hybrid strain made by Riff that packs a fair amount of THC, with very little CBD on the batch I tried.

Below is the breakdown of every aspect of this strain.

• Type: Indica-dominant
• Potency: Moderate to high THC, minimal CBD (varies by batch)
• Terpene Profile: Limonene, Nerolidol, Caryophyllene, Pinene, and Myrcene
• Packaging Details: Packed on 4/15/2020 and reviewed/tested on 07/05/2020, exactly 81 days later.
• Pricing Details: Purchased 3.5 grams for $27.90 at the SQDC in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ($7.97/gram)

A note on numbers: THC and CBD percentages and terpene profiles vary by grower and batch, so treat the details here as one sample and check the label on the product you buy.

This product was bought legally in Canada, where adults can buy from retailers authorized by their province or territory. The minimum age is 19 in most provinces, 18 in Alberta and 21 in Quebec. In the US, marijuana is still a Schedule I drug under federal law outside the narrow categories that a 2026 final rule moved to Schedule III: FDA-approved drug products and state-licensed medical marijuana. State laws differ.

Appearance: 3.5/5

The contrast of all the different colors between the leaves, the pistils, and the trichomes makes this bud look very pleasant to the eye. There are spots of dark green, light green, navy, and purple all over the buds that are covered in a sheet of amber trichomes and perfectly placed dark orange pistils.

When it comes to moisture content, the RH was at 54% once I removed the seal, so I didn’t even need to rehydrate it. What made the score drop a little for me was the density.

I love some dense nugs, but let me get a little bit of texture as well; looking at the 4 medium-sized nugs, they actually looked underweight initially (it wasn’t, came out to 3.48 grams).

Aroma: 4.5/5

Refreshing is the word that jumps out first when describing the aromas that the limonene, nerolidol, and caryophyllene terpenes emit. It’s a very different mix of dominant terpenes than we usually see on cannabis strains, hence the vast mix of scents.

A floral smell pops out of the container as I removed the seal, then I got a mix of passionfruit and lemon, all of that was accented with a touch of diesel and skunk, the latter coming out more as the buds are bid up.

Flavor/Smoke: 2/5

As I sat with this cultivar for a few days, the more I smoked it, the more I realized there was something missing from the flavor, especially after experiencing scents that literally bring you toward different directions as you’re taking whiffs. Unfortunately, this became my least favorite aspect in this Hawaii Heartbreak strain review.

On the inhale, I got a herbal and somewhat rosy flavor; on the exhale and the after-taste, there was an empty earthy flavor left on the palate. Smoking this weed wasn’t the smoothest experience. There was some coughing and a scratchy throat, although I’ve had worse.

Effects: 2.5/5

This aspect gets an average score for me. The initial climb starts within 10-15 minutes of consumption, and I felt the effects in my brain and in my body at the same time as the “high” hit its peak. What came after was a slight feeling of anxiety and paranoia (hence the low score).

The “good” buzz came after about 30 minutes once the bad went away. The eyelids got pretty heavy after about an hour, and it quickly became an evening strain for me. If a strain makes you anxious, stop and wait it out somewhere safe. NIDA notes that anxiety and panic are more likely with strong THC products and in people with little experience. Don't count on CBD to cancel it out.

Overall: 3/5

In my opinion, Riff has done a pretty good job with this Headstash cultivar, and if they keep coming out with solid products consistently, they will end up making a name for themselves in this game. Subway Scientist Strain and Two Tone Ban Strain were two other solid offerings from this brand.

I would recommend this to everyday consumers. The aroma will blow your mind. Beginners should be careful with this one and start with a very small amount, since it gave me some anxiety.

Cannabis isn't FDA-approved to treat any condition, and frequent use raises the risk of cannabis use disorder. If you’ve tried out some of this Hawaii Heartbreak, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Alternatives

• LA Confidential: A potent indica strain known for its relaxing, sedative effects, best kept for the evening.
• Bubba Kush: A strong indica strain with a sweet, earthy aroma and a calming body high.
• Godfather OG: A powerful indica-leaning strain known for deep relaxation and euphoria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hawaii Heartbreak sativa or indica?

Hawaii Heartbreak (Headstash) is an Indica-dominant hybrid strain.

What are the common flavors and aromas of Hawaii Heartbreak?

The batch I tried smelled floral, with passionfruit, lemon, diesel and skunk. The flavor was herbal and slightly rosy, with an earthy finish.

What are the effects of Hawaii Heartbreak?

For me, it hit the head and body at the same time, brought some brief anxiety and paranoia, then settled into a relaxed buzz and heavy eyelids. I'd keep it for the evening.

Sources

• Authorized cannabis retailers in the provinces and territories, Health Canada
• Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Food and Drug Administration-Approved Products Containing Marijuana, Federal Register (U.S. Department of Justice)
• Cannabis (Marijuana), National Institute on Drug Abuse