Nuken Strain Review (Palmetto)

After trying out some of Palmetto’s Headband strain, it was only right that I’d grab their only other strain available in Quebec at the time, NUKEN. It was sold as an Indica-dominant cultivar grown by Sundial Growers Inc. out of Alberta.

This batch was high in THC with very little CBD. Below, I break down every aspect of this Nuken strain in detail.

• Type: Indica-dominant (as labeled)
• Potency: High THC, very low CBD (exact numbers vary by batch)
• Terpene Profile: Ocimene, caryophyllene, myrcene, bisabolol, and limonene (as labeled on this batch)
• Packaging Details: Packaged on 07/14/2020 and tested/reviewed on 11/09/2020, 118 days later.
• Pricing Details: Purchased 3.5 grams at the SQDC in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, for $30.20 ($8.63/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. We could not confirm this strain's parent strains on a breeder page, so we don't list a lineage.

This product was bought legally at the SQDC in Quebec, where the legal age is 21. Ages and rules differ by province, and Health Canada advises buying only from authorized retailers.

In the US, marijuana is still a Schedule I drug under federal law, outside a 2026 rescheduling rule that covers only FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana. State laws differ.

Appearance: 2/5

The appearance was not a strong suit for this strain. I wasn’t a big fan, from the little popcorn buds to the dryness.

The RH in the container came in at 51%, which isn’t the end of the world. In this case, though, the weed was drier than I expected. There were mostly little nugs, which is a turn-off for me, with only two medium buds in there.

Visually, the weed was bright green with many light orange pistils, but there weren’t many trichomes still intact. Peep the pictures, though: I may have scored this low, but this Nuken is still pretty photogenic.

Aroma: 2.5/5

The terpene mix on this Nuken comes out in the aroma as well. When opening the sealed container, it starts off in an unpleasant way: I got wet wood and musk. Not in a moldy way, but still not for me.

The ocimene comes out heavy when the weed is milled, with floral, almost rosy scents that were very unexpected. I found the nose on this to be average, but still interesting.

Flavor: 3/5

I got a rich floral taste on the exhale that stayed on the palate. This weed was really smooth, too.

The problem is that it burned fairly quickly because of its dryness. There was a Boost humidity pouch present, but it doesn’t seem like it helped much.

Effects: 3.5/5

The effects of this Nuken were very calming for me. I wouldn’t smoke it right before anything that requires a lot of attention; it suited "going down the YouTube rabbit hole" type of activities.

I also fell asleep after about 90 minutes and had a hard time getting up after that. For me, this is a nighttime weed. The good part was that although my head felt heavy, I had no paranoia or racing thoughts.

Effects differ from person to person, and NIDA's cannabis overview notes that anxiety, panic and hallucinations are more likely with strong products or large amounts. Start low if you're new, and never drive after using cannabis.

Overall: 3/5

Nuken and Headband both came out as slightly above average for me, so I'll keep checking Palmetto products. If you like heavy strains that fog up the brain and quiet racing thoughts, this is something you may enjoy.

If you’ve tried out some Nuken in the past, let me know what you think about it in the comments below.

Alternatives

• Northern Lights: A classic indica-leaning strain known for a relaxing body high and a sweet, spicy aroma.
• Purple Urkle: Known for purple hues and a grape-like flavor, with a relaxing, euphoric feel.
• Rockstar: A pungent, potent option for those who want a mix of relaxation and euphoria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nuken a Sativa or Indica strain?

The Nuken I bought was labeled Indica-dominant. Labels describe how a product is marketed, and effects vary by person.

What are the dominant terpenes in Nuken?

This batch listed ocimene, caryophyllene, myrcene, bisabolol, and limonene. Terpene profiles vary by grower and batch, so check the label.

How long do the effects of Nuken typically last?

For me, the effects lasted a few hours and ended in sleep. Duration depends on dose, tolerance and how you consume it.

Sources

• Cannabis in the provinces and territories, Health Canada
• Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of FDA Approved Products Containing Marijuana From Schedule I to Schedule III, Federal Register (U.S. Department of Justice)
• Cannabis (Marijuana), National Institute on Drug Abuse