Larry Bird (Kush) Weed Strain Information & Review

Sophia Delphi November 24, 2022 - 6 min read
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There’s no confusion when you mention Larry Bird; he was one of the all-time great basketball players. There’s a good deal of confusion over the Larry Bird strain, though.

It’s sometimes called Larry Bird Kush, The Great White Hope (Bird was the rare white NBA star in the 1980s), and Gelato #33 (33 was his uniform number). However, two different, evenly-balanced strains are often referred to as “Larry Bird.”

The one we’ll primarily focus on is the “Gelato #33” version, which tastes much like grape soda and delivers a euphoric, energetic head high with a relaxing body buzz. The “other Larry Bird” strain is more like a kush, tastes of lemon, pine, and mint, and delivers a high similar to the grape version.

Both are high THC level strains and are good daytime strains.

Effects

We’re looking here at the grape Larry Bird weed, but the lemony one provides much the same experience.

Users often sit up straight when they first feel the powerful cerebral rush of Larry Bird. The high is euphoric, energetic, and motivating, eliminating any stress or anxiety that might keep you from jumping into your to-do list or a new task. Many smokers also notice heightened creativity that makes work even more productive or enjoyable.

The body stone is pleasant, relieving aches and muscle tensions but not strong enough to stop you from getting about your day or enjoying an evening out. If you’re planning on just being at home, the buzz may mellow out the head high enough to let you relax and enjoy a good movie or good company.

Most people, however, use Larry Bird as a daytime strain or even as a wake-and-bake weed.

Bottom Line: The Larry Bird strain is a great daytime weed, delivering a powerful boost of energy, creativity, and motivation along with a pleasant body high that won’t slow you down very much.

Positive Effects:

  • Energy: 5/5
  • Creative: 4/5
  • Pain: 3/5
  • Stress: 4/5
  • Sleep: 2/5
  • Mood: 5/5

Side Effects

Both types of Larry Bird are high in THC, so inexperienced users may encounter some unwanted side effects. Dizziness, headaches, paranoia, and heightened anxiety are all possible for those smokers; increased anxiety can also be an issue for those who are already dealing with the problem. These folks should all go easy until they know how Larry Bird affects them.

The more usual side effects of this strain are a bad case of cottonmouth and dry eyes and dehydration that can be handled by keeping a bottle of water close by.

Negative Effects:

  • Paranoid: 3/5
  • Dry Mouth: 5/5
  • Dry Eyes: 5/5
  • Lethargy: 2/5
  • Cough: 3/5

Medical Conditions

As you’d expect from a strain with a highly euphoric cerebral buzz, MMJ users say Larry Bird is a terrific weapon against depression, all forms of stress (including PTSD), conditions like OCD and bipolar disorder, and chronic anxiety (although some patients may find this strain worsens their anxiety instead of improving it).

Medical users with ADD and ADHD use Larry Bird to help them with focus and attention; those with fatigue problems say it eases that issue, and chemotherapy patients say the strain helps boost their appetite. Larry Bird isn’t as useful against serious pain, but some users swear by its ability to relieve minor aches, pains, and cramps.

Flavor and Aroma

“Gelato #33” Larry Bird weed has a tangy, fruity aroma and taste, with some hints of sweetness and mint peeking out as well. Grape is by far the dominant flavor, but you may notice pineapple, peaches, and citrus in there as well.

The “other” Larry Bird variety smells and tastes of earthy pine and lemon, with sweetness appearing only in the aftertaste of the smoke.

Flavor and Aroma Ratings (Gelato #33 version):

  • Earthy: 2/5
  • Citrus: 3/5
  • Fruity: 5/5
  • Spice: 2/5
  • Wood: 2/5

Flavor and Aroma Ratings (“Kush” version):

  • Earthy: 4/5
  • Citrus: 4/5
  • Fruity: 3/5
  • Spice: 2/5
  • Wood: 5/5

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Both types of Larry Bird weed are quite potent. The Gelato #33 version (the grape one) generally contains more THC, with levels that average 20% and can reach higher. The kush version (the lemon one) averages around 18% THC content. There’s very little CBD in either type of Larry Bird.

Gelato #33 Larry Bird is high in the terpenes carene, ocimene, pulegone, and phellandrene. The second version is higher in terps like pinene, limonene, and myrcene.

Lineage

The differences between the two types of Larry Bird weed can largely be explained by their lineages.

The Gelato #33 version is a cross of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint GSC. Sunset Sherbet is a fruity dessert strain that contributes an energetic cerebral high. Thin Mint GSC adds sweetness and a creative boost.

On the other hand, the kush version of Larry Bird is a cross of Blue Cheese, 213 Haze, and — explaining the kush influence — Hindu Kush. The latter gives this weed its lemon and pine flavor and aroma, while Blue Cheese and 213 Haze give it earthiness, floral notes, and a little sweetness.

Where to Buy Larry Bird Seeds

We’ll skip the obvious “bird seeds” pun and move on.

Most online vendors who sell Larry Bird seeds offer the Gelato #33 version. You can buy the feminized seeds from Zamnesia, Premium Cultivars, and elev8 Seeds. You’ll have to do a lot of hunting, unfortunately, to find the other version.

Similar Strains

If you can’t find Larry Bird at your local dispensary, you might want to try Collins Ave, Rainbow Road, or Cherry Lime Slushy for the same type of uplifting high.

Larry Bird Strain: FAQ

Q: What is Larry Bird? Is it sativa or indica?
A: Both types of Larry Bird cannabis are actually 50/50 balanced hybrids, although they each deliver a euphoric and energetic head high that would more typically be considered a “sativa high.”

Q: How large do Larry Bird plants get? Should you grow indoors or outdoors?
A: They’re suitable for either type of grow. When they’re indoors, they normally don’t get much higher than three feet tall so they’re a great size for a grow room. Outdoors they can reach 5-6 feet which makes them easy to handle.