Maple Leaf Indica®
A relatively new release as a seed, this fat, sticky hash-makers’ plant has long been prized for its sparkling coating of resin glands and syrupy sweet citrus bouquet. Maple Leaf Indica is bred from precious, vintage Afghanica gene-stock – parent plants that have formed part of several important Sensi Seeds hybrids and which represent one of the surviving strains behind original Mazar-i-Sharif hashish.
The direct forebears of Maple Leaf Indica were brought out of Afghanistan just before the Soviet invasion and older smokers lucky enough to have visited the region in its peaceful era may find this variety to be a taste – and a blast – from the past. Some of the earliest western references to the Maple Leaf parent strain describe both the plant and the hashish produced from it as “renowned throughout the Hindu Kush and the whole of the Middle East as the best there is.”
Even by the high standards of the region, Mazar-i-Sharif is a celebrated centre of cannabis and hashish culture, and prior to the Eighties its reputation was greater still. Situated just inside Afghanistan’s northern border, the town’s proximity to the territory of the former USSR made it one of the very first areas to be affected by the invasion. This threat was perhaps the only reason that the traditional cultivators of the Maple Leaf parent strain allowed it to leave their possession, and the collector who received the original seeds made it a personal mission to preserve this unique Indica.
The exodus of sublime Afghani genotypes during that period changed the face of ganja cultivation around the world and western growers have literally reaped the benefits ever since. Maple Leaf represents one of the finest Afghanica varieties ever seen outside the region, back-crossed to express the purity of her ancestors. This strain quickly and easily produces solid buds that drip with crystal and sugary orange-grapefruit flavours. While not the biggest-yielding Afghani in the Sensi collection, Maple Leaf Indica tops the list for resin production and has always been one of our personal favourites.
SENSI SEEDS PIONEERED THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY TO BECOME THE WORLD’S LARGEST SEED BANK PIONEERS OF THE CANNABIS SEED INDUSTRY
Sensi Seeds pioneered the cannabis seed industry in 1985. Today, the company is the world’s largest cannabis seedbank with over 500 varieties. These genetics and the brand name have become true classics in the cannabis community. The Dutch government chose Sensi Seeds genetics to develop the medicinal cannabis supplied by pharmacies.
Sensi Seeds aims for the normalization of cannabis use and recognition of the plant’s therapeutic and industrial benefits. This led the company to open the world’s first cannabis museum in 1985. The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum is now present in both Amsterdam and Barcelona and has welcomed over two million visitors.
Together with the museum, Sensi Seeds regularly hosts the Cannabis Culture Awards. This award celebrates those who have taken a stand for the acceptance of cannabis. Winners include Sir Richard Branson, and former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dries van Agt.
Sensi Seeds opened its sister-company, HempFlax in 1993. The company developed new processing methods and purpose-built equipment for hemp cultivation. These innovations have since become the industry standard. They are now used by leading agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers, including John Deere.
HempFlax products are widely used in the textile, food, construction and body-care industries. The automotive industry has also adopted hemp, including brands like BMW, Mercedes and Bentley. Hemp is making a successful come-back and HempFlax is leading the way.
The world’s attitude towards cannabis is changing. Countries are now legalising cannabis for medicinal and recreational use. The possibilities for industrial, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications of hemp continue to surprise us. Sensi Seeds will play its part and remain at the forefront of these developments.
Sensi seeds strives for the acceptance of cannabis worldwide and believes that responsible consumption of cannabis can enrich one’s life.
With more than 30 years’ worth of experience in the field of cannabis, Sensi Seeds is fully aware of the crucial role that cannabis can play for humankind. The company is pleased to see the current increase in attention and recognition for the plant worldwide, not only as a medicine but also as a raw material.
Sensi Seeds is committed to preserving the genetic diversity and accessibility of the cannabis plant for future generations, and disseminating information and knowledge about the beneficial effects the plant can have when used appropriately.