"With a name like Vice City, it's hard not to imagine palm trees, beach-front bars, fruity cocktails, and feel-good vibes. Well, not only does the Vice City cannabis strain live up to this persona, but it promises up to 27% THC and a striking appearance that can rival any Miami sunset. Keep reading to discover the origins and genetic lineage of this eclectic hybrid. History of the Vice City Cannabis Strain Developed by Washington-based breeder Exotic Genetix, Vice City is an evenly balanced hybrid derived from Sunset Runtz and Scotty 2 Hotty. Both are flagship cultivars from Exotic's own catalog. Exotic Mike, the founder of Exotic Genetix, is known for his in-house experimentation, and Vice City is a prime example of their desire to put out a “quality product” while “constantly striving for the best". Exotic Genetix likes to refine its strains, isolating the best possible characteristics from generation to generation. This is evident in Scotty 2 Hotty, having not only spawned Vice City, but countless variations, including Dirty Bird and Twizzle Dance. Exotic even has a Scotty 2 Hotty Part 1 and Part 2, each deriving from a different genetic line. The seed bank took a similar approach with Sunset Runtz, taking those iconic Runtz flavors and tweaking them to encapsulate the Miami lifestyle that Vice City represents. Refinement of desirable phenotypes takes time, and by today's standards, Vice City is a new kid on the block, hitting shelves in 2022. Unfortunately, Vice City seeds have since sold out. Still, with Scotty 2 Hotty playing such a prominent role in its conception, there are numerous derivatives available from Exotic Genetix that promise similar attributes. Genetic Lineage of Vice City To understand Vice City's diverse mix of terpenes, growing characteristics, and potential potency, we need to examine the strain's parents—Sunset Runtz and Scotty 2 Hotty. Sunset Runtz brings an abundance of flavor to the party, which is hardly surprising given the global reputation of the Runtz family for bold, fruity tastes. However, it isn't just the Runtz family at play, as Sunset Runtz is a crossing of Runtz with the equally flavorsome Sherbet. Exotic Genetix's take on these iconic strains sees the fruitiness (citrus and peach) balanced against strong notes of diesel on the exhale. Potency is also respectable at around 23%, and many users report feeling creative, euphoric, and happy, with only a touch of cotton mouth at higher doses. If Sunset Runtz is largely responsible for Vice City's tropical flavors, then we have the indica-dominant Scotty 2 Hotty to thank for bringing potency and resilience to the table. The former can measure as high as 29%, which is likely why Exotic Genetix continues to breed numerous cultivars from Scotty 2 Hotty, and why there are two different genetic lines (Part 1 and Part 2). The flavor is more on the savory side with strong hints of diesel and spiced berries. Interestingly, the high is just as heavy as the flavor, favoring physical stimulation over waves of cerebral euphoria. It's not hard to imagine these two strains working well together. Still, with Vice City, Exotic Genetix has expertly isolated the most desirable traits from both parents. Physical Characteristics of Vice City Vice City takes on an impressive shape in the grow room, catching the eye of growers with its bright green foliage and grape-shaped buds. Once mature, buds mix dark green hues with purple accents and orange pistils. Each flower is then generously covered in a thick coating of resin, which also emanates a strong aroma of sweet blueberries and spicy diesel. Specific information on plant size and structure is limited, but a handful of grower reports highlight the plant's moderate height and straightforward growth pattern. Plants don't stretch too much during the switch to flowering, but if you want to maximize yields, some form of low-stress training is highly recommended. Vice City appears especially receptive to the screen of green (ScrOG) method. Properties and Effects of Vice City Vice City is a strong choice for users who enjoy a progressive high. What starts as a jolt of energy, encouraging creativity and euphoria, slowly descends into a physical embrace, soothing the extremities and guiding you toward the nearest couch. Part of this balanced influence comes from the pairing of Sunset Runtz and Scotty 2 Hotty; however, Vice City's terpene profile also plays a crucial role. Vice City's dominant terpenes include myrcene, caryophyllene and humulene. Myrcene has earned a reputation for its soothing influence, while caryophyllene is thought to have a similar effect on the body's internal systems. Humulene rounds out the experience, giving the mind and body the helping hand they need to unwind at the end of a long day. These terpenes are also largely responsible for the plant’s unique flavor. Many users describe the buds as having a bouquet of sweet and earthy flavors with a strong presence of citrus and tropi"