MAC #21
A selected phenotype of MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies) known for symmetrical bag appeal, gassy-floral aroma, and uneven cultivation reports.
MAC #21 is a real, selected phenotype from Capulator's MAC line, but most flower sold as 'MAC #21' on the street or in dispensaries has no verifiable connection to that cut. Like most boutique strain names, it's become a marketing label more than a genetic guarantee. The original pheno has a reputation for sour-floral gas and balanced effects, but there is no clinical research on this strain specifically, and cannabinoid/terpene averages vary wildly between grows.
Overview
MAC #21 is one of several named phenotypes pulled from the MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies) seed line bred by Capulator. The broader MAC family became one of the most-hyped American hybrids of the late 2010s, prized for tight, frosty, often variegated buds and a sour, floral, gassy nose [1][2].
'#21' refers to a specific plant selection — historically, growers number keepers from a seed pop (pheno #1, #21, etc.). Unlike MAC1, which is a widely-distributed clone-only cut, MAC #21 has never been formally released as a clone line by Capulator, and most flower labeled 'MAC #21' on the market is either a different grower's seed-hunt keeper or a marketing relabel Disputed.
Chemistry: cannabinoids and terpenes
Published lab data specific to MAC #21 is sparse and inconsistent. Aggregated dispensary COAs for flower sold under the MAC and MAC #21 names typically show:
- THC: ~20-25% by dry weight, occasionally higher
- CBD: trace (<0.5%)
- CBG: 0.5-1.5% in some samples
Terpene profiles vary by grower and pheno, but MAC-family flower is commonly reported as limonene-dominant, with notable beta-caryophyllene and smaller amounts of linalool, humulene, and myrcene Weak / limited. Some chemovars sold as MAC test terpinolene-forward instead, which is a strong hint that not all 'MAC' flower shares the same genetics [3].
The popular claim that a strain needs >0.5% myrcene to be 'sedating' (the so-called myrcene threshold) is folklore — it traces to a single textbook assertion and has never been clinically validated [4] No data.
Reported effects
There are no clinical trials on MAC #21, or on any single cultivar, evaluating effects in humans. Everything below is user-reported on community sites and dispensary menus, not evidence Anecdote.
Common descriptors include: balanced head-and-body, talkative, mood-lifting early followed by relaxation, mild appetite stimulation, dry mouth. Reported negatives include anxiety or paranoia at high doses, which is consistent with the general dose-response pattern for high-THC flower in controlled studies [5].
The indica/sativa label tells you very little about how a strain will actually feel. Chemotype (cannabinoid + terpene profile), dose, set, setting, and individual tolerance dominate the experience — a point repeatedly made by cannabis researchers [3][6].
Lineage
The MAC line's parentage is partially disputed. Capulator has publicly described MAC as Alien Cookies F2 × (Colombian × Starfighter) [1][2]. That cross is the most commonly cited and the one we'd treat as the working answer.
Where it gets murky:
- The exact Alien Cookies cut used and its own lineage are not fully documented in peer-reviewed or regulatory sources.
- 'MAC #21' specifically is a phenotype number from a seed pop. Without a verifiable clone chain back to Capulator's own selections, any given 'MAC #21' on the market may be a different breeder's pheno hunt or a renamed cultivar Disputed.
- Genetic testing studies have repeatedly shown that cannabis strain names are unreliable indicators of actual genetic identity; samples sold under the same name often cluster apart genetically [7].
Cultivation basics
Cultivation notes here are aggregated from grower forums and breeder descriptions, not controlled agronomic studies Anecdote.
- Flowering time: ~9-10 weeks indoors; outdoor harvest typically early-to-mid October in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Structure: Medium height, moderate stretch (often 1.5-2× in flower), branchy. Responds well to topping, LST, and SCROG.
- Yield: Generally reported as moderate to below average — MAC phenos are known more for quality and bag appeal than weight.
- Difficulty: Intermediate. Sensitive to overfeeding; nutrient burn shows quickly. Some phenos throw variegated (white-streaked) leaves, which is cosmetic, not a deficiency.
- Environment: Prefers lower humidity in late flower (dense buds are bud-rot prone). Stable temps (20-26°C) and good airflow recommended.
None of this is MAC #21-specific in a verifiable way — it reflects general MAC-family behavior.
Marketing vs. reality
What's real:
- MAC and its named phenos (including #21) are genuine selections from Capulator's breeding work.
- The flower can be genuinely excellent — frosty, aromatic, potent.
What's marketing:
- Strain name ≠ genetic identity. Independent genotyping has shown that cannabis sold under identical names often differs substantially at the DNA level [7]. A 'MAC #21' eighth from one dispensary and another from across the country may share little beyond branding.
- 'Indica-leaning hybrid' labels don't reliably predict effects [3][6].
- Terpene percentages on COAs are useful, but the popular 'entourage effect' as commonly described — specific terpenes producing specific psychoactive effects — is not well supported by clinical evidence in humans at the concentrations found in inhaled flower [8] Weak / limited.
If you like a particular jar of MAC #21, that's a vote for that specific grower's pheno and cultivation, not a guarantee about the next one you buy.
Sources
- Reported Jikomes, N. (2019). 'The Origin and Genetics of MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies).' Leafly.
- Reported High Times Staff. (2020). 'Strain of the Year: MAC.' High Times Magazine.
- Peer-reviewed Smith, C.J., Vergara, D., Keegan, B., Jikomes, N. (2022). 'The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States.' PLOS ONE, 17(5): e0267498.
- Peer-reviewed Russo, E.B. (2011). 'Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.' British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7): 1344-1364.
- Peer-reviewed Hindocha, C., Freeman, T.P., et al. (2015). 'Acute effects of cannabinoids on addiction endophenotypes are moderated by genes encoding the CB1 receptor and FAAH enzyme.' Addiction Biology, 20(4): 619-629.
- Peer-reviewed Piomelli, D., Russo, E.B. (2016). 'The Cannabis sativa Versus Cannabis indica Debate: An Interview with Ethan Russo, MD.' Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 1(1): 44-46.
- Peer-reviewed Sawler, J., Stout, J.M., Gardner, K.M., Hudson, D., Vidmar, J., Butler, L., Page, J.E., Myles, S. (2015). 'The Genetic Structure of Marijuana and Hemp.' PLOS ONE, 10(8): e0133292.
- Peer-reviewed Cogan, P.S. (2020). 'The 'entourage effect' or 'hodge-podge hashish': the questionable rebranding, marketing, and expectations of cannabis polypharmacy.' Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 13(8): 835-845.
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