Name:  SAGE Wax

From:  The Herbal Cure

Type:  Butane-extracted hash oil, made from 100% in-house SAGE (Sativa-dominant hybrid), in a wax consistency

Price:  $50/gram

Grade:  A-

Consumption Method:  Sheldon Black Bubbler and dome nail set, TI vapor swing via bubbler

Visual: (8.75/10)  This wax had a gorgeous bright golden yellow coloration and was composed mainly of small chunks and flakes rather than a cohesive mass.  To the naked eye, this was one of the prettier wax samples we’ve seen color-wise, but when we zoomed in on it with the camera and microscope, we found a large amount of small blue hairs which appeared to be from some sort of fabric — it was seen throughout the sample and we are unclear why.  Disregarding that, this was a absolutely great-looking sample, though we didn’t like the texture quite as much as some other waxes because it was somewhat difficult to stick to a dabber (we had to scoop it most of the time).

Aroma: (6/10)  There just wasn’t a ton of aroma with this one — a vague sense of the “trichome smell” that is present in most extracts was detected, but otherwise we struggled to pick anything up.  This sample was not nearly as pungent as some butane-extracted samples we’ve had, but not bad-smelling either.

Flavor: (8.5/10)  This extract had an oddly culinary flavor, which one reviewer pegged as “nori”, the seaweed that’s wrapped around sushi rolls.  Other reviewers noted how smooth the extract was overall, and that it left a herby, slightly mentholated aftertaste hanging in the mouth.  Overall this one wasn’t incredibly pungent, but it was unique and did bring to mind the herby/Hazy S.A.G.E. which went into it.  The smoke was rather thin and easy on the throat, feeling almost like a hit a quarter o the size — this is a good extract for those who don’t want to worry about coughing much.

Consumption:  On both swing/nail devices, this extract vanished almost immediately, leaving behind nothing on the surface and making no noise other than the “woosh” of the extract disappearing.  It was clearly pure and was one of the easier-to-inhale BHO extractions we’ve come across lately — great job by the extraction artist.

Effects:  Despite the Sativa-heavy lineage of the strain that went into this extract, this one was more relaxing than invigorating.  A rush of effect throughout the limbs and torso started things off, and the eyes also felt warm and buzzy — but that buzzy quality did not translate to the mood, which almost immediately ticked down a notch (not in a bad way, just a more calm and slightly dazed demeanor).  We were able to work and function for the most part, but felt a bit mentally cloudy at times, drifting off in thought and occasionally losing focus on the task at hand.  However, it served to calm our minds overall and kept us in a relaxed, worry-free state through most of the duration, petering out over the 2nd hour.  This extract was very heady and facial, with not much body relaxation to speak of — definitely more suitable for patients medicating for mental reasons more than physical ones.

Duration:  2 hours medicinal-level potency, 2.5 – 3 hours overall duration

Medicinal Traits:  (We are NOT doctors – personal opinion ONLY)  Strong ocular attention (possibly glaucoma benefits), mood stabilization, anti-anxiety properties, and moderate appetite stimulation

Overall:  This extract had beautiful color and texture, with a uniformity in both regards that we rarely see in BHO.  We weren’t blown away by the flavor, but the smoking experience was so smooth and enjoyable that the light flavor and nearly non-existent aroma didn’t stick out as flaws.  It appeared to have been purged very well and we saw no signs of residual solvent — it was very clean and pure-feeling on the throat.  The effects were surprisingly sedate for such a Sativa-dominant strain, and even for BHO in general.  Still, it was enjoyable and allowed us to function during the day while serving to even the mood and keep things flowing on an even keel.

Name:  House Mixed Budder

From:  iVita Wellness (extraction by Top Shelf Extracts, who work out of iVita Wellness)

Type:  Butane hash extraction, in “budder” form

Price:  $45/g

Grade:  A-

Consumption Method:  Various methods, including TI vapor swing via bubbler, triple-screened glass pipe, and titanium nail via bong

Visual: (8.5/10)  This sample had the “lunar surface” look that we’ve seen from some Top Shelf Extracts products in the past, where the butane bubbles purging out leave behind perfect circular tunnels all over the surface.  The luminous yellow-gold color was immediately attractive, and upon closer inspection, there were no signs of any particulates or foreign matter.  Texture-wise, this one was simple to ‘slice’ with a dabber and stuck on the end of most implements rather easily, making it easier to apply than many flakier extracts.

Aroma: (6.75/10)  This sample had a somewhat pungent aroma, but it wasn’t all that enjoyable, smelling vaguely chemical and mostly just hashy.  We didn’t pick up any hints of any specific strain, and overall it was just okay — not our favorite aroma-wise.

Flavor: (7.25/10)  Our trend of not being terribly impressed with the flavor and aroma of mixed strain concentrates continues here, with the fairly indistinct flavor this one provided.  One reviewer picked up some almost minty, fresh notes — but otherwise, the staff didn’t really seem to enjoy it much and basically said it tasted “hashy”.  The smoke was expansive but smooth, only causing coughing on larger dabs.

Consumption:  This extract disappeared almost immediately on the nail and swing, flashing away within a second and leaving behind nothing visible.  In the triple-screened pipe, it bubbled with large golden-clear domes and eventually disappeared.

Effects:  Unlike many recent BHO samples we’ve come across, this one had more of an Indica effect, serving to knock us off our feet for the most part, as well as keep the mind a little slower and more distracted than usual.  A blast of pressure to the eyes and face started things off, but didn’t seem to last long, being overtaken by a buzzing warmth throughout the lower body and torso.  While it was clear-headed at times, we felt most content sitting passively and absorbing the world rather than engaging it much.  This one seemed most appropriate for a night spent at home relaxing, as it finished a little on the heavy side, making it easy to fall asleep after the main effects passed.

Duration:  2.5 hours medicinal-level potency, 3+ hours overall duration

Medicinal Traits:  (We are NOT doctors – personal opinion ONLY)  Muscle relaxation, appetite stimulation, ocular effects, mental relaxation, anti-anxiety, and sleep aid

Overall:  This extract didn’t have the most pleasing flavor or smell, due largely in part to being made from a mix of strains rather than only one.  However, the effects that came from the mix seemed to fill the niche of rather sedative BHO, which seems increasingly rare on the market.  normally we get a very cerebral and heady experience, but this one had rather direct body effects and definitely kept us sitting and relaxed.  We loved the color and the lack of particulates we observed with this sample, and it showed all the signs of being well-purged and clean.  This isn’t our favorite product from Top Shelf Extracts, but it fills a needed niche medically and would earn a spot in the rotation for patients who require strong evening relief for muscle pain and (eventually) sleep.

Andy’s Blue Dream Medical Marijuana Strain Review

From:  The Tea Pot Lounge (also normally available at The Cherry Co. and The Pearl Co.)

Grade:  A-

Type:  Sativa-dominant hybrid

Lineage:  DJ Short’s Blueberry x Santa Cruz Haze

Price:  $40/8th

Appearance:  (8.5/10)  This was clearly a well-grown sample of this strain, which we’ve seen quite a bit due to its overall popularity in the medical scene.  The mixed light greens and fluffy, creamy orange pistils gave it a classic look, while the abundant trichomes hinted that it has more to offer than some of those “classic” strains.  We were impressed with the well-preserved nature of the trichomes, the harvest timing (perfect blend of clear cloudy, and amber), and the post-harvest care in general, though there were a few crunchy guard leaves that could’ve been removed.  Overall, a very good example of Blue Dream, better-looking and frostier than many we’ve seen, with an open, Sativa-style structure instead of the sometimes blocky appearance it gets when it’s  practically stuffed with nutrients during its growth period.

Aroma:  (9/10)  The floral berry sweetness that greets you as the jar opens is the initial aroma, but as soon as the sample is disturbed, it releases a more complex woody, spicy, Haze-influenced scent.  We also picked up on hints of vanilla within the sweet side of the aroma, making this a truly mouth-watering and complex package which had us excited to try this sample.

Taste: (8.25/10)  Like the aroma, the initial flavor was mostly in the sweet floral berry category, but it had an underlying earthy quality and a fairly thick (though smooth) smoke.  The exhale was very pleasing for us, carrying hints of sandalwood that definitely recalled the Haze lineage.  The smoke was smooth and non-expansive, making for an easy smoking experience suitable for those who don’t like the coughing that comes with many strains.  Part of that was probably the clean flush this sample received, as the resulting ash was a crisp-looking very light gray with about 20% pure white material.

Effects:  This smoothly energetic strain started very quickly, with buzzing and light pressure throughout the eyes, face, and head and a bit of a “wake-up call” style effect on our mental states.  Thoughts began racing slightly, and we felt the familiar Hazy distraction where we’d get up to do something and end up wandering off and doing something else entirely (while also thinking about 10 different things).  This particular example of this strain might be a little much for a patient who can’t handle a bit of raciness (anxiety sufferers, for example), and the first 45 minutes or so were strong enough that it was a little hard to stay focused.  This one also seemed to affect the eyes quite a bit, reddening and lowering them to a rather high degree — not the best idea for professional situations.  Beyond the initial hour, the effect became much more smooth and a blend of stimulating and relaxing (mostly in the body, especially the shoulders and upper back area) with a definite creative bent, great for musicians or artists.  As the effect declined, we never really felt the Sativa “crash” that is so common… this sample left us feeling mostly normal, with a better-than-average mood and energy level.

Medicinal Traits:  (We are NOT doctors – personal opinion ONLY)  Mild to moderate pain relief, some muscle relaxation, strong mood elevation, anti-anxiety qualities later in the duration, appetite stimulation, energy, and strong ocular effects.

Overall:  This was one of the best examples of Blue Dream that we’ve seen in quite some time, hitting all the right notes for the strain and impressing us in all areas.  ”Andy’s Blue Dream” is supposedly the original cut from the Northern Cali medical scene, and that would jive with the overall quality of this strain — if this was the only Blue Dream we’d ever seen, our impression of and excitement for the strain would certainly be higher.  The good harvest timing brought out the potency of this strain, and it almost got on top of one of our veteran reviewers early, but evened out into a creative and stimulating experience that had none of the negative qualities with which strong Sativas often come.  If you’re a fan of Blue Dream, definitely check out the Pink House version, as it was high-quality in all areas — this one fell just short of an ‘A’, mainly due to the somewhat quick plateau in effects.

Lavender Haze Medical Marijuana Strain Review

From:  The Pearl Co. (also available at Cherry Co. and Tea Pot Lounge)

Grade:  A-

Type:  Sativa-dominant hybrid

Lineage:  Blue Dream variant (DJ Short’s Blueberry x Santa Cruz Haze)

Price:  $40/8th

Appearance:  (8.5/10)  This sample had a crisp, well-cured texture and dense structure to it, which we appreciated as soon as we saw it.  The coloration was mostly medium greens, but on the underside of buds, there were some deep purple calyxes and leaves which served to spice up the appearance.  We loved the trichome coverage on this one — though they were mostly of the smalll-headed variety, there were trichomes everywhere, and the majority were well-preserved and on the peak of ripeness.  We would’ve liked to see a few sugar leaves trimmed off and the immature seeds present throughout the sample (the most common grow flaw in our experience) also hurt the overall score, though didn’t harm the “bag appeal” really.

Aroma:  (9/10)  If you like a floral-spicy Haze type of aroma, this strain has that in spades.  The name really makes sense once a whiff of the scent is detected, as it is ripe with flowery qualities and does bring to mind actual lavender.  It’s like the Blueberry side of the family took a vacation and left the Haze at home to play, though there is a slight sweetness (some described it as “purple, but not grapey”) underlying the Haze elements.  It’s not the most pungent sample around, but it’s definitely noticeable in the jar, and becomes nicely pungent once broken apart.

Taste: (7.5/10)  The flowery, almost soapy Haze elements from the aroma came through strongly in the flavor, though it wasn’t quite as pleasing to our tastes as it was in aroma form for whatever reason.  It has a light sweetness to it, but it was mostly present on the initial inhale, changing quickly to the more floral flavor that remained until the aftertaste.  The smoke was light and crisp in the mouth, hitting smoothly and not really causing coughing except on some large hits.  The final ash was a fluffy medium-light gray, showing it had received a proper flush.

Effects:  This strain is somewhat unique in that it seemed to come on as more of an Indica to start, relaxing us and knocking us down a peg slightly, then transitioning into a more uplifting and Hazy effect after about 30 minutes.  We felt that this one put us in a meditative state where we could function and work, but it carried a bit of signature Haze spaciness that had us walking around in circles at times, enjoying some of the psychoactivity it offered.  The smooth effects peaked around 45 minutes, then gradually declined from there, lingering out to over 3 hours for most of our staff.

Medicinal Traits:  (We are NOT doctors – personal opinion ONLY)  Muscle relaxation, anti-anxiety, migraines, mood elevation, appetite stimulation, and digestive aid.

Overall:  This strain fit very well into our daytime routines and pleased us with its distinctly floral elements which were present in both the aroma and flavor.  We appreciated the cure and overall texture quite a bit, and it seemed to help the aroma stay present whether it was ground or sitting in the jar.  The combination of relaxation and mental uplift this strain offers had us feeling positive but smoothly relaxed for upwards of 3 hours, making this a great strain to medicate with mid-day and feel relief until early evening.  Definitely check out this one if you want a smooth Sativa that doesn’t come with any real side effects or negatives.

Sour Willie Medical Marijuana Strain Review

From:  Green Mountain CARE

Grade:  A-

Type:  Sativa-dominant hybrid

Lineage:  Sour Diesel x Willie Nelson [Highland Nepalese x Vietnamese Black]

Price:  $50/8th

Appearance:  (9/10)  This sample had mostly pointed nugs that displayed a coloration which reminded us of Sour Diesel quite a bit with its super light green calyxes and creamy orange-pink pistils.  The trichome coverage was abundant, especially in certain areas, and the harvest timing was perfect in our estimation, with about 10-15% amber trichomes and a collection of cloudy heads.  We didn’t really find any flaws with this strain, and liked the way that all the calyxes and leaves seemed to point skyward… it was pretty unique-looking and also very dense and well-cured.

Aroma:  (9/10)  A pungent Diesel presence was in the forefront when this strain was sitting in the jar/bag, with a skunky and slightly acrid scent propelling a hint of citrus.  When we ground it up, the Diesel elements seemed to fade away, giving instead a lightly sweet and complex aroma with hints of fruit and spice.  The change was unexpected and refreshing, because Sour Diesel seems to completely take over so many crosses.

Taste: (7.75/10)  The flavor was a bit confusing and not as pungent as the aroma, giving us a sharp attack with just a hint of Diesel, then basically leaving behind a clean, fresh, mentholated feeling in the mouth rather than much of a taste.  The smoke was smooth and didn’t cause coughing except on the largest hits, while the flush appeared to be nearly perfect, leaving behind only a fluffy white ash.  This one was enjoyed by all and was repeatedly described as “pleasant”, but just didn’t wow us with a pungent flavor.

Effects:  This strain hit us with an almost entirely Sativa package of effects, increasing both the mental and physical energy of our staff, filling us with a buzzing body and head presence.  Facial warmth, ocular/temple pressure, some body numbing, and a racing heart continued through most of the initial hour, eventually backing off slightly into a less racy and cerebral state.  We found conversation easy when it was around, but it was also easy to get stuck in your own head so to speak, staring off in space while deep in thought, or zoning in on a project and shutting out the outside world.  The buzzing body continued throughout most of the experience and served to make this a fairly versatile med in terms of context, making us equally satisfied with activities or relaxation.  A smooth decline in effect left us feeling relaxed but still aware, with no real crash to speak of.

Medicinal Traits:  (We are NOT doctors – personal opinion ONLY)  Energy, mood elevation, ocular effects, body numbing, moderate pain relief, and relief of migraines.

Overall:  This was our first experience with this Reeferman strain, and we will certainly be keeping an eye out for it in the future, especially the Sativa-lovers among our staff.  The unique structure brought to mind Sour Diesel a bit, but was oddly angular and pointed, with great trichome coverage and harvest timing.  We thought that the grow staff did a great job with the flush and cure, and the whole experience was very clean-feeling.  Peak potency wasn’t quite as high as we expected, but the effects were lasting and smooth, with no real negatives aside from the early heart-racing, which could serve to cause light anxiety in some patients.  This one is definitely a daytime med, getting the mind moving but still having some body effects to go along with the predominantly head-neck-shoulders Sativa effects package.  It was just on the verge of an A, but don’t let the ‘-’ deter you from giving this one a try — it’s one of our favorite moderate potency experiences as of late.