(examples pictured above were grown by Tierra Rojo for Natural Remedies in Denver, CO — there are also several micron grades of water-extracted hash (known as “solventless wax”) made from S.D.D.C. trim by Essential Extracts)

S.D.D.C. STRAIN INFORMATION

General Information

Type:  Indica-dominant hybrid

Genetics:  East Coast Sour Diesel x Tom Hill’s Deep Chunk

Geographic Origin:  Texas, USA

Seed Company/Clone:  Clone-only, though the two popular phenotypes were selected from seed stock originally

Description:  A wonderful example of hybrid vigor, this strain brings together two strains on nearly opposite ends of the spectrum in the 70+ day flowering Sativa-dominant Sour Diesel and the burly, hashy, trich-covered Indica Deep Chunk.  The flavor and scent expression of the parents changes slightly depending upon medium, phenotype, and growing conditions.  It normally finishes a deep purple color, with both leaves and calyxes darkening as it approaches harvest time.

History

Story:  Bred by Tierra Rojo, this strain has made a home in the Colorado medical marijuana scene, but a special phenotype also still appears in its home state of Texas as the “Texas Hog Plum”.

Awards:  None

Growing Information

Flowering Time:  55-60 days

Preferred Growing Medium:  While it performs just fine in hydro, these plants tend to really respond to a robust soil or soilless mix, something that will keep them deep green and healthy until it’s time to flush.  It forms fairly strong central colas but also has a good amount of leaf, making pruning and a judicious trim necessary.  It handles training well and works for SCROG much better than it does in a single cola SOG style setup — medium sized plants (around 3′) tend to taste and smell best.

Patient Expectations

Appearance:  As it’s growing, the plants have a deep green and purple coloration that stays intact through harvest and drying/curing.  Most plants have large hooked calyxes that “crown” as the plant reaches maturity, with very fat trichome heads which make fabulous water hash.  It has a moderate amount of leaf coverage, but the main colas are thick and have a better calyx-to-leaf ratio than the lower branches.

Scent:  The ECSD comes through most clearly in the scent, which has strong notes of rubber, fuel, skunks.  However, there is a creamy, hashy Deep Chunk sweetness that manages to make its way to the forefront now and then.  The astringent aromas dominate post-grind and this is a strain that is easily-noticed from several feet away when disturbed.

Flavor:  When properly-grown, a deep flavor which nearly matches the pungency of the aroma lingers on the palate after smoking.  The flavor is slightly hashier than the aroma, but still has clear skunk, rubber, and fuel elements, especially on the attack.  The smoke tends to be fairly thick and can cause coughing, but if well-trimmed and cured, it can be very smooth for such a potent smoke.

Effects:  A buzzing throughout the face and head comes on with an immediacy that definitely brings to mind the Diesel side of the family.  It also tends to hit the eyes quite a bit, at times making them burn with effect and continually fluctuating pressure.  The early part of the duration feels rather Sativa in nature (though on the “stoney” and narcotic side of that spectrum) and improves mood while also providing such strong initial potency that it would be difficult to fall asleep.  However, that changes rather quickly (normally around the 1 hour mark) and the Deep Chunk seems to take hold, filling the body with a buzzing relaxation and bringing the mental pace down quite a few notches.  This strain is most suitable for an evening burst of cerebral activity leading into relaxation and eventually sleep.  It’s also useful as an all-day medication for users who can continually consume smaller amounts and remain in the Sativa parts of the effect.

Medical Benefits:  Mood elevation early on, strong ocular effects, body relaxation, light pain relief, anti-anxiety, and digestive relaxation

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.

Lemon Skunk Medical Marijuana Strain Review

From:  The Herbal Cure

Grade:  A

Type:  Sativa-dominant hybrid

Lineage:  Clone-only Skunk strain supposedly derived from old Sacred Seeds stock, originted in Las Vegas — see the KindReviews Strain Profile on Lemon Skunk for more info

Price:  $45/8th

Appearance:  (8.5/10)  This strain was a classic-looking one which had the perfect bright oranges and greens that recalled its old-school origins in the Skunk #1 family.  We appreciated how dense the trichomes were, and also how well-preserved everything was in general.  This sample was of average density, but the dryness level seemed to make it feel more dense than normal because there was little give before it began snapping and breaking apart.  Harvest-timing was well-done in our estimation, with about 15% amber trichomes creeping in among the mostly swelled-up, large-headed clear and cloudy heads.  We found some tiny seeds in some areas of the buds, but the presence was minor overall.  We also thought the trim could have been tightened up a bit to show off the large calyxed structure, but the remaining leaves were very frosty, and it wasn’t seen as a real flaw.  This is certainly an appealing strain, both in the hand and up-close, and this particular example was frostier than many Lemon Skunks we’ve seen.

Aroma:  (8.25/10)  Though it wasn’t the most pungent aroma prior to being broken apart, this sample still had a definite lemon presence, with a sweet but not candy-like aroma.  Having reviewed our share of Super Lemon Haze, the Lemon Skunk influence in that strain was clear from this one.  Once it was broken apart, the pungency stepped up a big notch, and a crisp lemony sweetness came out more directly, with a hint of sweet Skunk in the background.

Taste: (8/10)  The flavor was enjoyable, though less sweet and more earthy/skunky, with the only real lemon presence coming on the exhale.  We felt that the smoke was fairly expansive and it seemed to fill the chest easily, causing coughing on the unexpectedly large hits but otherwise hitting the throat smoothly.  It burned away to a mottled medium gray ash with some white specks, showing it received a quality flush, though not a perfect one.

Effects:  This was a rather “facial” med to start, getting right into the eyes and face and creating a pressure that seemed to push outwards.  Noticable effects were also present through the jaw and neck area, but mostly stayed above the shoulders initially.  We felt a definite increase in mental activity and mood, but also noticed that our bodies seemed to lag behind, feeling comfortable and and smoothly relaxed compared to the excitable mental state.  We felt a little spacey at times, jumping back and forth between mental tasks and sometimes losing the details in the mix, but overall it was functional.  One thing we noticed is that though the effects were not astoundingly potent, the decrease that normally happens at about an hour of effects seemed to be very slight,  and we felt that it stayed medicinally-potent longer than most strains.  A smooth decline did have us a little on the sleepy side once it receded, but nothing too dramatic.

Medicinal Traits:  (We are NOT doctors – personal opinion ONLY)  Mood elevation, mental energy, muscle relaxation, minor to moderate pain relief, appetite stimulation, fatigue, and migraines.

Overall:  This was a very good example of this genetic line, displaying a distinct lemon quality in the aroma and flavor areas while checking off a variety of our boxes in the other areas.  Though we did find a few small flaws, the grow overall was very well-done, as was the post-harvest care.  We really liked how quick the effects came on, as well as how the potency seemed to stay at a nice even ’7′ throughout most of the experience, making this a lasting med that worked espeically well for the morning (seemed to make the duration even longer).  This one is versatile though, as the final effects were somewhat sedative, making this one that

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.

Captain Kush Medical Marijuana Strain Review

From:  Chronic Wellness

Grade:  B

Type:  Sativa-dominant hybrid

Lineage:  Snowcap x OG Kush (this phenotype is Snowcap-leaning)

Price:  $30/8th

Appearance:  (7.5/10)  The structure of this sample was definitely on the dry and rocky side, just on the acceptable side of “too dry” (though the FSL moisture percentage would say otherwise).  Lots of dark red-orange pistils covered the surfaces of the bud, seemingly taking up as much visual real estate as the leaves and calyxes.  Up-close, we wished that there were more trichome heads preserved, as many seemed to be mutated, broken, or otherwise damaged (maybe 30% intact).  We didn’t really find too much other flaw with it, and overall the trichomes were dense, but the damage served to hurt the overall visual appeal (and likely the potency).

Aroma:  (8/10)  While the aroma wasn’t particularly pungent, it did develop a bit when ground up, releasing a crisp, clean, sweet pine-citrus aroma that definitely brought to mind Snowcap and other similar strains (NL #5-Haze, Jack Herer, etc.).

Taste: (6.5/10)  Softly sweet and piney, the flavor was fairly similar to the aroma on the first few hits, but declined from there and just because neutral and smokey.  It never really tasted bad, but the flavor just disappeared rather quickly — we think that the dryness level may have had a lot to do with the way the flavor declined, as well as the way the smoke tickled the throat.  The flush certainly wasn’t to blame for any harshness, because the final ash was mostly white with some black flecks, showing a very quality flush prior to harvest.  This one ultimately just fell short of its potential.

Effects:  A moderate pulsing throughout the body and limbs was the signal that effects had begun, coming on rather smoothly and creeping up in potency over the first 20-30 minutes.  While we didn’t really feel much of a change in mental energy or mood, but rather a gentle relaxation which had us able to concentrate on non-interactive activities, but fading out a bit when deep concentration and attention was required.  Several members of the staff commented that this med was almost invisible at times throughout the experience — it’s certainly not a “punch in the face” type of med, but rather a smooth Sativa that kept us between mood elevation and relaxation with no negative effects or abrupt comedown.  Some staff were left wanting more peak potency, but the duration was very good, lingering out to over 3 hours for all of our staff.

Medicinal Traits:  (We are NOT doctors – personal opinion ONLY)  Relief of minor stomach/digestion issues (one reviewer noticed some appetite reduction), mood stabilization, and a slight energy boost.

Overall:  We’re not sure if the strain itself is just not super-potent (the lineage would suggest otherwise), or if the trichome damage may have knocked the potency down a peg, but for whatever reason, we just didn’t feel that this one hit its potential.  It never was overtly potent and despite lasting a long time, we sort of lost track of the effects at times because they were mild and unobtrusive.  In many senses, this is a good thing (this was a pretty clear-headed med suitable for a day of work), but we think that this one is best saved for newer patients and those seeing moderate relief which last a long time but doesn’t ever feel pushy.  There’s probably more to this strain, and we saw another phenotype which looked better, so we’ll be looking for it again to see if the opinion changes.