Top 3 Strains of 2021

You know what time it is, Psychonauts!  Time for my annual roundup of the very best strains of the year.  Like last year, all strains come from in-state medical marijuana dispensaries and have been extensively researched by yours truly.  

What I look for in a weed strain:  the effects must be on point first and foremost.  I want something that lifts my mood and strikes a good balance between stimulation and relaxation without a drowsy comedown.  If it looks and smells pretty that's just an added bonus.  Too much emphasis is placed on "bag appeal" these days in my opinion (a likely result of reviewers with high tolerances who can't tell the subtle differences in effects between different strains).  Weed tends to make me both anxious and too sleepy to function so it's a real chore finding a strain that doesn't lean too far in either direction.  

Without further ado, here are my Top 3 Strains of 2021:

#3.)  Chernobyl -  This 80% sativa-dominant firebrand doesn't fit the mold of strains I'm usually drawn to (ahem, indicas) but it ticks all the right boxes in the effects department, producing a high that's as giddy & stimulating as can be without causing that typical sativa paranoia.  It reminds me of Golden Goat, which made it to last year's Top 3 list.  This is what I call "playful weed":  a strain that makes literally any activity more fun so you'll want to share it with friends.  I gave it a 4.8 of 5 stars after a few trials & would definitely buy it again if given the opportunity.  

#2.)  Banana Cake -  a.k.a. Baby's First Purple Strain.  Well, at least some of the buds were purple--the others were green with purple cores.  When broken up, the nugs reek of grape juice (anthocyanins?) which obviously smells nothing like bananas or cake, so don't pick it up based on the name alone.  But no matter.  The high creeps up on you then BOOM!  Sledgehammer to the cranium.  Pure indica bliss complete with pain relief, giggles & pure relaxation.  Banana Cake is one of the most unique strains I've smoked in years, and the high is phenomenal if you're an indica lover with pain or anxiety issues.  Original rating = 4.9 of 5 stars.  

#1.)  Zkittlez -  Euphoric, effervescent, depression-crushing joyflower.  "Taste the Rainbow" is the perfect slogan for this indica-dominant hybrid.  You know that scene in The Simpsons where a stoned Homer starts shaving and rainbows shoot out of his face?  Yeah, that's Zkittlez in a nutshell.  It feels reminiscent of my first time getting high where I just giggled myself retarded and everything looked psychedelic.  After a couple tokes I rated it 4.9 of 5 stars for its reliably perfect high, but in retrospect I'd give it a straight 5.  It was so good I went back and bought a half-ounce for good measure:  my biggest purchase of any medical marijuana strain to date.

What was YOUR favorite strain of 2021?  Sound off in the comments!  💨