[Review] - Hemp Flower: Five Leaf Wellness - Mendo x Royal Kush

Five Leaf Wellness is a hemp company located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  They sell a number of products including flower, tincture, edibles and pet treats.  The flower comes in three varieties:  indoor, outdoor and greenhouse-grown.  I'm not entirely sure what the distinction is in terms of quality but the outdoor is the most expensive, which seems counter-intuitive based on cannabis pricing/quality standards.  (But hey, maybe hemp is grown to a different standard than regular weed?)  

Many of their items are sold out--okay, the vast majority--so I settle on two that are in stock and look best of the available options:  Mendo x Royal Kush and Tonic Berry.  This review is for the former.  All their photos look incredible and top-shelf, though the website is a bit clunky to navigate.  Setting up an account is quick and painless but checkout took like 15 minutes because my card details wouldn't go through for some reason.  The CAPTCHA kept messing up.  No biggie, it eventually worked but be warned if it's your first time ordering:  you may have to be persistent.  I ended up spending $54 on 5 grams and qualifying for free shipping.  Dope!

Mendo x Royal Kush

Mendo x Royal Kush is listed as having 21% CBDa and 0.901% THC with a whopping 26.95% total cannabinoids.  You can view the lab report here.  This indica-dominant hybrid is a cross between the two parent strains and is said to be popular for evening use, though I've never really been able to tell much difference in hemp strain effects since it's mostly CBD.  My main criteria is a high-quality texture.  Is it dried and cured properly?  Most are not for whatever reason.  I'm only using it to fill out my marijuana joints and prefer that it doesn't burn the shit out of my throat.  The vast majority of hemp does unfortunately.  

My package arrived superfast:  only 3 days after ordering, which is damn speedy for First Class shipping.  Packaging was as discreet as could be; everything was vacuum sealed and there was a disclaimer for law enforcement stating that the contents were hemp rather than marijuana. (I don't know how far this would actually go if the package were opened en route, however, as there was no lab report included and I've had packages WITH lab reports seized by the Postal Inspector before).  And boy was this hemp smelly:  upon breaking the vacuum sealed package, I was hit with the most pungent aroma since walking in my local dispensary.  But not one iota of that smell escaped until I broke the seal.  Nice work, Five Leaf.  

As you can tell from the photo above, the Mendo x Royal Kush buds are fat and frosty (that wasn't even the biggest nug), indistinguishable from regular cannabis.  And so is the smell.  I can't emphasize that enough.  After breaking up 3 bottles of the strain, my entire room reeks so bad I had to shut the door to keep the smell from wafting down the hall where my dad was napping.  It seriously rivals the stench of any medical mj strain.  The smell is a pungent skunk with hints of pine and lemon that lingers for hours in the air.  As for the texture, the buds were more on the moist side and could stand some curing but no worse than what I get at the dispensary.  Trim job is impeccable.  

Vacuum-sealed packaging

It breaks up nicely in my grinder and doesn't turn to dust due to the moistness.  I smoke all my hemp in joints mixed with regular weed but will do a special "plain hemp" joint to test the effects just for this review.  Though I will say there's not much distinction between hemp strains since it's mostly CBD so don't expect much of an effect profile review--they're basically all the same in that regard.  

The joint burns a bit unevenly which may be due in part to the wind which is always off the chain here.  But aside from that no real issues.  This 100% hemp joint is less harsh than expected which is a welcome change from what I was smoking before.  I had severe menstrual cramps when I went outside to smoke and am feeling almost nothing when I return inside, though I don't know if it's due to the Mendo x Kush or all the codeine I've ingested throughout the day.  But the timing suggests the hemp.  I'm not complaining one bit but it's a little hard to believe.  My head definitely feels altered after finishing an entire joint which is also hard to believe since it's just hemp (I did have a tiny corner of a 3:1 gummy earlier so perhaps there's a synergy going on).

Verdict:  This is powerful stuff and a great weapon against pain.  I give Five Leaf Wellness Mendo x Royal Kush 4.9 of 5 stars for potency, bag appeal & texture.  Shipping was lightning-fast and free, which I appreciated.  The only real drawback was the difficulty getting my order to go through and with navigating the website, which doesn't clearly show which strains are out of stock until you try to put a certain quantity of each into your cart.  There also weren't very many strains to choose from this time, but I look forward to seeing what's in stock in the future.  This is real top-shelf hemp that won't leave your throat dry & scratchy. 

 

If you enjoyed this article, drop a buck (or whatever you like) in one of the accounts below.  Google AdSense does not support "drug-related" content so I rely on your contributions to power this blog:

Cash App:
cash.me/$apphicomrade

BITCOIN:
18cwb3qFkGghVqqzNSX59EFypzzF8Dd7Vg

BITCOIN CASH:
qz84t4ua2achx90a7yk8efelvufggflhu5tzalry7l

Getting the Vaccine With Severe Health Anxiety: A Diary

This article will serve as an ongoing log of my experience with the 2-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.  Will update after the first and second dose and as needed.  Hopefully it helps someone out there who's on the fence about getting the shot, which shot to get or how to manage the side effects.  For specific questions about your health condition or other details unique to you, ask your doctor.  

As someone who lives in rural shithole America, I was unable to get the Johnson & Johnson shot I so desperately wanted.  You know, the one that's less effective overall but only requires one dose and tends to cause less severe side effects.  That's a fair trade based on my age and low-risk status:  I'm a shut-in who doesn't mind wearing a mask and washing my hands a lot so my overall COVID risk isn't as high as some.  But alas, my multiple attempts to get it failed before it was paused for causing blood clots in 6 people, so I had to choose between the two remaining shots:  Moderna and Pfizer.  (It's recently been "unpaused" but there's no telling when it'll be available in my area again so I'm not waiting).  

Now, I know it's not cool to "vaccine shop" and we're supposed to be grateful for whichever one we get, and I am.  But my situation is a bit different.  I was in therapy for severe germophobia and health anxiety for 2 years before COVID even hit, so this was a huge and terrifying decision for me.  I know if the first dose makes me sick I'll be hard pressed to go back for the second one.  Meaning I probably won't.  Then I'll be left with about 80% protection against COVID that possibly wears off sooner than if I was fully vaxxed.  Too many variables.  Also, living out here miles from a hospital, if things go awry in the night I will have to call an ambulance because it's too far for my housemates to drive.  What to do?

The Big Decision

It was a hard decision full of backpedaling and arguing with my mother, who tried to convince me on the night before my shot that it was a bad idea based on something a chiropractor told her sister.  Yes, a chiro-quack-tor.  That sealed the deal.  I was now determined to get the jab come hell or high water.  

On a deeper level, I decided to have the shot because the worst vaccine outcome is better than many of the best COVID outcomes.  Even the asymptomatic cases are leaving people with all kinds of damage, and this virus isn't going anywhere.  Meanwhile my mental health can't take another year of wearing a mask in my own house because my family members are anti-maskers who sneeze and cough into the air, and I need to do things like going to the dentist that could result in infection because the mask has to come off there.  To be clear, I'll still be wearing it in public places and in larger group settings after the shot.  But this paranoia can't go on.  This virus is too contagious and harmful to gamble with any longer.  

After extensive Googling I decided on the Pfizer shot.  I had a hunch that it was less prone to causing side effects which was then validated by this article (Moderna recipients reported slightly higher rates of side effects like headache and fatigue in trials).  The only real difference between the two are the inactive/carrier ingredients and the timing of the 2nd dose.  A few factors increase your risk of side effects:  Being under 55, being female or having had COVID previously.  I have at least 2 of those 3 risk factors.  Unfortunately I have no way of knowing whether I've had the virus at all.  I could have it now for all I know but it's best not to focus on that... right?  😨

It would be cool if they administered rapid tests and antibody tests at vaccine sites to be sure people weren't infected, as getting any vaccine while sick can result in adverse effects and COVID is so often asymptomatic.  If nothing else, they should take temperatures on site.  These are the types of details that need more investigation--not necessarily the vaccines themselves.  Coronavirus jabs have been studied since SARS arose in 2003 and are not "brand new" despite the proclamations of anti-vax fearmongers.  These are the first mRNA shots to be deployed in the real world though, so that's kinda exciting and scary.  

Here are the rates of side effects reported in clinical trials after the first and second doses of the Pfizer shot, which was administered to people of all ages from many different health backgrounds.  Notice how much the side effect rates go up after the 2nd dose:

1st shot:  Fatigue - 30%  Headaches - 25%  Fever/Chills - 9%

2nd shot:  Fatigue - 54%  Headaches - 54%  Fever/Chills - 30%

The Big Day

I make sure not to pre-load with my usual Tylenol with codeine, as acetaminophen is said to suppress the immune system & fever response which you need for the vaccine to work.  You should also avoid taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs before the shot (they're fine to take afterward however).  And I skip my daily Benzedrex to keep my blood pressure down.  Not a very fun morning.  To ensure a robust immune response, I take 2 Vitamin D3 pills (2,000 IU) and a Prenatal multivitamin before heading in.  All things recommended by WebMD though completely optional.  And I have everything I need at home to control side effects should they occur:  Zofran for nausea, codeine/Tylenol for pain & fever, Xanax for anxiety & blood pressure, Imodium for diarrhea.  Yeah, I'm overthinking the hell out of this but that's what anxiety does.  

Before heading in I eat a full meal, drink plenty of water and do my best to stay calm as I know anxiety and vasovagal response are the most likely thing to affect me--I've passed out while giving blood samples which was embarrassing.  To seal the deal I take 1/4th of a Xanax... a microdose if you will.  The nurse debriefs me on possible side effects which I covered above & I ask a few questions, like whether they have an EpiPen on site in case I spaz out.  They do.  She also said it's cool to take any meds or supplements I need later.  The shot itself is incredibly painless compared to every other shot I've taken--much less so than the Hepatitis A & B or flu shots.  I wait the mandatory 15 minutes with my family members who are already at the clinic (I told you it was a small town) and then head home to take my codeine tabs immediately.  

That was easy!

The Big Why

Now for a short tangent.  I know I'm not gonna convince any hardliners to get the shot if they've convinced themselves it's unsafe, unnecessary or some combination of the two.  That's not my goal here, nor am I narcissistic enough to think I can undo the loads of anti-vax material you've consumed to arrive at your foregone conclusion.  It's a big decision and shouldn't be taken lightly.  Be very skeptical of anyone trying to push you into something before you're ready, such as a profit-driven boss or controlling spouse; at the same time, make sure you're not working from the Appeal to Nature fallacy or similar flawed thinking patterns.  In this case, "nature" is very deadly and can leave you with permanent damage even if you're otherwise healthy.  You can also infect others without feeling sick yourself as up to 80% of COVID cases are asymptomatic or cause only mild symptoms (but are still capable of causing long-term organ damage & infecting others who may get very sick).   

Vaccination vs. COVID are really your only choices here.  It's not like the flu where you can go 20+ years or your whole life without catching it.  You WILL contract COVID at some point if you haven't already, and even if you've survived it once you are subject to catching it again.  Like the seasonal flu or stomach virus, coronavirus is going to be with us forever; constantly mutating in an attempt to outwit our immune systems.  Unlike those things, it's extremely infectious and spread via aerosols that are expelled just by talking or singing, not to mention coughing or sneezing.  It can affect any organ in the body from the brain to the toes and has killed 574,000 Americans in a little over a year at the time of this writing.  There are currently 400,000 new cases per day in India.  Turning your nose up at the vaccine is not only ignorant but privileged, offensive & deadly to people who are unable to access it.  

Don't fall prey to the COVID "infodemic".

There are unknowns about the vaccines to be sure, but millions around the world have already received them with very few problems compared to those who have died or been maimed by the virus.  Nobody likes to feel crappy, least of all people with severe health anxiety like myself, but the other alternative is infinitely worse: feeling crappy indefinitely or even dying on a ventilator.  I haven't had a flu shot since age 10, for reference.  Flu shots are about 60% effective at best; the J&J shot is 72% effective against COVID & the other two given in the States are 94-95% effective after dose 2.  That's an amazing feat of science.  The fact that people are so indignant & ungrateful about this lifesaving technology is embarrassing and just proves how much our public education systems have failed.  When the smallpox & polio vaccines came out, they were hailed a miracle of modern science and people lined up without hesitation.  Those diseases were all but eradicated as a result.  What changed?

For all the good it's done, the internet has given people a false sense of expertise in subjects they are completely ignorant about, also known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect.  This total inability to grasp that some things aren't up for debate--that facts are concrete, provable and not subject to opinion--is also an outgrowth of the partisan 24-hour news cycle on channels like FOX News and MSNBC.  This vaccine actually has some possible benefits aside from preventing COVID.  In patients with long-COVID, it's showing promise in eradicating or reducing their lingering symptoms like loss of smell and fatigue.  I've even seen a few scattered reports of Chronic Fatigue/fibromyalgia patients feeling better shortly after their shot.  (Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are thought to be caused by a similar post-viral immune response).  This is all anecdotal at this point but as someone with Chronic Fatigue of unknown origin, I must admit it was alluring for that reason. 

But back to my vaccine experience.  

I received my shot at 1:30 & took a short nap after getting home but it was probably just from the Xanax wearing off.  The immune system is most active after sunset (ever notice how fevers and other sickness symptoms get worse at night?) so I prepare by taking an ibuprofen around 5:45 p.m.--something I haven't done in ages due to my chronic gastritis--and drinking a ton of water to offset any headaches that may arise.  My side effects 7 hours after the 1st dose include:  mild-moderate arm pain, left-sided neck soreness & the most minor brain fog.  But again, I took a microdose of Xanax so who knows if that's clouding my head to some degree.  

The next day I feel slightly worse.  I had graphic fever dreams which I won't get into here but let me say they were worse than my worst opiate withdrawal nightmares.  And my arm HURTS, though admittedly less than after the Hepatitis shot or some of my worst flu jabs as a kid.  I'd say a 6 on a scale of 1-10.  Beyond that, I'm fine on the day after my 1st dose.  I go back to my regular codeine/Tylenol and Benzedrex dose on this day as I don't feel my heart or other organs are acting weird in any way.  And I keep guzzling water.  

I'm now 5 days from my 2nd dose and my whole body feels... weird.  Extreme fatigue in my arm and leg muscles along with aches and cramps in my buttocks and legs, the latter symptoms lasting only a day thank goodness.  I have NO idea if this is linked to the vaccine in any way but I doubt it since it was over 2 weeks ago.  My menstrual period was difficult and I had my first real migraine in over a year, which is expected after hearing reports of women having heavier/worse periods after the shot.  It's possible I have a mild case of COVID since my (vaccinated) brother was exposed to students in his class who had it, or possibly the flu.  Just today news broke of 7 NY Yankees and Bill Maher--all of whom were fully vaccinated--testing positive for the virus, so it's possible I contracted a mild version after my 1st shot.  I've been more lax about wearing my mask at home so yeah.  

In any case, just recording my symptoms here for future reference.

Dose Two:  The Big-Big Day

(TBA in 3 weeks - check back!)

In the meantime, here are some tips for reducing vaccine side effects:

- Eat a good meal before your shot.  Low blood sugar is no bueno when doing something like this.  Breathe deeply and avoid looking at the syringe during your injection, especially if you're prone to fainting.  

- Stay hydrated before and after.  Don't overdo it but increase your intake of water a bit from whatever you normally drink.  Your urine should be light yellow/straw-colored for reference.  This will help majorly with headaches and fatigue.  

- Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or an NSAID (ibuprofen or naproxen) shortly after your vaccine, but not before.  Don't wait until the middle of the night when symptoms are at their worst to take these meds--before bed is best if possible to head off fever & inflammation.  Follow the directions on the bottle and don't exceed the safe daily limits.  

- Move your arm as much as comfortably possible after your shot while avoiding strenuous exercise or injury.  Simple stretches & neck rolls should do.  This helps prevent stiffness.

- Do not exercise vigorously or take hot baths/showers for 4 hours following your shot as this can increase your risk of anaphylaxis, a very rare but serious side effect.  

- Use a cool, wet wash cloth or ice pack on your sore arm to reduce swelling and inflammation if the pain gets severe.  

Notice I said "side effects".  For severe adverse reactions like throat swelling, hives and wheezing, call 911 immediately.  If you have any question about whether your symptoms are serious, call your healthcare provider.    

If you enjoyed this article, drop a buck (or whatever you like) in one of the accounts below.  Google AdSense does not support "drug-related" content so I rely on your contributions to keep this blog running.  It's hard out here for an independent freelance writer in the digital age.  Thank you!

Cash App:
cash.me/$apphicomrade

BITCOIN:
18cwb3qFkGghVqqzNSX59EFypzzF8Dd7Vg

BITCOIN CASH:
qz84t4ua2achx90a7yk8efelvufggflhu5tzalry7l

[Review] - Cannabis Flower: Lilac Diesel

A rarer member of the famous Diesel family, Lilac Diesel is a balanced 50/50 hybrid with a THC content in the 20% range.  It was created by Ethos Genetics in Colorado by crossing Forbidden Fruit and Silver Lemon Haze with NY Cherry Pie and Citral Glue.  Ethos is said to have a Fort Knox policy with their seeds, which means you're unlikely to ever snag a Lilac Diesel bean to grow in your own garden unless you find a stray in your bag.  Sorry.

The buds are medium-stout in structure with a complex, fruity aroma and floral undertones.  No actual lilac or lavender notes though, just the mildest hint of flowers or sage under all that Skittles goodness.  Somewhat of a Taffy or other sour candy smell--good enough to eat.  Again, these strains have no cannabinoid or terp info on the container but Lilac Diesel is said to be rich in terpinolene according to Leafly.com.  

Photo #2:  Lilac Diesel

The first time I tried it, the day was almost fairy-tale like:  no wind whatsoever (rare here), clear blue skies and even a monarch butterfly fluttering around to complete the aesthetic.  A perfect Spring day.  And this was the ideal strain to complement it, bringing my vision into crystal clear focus while relaxing my mind in that melty way that's similar to Colombian Gold (but not as tweaky thanks to the indica genes).  This strain leans more sativa than indica though to be clear.  Disappointingly, my mood faded into a pretty 'blah' space after returning in the house and the high turned out to be somewhat mediocre.  Bummer.  

The next trial took place in a more adventurous setting:  on a morel mushroom hunt way out in the forest (translation: on some guy's land 5 miles from my house).  This time the high is more euphoric and beautiful with less of a weird comedown.  I find myself laughing at everything and having a hard time thinking straight.  Like, a really hard time.  But a good time nonetheless.  This strain really brings out the beauty of nature and goes perfectly with pretty Spring weather.  It also causes munchies like a mofo, though they're not entirely uncontrollable if you really try.  

I'd recommend Lilac Diesel as an afternoon pick-me-up for anyone with depression, anxiety, low appetite or nausea as well as those with mild to moderate pain conditions.  It definitely complements the outdoors and works better in that setting, sort of like mushrooms.  I think that was the difference between the two highs:  outdoor vs. indoor setting.

Overall, I give Lilac Diesel a 4.7 of 5 stars for aroma, effects & uniqueness.  It's different, rare and sure to be a hit with Diesel lovers, though the smell isn't very gassy nor lilac (but still fragrant af).  The effects, though, are in line with a true Diesel in the creativity and energy department but with a uniquely dumbfounding & giggly effect.  

If you enjoyed this article, drop $1 (or whatever you like!) in one of the accounts below to keep this blog running.  Google AdSense does not support "drug-related" content so your contributions are greatly appreciated:

Cash App:
cash.me/$apphicomrade

BITCOIN:
18cwb3qFkGghVqqzNSX59EFypzzF8Dd7Vg

BITCOIN CASH:
qz84t4ua2achx90a7yk8efelvufggflhu5tzalry7l

[Review] - Cannabis Edibles: DOSD Nano Bites 100mg CBD/THC

 

These high-tech gummies were substituted for my usual Simple Cure 3:1 CBD/THC gummies, which were sadly in short supply at the dispensary this time around.  They said these were "exactly the same" despite containing a much higher dose of THC (25 mg per piece) and a lower CBD ratio (1:1) as well.  These are the highest-dose THC gummies I've ever eaten so it was hard to know how much to nibble off without risking getting too high.  But more on that later.

Nano technology is a method of delivering cannabinoids in edibles that helps them kick in faster and more uniformly--like coating oil in a special protective material to help it blend into water.  The thing about CBD is it takes a much higher dose orally to feel the effects than it does with THC, so even with nano tech it's not going to guarantee you feel anything if the dose is too low.  Some studies show doses of 300mg or higher were required to create a quantifiable effect or relief of symptoms like anxiety or pain.  For this reason I wasn't hopeful about these 1:1 gummies with such a high dose of THC per candy.

Back of package

My DOSD edibles are raspberry flavored, which is one of my faves.  They also come in Black Cherry.  They taste good:  very mild and fruity.  I dig the packaging which looks high-end and ensures a double-layer of freshness due to the inner baggie which is also resealable.  That's one of my main nitpicks with the Simple Cure gummies--the bag doesn't seal after being opened a few times, leaving the candies dry and hard before I can finish them.   

Right off the bat I realize these are nothing like the 3:1 gummies, which are far more chill and CBD-heavy.  These feel like plain THC edibles if I'm being honest.  They would be better if the CBD dose was increased and they had less overall THC in each candy... 25mg per unit is too waaay too much and makes it hard to dose accurately if you have a low tolerance like me.  I'm not sure what role the nano particles play in the overall effect except maybe making it kick in a smidge faster and last longer, though edibles always start working exceptionally fast for me anyway.  These are definitely potent though and will knock you off your feet if you overdo it.  I just nibbled off the very end of one and am feeling absolutely schnockered:  cotton mouth, dry eyes, zoned out mind, etc.  No other weed products today except that tiny corner of a gummy.  Wow.  They're hybrid and feel in line with that.  

Inner package + gummies

Overall I give DOSD Nano Bites 100mg CBD/THC Raspberry Gummies a 4.7 of 5 stars for flavor, packaging & quality.  While they're definitely high-end and cutting edge due to the packaging and nano particles, I wish they had more CBD and less THC since that's what I was shopping for.  THC gummies are a dime a dozen but well-balanced CBD/THC ones are harder to find.  If you're looking for a potent gummy that'll kick in quickly and can be easily resealed, give them a shot.  They taste good and will knock you for a loop.  I'll be sticking to my old standard for a well-balanced CBD/THC effect though.  

Hey, You!

Follow me on Twitter for fun and informative content

and Instagram for artsy fartsy pixels

✌

[Review] - Cannabis Flower: Acapulco Gold

Perhaps the most well-known strain of all time, Acapulco Gold was an all-star of the 1970's but existed in the U.S. as early as 1964, when it was entered into the Oxford English Dictionary & described as "a special grade of cannabis".  Its origins are a mystery but it's thought to hail from the Guerrero mountains outside the city of Acapulco, where it was grown in the humid Gulf breezes & dried with the wind from the Pacific.  It was highly coveted for its soaring THC content, which could reach 20%.  In the days when average weed rarely exceeded 5% and hovered closer to 1% in many places, this was nothing short of mind-blowing.  Unlike today's Mexican brick weed, the Golden era strains from that region were considered some of the best with Acapulco Gold taking the cake.  

Unfortunately, the reign of the heady Mexican strains was pretty much over when Reagan took office and the paraquat spraying campaign in Mexico took off in earnest.  According to the Washington Post, poisonous paraquat turned marijuana a golden yellow color, making it paradoxically more desirable and allowing dealers to mislabel it as "Acapulco Gold".  Other low quality strains were already being mislabeled as this famous strain to boost their market value and eventually Acapulco Gold's popularity wore thin due to this diluted reputation, but not before it was used to breed some classics like Skunk #1.

Acapulco Gold circa 1970's

My sample has no cannabinoid or terpene info which sucks.  I feel that medical dispensaries should always offer this information, but the price was right and they didn't charge tax so I'm not really complaining.  The smell is similar to lime Skittles with a hint of sage and moderate pine notes that come through when broken up.  The buds are pretty typical sativa:  more on the lanky-but-bushy side with more green than other hues.  Like a Christmas tree.  As with the Colombian Gold, you can see that my sample looks NOTHING like the 1970's version shown in the picture above.  And thank goddess for that.  

Thankfully, this strain has less of an overwhelming psychedelic effect than the Santa Marta Gold, though there are similarities.  It's more euphoric and uplifting without the jaw-clenching edginess and laser focus bordering on paranoia--I can just chill and enjoy the music from my bed.  My body feels light and less painful than before (I was a big headachey due to the overcast weather and hormonal hangover, but that's gone 10 minutes after lighting up).  This is actually pretty nice for a sativa.  I was hesitant to try it and saved it until last after the Santa Marta was so "classic sativa" and blew my head off.  

I'm less impressed with the major munchies I get right off the bat, which are a typical sativa side effect.  Not helpful for my calorie conscious diet.  I scarfed down a whole pizza and could've kept going but used all my willpower to stop and distract myself with an episode of Teen Mom (don't judge).  

Photo #2:  Acapulco Gold

This strain would be good for anyone seeking an upbeat morning toke that's not too tweaky.  Medical uses would include low appetite, spasticity, depression and ADHD.  Nothing stands out about the effects but it's worth trying if you're a cannabis historian or connoisseur looking to get into the mindset of '70s-era stoners. It's always good to know what all the hype was about, and in the case of Acapulco Gold it was definitely worth the hype... especially when you consider what they were working with at the time.

Overall I give Acapulco Gold 4.7 of 5 stars for effects, rarity and potency.  If it comes your way, don't pass up the chance to try it particularly if you're a happy sativa fan.  If you want a more stimulating, laser-focused landrace, opt for Santa Marta Colombian Gold.  

Dispensary's display photo

[Review] - Cannabis Flower: Chernobyl

And now for my favorite strain of this run:  Chernobyl.  It's not rare or a landrace but is new to me so definitely had to review it.  Chernobyl is a sativa dominant (80%) strain made by crossing Trainwreck with Jack the Ripper and Trinity.  It was created by The Dank and is named for the infamous nuclear reactor in Ukraine that melted down in 1986.  Not the most sensitive name but quite apt in terms of effects on the brain.  Terpinolene is the dominant terpene according to Leafly.com.  

Unfortunately my cut has no terpene, CBD or THC info.  The buds are long and lanky like a true sativa with lots of visible frosty trichomes.  Since this dispensary packages their weed in baggies rather than bottles, they get compressed which makes for less attractive photography.  The smell is mouthwatering, akin to the zest of a freshly cut lime with a very sweet, acidic lingering aroma.  Reminds me of a cold limeade on a Summer's day.  

Photo #2:  Chernobyl

The effects are the true highlight though.  While I'm usually not a sativa fan, Chernobyl doesn't feel like a straight sativa.  It's more balanced and manageable, giving me 60/40 hybrid vibes.  It's an instant mood brightener that induces giggling and a boost of energy and clarity in the head, relieving pressure behind the eyes.  It's similar to Golden Goat in a way:  Playful, upbeat and giddy weed that makes you want to adventure and have fun.  Glad I picked up 2 grams.  They substituted it for Chocolate Thai which was out of stock--the one strain I REALLY wanted to review.  

I could see this being great for depression, ADHD or any condition that causes fatigue and malaise.  It's a great choice for anytime of the day, though most sites list it as a "morning" strain.  I'd be more likely to put something like Santa Marta Colombian Gold or Apollo 13 in the "morning" category as they're more stimmy like typical sativas while this seems better for mid-day usage, but as long as you don't hit it right before bed you should be good.  Take it on a roadtrip or day at the beach or lake because it's perfect for outdoor fair weather outings.  

Overall I give Chernobyl 4.8 of 5 stars for effects, aroma & price.  While not quite as euphoric and horny as Cookie Wreck and nowhere near as potent as GMO Cookies, it's a fun strain in its own right that I keep coming back to over all 5 of the others I picked up.  I'm glad the budtender recommended it--I need to start taking their recommendations more often, as I always like what they pick.