24k (Kosher Tangie)

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

22.8% THC

$15/g from The Source Las Vegas

I've been in a bit of a canna-rut lately.

I'm a daily medicinal smoker, and usually I try to pick strains that will give me the most "bang for my buck." I definitely shop sales, and buy bulk as much as I can. As a result, I've been re-upping with the same couple of strains for the last few months. They're awesome and definitely do their job, so I can't really complain, but I was craving something new.

I stopped in at The Source's Las Vegas location, which is close to basically everywhere I frequent, to check on their deals (as an aside, The Source has been running some amazing sales this month, so if you're ever looking for good weed at a decent price, hit 'em up.) They had a handful of strains on sale, and I scent-tested them all, but one stood out: 24k.

24k is a hybrid strain, a cross of Kosher Kush and Tangie, two strains I've tried before and love (actually, I have Kosher Kush in my grinder now). It's considered an indica-dominant hybrid, which is what I typically reach for when I'm feeling crappy, and is said to help with stress, insomnia, and pain (my three biggest medicinal complaints). The buds aren't huge or super fluffy like some of the strains I've reviewed before, but they are a gorgeous green and pretty terpy.

The biggest wow factor for me right off the bat was the smell. I mentioned this in my Agent Orange review earlier this year, but a nice-smelling bud can definitely make or break a purchase for me. Like AO, 24k has a very distinct citrus scent that automatically lifted my mood. Of course, I had to get it.

I don't usually recommend a strain I haven't smoked, but I had a good feeling about this strain, so I brought an eighth to a get-together with some friends and we shared a few bowls over our favourite card games.

We were all blown away by 24k's flavour profile, which matched the citrus/orange smell dead-on. Some of my friends have complained in the past about disliking the taste of weed (a concept I personally can't fathom), but no one complained at this bowl. It's just that good!

As far as effects go, I noticed this strain hit me right off the first exhale. It wasn't energizing like a true sativa, but I didn't have couch-lock either--instead, I felt a nice sort of middle ground, ready to interact and socialize but still mellow enough for the mood (8 p.m. on a weeknight). Some of the games we like to play can be difficult to follow sober, never mind stoned, but I didn't find that this strain affected my skills at all (I think I might have won a few rounds!) Instead, I felt cheerful and comfortable and social. I had a few glasses of wine (red blend) with this strain and found they paired really nicely together, both in terms of flavour and effect (I'm cautious when I drink and smoke at the same time, but I found that this combination didn't have me on my ass like some strains do). A few hours later, 24k helped me melt off to a really, really amazing night's sleep, and I woke up the next morning still motivated and uplifted.

I tried it again a few days later in the morning as a sort of wake and bake, just to see if the effects would differ during the daytime, and was pleasantly surprised to find this as a sort of "all day" strain. First thing in the morning, I felt the same motivation and positivity, and my morning bowl carried me through cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms (if you don't know me, you should know that I hate cleaning and will do anything to get out of it--that a strain kept me cheery and productive to finish three rooms is nothing short of a miracle!) After a good sesh I found the effects lasted for about 2 hours, but I didn't feel groggy or gross upon wearing off--I just wanted another bowl.

One word of warning, however: this strain is not for the faint of heart. At almost 23% THC, it is a pretty "heavy hitter" and as such I wouldn't recommend it for the new smoker (luckily, all of my friends have been smoking for ages, so nobody got overly medicated or uncomfortable.) Too much of this strain can cause a serious case of the dizzies, so if you're a new smoker--or new to the strain--make sure you medicate slowly.

After we finished the eighth I actually went back to the dispensary and picked up another eighth (almost unheard of for me, especially since it was no longer on sale and I had to pay full price). I can definitely see myself reaching for this strain again and again, especially on productive or social days. 24k definitely helped me break out of my canna-rut and inspired me to grab some other new strains, too...keep your eyes peeled for my next review! Until next time!

Come back every Saturday for Saturday Strains, where I'll be reviewing a new Vegas-bought strain every week! 

Agent Orange

Hybrid

18.2% THC / .21% CBD

Grown by Deep Roots Harvest

$15/g from Essence Vegas - West

Lavender Diesel

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

20.35% THC

$10/g from The Source Las Vegas (normally $17/g, see below)

It's getting hot in Vegas. Ugh! Though this is technically my second summer here, I only moved to Vegas last June, and I think the shift in seasons (a difference from where I came from, which was humid and 80 all year 'round) really messed with me. This is...not so much fun. 

Although I hate the heat of the day, I really enjoy the evening air, and I've put a lot of work into making my patio my outdoor smoke spot at night. It's pretty relaxing to me:

That being said, I decided to visit The Source today in search of a good strain for after work tunes and chill. It was a good time to visit--through Thursday, they've got a dozen flower strains on sale, plus deals on shatter (ends Sunday) and on their new vape pens (same). I like variety so I buy as much of my medicine on sale as I possibly can and I was thrilled with the selection. 

I ended up settling on Lavender Diesel, an indica-dominant hybrid. Most of my medicating is done after work, when I'm winding down, dealing with the aches my body has after a long day and preparing for bed, so I wanted a strain I could use for that, without the fully sedative effects of an indica. 

LD is the child of Lavender (indica) and Sour Diesel (sativa), although it is indica-dominant, meaning it is meant to give more of a relaxing body high than anything else. I believe this strain, along with the others on sale, is grown in-house at The Source's cultivation facility.

True to its name, LD smells like lavender and also packs a nice earthy scent. Even a whiff of this is enough to calm me down and mellow me out. The buds aren't especially big, which is disappointing from an aesthetic standpoint, but I like that a small nug can be ground up for a quick bowl. 

Lil Sebastian

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

22% THC

Grown by Deep Roots Harvest

$18/g from Oasis Medical Cannabis

The funny thing about my trips to Oasis is it seems like they're never planned--for one reason or another, I just happen to be in the area. Such was the case last night, when Thrive's preview event was winding down and I realized I was five minutes away. I decided to pop in and see what's new.

I was meeting up with friends that night, so I asked the budtender for a recommendation on a strain that would be a hit for a crowd. I'm used to picking strains depending on my needs, because I know my body and I know what sets me off. It's different when you're smoking with a crowd, particularly if your crowd might include inexperienced or new smokers. I wanted to make sure I had a strain everybody would like.

The budtender showed me Lil Sebastian, a strain that's just arrived (or restocked) at Vegas dispensaries. It's grown by Deep Roots Harvest, who grows my favourite strain, Pineapple Express, along with GSC, Gorilla Glue #4 and others, so I already had a feeling I'd love it. 

Lil Sebastian is a cross of Casper OG and Fruity Pebbles. It's name is a nod to Parks & Recreation and the mini horse that became the unofficial mascot of Pawnee (5000 Candles in the Wind, anyone?) She assured me that this is relaxing strain, but not fully sedative, and that its pain-relieving effects were sure to be a hit with everyone. The back of the bag describes it as "energetic, creative, uplifting," so I decided to give it a shot. 

I picked up this strain last week on my first visit to Essence. I was looking for something mellow, yet uplifting enough to keep me from sinking into the couch, and the budtender recommended this strain. 

Diablo OG is an indica dominant hybrid, although its roots are somewhat ambiguous. Most likely, it's a cross between Diablo--a relaxing, euphoria-inducing indica--and OG Kush, an uplifting hybrid.

I decided to take a few tokes of this on a rainy Saturday afternoon, hanging out at home. I didn't have anywhere to be, but I was working on a family photo album and doing some yoga on the patio so I wanted a little burst of energy, and I was pleasantly surprised by D-OG. 

The buds themselves are pretty small, but covered in crystals and a few little orange hairs. It smells piney and a bit citrusy, and I could swear I detect a faint scent of mint (although I may be the only one to catch that). It's not overly fragrant, though, so you could easily take a few nugs with you "out and about."

The taste is fruity and almost spicy. I smoked it alone in a pipe first, then in a mango blunt paired with a cup of coffee and have to say--the latter is a perfect pre-game to any tasks you've got to handle and by the end of my cup I was ready to work.  

After a few tokes I knocked out several pages in my photo album (it sounds trivial but sorting through 25 years of family photos is no small task!) I did a few loads of laundry. I set out my crystals and did a little yoga on the patio. I usually experience serious back, shoulder and neck pain while doing those kinds of tasks--the boobs don't help--but D-OG kept me up and running and helped diminish my pain. 

The strain is super versatile, too. Once I was done being productive, I took a few more rips and relaxed onto my couch for an Always Sunny mini-marathon. I didn't feel stuck to the couch or anything, I was just comfortable and enjoying a break (and getting in a few laughs--IASIP is one of my go-to shows when I need a pick me up). I didn't feel anxious at all while smoking this strain, just comfortable and relaxed. 

The effects of the strain seemed to take a little while to come on, but lasted a few hours and wore off gently. I didn't personally experience any negative "side effects". I think this would be an awesome strain for a first-timer because it's a pleasant high without being uncomfortably overpowering; and its versatility makes it a wonderful addition to any stoner's stash box.

Come back every Saturday for Saturday Strains, where I'll be reviewing a new Vegas-bought strain every week! 

I went in search of this strain on a rainy Sunday, moments after my dispensary hit me with their weekly deals. It was on sale, I needed a new sativa for my weekend wake and bakes, and I never pass up an opportunity to visit my friends at Inyo, so I was sold before I even checked in.

Sequoia Strawberry is grown here in Clark County by Body and Mind. It's labeled as a sativa at most of the dispensaries I've visited but is more accurately described as a hybrid.

One of the first things I noticed about this strain is its smell of strawberries--it's so strong and distinct that even my SO (a non-smoker) immediately recognized the scent. It's cheerful and uplifting; the best way I can describe is similar to that rush you get after a whiff of coffee grounds first thing in the morning. 

My budtender recommended this strain as a good "get up and go" and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree. After I got home I loaded up my bowl, took a few hits and proceeded to spend the next several hours making sense of my apartment post-move. If you're looking for a chill out strain, this isn't it--however, it is incredible for those days when you need a little push to clean out your closet, or catch up on blog posts, or to go on a hike with friends. 

This strain tastes sweet but it's not as sickeningly sweet as some of the other strains I've tried. It reminds me of summertime and it seems like the kind of strain I'd toke on outside while playing in the garden, or drinking a tall cold glass of lemonade. 

The only downside I found to this strain was an overwhelmingly dry mouth (hence the lemonade). If you're going to try this strain, especially if you'll be active shortly after, I would absolutely recommend to keep a water bottle (or camelbak) nearby.

I didn't originally intend to review this strain--I actually picked up an eighth for my personal use--but was so turned on to Sequoia I knew I had to review it! I've since re-upped on this strain TWICE and it's definitely become a staple in my stash jar.