Blue Zushi - Untouchable Genetics
There’s been a lot of talk on the weed net about who has the real Blue Zushi and who got fake cuts, and while I’m sure there are tons of fake cuts out there, this one from Untouchable Genetics is not one of them. This is not only the real deal, but it’s frankly the strongest version of this strain I’ve had in years.
Zoap - Pleasant Effects
It’s been a good long while since I’ve had a batch of Zoap that was worth anything, so naturally my hype for another batch from Pleasant Effects was through the roof. Many previous batches of their Zoap had been specifically siloed off for the Fear and Zoaping drops with The Book Club, so it was an extra treat to get some down in my local market.
OG - Traditional
Hardcore enthusiasts have been arguing about OG Kush since time immemorial (1991), but almost 25 years later the debate has shifted back to who actually has fire OG. Traditional has been rolling out a whole lineup with a great variety of flavors and OG seems to be the centerpiece of the whole lineup, and I have some mixed feelings about this.
Apples & Bananas - Pleasant Effects
I’ve gone on record to say that I’m the biggest fan of Apples & Bananas in the world, and if there’s one I could smoke forever it would be Pleasant Effects’ version. This was one of the first strains I smoked from Pleasant Effects a couple of years ago, and while the planned final tour was a way for the strain to go out with a bang, I’m really glad it’s back.
Crunch Berries - Pleasant Effects
It’s not a secret that I’ve been pretty impressed with Funk House Farms’ work over the last year or so, and being honest I thought that streak might end with Death Star x Skunk Dog because the eye appeal is just not in the same league as Runtz or Black Maple. That is, at least on the outside of the nugs, which if they weren’t large, golf-ball dense and geode-esque on the innards, would be in scrungly territory.
Wedding Pie - Living Matter
Wedding Pie is something of a staple amongst Maine cultivators, and there are few who do it on this level. Heads from the western side of the country may be trired of this strain from the inundation of hash and flower coming from the Pyxy Styx cut. The Wedding Pie cut is generally attributed to Living Matter as the keeper of the flame, and at this point the cut has propagated quite far.
Zen Master - Harbor Headstash house cultivation
Last time I smoked Harbor Headstash, I noted that it was a super unique flavor profile, and that continues with his Zen Master. Xeno Seed Co has been making some frankly insane hybrids, and this is no exception. Zen Master is a hybrid of (Hi-Octane/Permanent Marker x Black Bubblegum), and even folks who’ve smoked a lot of Permanent Marker or bubblegum terps will find the flavor combination to be quite novel.
Pop Smoke - Harbor Headstash house cultivation
As long as I’ve known Harbor Headstash, he’s been trying to grow his own fire flower, and after a few years of hard work, we’ve arrived at a menu ready batch of Pop Smoke. The genetics remind me of a lot of the things I was smoking in 2022 but with the benefit of being grown in the same state I live in.
Permanent Marker - Funk House Farm
If you’ve been reading this column for a while, you’ve seen a lot of positive press from Funk House Farm, with the biggest reason being the quality, consistency and price of their products is hard to beat. While this herb is of the same quality and price I’d expect, the provenance of this cut of Permanent Market tarnishes the experience.
Zimosa #2 - 710 Labs
I’ve been smoking a bit more 710 Labs this year, but I’ve been curious about their flower for a good long while after seeing countless gorgeous photos of the buds on Reddit. My expectations for Zimosa were high and low in different respects, and overall it kind of subverted those expectations in many categories.
Cap Junky - Living Matter
It’s no secret that I have absolutely no love for Cap Junky, but Living Matter has always really impressed me with their products the few times I’ve tried them. A mutual friend told me the batches of Cap Junky and Wedding Pie were truly on another level this round after moving to a new facility. Wrapped in a dense supremely resinous dank kush package, this version of Cap Junky is one that I’m glad I didn’t miss.
Chem 91 x Skunkdog- Funk House Farm
Funk House has been really crushing it with the Skunkdog crosses, and lucky for me Jane Doe hooked me up with the second one, which is Chem 91 x Skunkdog. Chem 91 is a legendary hybrid that’s thought to be the underpinning of all gas genetics we know today. Maui Skunkdog has been popular in Maine for a while, and the melding of those flavors and effects is truly killer.
Pioneer Piff - Funk House Farm
Welcoming a new vendor to the community is always a serious pleasure for me. We’re long past the salad days of I71, so finding someone like Jane Doe Deliveries that’s in it for the love of the game and to chase the dragon on quality, is always special.
Mega Z Red - Super Dope (CA)
The mega disappointment continues but fortunately ends here with Mega Z Red. This one is the most frustrating to not meet my expectations because OZK is one of my favorite genetics of all time, and this one does not hit the heights I would expect from such a legendary genetic.
Mega Z Dark - Super Dope (CA)
Mega Z Dark was another one that I tried during the previous rosin saga, and unfortunately it’s another one that just doesn’t hold up. This performance is frankly more expected because washing Zoap is more an art than a science, and they didn’t exactly have it dialed in before.
Ether 41 - District Chiefer House Curation
If you’ve been following the waves of candy flavors the last few years, you’ve probably noticed Ether kicking around basically since Runtz came out. In a lot of ways, Ether is the ultimate sixth-man variety, and Ether 41 is a straight improvement over the things that made the original so special.
Mega Z Blue - Super Dope (CA)
Back a couple of years ago when Super Dope was at their peak popularity, Mega Z Blue was one of the most sought after flavors in the country. It was a strong translation of the tissue culture Z cut, and I’m sad to report this flavor just doesn’t hold up. Don’t get me wrong, this is still solid smoke with strong effects, but my standards for Z hybrids are higher than most casual smokers will get in their life, and this sample did not meet them.
Motorbreath - Ryder Farms
It’s not a secret that I’m a big Motorbreath lover, but this version from Ryder Farms is truly exemplary. It’s another cut that’s been kicking around the Maine scene for the past half decade or so and for good reason.
Bubblegum Popperz - Super Dope (CA)
Bubblegum Popperz used to have the reputation for being the runt of the lineup, and not just because of the genetics, being a cut labeled “LA Runtz.” Super Dope is back in business with this rosin that is a complete 180º and an easy recommendation from the lineup. That could be the end of the review right there, but this also might be one of the best Runtz rosins I’ve seen to date.
“Triangle Mints” - Ryder Farms
If you get to try this sample from Ryder Farms, it’s immediately obvious that this is not just a regular Wedding Cake. Unfortunately, this is a situation where I’ve been asked not to publicize what the clone is, but if you’ve been smoking elite flower in Maine for the last couple of years, the effect and stink will make it pretty obvious.