Marijuana Review: Pineapple Express by Clandestine Gardens

June 20, 2016 By Fischer Campbell Leave a Comment

Pineapple Express, a strain we’ve reviewed before… but not from one of our new favorite producers. Clandestine Gardens‘ take on this beloved strain is a breath of fresh funky air. We got an eighth from Have-a-Heart (in Fre[ak]mont, home of the Solstice Parade happening this weekend) for $50.

Clandestine is an indoor-only for operation, I’ve had their flower before and been impressed with the quality, freshness, and overall experience (stoned as f***). It’s worth noting that each strain comes with a temporary tattoo of the strain name, which is pretty cool.

Novelties aside, they have a deft knowledge of producing weed. With decades of growing experience shared between the lead cultivators, Clandestine is focused on featuring some of the finest cannabis Washington has to offer. It’s a song and dance we’ve all heard before (“the best”), but these folks really own it. Typically their products go fast, with new strains arriving frequently – so get it while you can.

Let’s talk some numbers:

THC: 1.0%
CBD: 0%
THC A: 22.9%
Total: 21.1%

Strain: Pineapple Express
Species: Sativa
Harvested: 04/19/16 (imagine that)
Smell: Sweet + Earthy + Piney
Taste: Cotton Candy + Lemon
Onset: 4-5 minutes after smoking, kind of a creeper
High: Time Slows Down + Balanced + Groovy + Munchies

Pineapple Express is the child of Trainwreck x Hawaiian. Typically the high is known for it’s productive, creative nature – often long lasting, and energetic. Medically the strain is used to treat pain, inflammation (associated with autoimmune diseases), and psychiatric conditions.

The buds are fluffy. They look like little strawberries, but with tufts of green. Of course, it’s the other way around, but looks can be deceiving. Absolutely doused in kief, Clandestine’s Pineapple Express looks as good as it smells/tastes/delivers/etc.

There was a super fruity pine aroma, which intensified by snapping a bud apart. The flavor was notably sweet with hints of lemon. All around a pungent strain that could clear (or fill) a room, depending upon the crowd.

Pineapple Express is one of my favorites because of the feel good energetic vibe. Additionally, it carries a sedative property that is both relaxing, yet not tiring enough to create burnout. The strain represents a perfect balance, a reflection of gettin’ high at it’s best. Positive motivation, heady relaxation, and functionality.

I keep thinking about how there is a potential parody of the Polar Express here. CGI Tom Hanks would have a pineapple for a head, they’d be handing out edibles on the train, then again it’s already been done in movie form. This is the strain talking, by the way. Move along.

Clearly, Clandestine scores again. Find their products at: American Mary (Wallingford), Have-a-Heart (Fremont/Skyway/Greenwood), and The Novel Tree (Bellevue).

Marijuana Review: Hawaiian Dutch by Sub X

June 6, 2016 By Fischer Campbell Leave a Comment

Summer is here in full force, so it’s time to kick back and treat yourself with some tropical buds. This week I bring you Washington’s own Hawaiian Dutch, by Sub X, purchased at Have a Heart in Fremont*. This strain, and most of the producer’s product, goes for around $50 an eighth. Considering the cost, I expected a solid experience – I was not let down.

Sub X stands for “Subdued Excitement”, which is a clever way to describe being high; enjoying the duality of euphoria and sedation. The producer is based out of Washington, “near Canada” apparently. Their buds are 100% pesticide and gluten free (I’m pretty sure the gluten thing is meant to be a joke, but it’s on their website), no mention of organic testing though.

Also from their page, “our ultra efficient growing methods and state-of-the-art technologies allow us to use no more sweatshop labor than is absolutely necessary” (uh, I’m hoping that would be 0% sweatshop labor?) Grammatical slaughter aside, with so many producer’s “About” pages being similar, it’s nice to see a playful personality – even if slightly chaotic (Ian Malcolm would be proud).

Let’s get serious here, hit me with the Specifics:

THC: 1.6%
THC A: 23.3%
CBD: .60%
Total: 22.6%

Strain: Hawaiian Dutch
Species: Sativa Hybrid (70/30)
Harvested: 3/20/16
Smell: Bubblegum + Cheese
Taste: Sweet + Sour
Launch Point: Right after smoking.
High: Potent + Functional + Walkin’ on Sunshine

A cross of Hawaiian x Dutch Treat, accolades include placing 2nd at the 2014 Seattle Cannabis Cup (for best domestic Sativa). Being a hybrid, the strain is known for it’s energetic and creative high. Medically, it is prescribed to combat stress, anxiety and depression. Hawaiian Dutch is a NorthWest regional strain, primarily being sold in Washington state.

Sporting a golden tint, these were some nice-looking nuggets. Purple, green, orange? Check. Trichomes out the wazoo? Sticky and fresh. Those photos don’t lie. Using a pipe, Hawaiian Dutch burned smooth.

Popping open the jar, there was immediate tropical funkiness. I picked up on bubblegum, and cheese. Flavor-wise, there was a distinct sweet-and-sour thing going on. A sharp taste that lingers, using a vape and smoking out of a pipe.

Hawaiian Dutch clears the cobwebs of my mind, after an oh-so-long day. While many types of nugs may deplete your energy, getting stoned with this strain comes about a second wind. Good for day and night, even the veteran smoker will dig the brightness and feel like a kid again.

The low CBD level gives way to mild sedation, not super burnout. Functionality is in grasp, as well; this isn’t the bud to make you stupid stoned – but it’s just the right amount. All and all a solid experience, it’s easy to see why this strain is award winning. If you’re feeling lavish and want to treat-yo-self, Sub X products can be found at: Clutch Cannabis (Renton), Green-Theory (Bellevue), and Have-A-Heart (Fremont/Ocean Shores).

*Have a Heart is an advertiser on High Above Seattle. This is no way impacts my perception, or enjoyment of product that may be sold there.

Marijuana Review: Tangerine by Puffin Farms

May 31, 2016 By Fischer Campbell 8 Comments

New week, new review. From Puffin Farms, we have the purple tinted Tangerine (should have been called Plum). This is a new producer for us, but we’ve been eyeing their stuff for some time.

We picked up an eighth from SODO’s Ganja Goddess* for $35, right in the sweet price range (for me, at least). It’s important, as a reviewer, to ask the budtender what they are currently digging; these are the folks who handle recreational marijuana 24/7, they see the ebb and flow – and they will often steer you towards something you wouldn’t have noticed. Tangerine came recommended as a favorite from Puffin Farms, so I pulled the trigger on the citrus style strain.

Puffin Farms is based near Ellensburg, WA (I’m sure they are fans of the Irish Death). While growing things naturally, they don’t have an organic certification** – which is not a huge deal at all, but is something I will attempt to clarify in every review from now on (whether the producer is organic, or not).

On their About page, they talk about the use of beneficial insects in the growing process. While I’m sure this is standard practice, it’s the first time I’ve mentally pictured bugs on the frontline guarding the weed currently being enjoyed. Bless you, little ladybug.

Also, I found the slow cure process interesting: the nugs are stored in a dry, cold room to preserve terpenes (taste, smell, and nuance of the high). I’m not at all certain if this is a widely practiced method, but (to me) it sounds like a good thing.

Let’s look at the numbers (as rigorously listed on the packaging):

THC Total: 14.6%
CBD: 0.37%
CBG: 0.70%
Cannabinoid Total: 17.7%
Total Terpene: 1.55%

Strain: Tangerine
Species: Hybrid (Sativa Dominant)
Harvested: 10/15 (oldie, but a goodie)
Smell: Stinky + Bitter Citrus Peel
Taste: Spicy + Licorice + Oak
Launch Point: Right after smoking.
High: Euphoric + Clear Headed + Energetic

Tangerine is a 4th generation version of Ch9 Aroma (it’s lineage is Ch9 Aroma x Ch9 Aroma, etc.) It was conceived in a lab sometime around 2007, and while I couldn’t find any specific accolades – it seemed to be beloved strain due to it’s direct relation to Ch9 Aroma, along with it’s funky-tropical aroma and high.

Puffin’s Tangerine is a deep purple color, with bright green leaves and a few orange hairs to mix up the scenery. The buds themselves were still sticky and dense, regardless of having an older harvest date. When it comes to age, it depends on packaging – and the producer’s method preserved the strain well.

The smell was kind of like an IPA: bitter, slightly musty, with a little citrus. I was hoping for more orange/tangerine, but also slightly relieved that I’m not a complete victim to the placebo effect.

Getting stoned with Tangerine is a euphoric experience; it’s parent (Ch9) is known for it’s potent, energetic high – and it shines through with this strain. Featuring a minimal body buzz, Tangerine is mostly psychedelic and cerebral (which is never a bad thing). The come down is not bad, barely sedative, which makes it versatile for most usage.

You can find Puffin Products at: Ganja Goddess (SODO), Dockside Cannabis (Shoreline & SODO), and more.

*Ganja Goddess is an advertiser on High Above Seattle. This is no way impacts my perception, or enjoyment of product that may be sold there.

** Puffin Farms have since been Clean Green certified organic.

Update (6/16):

Jade from Puffin Farms graciously reached out to us in the comment section, and wanted to clarify the cold curing process that we discussed in the review:

“We dry, cure and store between 50-62 degrees F. This allows for a slower cure and preserves terpenes which are lost during drying at warmer temps. Some farms will add heat to the drying
process to speed things up. All our flower is then kept in cool storage until processing which allows curing to continue for some time and quality to be maintained. We are a Sungrown farm which means we harvest yearly, so proper cool storage is essential to preserving quality.”

As always, we are happy to accommodate any information prevalent to the producer’s we feature.

Marijuana Review: Thin Mint by Cascade Gnome

May 23, 2016 By Fischer Campbell

Here at High Above Seattle, we’ve been on a sativa craze for a few weeks here with out reviews. I figured I’d bring us back down to earth with a solid Hybrid Indica for the masses. This week, we have Thin Mint from Cascade Gnome. I picked it up for $40/3.5 grams from Fremont’s Have a Heart* (actually it was $37.50, HaH’s “Buy 2 Eighths, get $5 Back” deal has kept me returning).

The budtender was telling me that Cascade Gnome was an environmentally conscious producer (no pesticides, organic soil certified). Checking in with their website, “stronger terpene profiles produced by organic gardening encourages added dimension to each strain’s various effects”. Heck yeah, that’s certainly something I can get behind.

Based in Central Washington, this producer is grower-owned. They sound like a passionate group of folks when it comes to marijuana, from seed to package. Just like small family/friend-owned craft breweries, the concept of enjoying whatever you consume from highly dedicated sources will always be attractive to customers (new and veteran alike).

Let’s look at the numbers of our week’s bud:

THC: 20.02%
CBD: .04%
Total: 20.45%

Strain: Thin Mint
Species: Hybrid (Indica Dominant)
Smell: Mint Tea + Sweetness + Grass
Taste: Earthy
Launch Point: Creeper, though it could be the age
High: Relaxed + Focused + Body High

Researching this week’s strain, there was much more information on Thin Mint Cookies rather then the Thin Mint I had. What’s clear is that it’s a phenotype of Girl Scout Cookies, and that it has a variety of uses in the medicinal field. I’m unsure if this is a different strain altogether, but it must be related.

The bud itself was rather crumbly, somewhat dry. Smoking Thin Mint wasn’t super harsh, but it wasn’t super smooth either.

There was a distinct mint smell, true to the name. Asides from that, it was kind of like grass and dirt. Not much for taste, same earthiness. In case you ever wonder, I always use a hemp wick to savor the flavor (*stage gasp* – maybe I should do a hemp wick review sometime!).

Ah, it’s time for the true redeeming quality of Thin Mint: getting high, obviously. After a long day of working at the job factory, this strain did a great job of soothing my aching bones. I normally keep my Indica-use reserved for the night time (it’s the right time), so that’s the perspective this review is coming from.

So what’s Thin Mint good for? Relaxing, maybe being a little creative, perhaps getting some Battleborn on (I feel like I’m the only who likes it), just enjoying yourself and the immediate fixings around you.

If you’re looking for Cascade Gnome product, check out: Dockside (SODO & Shoreline). or Have a Heart (Skyway, Fremont, Ocean Shores, Greenwood).

*Have a Heart advertises with High Above Seattle. This in no way impacts the review. Tune in next week for something from somewhere else! Also, pro tip: remember to check your harvest dates, people – every time.

Update (6/16):

Ben from Cascade Gnome got in touch with High Above Seattle, and told us a little more about Cascade Gnome’s organic standards:

“We are most certainly organic gardeners, we build our own soil using dry organic amendments. We don’t use chemical nutrients and rarely use liquid nutrients except for teas and foliar feeds. The pesticides we do use, when we use them, are organic. We definitely don’t use any non-permitted pesticides nor the permitted but problematic ones either.”

We always love it when producers reach out to us, and we’re happy to include any information that is related towards the review content. Clearly Cascade Gnome is dedicated to their craft, and their swift response demonstrates a vigilant eye upon the community. Looking forward to trying more of their products.

Marijuana Review: Black Cherry Soda by Clandestine Gardens

May 16, 2016 By Fischer Campbell 6 Comments

Sometimes we sacrifice paying a little more in exchange for better quality, but who’s to say that stunning nugs can’t be bought for $10 a gram? Clandestine Gardens‘ Black Cherry Soda was recommended to me at Fremont’s recreational Have-a-Heart* shop, the budtender was adamant about how good the product was – especially considering it’s price point. $35 is my ideal fee for an eighth in the recreational market, so I was pretty happy with this find.

According to Clandestine’s website, they only grow indoor. Harnessing LED lights, the producer adheres to tried and true methods alongside delivering strains that are distinct. Not related to the weed, but I found it amusing that their “About” section has staff bios that include celebrity doppleganger photos; perhaps a little goofy, but it shows character (and probably equates to a fun environment within the workplace).

On the note of just for funsies, each eighth comes with a temporary tattoo of the strain design featured on the package. Undeniably a novelty that in no way makes the product better, yet portrays a playful aesthetic that is nostalgic for me (I used to get temporary tattoo’s from things like cereal and candy, so it’s like youthful joy repeating itself for adults).

Enough 90’s reminiscing, let’s look at this bud up close:

THC: 1.0%
THCA: 22.8%
CBD: 0.2%
Total: 21.2%

Strain: Black Cherry Soda
Species: Hybrid (Sativa Dominant – 80/20)
Harvested: 04/13/16 (a month old after harvest, not bad at all)
Smell: Pine + Sweet
Taste: Berry + Earthy
Launch Point: 2 – 4 minutes after smoking.
High: Peppy + Balanced + Versatile

Black Cherry Soda seems to be universally praised. After a casual google search, it was apparent that one of the similarly experienced attributes was strong high with lack of sedation. A potent Sativa strain with no burnout? Man, this was a good recommendation. I had been on a Sativa-binge for a few weeks, and needed to shake it up. Apparently that meant I just needed the right Sativa, contrary to what I was thinking going into that pot shop.

The buds are dense, but crisp. There were some leafs present, but not all herbs need to be supermodel status. This isn’t a contest, it’s not about who trims or cures the best. To me, BCS looks lovely, though I can understand how elitists could view the nug-to-leaf ratio as not ideal.

Like a piney sweet tea, Black Cherry Soda has a homegrown smell. There’s nothing like getting some new weed, sending it through the grinder, and then holding it to your nose like a fine wine (super cheesy, but we all do it – at least that’s what I tell myself).

A useful strain, that’s how I’d describe it. Getting high entails nothing short of what the hype suggests: powerful, smooth, upbeat, and without a harsh come-down. It’s easy to sit back and relax, it’s also easy to go out and do stuff. Day and night, indoor and outdoor – the list goes on, bottom line if this strain is in your peripheral then buy it.

Easily one of my new favorites, I’ll be keeping an eye on Clandestine for Black Cherry Soda and more. One ca find their product at Have-a-Heart (Skyway/Fremont/Greenwood), American Mary (Wallingford), Ruckus (Capital Hill), and The Novel Tree (Bellevue).

*Have-A-Heart is an advertiser on High Above Seattle. This is no way influences my perception or enjoyment of the products they sell. I go into all shops with an open mind, and a thirst for excellent product.

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Marijuana Review: Pineapple Express by Clandestine Gardens

Marijuana Review: Hawaiian Dutch by Sub X

Marijuana Review: Tangerine by Puffin Farms

Marijuana Review: Thin Mint by Cascade Gnome

Marijuana Review: Black Cherry Soda by Clandestine Gardens