Kush (SF Hydro)

This Kush drops a sweet chemical bomb of splendid stupidity. If not for my even more prolific coffee habit, the notion of writing this review may never have occurred. I am morbidly content.

It's perfect that I have nothing to do aside from getting a haircut and maybe grabbing a burrito -- maybe chicken Pra Ram instead. Or maybe both.

Come to think of it, I'll also be grabbing a larger sack of this Kush. It's the tits.

Thank God I have ice cream in the fridge.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Ideal Users: Suffering; or Tommy Chong impersonators.

Ideal Method: Vaporizer... or swishers.

Carrier: Independent Provider

Price: $11.42(g)  ($40 eighth at 3.5g)
Date Enjoyed: 8/25/2010

Yum Yum Good Bar

OK, so remember when you were a kid, and you would get space ice cream in those little metal foil packages? Well, this is the same concept, with one exception...these little foiled treats actually take you to space.

Slightly bigger than a cliff bar, these raspberry infused shortbread treats from the Vapor Room not only taste amazing, they pack a punch. Each bar is two doses, and at just $6.00, you can't go wrong. I can personally guarantee you'll be feeling like Ziggy Stardust in 45 minutes or less, with a high that can last upwards of 4-6 hours.

Aside from being extremely potent and incredibly delicious, Vapor Room's little wonder is not terribly sweet. In the past, I've found that a lot of clinics like to use massive amounts of sugar to cover the taste of cannabis. This, to me, is a big no-no. The Yum Yum Good Bar reminds me of my grandma's raspberry cobbler.

As we've mentioned before on 421 Review, edibles should be approached with caution. If you're new to eating cannabis, you may only want to eat half the bar, or less. Otherwise, you'll need the assistance of ground control and Major Tom.



      

Overall Rating: Woah

Ideal Users: Experienced with Edibles

Ideal Method: Munch with anything; tastes great

Carrier: Vapor Room

Price: $6 (double dose)

Date Enjoyed: 8/15/2010

Animated

It's a new strain for me, but the experience isn't entirely unique. Animated is pure, textbook Sativa.

If nothing else, Animated is also an exhibit against judging cannabis on smell or appearance alone. These big ugly nuggets taste and look like rotting Christmas trees. Still, the mind high more than makes up for any aesthetic weaknesses.

Many cannabis users of course enjoy their tasty looking, fruity smelling buds -- or perhaps a skunky hydroponic Kush -- so Animated's thin scent of decomposing evergreens may disappoint. Neither the dark, uniform green color, nor the gnarly brown hairs inspire much.

These aesthetics are typical signs that the cannabis was grown outdoors. Though not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, outdoor cultivation usually produces cannabis that tastes or smells similar to what it was grown around, what was in the soil the plants grew up through (on that note, I also sense a sour hint of tomato vine). As such, outdoor grows likely won't bring the cannabis to the "true potential" that can be realized in more controlled environments. If grown in a controlled setting, you could get a nice, musty grapefruit scent and a very hairy bud out of Animated. Who knows what else the high may hold for you.

In all, Animated was enjoyable. It was built for the mind high aficionado, and if you can find a good indoor version, it will do you well.

It's a decent bud for the cyclist, biker, skater, alpine athlete, flying tomato, or any other type of active person in that, once you get up, its hard to mentally sit down again for an hour or two. Beginners or skittish types should probably stay away from Animated.

Helpful hint: the more experienced or curious person might try combining Animated with their favorite body stone, a Kush or something like that. I packed it with AK-47, and a choir of angels sang for me.

Overall Rating: Good to Excellent

Ideal Users: Sativa Lovers

Ideal Method: Bong rip; maybe augment with Indica. 

Carrier: Patients Helping Patients

Price: $14.28(g)  ($50 eighth at 3.5g)
Date Enjoyed: 8/16/2010

Ogre

Ogre's fluffy pillows of indoor Indica give a body high as crisp as its citrus scent.

And that pretty much sums it up.

As girls say when describing a boring date to his friends, "He's... nice?"

Further along those lines, I also thought of a few reasons why they could easily call the strain "Shrek": it's a quick, warm, uplifting ride that inspires a few giggles; but it's also a pretty short trip, and even multiple tries never quite takes things to the next level.

I had to go through a few bowls in the vaporizer to stay even pleasantly lit, and when I tested the ceiling on Ogre with some rips from my bubbler, I was surprised by the overall weak performance. The stone you get ten minutes in is the same stone you'll find an hour later, no matter how much you consume.

So while I did enjoy Ogre (no really, it really was a nice, precious little bud that I'm sure will make someone very happy), it's just a little soft. Ogre would, however, be an ideal selection for beginners and those who suffer from anxiety but fear over medication.

Overall Rating: Average to Good

Ideal Users: Beginners and the anxious

Ideal Method: Vaporizer; perhaps a joint 

Carrier: Vapor Room

Price: $15.27(g) ($55 eighth at 3.6g)

Date Enjoyed: 8/13/2010

OG Kushkie from NCHRC

Houston, we have...uh... a really good problem.

It's the pleasurable little paradox known as the OG Kushkie from Nor Cal Herbal Relief Center.

Standard OG Kushkie: strong OG Kush body stone packed into a $5 cookie.

NCHRC OG Kushkie: intense body stone and a mind high that roars like a T-Rex. Seriously. $10.

Barely the size of the lid on your peanut butter jar, these Kushkies would seem too small for the $10 price tag. But let me assure you, it's the best deal in town.

Why? How? Tear one quarter off one of these little bad boys. In 45-70 minutes' time, you'll be buzzing off in your own private helicopter for a four to six hour trip over Happy Town.  Do the math.

Now, before you rush off down Ocean Avenue to grab an OG Kushkie at NCHRC, here's a friendly tip from your friends at 421 Review: unless you really know what you are doing and have confidently handled a smaller amount of the same Kushkie before, DO NOT EAT THE WHOLE THING!

Ever hear about people checking themselves into an emergency room because they think they've melted into a Salvador Dali? Yeah, so, especially if you are new to this, DON'T EAT THE WHOLE THING!

I'm not sure what these guys do to their stuff, but the stone is excellent and the flavor ain't bad either.

Overall Rating: Woah

Ideal Users: Experienced with Edibles.

Ideal Method: Munch with anything; tastes decent.

Carrier: NCHRC

Price: $10, but it's like $2.50 per cookie for 4 cookies!

Date Enjoyed: 8/7/2010

Indica/Sativa Tab

Check out our basic breakdown of Indica versus Sativa strains.

5 Steps to Kill a Bill: No On 19

As a long time cannabis user, as a long time student of American politics, and as a successful political consultant, I'm beyond enthusiastic about California's Prop 19 (Synopsis at the bottom of the post).

Still, some people oppose Prop 19. Most of you reading this site know and understand why these opponents are wrong, so instead of beating a dead horse, let's take a quick look at how these opponents are battling policy reform.

Read more at What Were They Smoking?

Afghan Goo

Needless to say, living in one of San Francisco's most bohemian and culturally grounded neighborhoods (Haight/Ashbury) I've over the years experienced my fair share of medical marijuana from both independent providers and dispensaries. But I must say, there's something special about Afghan Goo (henceforth known as Afgoo). Not only is it one of the more tasty buds I've got from an independent provider lately, its also just as the name suggests: gooey to the core.

With that being said, lets get into it. At first sight, Afgoo seems to be your run of the mill 'beaster' with its dark green color, rich tan undertones and countless red hairs. However, upon further inspection, you'll see that's just not the case. This beautiful example of a hybrid bud is dense and drenched in trichome that will have your fingers sticking and glistening in the sun. Pull it open and you're overwhelmed with a strong aroma; the smell is very pungent with hints of fresh pine. As you continue to dig into the center of the bud, hues of white and tan appear covered in crystals.

Grinders have little to no effect on Afgoo, so Joint rollers be warned: this might not be the most suitable bud for you. This type of gooey strain works best in a dry glass pipe.

Upon inhaling, the strong taste of of pine and wood came out in rich, colorful flavors. I was amazed by how smooth the taste was. It threw me for a loop; it felt like inhaling some fresh Tahoe air.


Not long after, a warm sense of awareness began to take effect. It provided an experience that was both mental and physical. The high was mellow yet stimulating, leaving my extremities feeling loose and tingly.

What I loved most about Afgoo was that its a great social pot. I found myself being able to interact and have fun (no dreaded couch potato syndrome here). I felt spacey, but completely cognizant with little to no after effects.

This bud is a great value at $50.00 an eighth. If you live in San Francisco or are planning on making a trip to the city anytime soon, be sure to pick up some Afghan Goo. This strain has been making its rounds throughout the Upper and Lower Haight areas. Currently, several independent providers and dispensaries have it available.


If your local dispensary or independent provider has some Afgoo, be sure to pick it up. I can assure you, you're not going to be disappointed.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Ideal Users: Everyone

Ideal Method: Dry glass pipe

Carrier: Independent provider (your dispensary may have it)

Price: $13.888(g) ($50 eighth at 3.75g)

Date Enjoyed: 05/03/2010

What Were They Smoking? 8-2-10

Check out our latest cannabis-inspired random-post in the What Were They Smoking? section of 4:21 Review, or just click the title of this post to see my account of Giovanni's Pizza at Club Deluxe.

The Kali (of Mexico Way)

This bud has been compared to ecstasy. I've never rolled, but I will say this much: sex on The Kali is better than sex.

Share The Kali with your partner to feel both mind and body mesh with amazing clarity. Or you can just use it yourself and pretend your partner feels the same way.

But heck, if sex just isn't your idea of a good time, vape on The Kali (henceforth known simply as Kali) to set those creative juices boiling. Kali ushers you into an incredible state of relaxation whilst sparking your most intensely creative brain muscles into overdrive. It's great for finishing up on languishing projects... like this blog.

On top of that though, you can smoke ounces of this strain and feel nothing other than really, really damn good. Naps are optional, so if you're tired but really want to finish studying philosophy or keep plowing through the second season of Mad Men at 4a.m., just blaze more.

Kali's buds display a liberal dusting of snowy trichs over alternated stubs of dark forest-tipped, moss green florets.

I found another review of this strain that pretty much sums up taste and smell. Edited for clarity: "Explosion of lemon. It has a nice taste that has the freshness of a forest, and it feels like anesthesia in your mouth and tongue. Acid on the exhale stays in your mouth for a few minutes."

Must buy.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Ideal Users: Those prone to social anxiety while high will catch a break here; and Mr./Mrs. Luvah Luvah.

Ideal Method: Perfect for vaporizing.

Carrier: Indi Provider

Price: $11.111(g) ($40 eighth at 3.6g)

Date Enjoyed: July 29 - August 2, 2010.