Illinois News Joint

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

For the second straight grow journal, I’m highlighting another strain, Putang BX, with a close connection to our A Friend Indeed (AFI) program. Putang BX is a collaborative cross of Mass Medical Strains’ Putang (Tangie x Star Pupil) and Bad Dawg Genetics’ Run Away Bride #3 (PuTang x Cake Fighter).

Strains 89

Strains Trichome Events Sativa 89

Illinois News Joint

OCTOBER 30, 2023

The Botanist is filling this gap with Strawberry Bubbles #5, one of the new strains dropping as part of the label’s rebrand. Glistening concentrations of milky trichomes at the creases caught my eye, but the overall trichome character was light. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Trichome 93

Trichome Terpenes Hybrid Strains 93

Illinois News Joint

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Thompson to David Foster Wallace, Acapulco Gold is undoubtedly a legendary well-known strain. Acapulco Gold is a sativa-leaning hybrid strain. A light milky trichome frost concentrated at the creases where sugar leaves had once sat. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Sativa 82

Sativa Strains Trichome Concentrates 82

Illinois News Joint

JANUARY 16, 2024

While Super Boof has been around for a while now, 2023 was the real breakout year for the funny-named strain. Northern Heights by Oregonix included the cut as part of the labels first strain drops, and it immediately grabbed my attention. ILNJ photos To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Indica 94

Indica Strains Trichome Hybrid 94

Illinois News Joint

DECEMBER 14, 2023

I didn’t have a theme in mind besides running my normal “fruit flavored” strains. All four strains in Grow Journal 6.0 A Veteran I’d met through the AFI program knew my preference for lemon, orange, citrus, and diesel strains, so he gifted me a cross of Tangerine Haze x Oregon Lemon Diesel. After that, I just let her go.

Strains 90

Strains Sativa Trichome Programs 90

Illinois News Joint

MAY 4, 2024

The strain Super Buff Cherry is having its time in the spotlight with multiple sightings on Illinois menus, and the latest label to drop a cut is craft cultivator One Day. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. I recently picked up an eighth to review at Stash Dispensary in Orland Hills.

Hybrid 84

Hybrid Trichome Strains Terpenes 84

Illinois News Joint

MARCH 24, 2024

A few weeks ago, I ran into John Grown #39, who let us know about a new strain he cultivated: Dream Cloud. This Dream Cloud takes about 64 days to flower (under a Growers Republic 780W Full Spectrum light) and produces large olive-green buds covered in creamy trichomes with protruding rust-colored pistils.

Hybrid 85

Hybrid Trichome Patients Education 85

Illinois News Joint

APRIL 16, 2024

While credible arguments can be made for many classic strains, I still believe the best way to drop a new label is with new genetics. ILNJ photos Five popcorn-sized buds carried a light-trichome frost on large deep-purple, almost-black sugar-leaf remnants that indicated the restrained hand trimming.

Hybrid 87

Hybrid Indica Trichome Terpenes 87

Illinois News Joint

JANUARY 21, 2024

Blue Dream was the first strain name I learned and asked for (but rarely found) because I preferred its effects to everything else I’d been smoking. Even though I had not smoked Blue Dream in more than a decade, legalization in Illinois has now made finding the strain as easy as stopping in nuEra Urbana for an eighth of Blue Dream by nuEra.

Sativa 82

Sativa Strains Terpenes Trichome 82

Illinois News Joint

JANUARY 25, 2024

When I review a new batch of releases, I’m usually met with a flood of follow-up recommendations from readers for strains from the same collection. True to the hybrid nature of the strain, my energy levels remained unchanged throughout the experience, and combined with the mood boost, this made Johnny Apple Seed a great anytime strain.

Hybrid 74

Hybrid Strains Trichome Terpenes 74

Illinois News Joint

APRIL 1, 2024

The first strain I chose to review was Smackerz. The entire bud was highlighted with a dense trichome frost. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. Every time I pull up dispensary menus, another craft producer seems to finally come online. This batch of flower tested at 0.03% CBDa, 0.3%

Indica 85

Indica Hybrid Trichome Strains 85

Illinois News Joint

APRIL 13, 2024

My mantra when choosing strains these days can be summed up as “less fruit, more funk.” Thick-orange hairs pushed through a dense milky trichome frost that covered the bright green base bud and purple sugar leaf pieces. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Trichome 80

Trichome Hybrid Strains Events 80

Illinois News Joint

NOVEMBER 4, 2023

After a couple years covering the product space in the Illinois market, it’s easy to tell which strains are cultivator’s darlings. Don Shula from nuEra , which has been featured at multiple events and is the label’s sole entry in the High Times Cannabis Cup Sativa Flower category, is a perfect example.

Sativa 78

Sativa Hybrid Trichome Strains 78

Illinois News Joint

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

That’s why I take a particular interest anytime I find his namesake strain on a dispensary menu. A bright, uniform turf-green undertone was dotted with thick fire-orange hairs and a sparkling trichome presence that was fully milky without any visible amber trichomes. ILNJ photos This gram was a single, large-pointed cola tip.

Trichome 64

Trichome Sativa Strains Hybrid 64

Illinois News Joint

OCTOBER 31, 2023

While Revolution’s genetic library boasts a large variety of experiences, in my mind, Revolution is always associated with the creamy doughy flavor perfected in strains, such as Cookie Crasher. The trichome layer was noticeably dense with developed milky trichomes at all points, glittering when held up to light.

Sativa 71

Sativa Trichome Hybrid Research and Development 71

Illinois News Joint

FEBRUARY 10, 2024

During a recent stop at Star Buds Burbank a budtender told me about Grape Jubilee, one of the more indica-leaning strains from Kaviar’s new releases. The trichomes were visibly milky but shrouded by sugar leaf remnants. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Indica 84

Indica Hybrid Sleep Trichome 84

Illinois News Joint

JUNE 18, 2023

Any budtender will tell you that a large percentage of the dispensary consumer base is still chasing high THC strains. That’s why I still get a kick when we get to add a strain to our “Thirty % Plus” review series. Thin and light orange hairs were dried against the surface of the flower and obscured by the dense trichome covering.

Trichome 72

Trichome Strains Hybrid Terpenes 72

Illinois News Joint

JANUARY 4, 2024

One of the more interesting strain runs of 2023 was watching as Revolution honed in the Cookies’ genetic lineup with some of the brand’s well-known strains, such as Georgia Pie and Red Velvet. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. Red Velvet is a hybrid cross of Lemon Cherry Gelato and Pink Acai.

Trichome 78

Trichome Strains Hybrid Terpenes 78

Illinois News Joint

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

As the cannabis industry matures and starts to take itself more seriously, one area that I hope never gets too “grown up” is the tendency for breeders to still have fun when naming strains. I picked up an eighth of the strain to review. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Hybrid 73

Hybrid Trichome Strains Indica 73

Illinois News Joint

MAY 15, 2023

In the ever-evolving world of cannabis, it’s hard to ignore the magnetic pull of hype strains. One strain commanding attention across the industry is Jealousy, crowned as Strain of the Year in 2022. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Strains 82

Strains Trichome Indica Hybrid 82

Illinois News Joint

OCTOBER 23, 2023

ILNJ photo A singular large pointed flower carried undertones of bright turf green, supporting outreaching fire orange hairs and a layer of trichomes that had just turned milky. The flower was closely trimmed and a few points in the trichome layers had been damaged. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Trichome 72

Trichome Sativa Hybrid Terpenes 72

Illinois News Joint

NOVEMBER 11, 2023

Every time I check the menu, I see new Kaviar strains. WEPAs indica label was spot on as the fast-hitting strain induced a fog that overtook my awareness and induced a carefree attitude by the end of my joint. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. Take Kaviar for example.

Indica 76

Indica Hybrid Trichome Strains 76

Illinois News Joint

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023

While it’s great to develop a list of tried and true strains that work for you, the real adventure of modern cannabis is constantly sampling new genetics that may provide new flavors and experiences. I’m always looking for new strain names when I’m at the dispensary. I picked up a sample to see what the strain had to offer.

Strains 79

Strains Trichome Research and Development Hybrid 79

Illinois News Joint

OCTOBER 15, 2023

This week, the new craft grow team at IC Collective dropped five new strains as part of its Illinois launch. Of course, I chose to review first the strain most likely to fit our Work Sativa series, Cali Sour. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. For more Illinois News Joint reviews, visit here.

Collective 92

Collective Sativa Trichome Strains 92

Illinois News Joint

JUNE 28, 2023

One of my favorite features about Revolution Cannabis’ recent collaboration with Cookies has been the unique strains combining great genetics from both brands’ lineups. Georgia Collider is such a strain, released under Revolution’s Tales & Travels brand, so I picked up a sample from Enlightened Mount Prospect to review.

Strains 74

Strains Hybrid Trichome Terpenes 74

Illinois News Joint

JUNE 16, 2023

While the correlation between terpenes and the effects of certain strains is still debated, there is no doubt that strains with higher terpene levels are more fragrant and flavorful. Even with the aforementioned euphoric sensations, Chem OG was not an energetic strain. For more Illinois News Joint reviews, visit here.

Terpenes 78

Terpenes Strains Hybrid Trichome 78

Illinois News Joint

DECEMBER 9, 2023

NuEra recently took home the 2023 Cannabis Cup for Cobra Milk , so I jumped at the chance to sample the strain when I found it under the company’s Interstate 420 brand. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. I stopped into nuEra Champaign and picked up an eighth to review.

Indica 88

Indica Hybrid Trichome Terpenes 88

Illinois News Joint

JANUARY 10, 2024

While I’m a fan of fruit and cookie-forward sweet strains, my real love is the heavy savory tones delivered by classics, such as GMO. Oregonix’s new release from Northern Heights, Bomb Sauce, intrigued me, so I recently picked up an eighth at nuEra Champaign to see if the strain delivered the savory flavors I enjoy.

Hybrid 59

Hybrid Strains Trichome Indica 59

Illinois News Joint

DECEMBER 5, 2023

93 Boyz has tapped into big name strains such as Jet Fuel and Gary Payton for its genetic library, so it’s no surprise to see the label putting out a cut of Gelonade. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. I stopped into Trinity Compassionate Care and picked up an eighth to sample.

Sativa 96

Sativa Trichome Hybrid Terpenes 96

Illinois News Joint

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Ozone has a new batch of strains hitting menus, so I picked up a few samples from Ascend Horizon Drive to review, starting with Kush and Cream. The base colors were a blend of bright lime and deep-forest green, mixing beneath bunches of thick bright-orange hairs, purple sugar-leaf remnants, and a dense and milky trichome frost.

Indica 76

Indica Trichome Strains Hybrid 76

Illinois News Joint

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

I’ve often written about the power of genetic lineages as a way to connect with strains that work for personal needs. That was what attracted me to 93 Boyz’ entry for the High Times Sativa Flower Cannabis Cup , Jet Fuel, as the strain combines two personal favorites from my days in Colorado, High Country Diesel and Aspen OG.

Sativa 83

Sativa Trichome Strains Hybrid 83

Illinois News Joint

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Rythm has tapped into this strategy with several strains. Recently, I spotted Animal Face, a strain bred by Seed Junky Genetics , on the menu at Rise Effingham , so I stopped in and picked up a sample. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here. For more Illinois News Joint reviews, visit here.

Indica 79

Indica Hybrid Trichome Strains 79

Illinois News Joint

MARCH 30, 2023

The rich, hashy, and skunky flavors of old school cannabis strains will always have a special place in my heart. In a world where candy- and cookie-flavored strains get so much attention, there’s still a lot the “classics” can offer. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Hash 88

Hash Indica Strains Trichome 88

Illinois News Joint

MAY 11, 2023

Apple Fritter is one of those strains that has become so popular in recent years that it seems to be everywhere. The buds were predominantly light green with some purple splotches, and they had a light trichome presence. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Trichome 97

Trichome Strains Hybrid Terpenes 97

Illinois News Joint

JANUARY 9, 2024

It’s been a while since we’ve reviewed a new strain from the team at Progressive Treatment Solutions , so when I spotted a new drop from the company’s Paul Bunyan label, I was instantly intrigued. The trim job was light overall, which kept the trichomes relatively intact but left a few sugar leaves on the flower.

Trichome 78

Trichome Indica Hybrid Terpenes 78

Illinois News Joint

MARCH 25, 2023

As an insomniac, I pay special attention to strains that promise a heavy indica experience. ILNJ photo Large, dense nugs were dark forest green with small splashes of pink and coated with a creamy amber trichome veil. Extreme Cream is not a “day” strain. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Indica 86

Indica Sleep Strains Trichome 86

Illinois News Joint

AUGUST 13, 2023

While I may complain about a lack of infused baked goods at Illinois dispensaries, there’s no shortage of strains named after baked goods. Interested in what the craft label is bringing to market with the cookie-heavy strain, I picked up a sample to review. To learn more about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

Indica 77

Indica Hybrid Trichome Strains 77