Name: Blackberry Kush

Dispensary: Green Works SD

Grade: B+

Type: Mostly Indica (About 80% Sativa, 20% Indica)

Lineage: DJ Short’s Blueberry crossed with Afghani.

Price: $20/gram, $55/8th, $110/ quarter, $210 half ounce /$350 ounce 

Looks: Frosty nugs with purple hues throughout. Medium sized, leafy buds completely covered in trichomes. Dank and sticky when broken apart.

Smell: Sweet, creamy, musty and earthy. The aroma was reminiscent of blueberries and was earthier than a batch of DJ Short’s Blueberry.

Taste: A sweet and creamy blueberry flavor similar to the smell. Smooth vapor with moderate lung expansion.

Buzz: Heavy, relaxing buzz. Clear headed, sedating, mildly euphoric and calming. The body buzz was strong and couch lock-y. Good for late in the evening and for sleep.

Summary: A nice representation of a beautiful strain. The taste was sweet and the buzz was on point. I was craving some Blackberry Kush and this hit the spot. 

Blackberry Kush. A sweet and creamy blueberry flavor with a heavy relaxing high. See my full review here.

Name: Shishkaberry

Dispensary: Green Works SD

Grade: B/B+

Type: Mostly Indica (About 80% Indica, 20% Sativa)

Lineage: DJ Short’s Blueberry crossed with Afghani

Price: $20/gram, $55/8th, $110/ quarter, $210 half ounce /$295 ounce (special)

Looks: Big, chunky, light weight nugs. Medium green buds with many orange hairs and moderate trichome coverage. Soft to the touch and sticky when broken apart.

Smell: Sweet, earthy, tangy, creamy and a little spicy. 

Taste: A sweet and tangy, earthy flavor that closely resembles the smell. Smooth vapor with moderate lung expansion. 

Buzz: Mellow spacey stone. Creative, introspective, slightly euphoric and relaxing. The body buzz was comfortable and moderately couch lock-y. Best for the afternoon or early evening.

Summary: A sweet tasting strain with a creative, spacey stone. I prefer the clear headed, euphoric high of DJ Short’s Blueberry. This strain was heavier and stonier.

Shishkaberry. A sweet tasting strain with a spacey, creative stone.

Name: DJ Short’s Blueberry

Dispensary: Medical Marijuana Relief Clinic (Sherman Oaks)

Grade: A+

Type: Mostly Indica (About 80% Indica, 20% Sativa)

Lineage: Purple Thai female crossed with Afghan male. Afghani, Thai and Oaxacan are all in the genetics.

Price: $20/gram, $55/8th

Looks: Heavily frosted, compact nugs. Green and purple buds with a few orange hairs. Dank and sticky.

Smell: Sweet, creamy and earthy. Smells surprisingly close to real blueberries. 

Taste: Sweet and creamy blueberry flavor. Smooth vapor with heavy lung expansion.

Buzz: Mellow euphoric high. Functional, clear headed, creative and relaxing. The body buzz is comfortable and not couch lock-y. Best for the afternoon or early in the evening.

Summary: An incredible tasting strain with a fantastic euphoric high. This is the best batch of Blueberry I’ve sampled.

DJ Short’s Blueberry. Smells and tastes like creamy blueberries with a fantastic euphoric high. See my full review here.

Another day, another batch of Blue Dream. This one smells really sweet. See my full review here.

Name: C02 Enhanced Blue Dream

Dispensary: Pacific Green Pharms (San Diego)

Grade: A-/A

Type: Mostly Sativa 

Lineage: DJ Short’s Blueberry crossed with Super Silver Haze

Price: $15/gram, $45/8th, $80/ quarter, $150 half ounce /$280 ounce

Looks: Hairy and dense popcorn sized nugs. Mostly dark green buds totally covered in bright orange hairs with decent trichome coverage. Dank fresh buds.

Smell: Sweet, fruity, haze-y and earthy. Inviting aroma immediately recognizable as Blue Dream. The scent was fruiter than many batches I’ve had in the past.

Taste: Sweet, fruity, grassy and earthy flavor. The taste was nice and pronounced.

Buzz: Energetic, euphoric and relaxing buzz. The head high was clear, creative and functional. The body buzz was light, but comforting. Signature Blue Dream effect. Best for the daytime.

Summary: A solid batch of Blue Dream covered in orange hairs. The smell and taste were excellent and the buzz was just what you’d expect from a good batch of this strain.

C02 Enhanced Blue Dream. DJ Short’s Blueberry crossed with Super Silver Haze. See my full review here.

Name: Blackberry Kush

Dispensary: Green Works SD

Grade: A

Type: Mostly Indica

Lineage: DJ Short Blueberry crossed with Afghani

Price: $18/gram, $55/8th, $100/ quarter, $190 half ounce /$295 ounce (special)

Looks: Purple and frosty. This batch was grown cold to bring out the purple and it worked. The color is deep purple with orange hairs. Completely coated in trichomes. Looks impressive.

Smell: Sweet and a little earthy. Smells like an earthier Blueberry. 

Taste: Close to the smell out of a vaporizer. Noticeably sweet. The vapor was smooth and rich. The taste lingered nicely.

Buzz: A relaxing body buzz with a clear head high.  Very calming and peaceful.  Nice smoke for late in the evening.  Good for sleep in high doses.

Summary: I’ve had many batches of Blackberry Kush and this one is right up there with the best of the them. I love how purple the nugs are. The taste was great and the effects were right on.

1.) Pure Kush

Type: Mostly Indica

Lineage: Sister of OG Kush.

Looks: Dank and dense. Covered with trichomes. Sticky. Looks amazing.

Smell and Taste: Pine, fuel and citrus.  Smells similar to well grown OG, but is still distinct. More fragrant and more flavorful. 

Buzz: Strong and relaxing. Most samples I’ve had are highly euphoric. Complex effects with a very clean high.

Summary: This is the best marijuana strain I’ve come across. Looks, smell, taste and effects are all fantastic. I’ve never had a strain that was simultaneously so relaxing and euphoric. Really the whole package. I’ve only found one place that carries the real deal, I hope more will soon.

Where to get a good batch: Medical Marijuana Relief Clinic (Sherman Oaks)

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2.) OG Kush 

Type: Technically a hybrid though many cuts are mostly Indica.

Lineage: Decendent of Chem Dawg, sister to Sour Diesel.

Looks: Varying degrees of dank and dense.  Some are stickier than others with heavy trichome coverage. I’ve had excellent batches that were very dank and others that were really dense and almost hard to the touch.

Smell and Taste:  Pine, fuel and citrus.  It’s a distinct smell and taste.  OG is it’s own flavor and there are many subtle variations. Generally regarded as one of the tastier strains around.

Buzz: Strong. Some sativa heavy OGs are very heady, but most are generally quite relaxing with differing levels of euphoria.

Summary: OG Kush put California on the map as the weed capitol of the world. I’ve seen hundreds of OG strains in dispensaries in California. It has a serious and well deserved reputation.

Where to get a good batch: Medical Marijuana Relief Clinic (Sherman Oaks), Green Works (San Diego). You can find high quality OG at dozens of collectives in Southern California.

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3.) Kush

Type: Indica

Lineage: From the Hindu Kush mountain range stretching over Afghanistan and Pakistan. My two favorite Kush varieties are currently Master Kush (Hindu Kush crossed with Skunk #1) and Bubba Kush (rumored to be Bubblegum crossed with Kush). 

Looks: Typically dense with varying shades of green and many orange hairs. Trichome coverage is usually heavy.

Smell and Taste: Earthy, musty, woody and skunky with a sweet spiciness. Renowned “Kush” smell and taste. Smoke is rich and generally smooth.

Buzz: Sedating and relaxing stone predominately to the body. Bubba and Master both have slightly euphoric head highs. Kush is great for late in the evening and good for sleep.

Summary: Kush was originally grown to produce hash and it’s easy to why. It’s very relaxing and heavy. It’s been made famous by countless rap songs and deserves it’s place among the finest varieties of marijuana on the planet.

Where to get a good batch: Many spots carry excellent examples of Bubba Kush in California, including Farm Associated Collective and Green Works (San Diego). Good Master Kush is harder to find in California, but a staple at coffee shops like Grey Area and Barney’s in Amsterdam.

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4.) Blueberry

Type: Mostly Indica (About 80% Indica, 20% Sativa)

Lineage: Unsure. I’ve heard it has Afghani in it’s genetics and read that it was Oregon Purple Thai (Low land Chocolate Thai x Oaxacan) x Juicy Fruit Thai. 

Looks: Typically dense with varying shades of green and many orange hairs. Trichome coverage is usually heavy.

Smell and Taste: Sweet, sour and earthy. Blueberry’s taste is similar to Sour Patch Kids.

Buzz: Clear headed, relaxing high. Fairly euphoric and peaceful. Not overly strong. I’ve never had a batch of Blueberry that hit really hard, it’s just not the nature of the strain.

Summary: I love Blueberry for it’s taste and effects. I like mixing it with other strains. It adds a sweet flavor and a clear head high to whatever I’m smoking. It’s a functional strain that’s great for the late afternoon. The effects and taste are the clear highlights of the strain.

Where to get a good batch: I got my favorite batch from Green Works (San Diego). 

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5.) P-91

Type: Mostly Indica 

Lineage: Unknown. I’ve been told it’s a cross of a few different strains including Hash Plant and Northern Lights. 

Looks: Really dank; dark and light green with orange hairs and heavy trichome coverage. Silkly soft to the touch and very sticky. Leafy.

Smell and Taste: Earthy and leathery with a hint of mint. The smell and taste is unique and immediately recognizable. The taste reminds me of G-13 in the sense that they’re both “know it when you try it” acquired tastes.

Buzz: Very relaxing with an introspective head buzz.  My forehead and the back of my neck were warm.  Slightly euphoric and comfortably heavy to the body.

Summary: P-91 is a San Diego strain of urban legend. Some say it was named for the Poway Class of 1991. It’s a hotly debated strain among “weedies” in San Diego.After sampling several batches, I finally found something very close to the real deal and understand why this strain is so sought after. The effects are unique; slightly less powerful than OG, but sufficiently heavy to provide serious relaxation. The head high is quite creative and excellent for watching a movie. 

Where to get a good batch: Frosty Farms (San Diego) and Farm Associated Collective (San Diego).

Name: DJ Short’s Blueberry

Dispensary: Frosty Farms (San Diego)

Grade: B+

Type: Mostly Indica (About 80% Indica, 20% Sativa, maybe 70/30)

Lineage: Unsure. I’ve heard it has Afghani in it’s genetics and read that it was Oregon Purple Thai (Low land Chocolate Thai x Oaxacan) x Juicy Fruit Thai.

Price: $18/gram, $50/8th, $100/ quarter, $185 half ounce 

Looks: Dank; dark and light green with bright orange hairs and pretty heavy trichome coverage.

Smell: Sweet and earthy. 

Taste: Very similar to the smell out of a vaporizer.  The taste is a little earthier than some batches of Blueberry I’ve had. The flavor was still sweet and pleasant. I picked up some soil in the taste and definitely traces of Afghani Indica.

Buzz: Clear headed, relaxing high. Slightly euphoric and peaceful. Not overly strong. I’ve never had a batch of Blueberry that hit really hard, it’s just not the nature of the strain.

Summary: I love Blueberry for it’s taste and effects. I like mixing it with other strains. For me, it adds a sweet flavor a clear head high to whatever I’m smoking. I wouldn’t recommend Blueberry for people looking for something to knock you out, it’s a much more functional strain that’s great for the late afternoon. This batch was grown organically by local growers.

Pure Kush. A sister to OG Kush. This is my current favorite strain. I’ve found it to be more Euphoric than OG Kush with a slightly cleaner high. Best batch of Pure Kush I’ve had? MMRC in Sherman Oaks.

Sherman Oaks, CA

December 2010

5 out of 5 stars

I asked Weed Mapper 91 Malibu ChemDawg (who’s been to 250+ dispensaries) which dispensary had the best marijuana in Southern California and he said Medical Marijuana Relief Clinic. His screen name is the name of one their signature strains. Needless to say, I had high expectations going in and I did not leave disappointed.  MMRC has some of the best marijuana I’ve ever sampled.

The staff and growers from the legendary Green Angels of Malibu now work with MMRC. Located in Sherman Oaks, about a half hour north of West Hollywood, MMRC is in a nice area, near a huge carwash and an awesome hot dog stand. The location itself looks kind of like a nice head shop.  All black on the outside with minimal signage.  The check in area was spacious and clean.  The budroom was large, clean and nice.  The budtender was extremely knowledgeable.

I told them I had heard great things and wanted to try the best they had.  The budtender showed me several very impressive strains, I’m sure I would have been happy with any of them. They have a huge variety of strains, along with many edibles, concentrates and medicated teas.  They specialize in OG related strains (OG Kush, Chem Dawg, Pure Kush) with Pure Kush being their premier Indica.  Pure Kush is a sister to OG Kush that was sold in the 90’s at crazy prices.  The growers at MMRC have some pretty impressive genetics with a wide variation of originals from 1991.  The 91 strains are the main event and they delivered.  MMRC doesn’t split eighths, only offers pre-weighed meds and their prices are high, but they have a nice variety of top shelf shake packaged at reasonable prices.  They do not offer a first time patient special.  The lack of flexibility would have been much more frustrating if they didn’t have such high quality.  Without further adieu, here are my choices:

Strains Sampled: 

1.) 91 Hollywood Pure Kush (Mostly Indica): 

5 out of 5 stars

Pure Kush is a sister phenotype of OG Kush.  Not surprisingly, it looks and smells very similar to an OG.  This batch was grown from a seed found in a batch of Hollywood Pure Kush from the 90’s.  This batch took 3 months to grow and was grown and cured to perfection.  Really impressive stuff.

Look: Dense, dank and very sticky.  Mostly light green with some dark green and orange hairs.  Sugar coated in trichomes.

Smell: Fuel, pine and a hint of citrus.  Very pungent smell reminiscent of OG. Almost overwhelmingly strong.

Taste: Very complex taste.  Out of a vaporizer, the citrus really came out with a good amount of menthol and pine.  I picked up the smell in the taste, but really was hit with a cooling citrus menthol flavor.  Tastes amazing.

Effects: Pleasantly strong.  I felt it immediately behind the eyes. Clean tingling head buzz with a wave of relaxation through the neck and shoulders.  Euphoric, uplifting and heavy.

Bottom line: One of the best batches I’ve ever had.  This stuff is no joke.  The effects are really euphoric, but very heavy and relaxing.  The taste is pronounced and delicious.  Love it.

2.) 05 West Hollywood Wicked Pure Kush (Mostly Indica):

4.9 out of 5 stars

Another stellar version of Pure Kush, this one originated from a seed found in a batch grown in West Hollywood in 2005.  

Look: Dense and sticky when broken up.  Deep forest green with light green and some dark orange hairs.  Completely covered in trichomes.

Smell: Pine, fuel and citrus.  Smells exactly like a well grown OG.  This sample smells more piney than the 91 Hollywood PK.

Taste: Toasted pine and citrus most dominant with a hint of fuel.  Strong and smooth.  So tasty. 

Effects: Strong and immediate.  Starts with a numbing kick to the back of head and shoulders.  It hits hard with very stoney head effects; I had to regroup for a minute.   The effects are similar to the 91 Hollywood PK, but stonier.  My eyes were red and droopy.  The head effects cleared up as time went on and I was left with a pleasant, long lasting head and body high.

Bottom line: Looks amazing, smells amazing, tastes amazing and feels amazing.  I prefer the effects of the Hollywood, but this is an awesome sample.  For those who prefer stonier head effects, I would strongly recommend this.

3.) 91 West Hollywood Fire OG (Mostly Indica):

4.85 out of 5 stars

I take it 1991 was a pretty good year for OG and Pure Kush in Los Angeles.  This strain is an original version of Fire OG grown from a seed.  They had a pre-weighed bag of shake, so I decided to give this a try.  I’m glad I did.

Look: Tough for me to judge the looks because I bought shake.  Deep dark green with some light green and dark orange hairs mixed in.  Plenty of trichomes. 

Smell: Piney and citrusy with a hint of fuel.  Pine is definitely the dominant scent.

Taste: Out of a vaporizer, the taste was very similar to the smell; piney with some fuel and a little citrus.  Woodier than the Pure Kush samples.  It hit smoothly and definitely expanded in the lung.  The taste lingered nicely.

Effects: Strong and relaxing.  Started with a head buzz and some numbing effects.  Nicely sedative with an active, slightly euphoric head high.  Very heavy and relaxing.  Good for the evening. 

Bottom line: This took me down in the best way possible.  I’m going to have to pick up some proper nugs on my next visit. Another truly impressive sample.

4.) Master Kush (Mostly Indica):

4.25 out of 5 stars

I love Master Kush and had to try a version from MMRC.  They had a straight Master, a Master crossed with OG and a Master crossed with Bubba.  All of them looked great.  The budtender wasn’t sure about the genetics.  He said it was either Hindu Kush crossed with Hindu Kush or Hindu crossed with Skunk.  He also thought there was some Northern Lights in the mix.  This sample doesn’t smell like traditional Master Kush (Hindu Kush crossed with Skunk #1), so he’s probably right.

Look: Dense; mostly light green with orange hairs.  Looks like it’s been dusted with trichomes.

Smell: Musty, skunky, spicy and a little cheesy.  Funky smell.

Taste: Very similar to the smell.  Difficult to pinpoint; the description that came to mind was “spicy cheesy” when vaporizing.

Effects:  Relaxing body high with numbing effects.  Primarily a body high with a clear head high.  Familiar “kush” effects.

Bottom line: I personally prefer the taste of traditional Master Kush, but this is still a nice batch.  The effects are definitely consistent with a good Kush.  

The samples I received from MMRC were spectacular.  I’m truly impressed.  If you’re anywhere near this dispensary, you must visit.  Thanks to the staff for the hospitality.  I will be returning as often as possible.

5 out of 5 stars

Pure Kush is a sister phenotype of OG Kush.  Not surprisingly, it looks and smells very similar to an OG.  This batch was grown from a seed found in a batch of Hollywood Pure Kush from the 90’s.  Really impressive stuff.

Look: Dense, dank and very sticky.  Mostly light green with some dark green and orange hairs.  Sugar coated in trichomes.

Smell: Fuel, pine and a hint of citrus.  Very pungent smell reminiscent of OG. Almost overwhelmingly strong.

Taste: Very complex taste.  Out of a vaporizer, the citrus really came out with a good amount of menthol and pine.  I picked up the smell in the taste, but really was hit with a cooling citrus menthol flavor.  Tastes amazing.

Effects: Pleasantly strong.  I felt it immediately behind the eyes.  Clean tingling head buzz with a wave of relaxation through the neck and shoulders.  Euphoric, uplifting and heavy.

Bottom line: One of the best batches I’ve ever had.  This stuff is no joke.  The effects are really euphoric, but very heavy and relaxing.  The taste is pronounced and delicious.  Love it.