As you must have assumed, I consume a wide variety of cannabis flower and products-most are not that notable and after awhile they all begin to blend together. That being said, last week I did find two strains that rose above the rest and caught my attention. Both of those two strains come from my friends at Outco, a local cultivator, manufacturer, distributor and licensed dispensary. I’ve met many of the skilled growers, which grow for Outco. In fact, I now work with many of them and they are mad geniuses at cultivating cannabis with broad terpene profiles, resulting in really delicious strains.

The first strain that I purchased from Columbia Care California, located in Pacific Beach, was Cookie Pucker. And, what drew me to Cookie Pucker was not its appearance but its big aroma (and then its flavor). Its aroma is exactly what its name says-sweet and tart-just like its parents Tangie and Girl Scout cookies. After smelling this strain, I knew that I would love its flavor. And, it was its flavor that made me want to go back for more and more. It is not often that I find strains that has such a notable terpene profile and this strain has one indeed.

It’s effects, however, threw me for a loop and weren’t what I was expecting at all. For you see although Cookie Pucker is labeled as a sativa, it does not necessarily act like what you expect a straight up sativa would act like. This strain is uplifting, like a sativa but is also relaxing at the same time, not the effects that most sativa strains provide. Cookie Pucker offers a nice balance without being too intense on either side of the spectrum. Overall, this strain provided me with a happy euphoria and made me want to reach to friends and chat. However, it also produced a cerebral calming and physically sedative effects to counterbalance its uplifting effects. So, Cookie Pucker just made me laugh at life and my perceived problems, which is exactly what I needed. I highly recommend this strain.

The second strain that I tried, also grown by Outco, was Grape Pie. Grape Pie is an indica dominant hybrid strain, which was created through crossing the delicious Grape Stomper X Cherry Pie strains. Not surprisingly, the nugs of this strain look quite similar to a bunch of grapes as the plant produces deep hues of violets amid dark green flowers and golden pistils. Its scent and taste are also similar to its name, having a sweet grape-like aftertaste on the exhale with notes of pine. And, thanks to Outco, the terpene profile of this strain makes this strain irresistable, enticing me back to consume more and more, just like Outco’s Cookie Pucker. The effects of Grape Pie, like the effects of Cookie Pucker, also surprised me because they were not typical of an indica strain-aka no couch lock! Instead, because this strain CBD levels are a bit higher than the average strain, it effects are rather mild- relaxing for the mind and body but also offers small bursts of euphoria, which can help combat anxiety or symptoms of depression. Grape Pie was exactly what I needed to help me chill out, get grounded and be open to all the new lessons and possibilities that in reality lie before me. I hope that you are finding new strains and new possibilities in your life too!