New DC cannabis storefront Monko is an awesome spot just off K street in Northwest that I was delighted to find out about recently. Their aesthetic is clean and classy and their flower is equally as exotic as their name. In fact, Monko means a person who is fascinated and in love with all things primate, and I think you will agree that their breakout signature strain “Monko-X” is like a powerful silverback gorilla when it comes to potency. These highly contrasted bright, dark green, and purple nuggets with orange laced accents are some heavy hitters and covered with a silvery layer of trichomes. I had the great pleasure of chopping it up with the staff of Monko at the recent Winter Harvest Event hosted by Toker’s Guide at Elements Lounge in DC. While there, I was able to look at this bud up close under an illuminated magnification device. The magnifier will show you any imperfections that may be present - there were none - and it was impressive to see close-up just how covered with trich's these buds actually were. As a proprietary flower its background is kept shrouded in mystery and usually its genetic information is not available to the general public. However, they were able to share with me that it's a cross of Girl Scout Cookies, Sunset Sherbet, and a third "unknown strain". They also suggested that it was an ideal choice for experienced cannabis consumers like me with mostly calming effects. To me its aroma was a cheesy and fruity funk and it was in-line with the complex fruit forward Gelato-esque flavors that have become very popular as of late. I also found it relaxing, but soon became focused under its effects knocking out mundane tasks while lost in thought. Maybe you'll find it more calming than I did, but I'd tend to keep this one in the daytime use category. To grab some of this powerful Monko X for your own stash just drop by their shop at your convenience. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: After the wonderful experience I had with the Magnolia Pharms DS11 recently I was stoked to see more of their jars at DC recreational storefront MASC. This Motordrip stuck out to me as I've been on the hunt for something super gassy to add to my stash for the upcoming snowboarding season. As soon as I cracked open the jar I knew I had chosen wisely - I was inundated with an aroma that was so gassy you might think it was grown at a truck stop. Or, even a pit stop at a Formula 1 race. After all, it is quite the fancy specimen. Appearance: Bright lime green with heavy trichomes (mostly starry) and burnt orange hairs. Structure: Fluffy, fat, and flaky. Crisp on the outer edges, but dense and sticky on the inside still. Rolls really nice and leaves a bunch of gritty kief behind. Status: Fresh, but beginning to cure. Aroma: Gassy, diesel fuel with hints of pine and skunk. Flavor: Straight gas with hints of pine, skunk, and sour fruit. The flavor is very close to the aroma on this one. Lineage: It's unclear what the exact lineage is, but my assumption is that this is Motorbreath (Chem Dawg x SFV OG) crossed with The Drip (Gushers x Blow Pops). This would clearly explain the name and to me it has the gassiness of the Motorbreath plus the structure and coloration of a great batch of Gushers. Effects: Extremely potent and cerebral at onset with heavy euphoria and spellbound disorientation afterwards. Don't be fooled by the tinge of uplifting energy at exhale - this is a stoning creeper that's phenomenal for relaxation and recuperation. Best for evening or getting rest any time you need it. Conclusion: After being on my feet almost the entire day on Thursday and chasing after a toddler on Friday, I definitely needed some R & R time today (Saturday) and this was the perfect strain to do it. Plus, I was super glad to have the gassy, fuel-filled flavor I had been seeking for a while - it was difficult not to roll up joint after joint of this just given the flavor alone. All around a fantastic toke that was perfectly timed for my weekend needs. Head to DC storefront MASC today to grab some of this Motordrip for yourself.

Initial Thoughts: With a gnarly amount of trichomes everywhere - and observable through the bag - it was obvious that this batch of Butter Runtz from DC recreational delivery crew Exotic Organics was some total fire. Popping open the bag a putrid, but somehow mouthwatering, aromatic combo of rich butter and sour pine emerged and filled the room. Appearance: Trich'd out and therefore very white against a backdrop of deep purples and light greens. Structure: fluffy and flaky, but becoming dense and sticky on the inside. Rolls well and leaves a bunch of gritty kief behind. Status: Beginning to cure. Aroma: Pine and rich, creamy butter with hints of sour fruit. Flavor: Earthy with pine notes and hints of cream. Some hits also have fruity notes. Lineage: Butter Runtz, as you may have guessed, is a cross of Runtz and Peanut Butter Breath that runs slightly indica dominant and is known for its ability to generate extraordinary buttery flavors. This batch is exemplary of the strain and represents a very complex ride for even the most seasoned connoisseur's palate. Effects: Also known for its high potency - often running around 30% - this strain's ability to generate tingly body feels and heavy relaxation is on display here. The team loved it for afternoon and evening sessions and without too much cerebral disorientation social activities remained fun. Conclusion: In my opinion, indica lovers should be flocking to this strain while available. It packs a mean punch with a complex flavor and pungent, head-turning aroma - the epitome of top-shelf designer flower. It's also got the ability to flat out stone everyone in the room and leave them with a goofy grin on their face for hours - a good feature for the holiday season, for sure. To experience this Butter Runtz for yourself just hit up the always kind and courteous Exotic Organics ASAP. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: When I first opened the cylindrical jar of this Fresh Baked Oreos from DC recreational (i-71) delivery service, Buddha Buddy, I was immediately greeted by an aroma that was literally like a bag of the actual double stuffed cookie for which it's named. In fact, it was so sugary, creamy, and cookie-like I think smoking it actually satisfied my sweet tooth. 😂 Appearance: Gorgeous buds with heavy, still starry trichomes. Aquamarine and blue-ish purple tints. Structure: Fluffy and spongy with some pliability still. Sticky and challenging to roll - best for the bong or pipe. Status: Fresh and just beginning to cure. Aroma: Sweet, sugary, and creamy with an earthy indica/kush-like essence. Flavor: Very kush-like with a creamy, nutty, yet earthy flavor. Hints of chocolate, tea, and lemon are also noticeable. Lineage: Oreoz is an indica dominant cross of Cookies N' Cream and Secret Weapon that runs roughly 70/30 on the indica/sativa ratio. Fresh Baked Oreos is a prized phenotype of Oreoz with especially pronounced cookie-like aroma and flavor. Effects: This is an indica lover's dream with a highly euphoric full body high that can leave you soaring (though on your couch) for hours. Tremendous in all indica categories of effects this will relax, sedate, disorientate, and make your eyes bleary with the best of them. Be sure to keep water and some munchies nearby and it's probably best to save this one for evening hours. Conclusion: A phenomenal batch of Fresh Baked Oreos that's great for closing out your day and sending you off to bed (or just to stream some Netflix in bed) with the glorious glow of a powerful, euphoric indica body buzz. To add some to your stash this weekend just hit up Buddha Buddy DC today or drop by their storefront, The Treehouse, in the Foggy Bottom area. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: The Gift Givers have been killing it lately and I really like their new entirely transparent bags. You can see everything - and how awesome it is - immediately. In the case of this Cold Snap, the transparency is like a window to tiny little snow capped alpine peaks.❄️ Appearance: Mostly white given the heavy trichome coverage, but there are flecks of green and purple that peek through here and there. Structure: Fluffy and spongy. Easily ground into great rolling material. Status: Fresh and just beginning to cure. Aroma: Sour and spicy with hints of mint, cream, and skunk. Flavor: Very kush-like with an exotic, sour, yet earthy flavor. Hints of mint, skunk, and cream are noticeable on the palate as well. Lineage: Cold Snap is a rare indica dominant cross of Biscotti and The Menthol that runs roughly 70/30 on the indica/sativa spectrum. It typically has THC levels in the moderate range, around 20%. Effects: A strain known for its ability to induce heavy indica euphoria, but without too much drowsiness, this batch of Cold Snap is right on point. It's a pleasant afternoon and early evening toke that brings immense relaxation in an internally uplifting fashion. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and hot cocoa to tame the inevitable, energetic munchie sessions that result. Conclusion: Perhaps the perfect strain for a chilly happy hour by the fire, this appropriately named Cold Snap is sure to impress both the connoisseur's eye and palate. To add some to your collection just hit up The Gift Givers and place your gift order today. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

I'm a huge muffin fan in general - what's better than a little fruity, crumbly cake in the morning? But, have you ever had a duffin? Yes, to take things to another level of breakfast style dessert, some forward thinking bakers decided to cross muffins with donuts making the super hybrid, duffins. With this type of "crossbreeding" going on in said bakery something tells me there's a good chance the originators of the duffin were also into cannabis. 🤔😂 Ready for another leg up in the breakfast cup of champions? The even more forward thinking creators over at DC recreational (i-71) cannabis bakery, Cannabake DC, have added cannabis infused duffins to their menu. That's right, now you can get all that epic crumbly, yet sticky and icing covered delectableness with your morning dose of ganja goodness baked right in! Note that each duffin has 100mg THC so if you're not used to that kind of potency you'll want to take it super light and slow at first. For all those with high tolerance levels, you'll still want to be careful - these are so delicious it may be hard to limit yourself. Of course, Cannabake DC can also take your special instructions and make different flavors of duffins or even account for food sensitivities. They're a truly magical kitchen that bakes all of their amazing treats in house so meeting customer's needs is not only a breeze, it's what they're setup to do. To grab some infused duffins for yourself and check out all the mouthwatering goodies their menu holds, hit up Cannabake DC today. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: I was immediately intrigued by these Takoma Wellness Center branded carts, but when I found out one of my all time favorite strains was one of the choices I became extra psyched. There's nothing quite like the tremendously citrusy, hazy, mega sativa flavor and effects that some fine Jack Herer can bring to bear. But, would having it in this cart form be anywhere near the real thing? Read on to find out... Appearance: These carts come sealed in tamper proof packaging and have Takoma Wellness branding on the side. The contents is a highly translucent gold with a slight pinkish hue. Flavor: Citrusy, lemon, piney and sweet, but not too sweet like some distillate carts can be. This is obviously re-infused with natural terpenes, not artificial flavors. Lineage: Also known as "Jack Herer, "The Jack," and "Platinum Jack", this Classic Jack is a sativa-dominant hybrid named for the famed marijuana activist of the same name. Sensi Seeds created this legendary strain by combining Haze, Northern Lights #5, and Shiva Skunk with the goal of finding the perfect combination between cerebral high and heavy resin production. Decades later Jack remains one of the foremost sativas cultivated worldwide, and for good reason. Effects: Immensely cerebral in nature with lots of spritely physical energy to boot. Creative juices flowed through me and it was very similar to my recent experience toking some Jack flower. They've dialed in the terpenes just right and I felt every bit of the 84%+ THC level too. Perhaps best of all was the surprising smoothness and tokability of each hit - a refreshing change from some of the harsher carts I've experienced recently. Conclusion: Great for kicking the day off or keeping it going, this is a fantastic, discreet sativa option to have on hand - especially with all the holiday hoopla ahead. To try out these Classic Jack carts for yourself just head to Takoma Wellness Center medical dispensary ASAP. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: At first glance the buds of this Black Cherry Truffle sample from DC recreational (i-71) delivery team, Flower Ave, were surprisingly dark purple and mysterious looking in their pack. Soon the aroma rose to my nose, one of effervescent sour cherry, making me even more curious. As they finally met the light of my photo hutch the twinkle of starry trichomes galore was the final confirmation that I needed - this was, indeed, some highly exotic designer cannabis. Appearance: Dark purple and violet with heavy trichome coverage and burnt orange hairs. Structure: The buds are beefy, rotund, and dense. The texture is crisp and brittle, but still sticky. Status: Fresh, but just starting to cure. Aroma: Strong sour cherry with cream much like cherry yogurt. Gassy and skunky notes. Hints of lime and pepper. Flavor: Fruity, sour, and gassy with hints of cream and earth. An incredibly exotic, but smooth toke. Lingering, pungent aftertaste. Lineage: Black Cherry Truffle is a high THC (typically around 30%) hybrid cross of GMO and Cherry Fritter that leans slightly indica dominant. Known for its crazy complex aromas and flavors, it can run the gamut from sour cherry pie to sweet cherry cake depending on the cut. In the sample at hand the cultivator seems to have landed on a delightful amalgamation of sour cherry fruit and cream. Effects: Powerfully stoning head high with some disorientation and sedation. Euphoria fills in strong after a few minutes and leaves a heavy, warm, and cozy body buzz for long durations. Outsized effects on the eyes with lights swirling and the need to squint more. An enchanting experience best left for the evening hours before bed. Conclusion: The team found this one absolutely delicious, but capable of inducing some mesmerizing highs that seemed to never end. If you're looking to add a powerful designer exotic bag to your coffers this weekend hit up Flower Ave and grab some of this Black Cherry Truffle. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: As soon as I cracked the seal on the pack for this Purple Smuckers sample from DC recreational (i-71) storefront, Cheeba DC, I was stoked to be overtaken by a super strong, skunky, and totally familiar fruity flavor. If I had to pick a version of jelly to best characterize it, grape is the only and obvious choice. Appearance: Purple. Duh! But, this is only because "grape" isn't really a color. There are also a bunch of white trichomes covering nearly every surface of these buds. Structure: The buds are on the smaller side, but pack a mean punch. They're fairly dense, crisp, and brittle making them especially easy to break up and roll. Status: Fresh, but beginning to cure. Aroma: Strong grape aroma with a skunky, gassy essence. Hints of sugar and cream. Flavor: A great skunky, fruity combo. Hints of bread and cream hit the palate too. Lineage: It's likely that "Purple Smuckers" is actually Purple Smackerz, or a cross of Gorilla Glue #4 and Rozay selected and backcrossed for purple coloration. Known for it's fruity, candy-like flavor and high terpene levels, this sounds spot on for the batch at hand given our online research. Effects: Balanced to slightly indica-dominant in effects, Purple Smuckers has a profoundly intense euphoric high that is all encompassing and of a calming, but not too sedative nature. I would personally save it for evening use, but I could also see it as a great sports viewing strain for a weekend afternoon. Hell, bring it to brunch and, just like it's near namesake, you can spread it around. 😂🤦‍♂️ Conclusion: Purple Smuckers is ready to take you on a terpene rich, grape-forward joyride suitable for the most discerning cannabis connoisseur's palate. To grab some for your own collection just head to Cheeba DC today. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: My friends in the cannabis industry from other metropolitan areas are always a little surprised when I talk about the popularity of sativas in Washington DC. What can I say, the DMV is go-go-go sometimes (more like all the time) and there's nothing like a phenomenal sativa to help you keep up while maintaining a smile on your face. So allow me to submit for your critique a sativa of impeccable quality that checks nearly all the boxes for me, this Blucifer from DC recreational (i-71) storefront, Monko. Appearance: Bright green and fresh looking buds ripe with trichomes and seemingly oozing with potency. Structure: Chunky and coniferous, especially for a sativa-dominant strain. Frosty white trichomes throughout. Status: Fresh, but beginning to cure. Aroma: Very aromatic with a nose full of berries and pine sol. Hints of anise. Flavor: Full of sour and tart fruit with pine essence. There are hints of citrus as well. Hit this one in your flower vape to get the most of its delicious flavor. Lineage: Blucifer is a sativa dominant cross of Conspiracy Kush and Blueberry Dream that runs something like 70/30. Both inputs are known for their astoundingly delicious flavors and this offspring has received the best of these characteristics for sure. Effects: Super uplifting with an immediate heady high at onset, the sativa nature of this hybrid is obvious. Expect an energetic mind and body with motivation to undertake tasks and a predilection for creative endeavors. My body also felt amazing with a cozy glow that was palpable in everything I did. Definitely keep this batch firmly in the daytime use category, though. Conclusion: I enjoyed this Blucifer immensely and rolling it up today is helping me knock out myriad tasks from my todo list with a giddy grin and cheery disposition. If you're looking for a delectably fruity, haze-infused sativa experience to get your weekend moving, just head to Monko today and grab some for your own stash. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: This Purple Cream from DC recreational (i-71) storefront Top Level DC is some pure eye candy to gaze upon. Yet, once some of its sugary sweet and cake-like aroma wafts your way, you'll know it's just as much candy to the palate as it is to the eyes. 🍭 Appearance: These buds are highly purple with avalanches of massive trichomes everywhere, many still very starry and glimmering in the lights. Flecks of lime green do exist in some areas. A gorgeous specimen all around! Structure: Robust and coniferous with some pliability. Light and more sponge-like than you might think. Sticky. Status: Fresh, but beginning to cure. Aroma: Sugary sweet and cake-like, but cake with an extravagant amount of icing. Sweet cream and honey too. Flavor: Sweet and creamy with some earthiness and coffee grounds in the aftertaste. Very complex and exotic. Lineage: Purple Cream is an indica leaning hybrid cross of Blackwater OG and Green Crack that runs something like 60/40, though some cuts have been known to be more balanced. Effects: We found this batch to be mellow and highly calming with a strong body buzz and little to no couch lock. The onset is enchanting and disorienting while seeming to rest mostly in your head at first. Quickly the buzz migrates toward the rest of your body and makes all your extremities feel lighter, but without the motivation to use them. Conclusion: Overall this is a stoney treat that packs world class flavor and mind blowing potency. Truly worthy of the term top-shelf, Purple Cream can find its way into your stash by visiting Top Level DC ASAP. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Initial Thoughts: Get a whiff of these Blue Cookies currently available from DC recreational storefront Elevated Lounge. The mega pungent savory and gassy aroma will nearly overtake your olfactory senses while making your mouth water. Also note the still starry trichomes indicating that these buds are still fresh and ready to bring the stoney cerebral high they're known for. Appearance: Bright green, fiery red hairs, and flecks of aquamarine that appear almost navy blue under the right lighting. White trichomes on the outside turning to starry on the internals. Structure: The buds are spear-shaped and incredibly dense. They break up in a flakey way and leave a healthy layer of kief behind. Status: On the fresh side, but beginning to cure. Aroma: Intensely strong, savory, gassy and with sour notes. Flavor: Savory, sour, and peppery with a long lasting aftertaste. Exquisitely exotic when rolled thick in a hemp wrap. Lineage: Blue Cookies is an indica-heavy hybrid cross of Durban Poison and Florida OG. It's known for its cerebral high and extremely high THC content, typically running near 30%. Effects: Intensely cerebral effects with a body buzz that comes in waves, this batch takes the best of both worlds - sativa and indica - and skews the overal energy levels toward chill, relaxing vibes. Melting into your couch with a mind racing about how many different types of Lays potato chip flavors there are nowadays would be an expected activity type for several hours following a few strong pulls off the joint. Conclusion: Great for hibernating and watching some classic holiday flicks or binging Netflix without a care in the world, consider this batch of Blue Cookies as your next indica selection. For these and all your holiday cannabis gifting needs, just head to Elevated Lounge ASAP. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!