Today I had the grand pleasure of puffing and reviewing this outstanding MAC 1 specimen from famed DC recreational (i-71) delivery service, Buddha Buddy. Mac 1 is a cultivator's cultivar with some of the most beautiful and photogenic flowering plants that have ever been captured on camera. The original creator of Mac 1 is a breeder known as “Capulator” and if you have one of “Cap’s Cuts” in your "stable" as a grower, then you're holding onto something really special and highly sought after. This is for many reasons, but especially due to their almost entirely white and frosty outer layer of thick and milky trichomes. This strain boasts extremely high numbers on the THC scale with upper 20’s being a commonly seen percentage. What lies beneath the encrusted layer of sugary goodness is a light and bright green nugget that grinds into perfection. One minute they were frosty buds and the next they were a ground gorgeous blend of white and light green with a funky, creamy, almost vanilla aroma. There were hints of a sweet nut, like cashew or macadamia as well. Honestly, the smell was so enticing I wanted to bury my whole face in it. By taking a rare landrace sativa, Colombian, crossing it with Starfighter, and then crossing the result with Alien Cookies (Alien Dawg X GSC), you get the now notorious MAC strain. Then, by selecting for ideal traits and backcrossing you get the MAC 1 pheno seen here with this spectacular batch. I found this strain to demonstrate the expected, highly balanced properties for me. Initially, I would describe my experience as one that was immensely euphoric. Just a few tokes brought me to the happiest mental state I had experienced in a long time. I was in eternal bliss and my day had only just begun. I took puffs of "the MAC" throughout the day and even found myself at the new skatepark dialing in my lines around the bowl section. Skateboarding is one of my favorite past times and there’s nothing like a few tokes of the good Lord’s green to light up a session. This particular herb had me focused and centered to the point where I got into the groove and was getting grinds where I hadn’t before. I can recommend this batch for both high focus tasks as well as just kicking back and relaxing on your patio. It was definitely anxiety reducing, but at the same time I think it could liven up a party and, potentially, position you as the player to be remembered. Then, every time you come back to the party people can say, "Hey, it's the return of the MAC!" 😂🤦‍♂️ To get your MAC (1) on just hit up Buddha Buddy today and tell them Ben at Toker's Guide sent you!

If you're into finding and experiencing the latest creations from the land of exotic designer cannabis like me then allow me to submit for your consideration this Cotton Candy Haupia from DC recreational delivery service Exotic Organics. Named for the delectable coconut-based Hawaiian dessert often used atop wedding cakes, the Haupia strain is absolutely scrumptious itself. But, when you add this especially sugary cotton candy aspect to it, well, just call me a kid in a candy shop. 🍭 🤗 While the original Shopping Carts 415's Haupia strain is a cross of two of my favorite strains Lemon Cherry Gelato X Gelato 41, Cotton Candy Haupia is a collaboration between them and renowned designer cannabis cultivators, Mount Burnin Farms, that has some mystery to it's specific genetics. My guess is that they either had some Cotton Candy Kush on hand or they used an especially sugary sweet pheno of their Silky Gelato to make this one so mouthwateringly delicious. Still supple and with a staggering amount of white trichomes blanketing it's purple and light green buds, this batch was grown to perfection. You can toke on her however you please, but my preference is to pull fat bong rips, the effect of which is to completely wrap your head in a buzz while inundating your every orifice with a comically sweet smoke. The inhale is like you just ate 10 packs of smarties while the exhale makes you wonder how something so smooth and lollipop-like could make you choke up so much. In fact, the first time I hit it I was left discombobulated, tear in my eye, but still wanted to fist pump the air to celebrate it's awesomeness. A balanced high that is potent enough to make anyone awkwardly (but enjoyably) stoned with just their usual dose, connoisseurs looking to add this one to the tip top of their collection should hit up Exotic Organics ASAP. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

“Behind every good man there is a woman, and that woman was Martha Washington, man, and everyday George would come home, she would have a big fat bowl waiting for him, man, when he came in the door…she was a hip, hip, hip lady, man.” -Slater, Dazed and Confused (1993) If you need a hip, hip lady, then look no further than First Lady, a heavy indica now on the menu at Cannabear, a DC Cannabis Delivery service bringing Initiative 71 compliant gifts right to your front doorstop. But with a long line of illustrious first ladies from Martha Washington to Dr. Jill Biden calling The District home, is there really room for one more? For a first lady this dank, the answer is a resounding “YES.” First Lady is descended from the legendary Afghan Kush, and lives up to its predecessor’s reputation with aplomb. She has a powerful, intoxicating smell, that can only be described as “classic kush.” Some strains smell like fruit, or pine, or cloves. First Lady smells like WEED. She has that distinctive skunky, gassy, dank sweetness that can be mistaken for nothing other than some high-grade potent cannabis flowers. After grinding, some more subtle elements came to the foreground and I detected a bit of berry and other fruity notes too. Under the lamp, this flower stuns. The THC crystals coating the flower are dense, thick, and milky white. I practically jumped in the air and clicked my heels together as I got a good look at this flower and realized what a treat I was in for. I rolled up a joint and took a deep taste. First Lady shines in smell and appearance, but the palate is sour and gassy - not necessarily my favorite, but I can get how some people love it. Regardless, that’s alright, because I’m smoking weed, not eating candy, and while the flavor isn’t this strain’s high point for me, it isn’t a deal breaker either. Anyone who has smoked Afghan Kush or another nearly 100% indica strain will know what to expect from this high. Couch lock, munchies, euphoria, and deep relaxation. Save First Lady for bedtime or a lazy Sunday, as you will not be interested in doing anything productive. Pair this strain with a nice cup of tea and some favorite movies, and you’ll be all set. To meet The First Lady herself, just hit up Cannabear and place your delivery order today. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

When you find the lineage of Hindu Kush in some online publications it's sort of funny because it's the only thing listed in its family tree. That is, of course, because it's a landrace 100% indica varietal that was originally bred in the Hindu Kush mountain region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. A monument to the selective breeding of cannabis and the medicinal qualities possible from it, this strain has been cultivated to perfection over the last couple thousand years. Incidentally, it's also being cultivated to perfection right here in DC by the now legendary Alternative Solutions (aka Alt Sol). The aroma is a sweet sandalwood with hints of citrus fruit and other exotic floral notes that are hard to place, but induce salivation nonetheless. In scent and flavor it brings to mind dining in an open air market in some mystic mountain village with incense wafting through the air. There are so many nuances and notes blending in a complex array that it almost clouds the mind in a welcomed, but somewhat disorienting whirlwind. This undoubtedly enables it to be more impactful for the spiritual activities it's known to be used for in its native region and beyond. For me, it's one of the most healing ones that I've come across and it's easy to see why it carries such fame along with it. In college I would seek it from a friend who grew it religiously just so I had "The Hindu" on hand for hard hitting hangovers. It had an uncanny knack for knocking any nausea and headaches out in minutes. Nowadays, I rarely drink to the point of a hangover, but I noticed the same euphoric healing qualities and palpable full-body buzz soon after exhale. There's also some drowsiness in the cards, but then rest is another needed part of any healing regimen, right? 😉 If you haven't had the chance to try Hindu Kush before, there's probably never been a better time given that this batch is brought to market by top DC craft cultivator, Alternative Solutions. They do incredible work and this is one of the best "HK" specimens I've ever seen (don't be jealous "Friend from College", k?). If you head to DC medical marijuana dispensary Takoma Wellness Center ASAP you can grab some for your own stash this weekend. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Start spreading the news: Elevated Lounge, a recreational shop near Georgetown, has brought the Big Apple to DC. Big Apple is a sativa dominant hybrid, bred from NYC Diesel and Peanut Butter Breath, that will leave your little town blues melting away. Although the strain is called “Big Apple,” that name is likely derived from its NYC Diesel heritage more so than its scent or flavor. I was expecting something fruity, but instead found a tantalizingly spicy aroma, likes cloves, with some rich pine notes. After grinding, I noticed a bit of gassiness as well, promising a strong high. This bud looks as tasty as it smells. Light greens the color of a granny smith apple and a smattering of fiery orange hairs give these nugs the appearance of an October forest nearing peak foliage, with a dusting of white trichomes evoking the season’s first frost. The occasional stray fleck of purple adds a layer of depth to the tapestry. I loved the flavor of my Big Apple joint - more of that same clove-like spice, with a hint of pepperiness. The taste almost reminded me of a dry mulled cider, with just a faint dash of sweetness. As I sat with my joint on a park bench in the early autumn sunshine thinking about apples and cloves, my mouth began to water as my mind turned to lunch. I decided to satiate the munchies with a New York classic, my favorite sandwich: a pastrami reuben on rye with a cream soda. Heading to the deli, I noticed that Big Apple’s high definitely leans sativa. My body felt light and energized, with a new spring in my step. A euphoric, silly, giddiness took over my thoughts as I happily made my way towards lunch. I felt like Shaggy or Scooby and I practically floated through the air drawn to the scent of my overstuffed deli delight. I could talk about sandwiches for as long as I could talk about weed, but this is Toker’s Guide, not Muncher’s Guide. For your own sample of Big Apple, hit up Elevated Lounge in Glover Park at 2428 Wisconsin Ave NW. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

When I review cannabis, I tend to do so early in the morning, so that I will have a fresh palate. I want to taste only the cannabis I’m sampling for the review, and experience a high unaffected by the lingering flavors and feelings of other varieties I might have already tried that day. I usually get up, wash my face, and rinse my mouth out with water (but no brushing my teeth- I want to taste the weed, not minty toothpaste), and have a big whiff of some coffee beans to cleanse my nasal palate. With Kali Kraves’ Platinum Cookies, the early morning wake-and-bake may not have been the wisest decision, but it isn’t one I regretted as I settled in to enjoy the thick, relaxing, smiley stone of this powerful indica strain. I should have known what I was getting myself into right away. After just a single puff, I was immediately struck by Platinum Cookies’ strong flavor and immediate onset. The terpenes in this flower shine, lending the bud a deliciously powerful smell and taste. Other reviewers have picked up notes of pine and fuel, thanks to the presence of the terpenes caryophyllene and myrcene. Some have also detected fruity notes in this strain, but I found this crop to have a more spiced, peppery fragrance. These cookies taste as good as they smell. I sometimes have trouble detecting cannabis flavors on the tongue, but Kali Krave’s growers have produced a bud that offers a savory-sweet richness that is impossible to miss. It isn’t just the terpenes that shine here. The buds themselves shine just as brightly. Holding the perfectly manicured nugs up to the lamp reveals a thick coating of glistening silver trichomes. “Platinum” cookies, indeed. After just two or three hits of my Platinum Cookies joint, I did something I don’t do very often: I put it down in the ashtray to come back to later. I am an experienced cannabis user, with a formidable tolerance built up by years of daily smoking. Nevertheless, Platinum Cookies provided me with a “hit it and quit it” experience. It did not take very much at all to leave me in a serene, smiling puddle with a grin from ear to ear as I listened to a hot set of Billy Strings bluegrass. As much as I enjoyed my three tokes of Platinum Cookies, I’ll be setting this one aside until bedtime, when I can let myself be carried off to outer space, and from there onward to dreamland. 🪐💤 To get your hands on these Platinum Cookies, and the rest of their diverse array of awesome gifts, just hit up Kali Kraves today. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

The first thing I noticed about this batch of Super Lemon Cherry from DC recreational (i-71) storefront MASC was how downright pretty it was. Truly another batch of fire from The Wizard of Za, these deep green buds are blanketed in a thick layer of frost as inviting as the season’s first snow day. A light wisp of orange hairs nestled throughout the flower pairs with the odd streak of purple, lending a lovely coloration, reminiscent of a bowl of fresh fruit. Grinding this weed up and smoking it almost felt wrong, like cutting into a beautifully sculpted wedding cake. The fresh-fruit appearance has a scent to match, with strong citrus notes that meld with other, less easily defined fruit smells. Super Lemon Cherry smells like fruit in the way a stick of Juicy Fruit or a bowl of Froot Loops smells like fruit: the natural flavors and terpenes are amped up to an intoxicating sweetness that will have you coming back for more. The fruit smells are underscored by a skunky dankess that promises a heady experience. SLC is smooth on the inhale, with no harshness or bite. The flavor is less powerful than the scent would have you believe. It is understated and mild, but tasty. My girlfriend took a thoughtful toke, paused for a moment, and then described the flavor as “bright and mellow.” She and I shared our joint of Super Lemon Cherry on a Saturday morning ahead of a busy day, and this proved to be a great move. Paired with a nice cup of coffee, SLC provided a balanced, therapeutic head high, with a lightly energizing body buzz. We found no couch-lock as we headed out for the day’s tasks, enjoying a stress-free, easy-going sense of euphoria. Although it was primarily a head high, I didn’t feel any “fogginess.” I felt sharp and clear headed, and more than a little giggly as I bounced from errand to errand. I did, however, experience powerful munchies. Super Lemon Cherry is a great choice for a Saturday morning and you can pick some up ASAP at one of my favorite storefronts, the Metropolitan Art and Sculpture Collaboration (MASC). Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Presumably designed to take after the couch from the movie Half Baked, check out the pack art on this designer sample from DC recreational storefront Cheeba DC. The rare and exotic contents within is called Half Baked Cherries and it's got a loud citrusy aroma that, when you break it up, becomes deliciously tart and much like black cherries.🍒 In flavor, there are bready, skunky notes mixed with the tart citrusy aspects. To get the purest sense for your palate definitely check this one out in your flower vape. If I had to guess from flavor alone, and I don't have much else to go on given the mystery and tightly held genetics of this batch, this seems to have some Tropicanna or Tangie in its lineage. Other guesses as to the inputs would be Cherry Pie or Cherry Fritter and Zkittlez. Aside from the stupendous aroma and flavor, the effects of this highly potent specimen are not to be overlooked. I'd say it's likely an indica-heavy hybrid that runs around 70/30. There are slightly energetic cerebral aspects at first, but it quickly dissolves into a stoney, disoriented full-body buzz with a heightened desire for relaxation. Of course, this makes perfect sense when you factor in that it came in a bag shaped like a couch - and not just any couch, but one where the Dude On The Couch spent several months (or was it a year?). I think it's safe to say couch lock is an implied risk here. Luckily you don't need Mr. Nice Guy's delivery service, or to knock off a secret government cannabis lab for that matter, to get your hands on these super exotic and irrefutably potent Half Baked Cherries. Instead, just head to Cheeba DC ASAP and pick up a "sofa pack" for yourself. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

A hybrid cross of now famous Blueberry and 1989 Cannabis Cup winner, Big Bud, this batch of Sugar Mama from DC recreational delivery service Athena's Gifts is one I was delighted to try recently. Regularly testing in the 20% range, its broad spectrum of minor cannabinoids provide a unique, mellow buzz and exotically sweet aroma. It's sugary sweet in flavor too, as you might expect, and there are hints of cinnamon and coriander as well with an earthy finish. To me the indica presence shines through despite the reported balanced, 50/50 effects elsewhere online. But, that's totally all good by me - I was in the mood for something a bit more on the relaxing, sedative side for this upcoming weekend. The finished grind of this flower was green and smooth-textured with delicious, frosty trichomes covering everything. Moments later I had a nice Bob of a joint ready to spark and I remarked at both how easy it was to work with and how sweet and sugary the aroma from the finished product was. After sparking it up and taking a strong nasal inhalation I was immediately taken back to some of the early days of my cannabis experiences. Perhaps this was my mind attempting to connect past Big Bud and/or Blueberry encounters from my memory vault? In any case, I really liked this flower's energy and the nature of its classic stoney buzz was nostalgic for me. So hit up Athena's Gifts asap to get your hands on some of this Sugar Mama for yourself and prepare to have a mega relaxing weekend. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Faced with the need to be discreet recently I was relieved to have these "Boarding Passes" on hand for a weekend trip to see family. Of course, by Boarding Passes I mean these Live Hash Rosin disposable carts from Plantgenix. I don't condone flying with them - you'll need other types of boarding passes for that. From a figurative sense, though, they won't just help you fly the friendly skies, they'll help you soar them! ✈️ For my own medicating needs I generally prefer flower, but on the occasion that I'm traveling or in unappreciative company pungent flower may not be an option. Sure, simple distillate carts can help, but it takes something a little extra to really do the trick. Enter Live Hash Rosin carts... Yes, with these three sleek, modern, and ergonomic carts full of phenomenal live hash rosin, I was able to stay out of pain, on cloud 9, and relatively free from that ever so identifying aroma for nearly my whole trip. Note I say "relatively" because with the potency and pungency involved these carts can still be quite odiferous, it's just very short-lived and much easier to conceal. Imagine strolling a crowded city block, taking a few puffs as you go, and feeling like you just took a joint to the dome. Yet, the only giveaway was a slight waft of skunk that no one could figure out the origin of. What makes live hash rosin so great? Beginning with nothing less than exceptionally high quality flower, processors making live hash rosin must first focus on preserving the original cannabinoid and terpene profiles of the buds' trichome heads. To do this fresh flower is frozen immediately after harvest in a process called Whole Plant Fresh Frozen (WPFF). This is where the "live" in live hash rosin comes from - the flower is suspended in a "live" state keeping it as fresh as the day it was harvested. When it goes on to be processed, the buds are washed in filter bags that are designed to separate the trichome heads using various sized screens to further control quality. Ultimately, this is what creates a finished concentrate of the highest purity and richest flavor, and this is what goes into these live hash rosin carts. The three strains that I was able to try are Wonka Bars (sativa-leaning), The Zoap (indica-leaning), and Jungle Cake (balanced hybrid). Out of these the Wonka Bars was my slight favorite, but with so much awesome entourage effect possible from each one and such deliciously distinct flavors, it was challenging to choose just one. Here's some more info on what I tried: Wonka Bars - A sativa-dominant hybrid cross of the potent GMO and Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies originally bred by Exotic Genetics. Hints of chocolate, mint, and hazelnut are absolutely present on each exhale of this cart. The sativa head rush is palpable and newbies should be mindful that this one can get pretty intense. I found it energizing and great for my daytime needs. Jungle Cake - This balanced hybrid cross of White Fire #43 and Wedding Cake has long lasting and highly potent effects. They've captured that and the sweet, gassy, and skunky notes this strain is famous for. I loved being able to switch over to this cart whenever I wanted a different flavor or to add a little more oomph to my high. However, at the end of my trip this one became my go to with it's healing euphoric vibes sans drowsiness. The Zoap - An indica dominant cross of Rainbow Sherbet and Pink Guava originally bred by DEO farms, this one has a terpene profile full of pine and eucalyptus with hints of kush. At the end of the day this was the cart I could chill out and flush all the angst away with. Perfect for reading a book and then zonking out in bend for a good night's rest, I think it even gave me lucid dreams at one point. Creatively packaged inside the boarding passes, definitely keep an eye out for these and other awesome live hash rosin gifts from the consummate concentrate pros at Plantgenix. In fact, I hear that DC recreational storefront Elevated Lounge may even be "taking flight" with them soon! 🛩

Blueberry Cheesecake, as the name implies, is a sativa-leaning (70/30) cross of the legendary Blueberry strain and Big Buddha Cheese. I thought the second strain's name was interestingly appropriate given that this phenomenal and fresh sample comes to us from DC recreational delivery service, Buddha Buddy. With the likes of Purple Thai, Super Skunk and Afghani in the family tree, you might expect it to be outstanding from the outset. But, just referencing the pedigree doesn't do this gorgeous batch justice. It's fresh, it's trich'd out, and it's just so tantalizing in the way that it presents itself. You really have to experience the delectability of this flower first hand to appreciate how exotic the distinct cheesy blueberry aroma and flavor are. When I broke the large arrowhead shaped buds up to begin my joint rolling process, I was hit with bursts of the aforementioned aroma. After grinding there was a diverse assortment of blues, purples, and shades of green, all so sugarcoated looking there might as well have been an exotic candy or dessert plated in front of me. I puffed the joint trying not to oversaturate it given how mouthwatering it was and I immensely enjoyed the ripping, highly energetic buzz that followed. It came on quick, lasted for hours, and I was engaged and creative while basically spending the whole time training my new puppy. I think we all know how painstaking that can be, but on this occasion I had more than enough mental and physical stimulation on board that it seemed like a...piece of cake. 🍰 😂 To grab some of this spectacular Blueberry Cheesecake just hit up Buddha Buddy DC ASAP. Don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!

Maui Wowie: one of the most famous strains in cannabis history. This powerful sativa has been a household name among stoners since the 1960s when it was first cultivated in Hawaii’s rich volcanic soils. It isn’t hard to see why the strain has been beloved by generations of smokers, from Cheech & Chong to Kid Cudi. The sample I reviewed from DC recreational delivery service, The Pre Roll Guys, lives up to the hype, transporting me from my bedroom to the beach with just a few tokes. Although Maui Wowie is a classic strain, there’s nothing old school about the potency and pungency of this modern crop. The flowers I sampled smelled like a tropical forest in bloom: citrus, earth, and pine. The scent was distinct, and lovely, but not overpowering. The citrus notes were especially evident on the inhale, with a mild sour flavor that I very much enjoyed on the exhale as well. I would compare it to a sour beer, like a nice Belgian lambic or a German gose. While Maui Wowie is a sativa dominant hybrid, I ended up experiencing a balanced high and not the stereotypical sativa energy. The head high was thoughtful and contemplative, matched with a relaxing body high. I spent much of the morning, after smoking a joint in bed, petting my cat and looking out the window while listening to some early 70s Grateful Dead (classic music for a classic strain). Maui Wowie is perfectly suited to its Hawaiian birthplace and, for me, it's citrusy, calming, tropical vibes can turn any location beachy - even if only for a few moments. To grab some for yourself just hit up The Pre Roll Guys today and don't forget to tell them Toker's Guide sent you!