All across the country, millions of people are waking up to the incredible relief provided by medical marijuana. Having a medical marijuana card gives patients access to the many documented health benefits of cannabis, which can have a marked effect on the quality of life for patients who suffer from dozens of common health issues. Even in states like Illinois, where recreational cannabis is legal and dispensaries are widespread, there are major benefits for patients who get a medical card.
Read on to find our step-by-step guide on how to get a medical card in Illinois. Plus, we’ll take a look at the perks Illinois residents can look forward to after signing up.
In the past, signing up for a medical marijuana card came with a frustrating amount of bureaucracy from doctors, insurance agencies, and the government. Thanks to Leafwell, those days are over. They simplify the process, slashing through red tape and getting patients the relief they need without all the fuss. They’ve helped over 300,000 patients link up with reliable healthcare providers from the comfort of their homes, and that number grows every day.
Leafwell is offering Leafly readers who live in Illinois a special discount when they sign up for their medical marijuana card. Just use code LEAFLY20 at checkout, and you’ll receive a 20% discount, their way of saying thanks to you all in The Prairie State. Leafwell also offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t approved. With Leafwell’s famously low prices plus this discount and guarantee, there’s no excuse not to click the link below and get started today.
The benefits of a medical card in Illinois
In Illinois and other states where cannabis is legal for recreational use, many cannabis consumers don’t look into what a medical card can do for them. That means that vast numbers of people who would qualify for a medical marijuana card, with all the perks that entails, are spending more for their cannabis than they need to be. In fact, for regular cannabis consumers, adding a medical card to your wallet is one of the best ways to hold on to more of your hard-earned money every month.
Significant sales tax savings
Recreational consumers will pay up to 30% sales tax on cannabis in Illinois. That’s among the highest percentages in the nation, meaning that Illinois residents are paying top dollar for their cannabis. For medical card holders, however, the amount of sales tax paid comes down to a mere 1%. For orders both big and small, that means real, appreciable savings that will immediately impact your bottom line.
Higher possession limits
Medical card holders in Illinois are also able to purchase significantly more cannabis at one time than recreational consumers. Those without a medical marijuana card are only able to possess a single ounce of cannabis products, but medical card holders can purchase 2.5 ozs of cannabis products per 14-day period. That’s an awful lot of cannabis—enough to ensure that even those who need the strongest of relief will be well stocked.
Grow your own cannabis
Illinois residents with a medical card have access to one additional benefit that sets them apart. While it is currently illegal to grow cannabis for recreational use in Illinois, medical card holders can grow up to five plants with the full support of the law. If you’ve got the space, the seeds, and the inclination, growing your own cannabis is by far the most economical (and rewarding!) way to acquire cannabis. All you need is a little sunshine, a green thumb, and a medical card to start saving money hand over fist.
Sounds pretty good, right? Luckily, Leafwell has a lightning-fast process that will get you set up with an appointment in just minutes. If you’re ready to get started right away, click the link below, or keep reading for our step-by-step guide.
Courtesy of Leafwell
Step 1: Gather documents and register online
Documents you’ll need
Once you’re ready to sign up for your medical marijuana card, you’ll want to ensure that you have the documents you need to keep the process moving smoothly. If that sounds a bit too much like a visit to the DMV, don’t worry. Leafwell handles the majority of the paperwork so that you can relax. All you need in the great state of Illinois is a state-issued ID, proof of residence, and a 2” x 2” color photo, like the type you’d find in a passport. Once you have this handful of documentation, then you’ll be ready to go.
Caveat for Commerical Drivers
The Illinois state government places few restrictions on who is eligible for medical cannabis, but there is one notable exception that bears mentioning here. If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you are not eligible to receive medical cannabis benefits. This is due to the asymmetry between state and federal law regarding cannabis; since CDLs are issued by the federal Department of Transportation rather than a state government, CDL holders are subject to federal regulations instead.
Schedule your online appointment
After you’ve gathered the necessary documents, you can head to Leafwell’s website and schedule your telehealth appointment with a trained healthcare provider. Leafwell has relentlessly engineered their process to be as patient-friendly as possible, ensuring that you’ll have a scheduled appointment in just a few minutes with no hitches or bumps along the way.
Courtesy of Leafwell
Step 2: Attend a telehealth appointment
Most of the time, dealing with the healthcare system in any capacity means dealing with a byzantine labyrinth of regulations and provisions. Leafwell’s streamlined telehealth process takes a different approach; one that values your time and treats you like a human being. Leafwell’s expert team of healthcare providers are some of the best in the business, and you can consult with them from the comfort of your couch. For prospective medical cannabis patients who struggle with issues of mobility or pain, Leafwell’s focus on telehealth can be a godsend.
Meet with a healthcare provider online
During your appointment, a friendly, knowledgeable healthcare provider will review your medical documents, discuss the potential benefits of medical cannabis, and consult with you on how to best use cannabis products. This process is a breeze, and you’ll find that the personable provider on the other side of your call will make a real effort to understand your specific needs and help you discover new ways of incorporating cannabis into your day-to-day to improve your quality of life. If everything checks out, you’ll be approved and your medical marijuana card will nearly be in your hands.
Leafwell recommends waiting a day or two before moving on to the next step of the process. This gives your Leafwell healthcare provider time to submit your information to the Illinois state government. After those two days have passed, feel free to move on to step three.
Step 3: Complete your application with ICTS
Courtesy of Leafwell
Within ninety days of your Leafwell approval, you’ll need to register on the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System (ICTS). The ICTS is the governing body that oversees all medical cannabis applications in Illinois, a last bureaucratic hurdle that must be cleared. Leafwell will send along instructions for completing this application after your successful telehealth appointment, so don’t stress out about it; all you need to do is fill out a few forms and pay a nominal fee. This is a direct payment to the state government, not to Leafwell.
Courtesy of Leafwell
Receive your digital medical marijuana card
After another waiting period of one or two business days, you’ll receive a provisional letter, posted to your ICTS account. Congratulations! This is the last step—once you’ve been approved you can walk into any licensed medical marijuana dispensary and enjoy all the benefits of a full medical marijuana card. You won’t receive a physical card anymore—a sign of our times—but an official digital marijuana card will arrive in your inbox sometime within the next ninety days. This is merely a formality, however. The second you have your provisional license, you’ll receive all the benefits of a full, official card.
Leafwell is an essential partner for anyone looking for the incredible benefits that only medical cannabis can provide. Their customer-focused process has helped over 300,000 people achieve relief nationwide, and they aren’t slowing down.
Head to Leafwell’s website to sign up for an appointment with a kind and qualified provider, read the latest research on medical cannabis, check out Leafwell’s blog, or get help from their helpful support team. There’s no reason to wait; use code LEAFLY20 at checkout to save on your medical cannabis card today.
It’s a pretty epic time to be into hash—the concentrated form of cannabis.
With 24 legalization states and climbing, hash diversity has bloomed, and so have the different price points. The top-shelf, California State Fair gold medal-winning stuff can cost more than $100 a gram after taxes. On the low end, $7 wax grams keep the working man elevated.
Thanks to the golden age of strains, hash can taste like papaya, honey, and even hamburger. Hash-infused joints are surging in popularity, and solvent-free live rosin is sweeping the country.
After you take a spin, here’s some hashes we’d love to taste.
California
In hash news around California, a 710 Hash Tour pops up around the state, while an SF Hash Week drenches San Francisco in terps. Airo vapes re-launches in California with four tiers including a solventless line. Ember Valley and Raw Garden both re-launch live rosin lines. Here’s some picks.
HolyWater live rosin split jars Trop Cherries / Habibi
Emerald Cup-winning outfit HolyWater brings out one jar with two separate dabs in it—so-called split jars of live rosin. Try the Trop Cherries, and then the Habbibi strain—and then both together for a terpy journey. See also: HolyWater hash holes.
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Nasha Hash
(Courtesy Nasha)
One of the state’s traditional makers of pressed and unpressed hash—Nasha—also swims in the solventless and vape pen wave. Look out for the Dark Rainbow cold cure live rosin at SF Hash Week. And then their new rosin all-in-ones from CCELL hit mid-July.
Alien Labs Planet Red Rosin; Connected premium live resin in CA, AZ and FL.
Michigan
The trend of the year is all-in-one (aka disposable) vapes that work with solventless extract (aka rosin). Check out Muha Meds 1-gram all-in-one Hash Rosin concentrates in Garlic Jelly, Donnie Burger, Tropicana Cherry, Galactic Gas, Apple Banana, Mimosa and Fatso.
See also: Errl King Mother’s Milk cured resin baller bucket; Breeze live resin Trop Cherry cart; Levitate Bacio Belts live hash rosin baller jar
Illinois
Illinois has gotten rapidly up the learning curve of good hash—from the era where you couldn’t get it at all, to solid hype solventless hash.
We’d check out: Revolution Danny Boy live rosin jam; Floracal Kush Mints live rosin badder; Rythm Slapz live rosin; and Cheetah Donny Burger disposable pen
The coolest device of 710
Puffco Proxy w/ Ripple Glass
In 2024, our electronic hash heaters are chic and modular. They swap into a dry pipe, a bubbler, or a traffic cone—if you’re a sophisticate. Grab the Puffco Proxy, plus a glass piece to go with it and a Hot Knife to show up respectably at any sesh.
Washington
Washington’s a mature cannabis market where you can see the whole range of legalization prices.
You can get Redneck Runtz wax for just $7 per gram from the brand Snickle Fritz. On the other side is a $75/gram Hash Burger from Fugu Farms. In the middle, Translucency White Punch rosin cart for $55 a gram.
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Colorado
Colorado hash smokers take the state’s cheap weed and arid climate to the bank—the hash bank. We’d try the: Green Dot Labs A5 Wagyu live rosin badder, 710 Labs Sundae Driver badder, and Airo Gelonade cart.
Arizona
Arizona throws down for hash. Thus, System of a Down’s Shavo Odadjian offers his 22Red brand Live Ice-Water Hash Rosin in Lima Haze and Cocololo, as well as Live Resin Badder in Chocolate Waffles and Tire Fire.
See also: Torch live resin disposable Passion Orange Guava, Varz Superboof cold cure live hash rosin baller jar, and Albert Einstone’s El Blunto infused 4-pack.
Florida
Sunburn Piattella Aged Water Hash
The exotic hash wave hits Florida with a terpene-rich aged water hash made using a traditional technique from Spain known as “Piattella.” It involves rolling and pressing cannabis resin into thin sheets, and then aging it. Sunburn dispensaries debuts it in Griz, Death Coast, Blue Zushi, Banana OG, Petrol Station, Dulce De Uva, Trop Cherry, and Rainbow Belts.
Maryland
(Courtesy Curio)
Curio live rosin all-in-ones, and dabs
The soul of the plant on demand in your pocket is the promise of live rosin all-in-ones, now on shelves in Maryland from Curio Wellness. Exclusively available at Far & Dotter and Pharmkent! Premium, this is small-batch live rosin extracted from 100% Curio Wellness fresh-frozen flower. Solventless, full spectrum, and clean—with a compact, sleek, modern design that is rechargeable. Available Strains: Future x Dosi (hybrid), Midnight Climax (MK Ultra x Raven), Wedding Cake.
New York
(Courtesy Select)
Select Briq Pineapple Upside Down Cake vape
Major vape player Select brings its Pineapple Upside Down Cake to 9 states including New York. Select runs on a custom-designed disposable Briq vape. With flavor notes of sweet pineapple, vanilla pound cake, and caramelized sugar with a cherry twist.
New Jersey
(Courtesy Ayr Wellness)
Ayr Wellness in New Jersey launches Haze x Mudd Brothers All In One Vapes on 7/10. They have the strains Caesar and GG4 live resin, as well as Tahoe Cream and Zero Gravity rosin. Proceeds support a social justice cannabis education and employment non-profit.
Massachusetts
(Courtesy Bountiful Farms)
Go for classic full-melt in Massachusetts with Bountiful Farms super-limited run of Southern Hashpitality #5 available at their dispensary in Natick, MA and retail partners Botera and Starbird with another drop expected just a few weeks later. The award-winning, premium, and independent cannabis cultivator crafts their full melt from indoor, whole-plant fresh frozen cannabis.
A lot of these places that are still figuring out how to grow weed can make some pretty killer extracts from their mid-grade. Not saying The Big Easy can’t make great flower, but their hash holds up! Check the:
Whether it’s rockets that land themselves, miraculous medical breakthroughs, or Beyonce—America stays winning no matter how much the haters hate.
On the country’s 248th birthday, those wins extend to cannabis freedoms as well. Stoners worldwide envy our 24 full legalization states and new ones in the pipeline. Ohio’s first legal sales occur this June. Floridians get to vote to end prohibition this November. Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and the Dakotas are fighting for weed freedoms. The country’s 40 million or so past-month weed smokers have more potent, pure, new flavors and modes of cannabis to choose from than ever in 2024 from Washington state to the beaches of Miami.
July 4th has become the third biggest sales period in the year, after 4/20 and the pre-Christmas stock-up. You need pre-rolls for popping out of the club. You need all-in-one vape pens to sneak a toke while camping with the cousins. You need edibles to rest up after way too much fun.
America’s fine dispensaries stand ready to serve. We surveyed the landscape for new flavors and certified classics to enjoy from 12 legal states. Jump down to picks for your area.
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California
Red Bubblegum
Fig Farms
Fig Farms’ new Red Bubblegum. (Courtesy Fig Farms)
The flavor of red gum, strawberry soda, and pink Mike & Ikes comes out in Fig Farms’ new Red Bubblegum. A cross of (White Runtz x Jet Fuel Gelato) x Zeclair—this hybrid indica goes great with an afternoon flick or some other chillax time. Fig Farms bred and hunted this variety from seed, and it leads off an epic lineup for Fig Farms in California, Illinois, and beyond.
Baby Turtle
Khalifa Kush
Khalifa Kush Baby Turtle. (Courtesy Khalifa Kush)
America’s chief weed rapper Wiz Khalifa focuses on that GAS with the new Baby Turtle—a cross of a Jokerz #31 variety to classic Khalifa Kush. For lovers of OG Kush and other green gas strains, expect a uniquely acidic fuel, with subtle notes of the earthy, lemon, and pine. Baby Turtle comes from indica hybrids for a relaxing, well-rounded high, tailored for an end-of-day session that will kick-start your night.
See also: A Golden State San Fernando Valley OG Kush, and Solful brand Headband.
California’s biggest brand when you add in Alien Labs has a new flagship summer sativa—Tropical Z. Punchy and sweet, Connected Tropical Z comes from Xeno x (Grand Daddy Purple Tom Hill Haze) #9, and has a lot of limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene for the tart, dank, fuel smell. It conjures orange zest, island fruit, and shaved ice. Connected calls it, “a prime example of an excellently engineered sativa dominant strain. Perfect for staying focused and getting things done without leaving you feeling paranoid or overly caffeinated. Perfect for daytime and late-night use.”
Michigan cannabis sales have overtaken much larger California, due to much lighter government regulations. It’s another example of that Don’t Tread on Me energy that cannabis reformers have brought to the Midwest. There’s too much good stuff in Michigan and the weather is perfect. Check out:
After several years of mass-produced mids, Massachusetts is experiencing its first golden age of craft, high-end cannabis growers. We hit up Rolling Releaf’s Devin Alexander for strain selections including the Tower Three Cold Snap preroll. PAX has seasonal live rosin pods of the award-winning new Blue Lobster.
For hash—check out the Blue River Terps Watermelon Mimosa cold-cure, and Nature’s Heritage Ebony Ivory live diamonds and sauce. (“Terps” is short for terpenes—the aromatic essential oils in weed.)
New York has a handful of stores open in the New York City area with more coming online every week. The first indoor flower is coming soon. Until then, New York has some solid extract and edible options like:
Maryland had probably the most successful East Coast legal cannabis launch of all time, with a bunch of stores flipping to adult-use. Plenty of planning and stockpiling, as well as a clear launch schedule, meant that prices never surged and supplies never ran dry. Here’s a product spotlight:
Orange Drizzle 510 thread cart
Evermore Concentrations
These live resin vape carts from Baltimore-based Evermore bring together a hybrid of (Mimosa x Wedding Cake) for daytime fun. This strain hits the palate much like an orange upside-down cake with a confectionary front end and an orange tang lingering note. Rosin carts are nice, but this butane extract has great flavor, full stop. If you like California’s Holy Water or Coldfire Juice, you will be pleased with these options right in their backyard. The cart has 5.6% CBG for an anti-inflammatory effect. The label also boasts a staggering 9.1% terpenes, with a lot of β-Caryophyllene, Limonene, and β-Myrcene. It makes for a euphoric vibe that hits right in the eyes with a regular dose of puffs. The complete experience of ordering this cart through RISE Bethesda’s delivery service, throwing it on the battery, and feeling the energetic buzz was so seamless, that it’s an easy recommendation for the types of busy patients who would benefit most. (Max Blickstein)
Fade Co Mule Fuel pre-rolls for that kick to the head
Oregon
Get out onto that scenic, lush Oregon coast this summer, and don’t forget the world’s most affordable, diverse, and professional weed products. Oregon rocks rarities like Cosmic Treehouse Franco’s Lemon Cheese. It has endless amounts of quality extracts like Happy Cabbage Spritzer live rosin. And don’t forget the Wyld Strawberry Lemonade gummy or the Magic Number Ginger Beer.
Throttle up on the candy-gas terps with the latest from Washington—Kawazaki by Freddy’s Fuego. This strain brings together Z, Runtz, and RS-11. That’s like the whole candy terp movement in a nug, courtesy of Grounded Genetics. It’s a new staple in the large-scale indoor flower brand Freddy’s Fuego lineup. Fans voted it in the brand’s latest strain tryout contest called The Hunt.
America’s oldest legal cannabis market enters its summer high season with ample hiking opportunities and tons of events like shows at Red Rocks. Colorado has perfected classics on offer like Natty Rems Super Lemon Haze as well as new candy terps like Veritas Farms Shock Tart and weird savory hype strains like iion brand Pot Roast. For hash, don’t miss the Green Dot Labs Black Maple, or the local brand Dialed In gummies Zeeta Pizz.
Illinois
The Land of Lincoln puts another punishing winter in the closet and gets out along the lakes and trails this July. More and more top-tier strains and brands have made the state shine. Here are two standouts.
Cherry Stomper
Ivy Premium
Delight in the cherry pie aroma of Ivy Premium’s Cherry Stomper. With long-lasting effects and a delightful hint of gas. This relaxing strain, a cross between Cherry Pie and Grape Stomper, offers a mood-elevating experience with notes of pine and cinnamon. With a terpene profile featuring B-caryophyllene, B-myrcene, A-pinene, and linalool, this flower is a flavorful treat for cannabis enthusiasts. (Hannah Vysoky)
Jelly Roll
Ivy Premium
With its dark purple buds coated in glimmering trichomes, it exudes a musky, fruity aroma reminiscent of spreading jam on toast. The flavor profile includes hints of candy with a lingering cinnamon and orange aftertaste. Offering a medium-level intensity, this strain delivers a heady haze perfect for unwinding. Comprising terpenes like B-caryophyllene, B-myrcene, Limonene, and Linalool, it’s a sensory delight for cannabis enthusiasts seeking relaxation and euphoria.
(Hannah Vysoky)
Missouri
(Courtesy Timeless vapes)
Just across the bridge from Kansas City, Kansas lies Kansas City, Missouri—the midwest’s new legal weed bastion. Missouri boasts deli-style buying where you can stick your nose in a massive jar, plus they have drive-through options that would make Californians envious. Every day, Missouri gets further up the learning curve on fire flowers. Check out the Illicit brand Catalina Wine Mixer with your new best friend, and don’t miss the Cookies banger Apples & Bananas. Timeless vapes has the hot Z flavor Peach Ringz, and Select has these crazy Squeeze water enhancer drops in flavors like Peach Tea. So low-profile!
New Jersey
Ridgeline LANTZ is Green Lantern x Ice Cream Cake x Runtz. (Courtesy Ridgeline Farms)
Just across the river from New York, but with a world more options—New Jersey stands ready to take it to the shore with the nation’s top brands. Cookies brings Humboldt to Jersey with Ridgeline’s award-winning Runtz cross Lantz. Another key player is the Cookies Gary Payton. For edibles, the top brand Kynd has the top strain in edible form, Lemon Cherry Gelato. Also, Gron has 2:1 Tangelo Pearls. And Verano has Swift Lifts Motorbreath pre-rolls for grabbing and going.
New Mexico
One of America’s newest legal weed states heats up for its first proper pot girl summer with Wyld Raspberry Sativa Gummies and Dixie Brand Half and Half tea and lemonade. Hash heads should check out the Couchlock Live Hash Rosin Blueberry Muffins, and the Ghost brand Ghost Train x Iced Grapes hash hole. If you’re feeling like an adventure, put the West Coast Toad strain by Tyson 2.0 in your lungs.
And that is some serious works of fire for the Independence Day break! Rest up, because when you get back—Uncle Sam needs you to play your part in this experiment in self-government.
You can’t spell “2024” without “420,” Leafly Nation.
The international stoner holiday of April 20 (aka 4/20) stems from the daily toke time of 4:20 p.m. started in California in the ‘70s. Today, we have 25 legalization states and more than 40 medical ones. Re-scheduling percolates in Washington D.C. The Mayor of San Francisco has even blessed “SF Weed Week”—stating: “Don’t give me no bammer weed. We don’t smoke that sh*t in the SFC.”
We, too, subscribe to the No Bammer movement, so we tasked our experts with rounding up the hottest flowers for 4/20 across the land. Featuring dozens of picks from a dozen states, this list should help you elevate your weed game this week and into summer.
California’s hot-hot new-new
(Lindsey Bartlett for Leafly)
Black Patronus
No Till Kings
Black Patronus will make you fall in love with purple weed all over again. This batch was grown in a vibrant living soil bed on its 20th lifecycle at No Till Kings, a stunning 5,000-square-foot grow based in Long Beach, CA. Bred by Exotic Genetix, Black Patronus has a genetic lineage of RS-11 x Falcon-9 (bred via reverse pollination).
Black Patronus nugs contain such a deep, vivid purple, that they almost appear black. This is where the cultivar gets its namesake. These magical and highly flavorful buds contain 1.71% total terpenes. As an additional educational tool for consumers, which I adore, No Till Kings kindly lists the dominant terpenes in a graph on the side of the package: Limonene, a-Pinene, B-Pinene, Trans-Caryophyllene, Linalool, and more. The brand’s founders Jake Taylor and Marco S. are brilliant on their educational YouTube channel, enlightening growers on living soil methods. Judging by this flower, the team is doing something right.
The skunky, ooey-gooey buds break down into a pillowy cloud of dark purple wrapped in a glossy layer of white trichomes. The dry hit is dreamy and consists of chocolate, savory garlic, with subtle hints of citrus. The smoke is equally robust. It’s an enchanting, heavy, sultry smoke worthy of its witchy name. The experience is euphoric and its Indica-dominant traits make it wholly relaxing. Black Patronus is a sedative worthy of the premium shelf. No joke, this high is going to last you all day. —Lindsey Bartlett
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GMOasis. (Lindsay MaHarry for Leafly)
Governmint Oasis
by Humboldt Sunrise
Grown regeneratively on a woman-owned farm deep in the hills of SoHum, Governmint Oasis by Humboldt Sunrise (available through Redwood Roots) is a perfectly executed, highly potent flower that leaves you feeling happy and relaxed.
This cross between GMO and Gush Mints has all the hallmarks of a classic stoner high. The nose is gassy, herbal, and creamy. The flavor has a kick of eucalyptol minty fresh at the end. This strain is as heavy on the body, as it is on mental relaxation, leaving you with a lush, melty feeling that is perfect for after stressful or strenuous activities.
Given the government-induced horrors we’re currently existing through, this flower could not have come at a better time. Smoke a giant joint of this on 420 with your friends and dissolve into a sea of bliss. —Lindsay Maharry
4D has four types of cannabinoids for a functional effect. (Lindsay Maharry)
Four Directions
Emerald Spirit Botanicals
No 420 is not complete without Four Directions by Emerald Spirit Botanicals. One of my favorite flowers of the season, this cultivar is so unique there’s never been anything like it before.
Emerald Spirit Botanicals is a family-run farm in Mendocino that specializes in creating flower with high levels of minor cannabinoids and rare cannabinoid ratios by communicating with plant spirits.
While this might sound a little out there to some, the results don’t lie. Emerald Spirit is one of the most respected brands in the industry, winning the Emerald Cup almost every year along with many other competitions, as well as pushing scientific research forward with their unusual approach to growing.
Four Directions has high levels of four cannabinoids: THC, CBD, THCV and CBDV–which is unheard of—as well as a high terpene percentage (3.67%) featuring myrcene, ocimene and terpinolene.
The result is a perfectly balanced flower that leaves you a million times more capable than before you consumed it. This is a unique high that is less about getting fucked up and more about vibrating at a higher frequency.
It’s perfect for doing things you don’t want to do, social situations, and really anything, for that matter! This flower enhances you instead of obliterates you, so enjoy it to the fullest. Great for long days out with the squad, like 420! —Lindsay Maharry
(Lindsey Bartlett for Leafly)
Styrofoam Cup
Team Elite Genetics
A legendary strain from Team Elite Genetics, Styrofoam Cup is an absolute stunner. The LA-based grow is serving up some of the best weed in California right now (in my humble opinion). This award-winning cultivar is deserving of its accolades. It’s another living soil prodigy from Steve Castillo, founder and geneticist behind Team Elite Genetics. The powerhouse grower has fought hard for his coveted place among the top connoisseur brands in California beginning in his hometown of Huntington Beach in Orange County. Today, the grow is based out of Downtown LA offering up heat to the marketplace in a league of its own. The strain won second place at the coveted 2022 High Times Cannabis Cup.
Styrofoam Cup gifts notes of cookies and mulled wine mixed with sweet and skunky gasoline. Crystal white trichomes and red hairs entangle forest green and light purple buds. Bred by Cannarado Genetics, its lineage is Sunset Sherbet x GMO AKA MSG. This Indica will knock you on your ass in the best way possible. The high orbits a couch-lock, but it’s nuanced: I felt comfy yet still alert and cerebral. Team Elite Genetics excels in its consistency. No matter what, if you can find Styrofoam Cup from Team Elite Genetics, the jar holds some of the most beautiful buds on earth. Team Elite Genetics’ unique flavors could be attributed to the grow’s proprietary, microbial-rich teas, hand-watered by the cultivators daily. They create a robust and multi-faceted living soil environment for the plants to thrive. These packs do not miss. —Lindsey Bartlett
Backpack Boyz x WAV
Backpack Boyz is the brand that needs no introduction. Their upcoming collab with WAV, a new indoor brand launching this April from some of the best cultivators in the biz, brings the fire with four strains grown with living soil. Together, Backpackboyz x WAV set the new industry standard for the best cannabis in California. To learn more follow @we.are.wav on Instagram. Launching on 4/20 at the OG Cannabis Cafe in LA and Perfect Union locations throughout CA.
Toad Venom
Ronin Seeds & WCC
Even though Toad Venom is part of the latest hype train for cannabis, it was actually created back in 2019. Animal Face x Sin Mints, it has a doughy, minty smell that breaks open into a candy peach ring aroma. Jake, one of the creators, said the feedback they hear most is that this strain is one of the more powerful highs people have come across lately. Toad Venom will put you in a stupor that Jake describes as “positively ribbiting.” —Matt Jackson
Grumpy Tiger
Snowtill & Woodwide Highcraft
Grumpy Tiger is a complicated mix of True OG with Platinum x Kush Mints x Animal Cookies Bx2. Even when the plant is happy, it looks a little angry, hence the name from Mendo Mikey Lion from Woodwide High Craft. These latest batches to hit the scene come from the no-till, living soil beds of Snowtill Organics. Gassy, piney, and spicey, it’s a testament to the power of green weed.—Matt Jackson
See also: Neon Panther from Moon Valley Cannabis—even more top-shelf, award-winning living soil for the Bay Area.
New York flavors
Berner Hanna Butter
Electrical Leaf NYC
Berner Hanna Butter by Electrical Leaf is a must for your summer line up. This strain is so spectacular and magnificent in every way. When I opened the package, a marvelous, herbal butter cream vanilla flavor takes over the air with its aroma. We saw beautiful crystallization all over the flowers, with its neon green buds so beautiful to look at. The high is strong! The head high is level, leaving you feeling very focused. The body high offers a strong, full-body, soothing relaxation. This is so far my favorite strain for the year! If you are in New York, you need to get this from the Culture House Cookies NYC. This is so fire, it’s arson! —LordFigo
MELO
Electric Leaf NYC
Melo is mellow! As soon as I opened the bag a beautiful, floral, sweet lemon scent filled the air. The buds are very crystally, and beautiful with wonderful, exotic green and purple color buds. Its orange hairs add to the beauty. My first toke yielded a zesty, skunky flavor, with a very tiny hint of lavender, some spiciness and an overpowering skunkiness. The high has a nice focus feel to it, with a clear, open-minded euphoria. This strain Melo by Electrical Leaf should be good for people who want to have a good buzz but don’t want to be too stones or couch locked, so they can get through daily activities. —LordFigo
New Jersey bud
Blue Razz. (Lord Figo for Leafly)
Blu Razz
Cookies
Cookies in Harrison, NJ is pushing out that heat with this Blu Razz, OMG! This is a weed-lovers dream—a stoner’s excuse to say, ‘I forgot!’ This Blu Razz is strong but seriously beautiful! When I opened the merchandise, a pungent, robust, floral aroma with a very clean, refreshing berry scent arrived in the room. After rolling up the Blu Razz, my first hit was a strong, spicy, woody, blueberry flavor that hit me like a Ryu combo, with hints of tarty berry flavors. This high is strong, with a lot of pressure and weight on the eyes and a clear mind feel. The body high is strong with full-body relaxation that’s very soothing on the diaphragm. This is some beautiful weed. Blu Razz should be in your summer line up. —LordFigo
Maryland bangers
Banana Zoap. (Michael Blickstein for Leafly)
Banana Zoap
Fade Co., MD
Maryland enthusiasts started noticing Fade Co. on their shelves about six months ago, and they seem to be bringing elite California genetics across the country for the everyman to enjoy. Banana Zoap is Fade Co’s house expression of Deep East’s Zoap (RS16 x Pink Guava OZK) popularized by Doja, likely named for its top note of underripe bananas. Like many of the great previous versions of Zoap, this nug expresses a neon green hue on a dense stout nug. It reeks like the inside of a Jamba Juice, and the flavor is more of the same. Even though the flower is delivered in bags rather than jars like presented on the website, the batch was only about a month old and fresh to the touch and on the inhale.
Fade in Maryland is produced by Seven Points Agro, housed in the large Abell multi-brand facility. While the facility is equipped for fully indoor grows, it’s unclear whether this sample is light assist or fully indoor. The 36.74% THCa and 3.05% terpenes translate to a potent experience regardless. The effect errs more on the slumpy couch-lock vibe, and hits more in the eyes and face, which is standard for Cali breeds. For enthusiasts, this is a taste of the hype that the West Coast has been pushing the last couple of years and may be worth the premium, for especially curious consumers. —Max Blickstein
Afternoon Delight #4. (Max Blickstein for Leafly)
Afternoon Delight #4
Rythm GTI, MD
Rythm delivers yet again for enthusiasts looking for a functional midday boost with Afternoon Delight #4. A hybrid of GMO x Trophy Wife (Wedding Cake F2), originally bred as Redneck Wedding by Surfr Seeds, the appearance presents as the bright green spear-shaped buds with golden pistils; a mighty stature caked in resin. For the top shelf of the market, Rythm delivers as expected with a hefty jar for freshness and a flashy label boasting 37.62% THCa and 3.78% terpenes.
As stinky as this sample is upon cracking the jar, the flavor also stains the mouth with chemical funk and herbal Bubba fuel. The potency is noticeable, and the refined relaxing and buzzy effect onsets rapidly and primarily stimulates the head, face and chest. In a vape, the inhale is smooth and suitable for big rips. In the joint, the smoothness lacks behind a bit and the flavor has a bit of background noise. The region is a big fan of soothing “sativa-dominant hybrids” and this sample is fresh and fits the bill perfectly. —Max Blickstein
Zealousy. (Michael Blickstein for Leafly)
Zealousy
Strane (National Holistic), MD
If you like big nugs and you can’t lie, Zealousy might be your guy. Strane has been a mainstay for years bringing solid genetics to top shelves all around Maryland, and this is a prime example of why. Zealousy is reported to be from Nasha Genetics, blending Jealousy x Zoap, which very much rides the shoulders of giants, this time in the form of Seed Junky Genetics and Deep East. This hybrid is no joke—providing an immediate onset of “sit-your-butt-down” at eye-watering levels of potency, which tracks for the 30.41% THCa boasted on the label.
Another staggering label rating is the 4.14% terpenes—primarily Limonene, α and β – Pinene, and Linalool—which results in a fairly standard “candy” flavor which is most comparable to allspice. This type of flavor and effect profile is more common from cheaper, imported weed, but Strane provides a clean and accessible experience with Zealousy that hits that particular nail on the head. Strane is sure to impress enthusiasts looking for a punchy, sweet flavor and this particular example shines as soon as the seal is broken. —Max Blickstein
Maine winners
Blue Lobster. (Courtesy of Maine Trees)
Blue Lobster
Maine Trees, ME; Umma Sonoma, CA
This selection keeps flying further into the stratosphere ibn 2024, giving Blue Lobster all the signs of the Next Big Thing™. Formerly known as Facade, Blue Lobster emerged as a “one-in-two million” cut. In the time since the original discovery, Lobster has become one of the beacons of flame on the east coast. The selection has among the most complex flavors for a hybrid most would write off as candy, with the (Apples & Bananas x Gelatti/Wedding Cake) hybrid expressing distinctly fruit vitamins, cherry candy gas, and bakery confection layered perfectly atop each other. The aromas also pair perfectly with euphoric, giggly potency that hits like an avalanche.
Blue Lobster has been the winningest strain on the East Coast, taking awards from Ego Clash ‘23 and Zalympix East Coast, and it only boils down to a couple of factors as to why. Blue Lobster can be found from Maine Trees at retailers throughout Maine as flower, vape carts, pre-rolls and the occasional hash collaboration with other Maine mainstays Helios Collective and Third Shift Resin. In California, Blue Lobster gets periodic harvests by Umma Sonoma released at Greenwolf retail locations, with a new release that should hit right before 420. Strain designer Chris Lynch of Cipher Genetics has announced aline of hybrids coming from Maine Trees’ Blue Lobster for later this year. —Max Blickstein
Candy Fumez crosses got us dizzy. Bloom Seeds Co Candy Payton. (Courtesy Bloom Seed Co.)
Candy Fumez
Firefly Organics, ME
Vacationland has been the secret garden for many East Coast cannabis enthusiasts since 1999, and few operators have taken advantage of the environment quite like Firefly Organics, who now produces for both the medical and adult-use markets in Maine. The newest genetic in their library is Bloom Seed Co’s Candy Fumez (Zkittlez x Sherbanger 22), which has been popular coast to coast without missing any flyover markets. Candy Fumez has achieved such a reputation through its intense gassy lime flavor that pushes the Z traits to their limit while also producing acceptable yields of pungent, greasy hash when washed. Since Candy Fumez was originally released as seeds before Bloom Seed Co officially released their own cuts, the four Candy Fumez samples I’ve tried, each from different brands, have expressed differently.
The sample of Candy Fumez from Firefly is the #16 cut, which they acquired from Helios Collective. The aroma and the flavor sit on the candy lime end. Keep it in a good jar, or it will reek up the whole room. The effect from this version is relaxing and functional, and overall it will set you in the right direction for a good time. You can’t spell “Firefly” without “fire” and luckily these guys are showing us a thing or two about it with their organic soil garden run under HPS lights. Every batch from Firefly always presents with glistening resin, which makes for some of the most flavorful smoke around. Many hardcore cannabis enthusiasts contend that the best flower is the one grown with organic amendments in soil, and after smoking flower like this it’s hard to argue with the claim. The effects are always pleasant, the flavors always lip-smaking and the scent so incensing that it’s difficult to close the jar. —Max Blickstein
Florida tastes
Gelonade. (David Downs/Leafly)
Gelonade
Trulieve/Connected Cannabis, FL
Truelieve’s partnership with California-based Connected Cannabis continues to pay dividends for Florida patients by bringing California’s most sought-after genetics to the burgeoning Florida market. Gelonade, a gorgeous Sativa leaning hybrid of Lemon Trees and Gelato #41, was the overall winner of the 2021 Emerald Cup, and continues to impress! The taste is truly distinctive, with an intriguing blend of lemon-lime citrus and minty, vanilla, gassy, sweet cookie. This batch, sampled on March 21st from Trulieve Jacksonville, came in at 28% THC, and its terpene profile, dominated by caryophyllene and limonene, was also relatively high in Borneol, lending a distinct camphor and eucalyptus note. The effects are both uplifting and relaxing, great for anxiety relief and good conversation. Definitely recommended. —Matt Witemyre
British Columbia flowers
Mendoz Stomper (Grace Broadhead for Leafly)
Mendoz Stomper
Sweetgrass Cannabis, BC
Derived from Mendo Breath x Oz Kush x Mac Stomper lineage, this hybrid bred by Sunken Treasure Seeds thrives under Sweetgrass’ living soil, organic growing methods in Kootenay BC.
Mendoz Stomper delivers a complex, botanical aroma with hints of sour citrus berry, and a potent high that leans hard into its Mendo Breath roots. Imagine a heady, euphoric wave that melts down the spine into every limb, letting your brain still work its magic around the conversation circle, or deep in the paint of a creative project.
Rainbow Driver
Woody Nelson, BC
Available in limited 25-30kg batches every three months across BC, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, it’s a gem for enthusiasts willing to hunt for quality.
Bred by Archive Seed Bank and cultivated in the Kootenays, this Sundae Driver x Zkittlez hybrid is a powerhouse. Woody Nelson’s 3-weeks of curing and hand trimming results in generous nugs and a true-to-nose flavor, reminiscent of a pack of Citrus Delights cracked open in a gas station.
It maintains an impressive, feathery consistency when ground, with smooth rolling and combustion. The high begins with a potent, cerebral hit before melting into relaxation, without full-on couchlock.
This strain is in high-demand, so gear up for the next 100 kilo batch to hit BC, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nunavut dispensaries around April 20th. —Grace Broadhead
And that’s it for America’s best weed strains of 420 ’24. Never miss the latest heat—download the Leafly App (Android, iOS) and turn on notifications to scoop those flavors first.
