“Having all of those things that have worked against us to get where we are, to using it to get where the are and use it as fuel, allowing that to be the shining light on who we are and what we do. It’s evolved, our awareness of who we are and what were doing, far beyond just growing weed and having a cannabis brand.”
Trez Wilson
OG Cultivation, which Trez Wilson co-founded with his business partner and older brother, evolved from being one of Colorado’s only Black-owned cannabis cultivation companies to a multi-purpose company with a broader scope. The company, which has a 2.5 acre plot where it cultivates its weed and indoor growing facilities, also sells weed products and has its own line of merch and apparel called OG for Life.
Wilson first entered the legal cannabis space in 2010 when he launched a retail business in Colorado with his sister. In 2018, he decided to pursue a cultivation license, purchased land with his brother, and began raising capital and building momentum with the OG brand.
This September, the nation’s budtenders give us their Budtender’s Choice 2024 picks for the best strain and brand in the state, but you don’t have to wait for the results to come in to smoke that fire.
Leafly Buzz flew up and down California, scooping up tasty nugs and seeing which jars we finished first. After scouring strain search trends and menus—we find ourselves deep in the hype stuff: Blue Gushers, Cherry Gushers, Permanent Marker Bx1, and the like.
Here’s your monthly cheat codes to the best bong loads of September. Here’s September’s Leafly Buzz.
Data grinder
Which strains are on the move in Leafly’s 9,000-strain database? (Sasha Beck/Leafly)
We broke out our calculators, plugged into the Leafly strain database, and ran a scan for zaza. Here’s what the stats tell us.
Lemon Cherry Gelato
No. #2
Lemon Cherry Gelato. (David Downs/Leafly)
So popular you love it or loathe it, Lemon Cherry Gelato climbs into the number two strain spot in the western states this month. For newcomers, it’s a hybrid indica that’s relaxing, soothing, and silly. As popular as a pinot noir, fine cannabis brands each claim their own cut of this cultivar—popularized by Backpack Boyz. Some say LCG is re-branded Gelato #33, others Gelato x Z.
GMO
No. #8
GMO Cookies. (David Downs/Leafly file photo 2020)
GMO Cookies charges into the No. 8 spot out west this month with a stanky, somnambulant stone. Chemmy, gassy, and dank—GMO nugs come super-size for bag appeal. Oregon and Michigan both specialize in GMOs.
Gary Payton
No. #9
All-star Gary Payton. Indica hybrid. (Courtesy Cookies)
Gary Payton hits a slippery spot and drops to No. 9 this month. The dessert strain is built from The Y and Snowman, with a jammy floral fuel note. Bred by Powerzzzup Genetics in the Bay Area, growers coast-to-coast rock Payton in their lineup.
White Runtz
up 22.4%
Sheesh! Umma Sonoma White Runtz. (Courtesy Ummas Sonoma)
Rounding out an all-cookie fam Data Grinder we see White Runtz doing numbers. It’s up 22.4% month over month, with really similar traits to Lemon Cherry Gelato. It’s just a little more calming, and more dense. Both test high in caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool.
New in the Leafly strain database
Leafly adds or fixes 1,000 strains in its database each year. Here’s some of the new-new. (Sasha Beck/Leafly)
Cherry Pie x Z x Biscotti
Cherry Pie x Z x Biscotti by Bosky Genetics. (David Downs/Leafly)
Old-school Cherry Pie gets the candy of Z and the cookie of Biscotti in this 3-way cross. Dark, icy, striking, and dank—this flavor is another end-of-day reward. High-end indoor flower grower Bosky won the Transbay Challenge qualifier of San Diego with Cherry Pie x Z x Biscotti this summer.
Blue Gushers
Made brand Blue Gushers. (David Downs/Leafly)
California and Arizona brand Made grows the Blue Gushers a type of Triangle Kush x Gelato 41 with a blue hue and sweet, gooey, berry taste. Blue Gushers is a sweet hybrid for getting creative or tripping on a nature video.
Pink Froot
Colorado-based Green Dot Labs is back with another exclusive cannabis strain drop, coming in October, GDL’s Pink Frōōt strain has a tropical taffy candy and euphoric, yet functional buzz.
Sour Elvis
Sour Diesel and the strain Elvis (AK-47 x Skunk #1) combine in Sour Elvis, spotted at Hall of Flowers from the East Coast brand Nature Always Wins. It’s a really unique mix of old-school sour with more fuel and dank from the Elvis.
Picks of the dispensaries
(Sasha Beck/Leafly)
New on shelves
Double Rainbow
Happy Trails
Double Rainbow will leave veteran smokers cooked on a 37% THC indica hybrid cross of Rainbow Cookies and Purple Hulk. Happy Trails’ jar of it got me uncomfortably high and yet I’d come back for half-bowls and ride the rainbow, holding on through deep breathing and water. Sometimes you just want a journey. Woman and social equity-owned flower company Happy Trails from Oakland, CA keeps crushing it.
Burning up the charts
Pineapple Jack
Happy Trails
Phew, we broke the cookies spell with some classic Pineapple Jack, jarred by Happy Trails in California. It’s got pineapple, tropical and pine notes and zippy, focused daytime effects. Pineapple Jack is going to make that art project crank by.
Best-sellers
Ballin out
Cherry Gushers
SF Canna
While Made grows Blue Gushers down south, SF Canna has Cherry Gushers (Acai x Black Cherry Funk) for the Bay Area. Candy, gas in a gorgeous, multi-colored, resinous package—Cherry Gushers is great after a meal in the back yard with the gang.
Ballin’ on a budget
Permanent Marker Bx1
Made
Leafly Strain of the Year 2023 Permanent Marker keeps on charging with Permanent Marker Bx1, which stands for backcross. It’s even more of what makes Permanent Marker a winner—magic marker fumes and a dramatic dark look. Bred by Seed Junky and grown at scale by Made—it’s another perfect after-work treat.
High Note
We end with something fuerte. (Sasha Beck/Leafly)
Puffco’s new Storm Peak and Proxy
The annual Puffco party Puffcon has arrived and with it—the latest color for their hit lineup. This time, it’s the smokey, blue “storm” colorway for the New Peak and the Proxy. The Puffco offers the nicest way to onboard a friend who wants to start dabbing. Yet the advanced settings are not to be trifled with.
OK, we’re heading into the fray at Hall of Flowers in Santa Rosa. We’ll be back with even more hot, hot heat from the weed beat.
About Leafly Buzz
So good they steal it—the popular, monthly strain review roundup Leafly Buzz is in its third year. We report independently on the connoisseur cannabis conversation, focusing on strains and branded flower of the US West. Reporting includes:
Colorado Springs has recently become home to Colorado’s first psychedelic church dedicated to the use of magic mushrooms. The church, officially named the Sacred Tribe, represents a significant milestone in the broader acceptance and exploration of psychedelics within spiritual and religious practices. This development follows the state’s progressive stance on psychedelics, particularly after the passing of Proposition 122, which decriminalized the possession and use of certain natural psychedelics, including psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms.
The Sacred Tribe: A New Frontier in Spiritual Practice
The Sacred Tribe was founded with the belief that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, can play a vital role in spiritual awakening and personal growth. The church aims to provide a safe and supportive environment where members can use magic mushrooms as a sacrament in their spiritual practices. The founders of the Sacred Tribe believe that these substances can help individuals achieve a deeper connection with themselves, others, and the universe, facilitating profound spiritual experiences and healing.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The opening of the Sacred Tribe raises important legal and ethical questions, particularly in the context of the United States’ complex relationship with psychedelics. While Proposition 122 decriminalized the personal use of psilocybin in Colorado, the establishment of a church centered around its use pushes the boundaries of current legal frameworks. The church operates under the protection of religious freedom, but it remains to be seen how this will be interpreted and enforced by state and federal authorities.
The Role of Psilocybin in Religious and Spiritual Contexts
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, has been used for centuries in various indigenous cultures for religious and spiritual purposes. The Sacred Tribe seeks to integrate these ancient practices into modern spiritual life, offering ceremonies and rituals designed to guide members through their psychedelic experiences. These practices are intended to help individuals explore their consciousness, heal from past traumas, and find meaning and purpose in their lives.
Community and Education at the Sacred Tribe
In addition to its religious ceremonies, the Sacred Tribe places a strong emphasis on community building and education. The church offers workshops, seminars, and group discussions on the safe and effective use of psychedelics, the history of their use in various cultures, and the potential benefits and risks associated with their consumption. By fostering a community of like-minded individuals, the Sacred Tribe hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding psychedelics and promote their responsible use.
Implications for the Future of Psychedelics in Colorado
The establishment of the Sacred Tribe is a significant development in the ongoing conversation about psychedelics in the United States. As the first psychedelic church in Colorado, it could set a precedent for similar organizations across the state and potentially the country. The church’s success or challenges could influence future legislation and public opinion on the use of psychedelics in both religious and therapeutic contexts.
Conclusion
The opening of Colorado’s first psychedelic church, the Sacred Tribe, marks a new chapter in the relationship between psychedelics and spirituality. As the church begins its journey, it stands as a testament to the growing acceptance of psychedelics as tools for spiritual and personal growth. How this development will shape the future of psychedelic use in Colorado and beyond remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly represents a significant step forward in the broader psychedelic movement.
