Blueberry Headband CO2 Rhythm Pen

Rhythm Cannabis is a company with a minimalist aesthetic that “cuts through the noise”, according to their website, to provide high-quality, no-fuss flower, vape, and concentrate to consumers in six states. They are affiliated with Rise dispensaries, which has four stores in Illinois, and the parent company of both Rhythm and Rise is GTI.

The disposable pen I purchased uses CO2 extract, which conserves more of the natural cannabis flavors than distillate. CO2 extract is slightly lower in THC (this pen is 74.9% THC vs. the upwards-of-80% in most distillates). The pen I purchased was 0.3g, but Rhythm also sells 0.5g carts.

Appearance 5/5
When I took the pen out of the peach package, I was surprised by how short it was. Rather than having more or less the dimensions of a pen, per the name, it was squat, with a tapered end, like a sharpened down pencil. But this sleek pen makes a 6” disposable vape pen look out-dated. There’s a 1” mouth piece, a 1⁄2” transparent chamber, along with a 2 1⁄2” battery, that lights up at the bottom when I hit the pen. In other words, it has everything a disposable vape needs, only in a more stylish and elegant form.

Aroma 5/5
The aroma is mild, pleasant, and slightly skunky, but it dissipates quickly. It smells like the kitchen after making edibles–only the lightest version of that possible. Unlike many disposable vape pens, and lower end carts, this does not leave the room smelling faintly like burnt vasoline. Overall, the smell is minimal, and I do not think it would be noticable from one room over, although I did not test that theory out.

Taste 4/5
This product tastes great because it tastes like cannabis, not chemicals.
The flavor is clean, crisp, and pure. It tastes earthy and very peppery. There are notes of berries, along with a hint of sweetness. The cannabis flavor really lingers for a vape, and I can still taste it 20 seconds after I took a hit. I have avoided vaping in the past because a lot of distillate has an unpleasant gas-like flavor. The Rhythm CO2 pen, however, tastes like cannabis, nothing else.

Effect 4/5
The effects of this product are very pleasing. I felt warm and euphoric after about 8 hits, but it did take 8 “small-ish” hits before I actually felt high, rather than just relaxed. Because CO2 extract doesn’t reach the purity levels of a distillate, this is not the type of vape where you can just take two or three hits and be good.
I enjoy vaping the strain Blueberry Headband very much. As a 50/50 hybrid, it reduced my anxiety, without making me tired.

Product price: $34.55

I would recommend this pen to vape-curious people who aren’t interested in committing to an expensive battery. I think this would also be a good product for people who are new to cannabis because of its pleasant flavor and mild, soothing effects. This 0.3g disposable vape is great for regular cannabis smokers, too, who enjoy vaping, but don’t want to switch their main method of consumption.

What do I look for in a disposable vape pen? Visible light when hitting, a mouth piece, and a visible chamber to show how much I’ve smoked, which is precisely what this pen has. I enjoyed this CO2 extract because it pulled much smoother, and didn’t have that burnt vaseline flavor that some others have.

Address: 3812 N Clark Stree
Phone number: (773) 820-7280
Hours: Monday: 10am – 7pm
Tuesday : 10am – 7pm
Wednesday : 10am – 7pm
Thursday :10am – 7pm
Friday : 10am – 7pm
Saturday: 10am – 7pm
Sunday: 10am – 7pm

From the make-shift waiting room in a vacant pizza restaurant across from the dispensary, it’s clear that Sunnyside Lakeview has gotten too big for it’s tiny storefront. I went on a Saturday morning, and when I got there an hour before opening, there were twenty people in line in front of me. A man behind me said, “I guess getting here an hour before opening isn’t a good plan anymore.” 

It wasn’t just busy because it was a Saturday; they finally had some flower in stock! 

All the dispensaries in Chicago have been pretty dry since rec sales began in January, and what flower they are able to stock has been reserved for medical patients. 

But today, Sunnyside Lakeview had listed on their website three different eighths, and four different types of pre-rolls. The order forms were back, too, but so were the purchasing limitations: one eighth, one pre-roll, two edibles, as many carts and concentrates as you want. 

I had intended on purchasing three pre-rolls, but the limitations forced me to switch that to one pre-roll, one edible, and a disposable vape. 

The line went very quickly, and when I got into the dispensary waiting room at about 10:15. Everyone was talkative and excited, just like the first time I came to Sunnyside at the beginning of January. Eventually, we started talking about the rumors of the huge new location, with an on-site smoking room. The security guard confirmed the rumors of the new location for the Chicago Sunnyside location, the Barleycorn Building–an old-school brick building that housed the John Barleycorn bar until recently, and Cresco Lab’s zoning proposal to move into the building has been approved. 

When it opens, it will be one of the largest dispensaries in the world. On the rumor that there would be a smoking lounge, however, nothing has been confirmed. They haven’t gotten legal approval yet to allow on-site consumption. 

Overall, the trip was quicker than I had anticipated. With the order forms back, the line moved quickly, and I was on my way back home by 10:35.