Exodus Cheese

Exodus Cheese, sometimes known simply as, Cheese, is a sativa-dominant hybrid that is believed to have originated  from clones of Skunk #1. It is known for its long-lasting effects of euphoria and relaxation, as well as respectively moderate THC levels.

Ascend Wellness is a cannabis company operating production and retail locations in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Massachusetts. In Illinois, they currently have retail locations in Springfield and Collinsville, and they plan to open two more stores in 2020, one in Fairview Heights, and a second store in Springfield. 

Appearance 5/5
This eighth of Exodus Cheese came with four gigantic, plush nugs. They ranged from 1” to 1.5” long, and were each almost an inch thick. These gorgeous nugs might be the fluffiest cannabis I have ever seen. The color is a muted, mid-green, although the tips of the leaves on one of the nugs is turning brown. That said, they are all covered in peach-fuzz textured trichomes. 

Unlike the rest of the cannabis I have bought from dispensaries, this bud is packaged in a plastic bag, rather than a jar. This was slightly disappointing, but not enough to hurt my rating since the Exodus Cheese itself is so beautiful. 

Aroma 5/5
This strain has a strong funky aroma, like a soft, moldy cheese, akin to Gorgonzola. The scent verges on musty. There are subtle, sweet notes of roses, too. Something about the scent reminds me of my grandma’s attic, in the best possible way, like mothballs and old floral perfume. It is bold, funky, and dank. The aroma is one of my favorite things about this strain. 

Even though this strain is incredibly fragrant, it is not a type of smell that permeates a room. I can hardly smell the open jar with my nose two feet away. 

Taste 4/5
Exodus Cheese has a rich, nutty flavor. It is crisp at the front of the tongue, like a campfire, and there is an ashy,  tropical aftertaste that lingers in the mouth for several minutes afterward. There are notes of hazelnut, and a subtle, buttery flavor, like a California Chardonnay. I don’t have any criticism about the flavor; it’s actually quite pleasant. But the taste isn’t nearly as distinctive as the appearance, aroma, or effects of Exodus Cheese. 

Effect 5/5
Smoking Exodus Cheese, I immediately felt happy. But after three minutes, I began to feel euphoric. This strain is known for its euphoric results, and I was not disappointed. I felt joyful.  My legs were buzzing, my neck was tingling, and at the same time, I felt a sense of physical lightness. Compared to what they’re selling in the dispensaries these days, Exodus Cheese has moderate THC levels at 21.5%, but the effects of this strain are extremely strong. This strain is also known for providing a longer high than most other strains, but I didn’t notice that to be true in any substantial way.

Product price: $58.21 for 3.5g

I recommend Exodus Cheese as a great daytime strain, not only because it is an energizing sativa-dominant hybrid, but because it has moderate THC levels. As a calming strain, it gets the user out of their head, which makes it optimal for evening use. 

This strain is also for anyone who enjoys smoking large, plush flower.

Of all 11 strains on the menu when I went to Sunnyside,  this is the only one still on the menu. This surprised me because I was so happy with my purchase. The gigantic buds are gorgeous, the smell is funky and unique, and the effects are euphoric, with a strong body buzz.

Address: 3812 N Clark Street
Phone number: (773) 820-7280
Hours:
Monday: 10am– 12pm Medical customers and 55+ only
12pm – 9pm 
Tuesday : 10am– 12pm Medical customers and 55+ only
12pm – 9pm 
Wednesday :  10am– 12pm Medical customers and 55+ only
12pm – 9pm 
Thursday :10am– 12pm Medical customers and 55+ only
12pm – 9pm 
Friday : 10am– 12pm Medical customers and 55+ only
12pm – 9pm 
Saturday: 10am– 12pm Medical customers and 55+ only
12pm – 9pm 
Sunday:  10am– 12pm Medical customers and 55+ only
12pm – 9pm

The last time I visited Sunnyside Lakeview, it was the day before the shelter-in-place order was implemented. I was lined up on Clark Street, six feet away from the nearest person, for three hours. Thankfully, Sunnyside has become much more serious about avoiding contact between customers. I was extremely impressed with my experience, in spite of the continued frustration that their online ordering platform routinely provides. 

The dispensary sent me a confirmation text immediately after my order was submitted. Thirty-one minutes after submitting the order, I got a text from Sunnyside saying that my order was ready for pick-up. I arrived at the dispensary about a half-hour later. 

After showing my confirmation text and ID to the guard, I was admitted immediately into the waiting room. I was the only person in the waiting room. The guard inside made small talk, while he struggled to scan my ID for several minutes. 

When I was admitted into the dispensary, I was told to go to the line farthest on the left, but the budtender on the far-right was open, so he called me over. He was extremely pleasant, friendly, and kind. 

I wanted to switch one item in my order. I expected this to be an ordeal because I assumed they stuck strictly to the online orders. But, not only did he switch out the item without a question, he tried to upsell me on some THC tablets and a pre-roll. 

There were two other customers in the dispensary, and I noticed that one of the budtenders was assisting one of the customers extensively to help her find exactly what she was looking for. This was the first time that I saw the budtenders at Sunnyside providing high quality customer service. 

From the time I arrived at the dispensary, to the time I was on my way home, this entire trip to Sunnyside Lakeview only took about 20 minutes. I got exactly what I wanted, and everyone at the dispensary was extremely kind. For the first time, I was happy with my overall experience shopping there, and not just with the product I purchased.