Jack Herer #8

This strain is named after Jack Herer, the author of the seminal 1984 book dispelling myths about cannabis. It is a sativa strain with the following lineage: Haze X [Northern Lights #5 x Shiva Skunk]. There are several different phenotypes, each of which provides different effects. Phenotype #8 is known to have a more sour aroma and cerebral high.

Verano Brands is a premium cannabis company in Illinois, Nevada, and Maryland. They have 900,000 square feet of growing space in those three states.

Appearance 4/5
The buds look soft and wrinkled, like an old stuffed animal, but the nugs are actually quite firm. Between the muted green flower, the trichomes, and the brown hairs, there isn’t much variance in color, other than the highlights at the frosted tips.

Although this flower is of the utmost quality, I had to adjust the rating because there were a bunch of stems with little-to-no flower on them. Since Verano weighs their eighths at 3.64g, I still believe that I got a full eighth of flower, but it was annoying to have to pick the stems out.

Aroma 5/5
The scent of Jack Herer #8 is sour and fruity. There are tropical and citrus notes, as well.

In the citrus notes, I smell mostly lemon, with a hint of orange. The tropical notes hint at pineapple and papaya. There are notes of tart green apple, too. The aroma is also slightly peppery, with a dash of pickle juice.

The aroma is uniquely pleasant, and fills the room as soon as the jar is opened. I really enjoy the smell, although some might find it too pungent, and it is definitely not discreet, that’s for sure.

Taste 4/5
Compared to the fruity aroma, this flower has quite an earthy flavor. Jack Herer #8 tastes crisp and full. The flavor is complex and multifaceted, like an expensive bottle of wine. It is overwhelmingly woody, like oak, or maybe bamboo. It is also quite peppery, and there are subtle notes of vanilla.

Smoking Jack Herer #8 with papers really brings out the earthiness of the flavor, where smoking it in a pipe accentuates the brightness.

Effect 5/5
Jack Herer #8 provides an uplifted, cerebral high. This strain made me feel excited and slowed down at the same time. It gave my brain a very pleasant buzz. I was internally focused, as my thoughts were slower and more clear. At 29.9% THC, this strain is very potent, and provides a high that feels almost apart from reality. My only minor criticism is that, in spite of my energy, I felt too high to be productive.

Product price: $66.53 for 3.5g

Since Jack Herer #8 is as potent as it is invigorating, it is good for active tasks, like cleaning, or going on walks. It would also be good for a trip to a concert, or museum–activities that require energy, but not intense focus. Because of the high THC levels, I wouldn’t recommend this strain for casual, daytime use. Smoking Jack Herer #8 is like taking a vacation, as I think this strain would be best enjoyed on an adventure of some sort.

I’m intrigued by the different phenotypes of Jack Herer providing different results, and I wish I could have found more information on the effects of each one–or even better, gotten a hold of a few Jack Herers, and done a test for myself. Maybe someday. That said, I was impressed with the effects of phenotype #8 and, as always, the incredible quality (and potency) of the flower from Verano.

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

Sunnyside Dispensary expanded their hours at their locations in Chicago, Elmwood Park, and Rockford. They are now open until 9 pm, and recreational customers may shop every day of the week, not just Wednesday through Sunday. The first two hours of the day are reserved for medical patients, recreational customers over the age of 55, and those with heightened health risks. Other recreational customers are still required to order online, and medical patients are encouraged to do so, as well. 

After much frustration with the online ordering platform, I have figured out a few things. Here are some tips for using the online ordering platform: 

One should expect to add items to their cart and place the order on different days.

Customers can remove items from their cart, and increase item quantity, after the ordering window has closed

Items that are out of stock are removed from the cart before submitting order to avoid errors.

Orders are not pre-packed, and may be changed in-store.

They have also changed the rules for picking up online orders since the last time I went. Now, instead of texting everyone at once, and asking them to pick up within an hour, they are contacting people in batches, and giving them three hours to pick up their orders. They are also trying to accept fewer orders right when the window opens, as they have chosen to re-open the ordering window throughout the day. 

This has made a big difference in Sunnyside’s response to Covid-19. Where, on my last visit, I was lined up outside the building for three hours. This time, I was admitted immediately into the waiting room, and as soon as the security finished scanning my ID, I was allowed in the dispensary. I didn’t even have to wait in line to be assisted, since there were four budtenders and three customers in the dispensary.  

The only time I had to wait was when I was waiting for another employee to verify my order before I left. 

The trip was fast, and I felt much more safe with the new measures Sunnyside has taken in response to the epidemic.