HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

     2018 is kicking off to a great start but I don't want to forget the past year of Medical Cannabis strains! I began my journey as a Medical Cannabis patient early March 2017 and I saved each and every one of my containers for this moment! I wanted to be able to go back in time as I sifted through jars and random packaging and list down my favorite strains that help me overcome the daily struggles of PTSD and chronic pain. 

      This list comes in no particular order, nothing fancy about it, these are just my top ten that I would recommend each time to a patient or for recreational purposes. These are my tried and true strains!

• GORILLA GLUE: I bought this strain a few times as ounces in shake form. Most people talk down on shake in Illinois, but in my opinion, I love it! PharmaCann cultivated the shake I was picking up and in each ounce I bought, there were always nugs in there to break down. Sure, a few stems, but nothing super crazy! I have had other shake from different cultivators that straight up throw the whole plant leaf in there. Some would argue that the shake is really used for cooking, but I find that PharmaCann produces a great quality shake perfect for rolling. No grinder needed! Gorilla Glue is definitely a popular strain in Chicago as most dispensaries carry it from all kinds of cultivators. It's an Indica dominant strain aiding in those moments when sleep and relaxation are necessary. 
  THC: 0.71% THCA: 22.02% CBD: 0.10% CBDA: 0.10%
   
• PINK LEMONADE: My favorite summer time drink is Pink Lemonade, and when the Arizona born cultivation site Aeriz came to town with this in their pocket, I couldn't get enough! This one is among the top rated flower for beauty points as it most definitely has notes of pink throughout it's hairs.      

     When I had tried this over the summer, it was one of Aeriz's new strains that they had released to Midway Dispensary with awesome deals for eighths! Pink Lemonade is a Sativa dominant that is perfect to toke on all day. It is not a crazy head high, however, it yields a long lasting effect to help tackle depression and stress. This one was a go-to when I didn't want to feel too high but ease the tension off of those horrible migraines. 
THC: 0.34% THCA: 18.18% CBD: - CBDA: -

• BANANA SPLIT LIVE RESIN: This pungent Sativa dominant comes in hot from GTI (Green Thumb Industries)! Somehow, I stayed away from this strain all 2017 up until the very end for the Holidaze. Usually, for someone with PTSD I would never recommend a sativa for any kind of concentrate, however, Banana Split has a wonderful euphoric feeling that literally makes you get up off your ass and DO STUFF! It is perfect for those who never want to experience "couch lock" and really need to get that To-Do list done. 
  THC: 3.54% THCA: 78.43% CBD: - CBDA: 1.92%
   
• BIO JESUS: Easily one of my top go-to strains in any form, whether it be flower or concentrate, Cresco Labs seemed to have cracked the code on insomnia with this strain! I highly recommend this strain to any patient in need of a deep sleep. It is also perfect for anyone dealing with chronic pain, as it is known to dull down any kind of throbbing. Bio Jesus helped me ease into those comatose naps that needed to happen when the migraines just never seem to cease. This strain has a strong lineage of Ohio-bred Gumbo and Colorado Medical Marijuana Harvest Cup winner, Bio Diesel. 
  THC: 0.93% THCA: 24.04% CBD: - CBDA: 0.47%  
   
• PINEAPPLE EXPRESS: The flower everyone loves, from everyone's favorite modern stoner movie, smelling like mangoes and fresh apples. My favorite flower for those summer nights and cruises through Downtown Chicago. Although a Sativa dominant, this is not one to list under the "paranoia" effects, as it just hits you with a burst of tropical energy and releasing sweet uplifting notes that will last all day. This is a great flower to combat depression. Put on your favorite tunes and hop on that choo choo express! 
  HC: 1.36% THCA: 24.52% CBD: - CBDA: 1.05% 

• LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY: This strain from PharmaCann was one of the first legal concentrates I had purchased as a Medical Cannabis patient and it was love at first sight (love at first dab hit, maybe)! I had my hands on Laverne and Shirley for such a short time, but it was such a potent concentrate, that there was no question that it would make it to my top favorites. Initially, I bought Laverne and Shirley thinking I was being funny because of the name. Turns out the joke was one me, because this wax gives off such a huge head high that I only ended up using it at night time for sleep. This was the first strain that knocked me out and kept me asleep all night long. Definitely not a concentrate for beginners with dabbing as it is a very strong and heavy Indica. 
  THC: 2.62% THCA: 64.58% CBD: 0.35% CBDA: 0.35% 
   
• LOUIS XIII: An Indica dominant strain coming from Revolution Cannabis that is a favorite among Chicago patients to sit back and enjoy. Louis XIII is a stinky, Earthy bud yielding a mild body high to help ease the tension of stress. I purchased this flower frequently as grams or pre-rolls to have at the end of a rough day. Perfect for a special treat! 
  THC: 0.8% THCA: 22.6% CBD: 0.1% CBDA: -
   
• LAKE SHORE DRIVE: Another favorite flower from Revolution Cannabis, I couldn't resist it! Especially with a name of one of my favorite Chicago cruise routes. With it's fruity aroma and Sativa dominant breed, it really kicks up the volume on those serotonin levels and great for those who are having stomach issues and need an appetite stimulant. 
  THC: 0.99% THCA: 17.42% CBD: - CBDA: 0.11% 

• GELATO SUNROCK SHATTER: A true shatter-like consistency when it comes to concentrates, Goldleaf cultivated a Gelato so beautiful, it deserves a name like Sunrock. An Indica dominant strain with  gorgeous golden crystals and a smooth, flavorful terpene profile. Great for pain relief and insomnia. 
  THC: 1.19% THCA: 87.20% CBD: 0.34% CBDA: 0.11% 
   
• MARY'S MEDICINALS: I first came across this product in Colorado on a trip. I was desperately seeking relief from chronic migraines and was almost unable to enjoy my vacation. Thankfully, being in a Rec. State, I was able to freely walk into a dispensary and browse their products. I went into The Green Solution (they also have locations in Illinois) and was recommended Mary's Medicinals as a 1:1 transdermal patch. The pain subsided within a couple of hours and I was able to discreetly wear a patch on the go! When Mary's finally hit the shelves through GTI, I was over the moon! Not only does this product come in patches, but also as topicals and salves as well! I used the gel pen all summer long as it was so easy to apply a dose of lotion to the pain site and be on my way. Each patch, salve, gel pen, etc, comes in all dosages and forms of potency depending on the condition you are treating. Definitely ask your dispensary about Mary's Medicinals if you have not already! 

I hope you give some of these products a try! The wonderful thing about being a Medical Cannabis patient, is that we get to be our own test subject. We get to determine what works and doesn't work for us. As a Medical Cannabis Patient in Chicago, I vow to only give you my honest opinion on strains that have worked for me. I will never update this blog to steer you in a harmful direction. If you are weary about Cannabis in general, let me be your guniea pig and show you exactly the wonders of Medical Cannabis.