Strain Integrity

According to Leafly, ” OG Kush was first cultivated in Florida, in the early ‘90s when a strain from Northern California was crossed with a Hindu Kush plant from Amsterdam. The result was a hybrid with a unique terpene profile that boasts a complex aroma with notes of fuel, skunk, and spice.

The genetic backbone of West Coast cannabis varieties, OG Kush arrived in Los Angeles in 1996 when Matt “Bubba” Berger brought it (along with “The Bubba,” which was later used to create the famed Bubba Kush) from Florida to legendary cultivator Josh D. Since then, OG Kush has become a worldwide staple used to create numerous famous strains like GSC and Headband. There are many different phenotypes of OG Kush, including Tahoe OG, SFV OG, and Ghost OG. ”

According to Wikileaf, ” The high from OG Kush is more head-focused than physical. It starts with a sudden headrush that may lead users to feel more focused on their surroundings; sounds and colors may seem intensified. This alteration of the senses may soon give way to a general uplift in mood that progresses towards euphoria. The increase in focus is not as cerebral as with more pure sativas — smokers will not suffer from a disorienting sense of rapid thought association or “mindrace.” It’s a versatile smoke that lends itself to the user’s mood and mindset The combination of mental stimulation and improvement in mood makes this a uniquely social strain, good for parties and lively conversations. It’s also a great way to enhance activities that involve the body and mind, like video games, exercise, and even sex. OG Kush has medical application as a means to temporarily relieve anxiety and depression by helping users live in the moment. Its sense of focus can also be helpful for those suffering from attention deficit disorders. Some have reported relief from headaches and migraines with this strain as well. As with many sativa varieties, OG Kush has the potential to make users feel paranoid with higher doses. ”

From Cove, ” Reflect by COVE™ is an indoor-grown, terpene-rich, hybrid strain with frosty white and green buds that are hand-trimmed and hang-dried. Its earthy, piney and peppery aroma is attributed to the strain’s terpene profile that includes myrcene, alpha-pinene and beta-caryophyllene. ”

The exact linage of this strain is not known.  Nova Cannabis, the dispensary where we bought this Reflect Cart said this is Sour OG.  Other sources like the OCS’s URL indicates it is OG Kush.  The effects of Sour OG and OG Kush are very similar.

A flower replacement

Reflect cart was one of the most expensive distillate on the recreational market with THC of 72.0% and a cost of $71.20 for 0.5 grams.  Unlike other distillates where the effects hits immediately, this Reflect distillate behaves very much like a flower experience.  There’s a gradual ascent with very well define cannabis expressions.  Cannabis expressions like euphoria, uplift, happiness and creativity are hard to find with grey market distillates.  This Reflect Cart delivers the base flower’s effects and that is as good as it gets for us.  This is a viable flower replacement.  This is a first for us.

2 Draw Review

We chose 2 draws of approximately 2 to 3 seconds at the lowest heat setting as a minimum dose for us.   The taste is flavourful and smooth.  COVE have mastered the art of replenishing terpene.   The terpene scent was noticeable upon opening of the package, a sweet citrus scent.  The resulting effect is an experience similar to consuming the flower.   The high comes on slowly and builds.

After the first inhalation, we could feel a subtle change in perception, which builds slowly.  There is euphoria and uplift creating a sense of well being.  We took the second draw about two minutes later.  There is no kamikaze dive or a runaway freight train effect.   Creativity starts to emerge as the high develops eventually becoming one of the prime expression, which is one of our favourite expressions.  This distillate gives the feel of flow as the “high” expressions weaves between each other and undulates in intensity just like a flower.  This is a first for us.

One hour into the session, there is no degradation in intensity.  Energy level is sustained.  There’s happiness, euphoria, creativity and uplift all prominent and going strong into the 2nd hour.  The end comes suddenly after about three and a half hours with no tiredness effects.

5 Draw Review

In this review, we are going deep with 5 draws (2 seconds pull).  Five draw is hard to do because we forgot what we were doing after the third draw.  Being professionals, we got it done.  The intensity is up and the energy is stronger.  There is body movement impairment stemming from our dislocated brain.  We think this is stoner land where time stretches and contracts uncontrollably.  There is no memory of anything but the moment.  Creativity, euphoria, energy and uplift expressions can be felt true to the base flower effects.  The entire three plus hours was very enjoyable.  Our review stops at 5 draws.

Conclusion

Reflect (OG Kush) Cart by COVE

On low doses, the effects are similar to the base flower experience.  On high doses, it delivers the stoner to the promise land.  The next question is how long does 0.5 grams last?  It really depends, right?  We believe sessions are between 2 to 5 draws.  We estimate 0.50 grams should provide us with 30 to 40 sessions … maybe more.  $70 will buy 7 grams of flowers and that is approximately 28 sessions base on 0.25 grams per session.  It appears distillate may be cheaper on per session cost for people with self control.

THC: 72.0%

Quality: 9.0

Intensity: 8.2

Duration: 8.2

Total: 8.5

We recommend trying COVE’s Reflect distillate to determine where the art of extraction is today.  This is the best distillate we have tried to date.  Distillate is more acceptable and popular with the younger cannabis consumers.  Health is one of the main driver for distillate acceptance.  There is no denying the convenience.  For us, Cove’s Reflect gave us the best cannabis expressions from a distillate … for now.

On an investment note, Cronos own’s COVE, Spinach and PeaceNaturals.  Altria, a tobacco company, paid $16.25 to acquire 40% of Cronos and the right to nominate 4 out of 7 directors.  It is interesting to see Pyxus, another tobacco company, enter the cannabis market with an in-house initiative, FIGR.  Which is the better strategy?  Cronos is trading at $10 with a market value of over $3.7 billion.  It is not hard to see why Altria is attracted to Cronos.  COVE and Spinach have strong product lines.  But, is it worth billions?   And, FIGR is pretty good and we think Pyxus spent less entering the cannabis market.  Opps.

The game so far have been played top down with all the capital going to a few players.   We believe the time is right for institutional investors and governments to invest at the grass root level, the craft growers.  By providing capital pools and an investment framework for this market place, we can also reduce grey market participants by providing them a path way to become legal.  Investment at the grassroots has a bigger economic multiple expansion with a more direct impact on communities by creating sustainable jobs.  Amen.