Blue Dream is a top 3 strain for me. But for the past few years, it seems it's been mostly cultivated by the "discount" brands and the quality, presentation and curing usually reflect the price. Preferred Gardens, however, is doing it right. My eighth contained two large, perfectly-manicured buds with multiple pistils. The nose was that good blueberry with a bit of earthiness and the hit is smooth and also redolent of blueberry. The high is terrific...just like I remember from the old school Blue Dream a decade ago. The price is mid-range, but everything else about this strain is top shelf. Pick it up!

I bought this on the recommendation of my bud tender. I'll start by saying that it got me high as hell! Very euphoric and Blue Dream's always been a great daytime sativa strain for me as it peaks my creativity and doesn't knock me out. That being said, I won't buy the Stiiizy 40s again because they taste like a chemically sweetened popsicle! Way too sweet for my tastes, as I prefer to taste what I'm smoking (i.e. weed, not Kool-Aid). I think they add terpenes to the flower, which is probably the reason why. I dunno. Maybe that's just me. But if you want to get super high and do like artificially sweetened weed, this one's for you.

If I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one strain, TEG's Nova Cane would be it. Beautiful, colorful, perfectly formed nugs frosted with trichomes, super sticky, tastes great, goes straight to the head with a relaxing body high. What's not to like? I buy this whenever I see it on the shelf.

I've visited the Jungle Boys' new-ish La Mesa, CA location twice now. Their offer of 25% off ALL products (through July) got me in the door the first time, the FIRE house flower brought me back. I've tried about 6 of the Jungle Boys strains so far, all killer. In addition to the 25% off deal, they also have several BOGOs...which also have the discount. I picked up five 3.5g bags today for $120 (that's a half ounce and an additional eight, for us old school stoners). They have clear plastic bud containers with a magnifying glass and vents so you can get a close look at all those trichomes and smell the herby goodness. The bud tender also made it a point to look at the clear bottom of all the bags to make sure I was getting the hardiest nugs. Now THAT'S attention to detail! After the 25% deal expires, Jungle Boys will most likely be my new go-to.

For $90 on a half ounce, Legend OG from Almora Farms is another great value weed. Buds are well-formed – they look like little Christmas trees – and bright green with some orange hairs throughout. They may be just a tad dry, but they're sticky and not at all brittle. The scent is sweet, more on the fruity side and it's smooth on the inhale. High is right on. I'm feelin' it in my temples and typing this through squinty eyes. Great body high too. If you like to stretch your ganja dollars, this is a good one.

Other than Mimosa by ZIPS and Wedding Cake by Pacific Stone, none of the bulk "value" weeds have really done it for me. I'm a daily toker so am always on the hunt an ounce of good stuff at a good price. The High Supply Indica hits both requirements. As stated, the buds are "popcorn", so smaller than what you'd typically get, and a little dry, but big in smell, flavor, density and effect and coated in trichomes. Very pleasant earthy, slightly gassy smell and a taste of pine and citrus. The end of my joint got all sticky like good indica does. The high is just as strong as any $65 "luxury" weed I've smoked, relaxing both head and body. At $155/oz ($125 with my discount), this is now my go-to for bulk weed.

I was all ready to head to my usual pick-up spot today when The Reserve's Instagram post on some just-acquired RS11 caught my eye. This frosty, multicolored bud was all the buzz in LA last year and I just had to try it. While in the shop, Autumn, one of their very helpful, knowledgeable bud tenders, also hooked me up with some LAX from Lumpy's – one of my favorite cultivators – and helped me out with a discount when I was a few bucks short of the total. The Reserve seem to rotate their stock often and are always getting something new in. They're now my go-to when I'm looking for variety, service and price.

One of the smoothest smokes out there and a strain I buy when I want to treat myself to something special. Perfectly-formed, sticky buds, a high THC percentage and a clean, enjoyable high.

Buds are a nice lime green, but smalls and dry with a lot of stems. That doesn't bother me much as it all goes in the grinder anyway, and for $150/ounce (before the discount at my spot), it's a solid bargain weed that does the job. Smooth on the inhale with a nice piney taste and a pleasant, floaty high. Decent for the regular smoker who wants to stretch their ganja dollar.

I've tried PS's other flowers and haven't really been impressed. The Banjo and Orange Cookies were particularly disappointing. However, their Wedding Cake delivers as advertised. Tasty, smooth on the inhale and provides a very pleasant high. The nugs are on the smaller size and a little dry, but at $160/ounce, it's a great bargain weed for the everyday smoker who wants to save a little green on their green.

Close to my house, super clean and modern shop, lots of selection, efficient curbside pickup during COVID, cute and knowledgeable bud tenders. As a regular customer who typically purchases an ounce at a time, they also gave me a recurring 20% discount card – in addition to rewards points – which keeps me coming back. Lit is Lit!

Don't let the size of these perfect little kief-coated joints fool you. Sure, they're half the size of a normal doobie, but pack ten times the punch! I've had a couple of different strains from Baby Jeeter and they're all just as palatable as they are potent. The Maui Wowie is my favorite. It has a very pleasant sweet taste and goes straight to the head! And as a joint smoker, I like the fact that I don't have to do the work rolling for once ;-)