Suggestible me: I could have sworn that these buds were purple 2 weeks ago

When I first cracked open the gift of samples sent to me from Industrial Hemp Farms, it was late in the day and I was looking to get sleepy. Following my personal rule of thumb that purple flower brings rest, relaxation and sleep I cracked open the Grand Daddy Purple, glanced at juicy purple flowers grabbed one, stripped off some deep violet fan leaves and loaded my bong. The flavor was good, a slight berry aftertaste similar to some of the purples grown and sold by Liberty Cannabis; an hour later I found myself no sleepier, no more tired, a bit disappointed.

I went on to sample other items in the box (stay tuned for those reviews) and did not revisit the GDP until yesterday morning when, not wanting to turn on the light and disturb my S/O, I used my nose rather than eyes to sort though my CBD collection for a good morning smoke to pair with my coffee.

Crushing this mystery bud the fragrance was overwhelmingly intense, a chemo-botanical potpourri with a slight berry scent on top. Not dissimilar from the odor of a crushed fragrant almost minty, lavender, but with an ammonia-like intensity. A vibrant scent profile that -without terpene testing to guide- I would guess is very high in terpinolene. I smoked my herb, drank my coffee and got started on some mundane chores that I have been avoiding for weeks.

If born a decade or two later I most certainly would have been diagnosed with ADHD.. Staying on task, especially from a seated position, I find difficult, bordering on impossible. However yesterday, before I realized it the hours between 6-12 am had evaporated, with them a laundry list of tedium that typically lead me to phone-staring, daydreaming or (best case) procrastination via more active chores and errands.

Of course I was surprised to later discover that the uplifting flower that had me so focused all morning was the purple strain. Even more surprising was when I pulled out a bud for a closer look, not really much purple to be found at all; just darkish green flowers with vibrant orange hairs. What can I say? I am suggestible.

The flowers are supple and resinous with my preferred density, not fluffy yet not rock hard pebbles either. The fan leaves may give it a rough appearance but once stripped away this flower beats most Maryland options in terms of looks, touch, scent and taste. This comparison may be unfair to Maryland cultivators as I believe that the MMCC testing guidelines may be responsible by requiring a sterile product. To prevent the presence of any fungus or bacteria buds may need to be dryer than most of us would prefer, at the time of testing. One of my go to dispensaries for their Wednesday flower deals, CuraLeaf Gaithersburg, packages all of their HMS flower in 1/8th canisters with Boveda packs. I have occasionally noticed that some flower is actually crispy at time of purchase as the Boveda pack takes time to re-hydrate the recently packaged flower.

In IHF’s top tier of flower listed as “Premium Top Shelf” prices range from $6.99 per gram, $34.99 per 1/4 oz and $100 per oz and $1,100.00 per pound this flower is a value and I will most likely find myself purchasing more when I soon run out.

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