FOR cannabis smokers, 420 is basically an early Fourth of July holiday—it’s the time of the year to roll one up with friends and celebrate our favorite strands.
And listen, it might be 4/21 by the time you read this in the Marianas Variety, but it’s still 420 in the United States, so consider this an occasion to smoke one for your friends off island.
Some of the merchandise waiting for you at Saipan Select.
With the rise of local cannabis dispensaries on the island, Saipan has seen an explosion in the number of strains available to customers. To cut back on any analysis paralysis consumers might have, Marianas Variety went straight to the pros—budtenders from around the island—and asked them how they roll.
Eric Grim handles the buds and helps customers at CannaBlyss.
For Eric Grim, a budtender at CannaBlyss, his favorite strands are Pancake Breath, a hybrid, and Supernova, an indica dominant strand.
Eric Grim says that Pancake Breath tastes as advertised-—a pancake breakfast complete with syrup.
“It really has a great burn, like a pancake waffle smell with syrup,” he said of Pancake Breath. “It’s such a great strong indica hybrid that when you do smoke it you only need to do so much and you’re already to the moon and back. It’ll take you a while to get back to earth.”
Grim says Pancake Breath is “potent and powerful.” It is a strand that will have you feeling “uplifted and euphoric,” he tells Marianas Variety. This is not a strain “if you have chores to do” because of its potency, he said.
“You’re going to be really stoned, so stoned you’re bouldered,” he laughs.
Eric Grim compares Supernova to a cloud.
As for Supernova, Grim said it will take you high in the sky.
“When you burn it, you feel like if a cloud had a taste and a smell, that’s what it would be,” Grim said. “If it came down to us and we could smell it and taste it, that’s supernova to me.”
Unlike Pancake Breath, Supernova is a strain you can use even if you have things to do.
“You can smoke and go out,” he says. “You’re functional. You get an incredible high but you’re still functional and talkative. You’re able to still be sociable.”
Grim, as you might imagine, says his job is a “dream come true.” He enjoys customer service, true, but the perks of the job include being around the cannabis he enjoys using.
“It’s a blessing. It’s a ‘blissful’ blessing,” he says of his work environment, with a laugh.
Jamie Hayes, left, is joined by her coworkers at 420 Lounge in Garapan.
Jamie Hayes, who was taking care of customers at the 420 Lounge in the heart of Garapan when we asked her about her bud recommendations, says she reaches for White Iverson and London Marker because she doesn’t really have “high tolerance.”
Jamie Hayes is partial to White Iverson.
“They’re more mellow,” she says of the effects she receives from both strands. “I’m more of a head high person. I don’t like being on the couch. I like staying focused.”
Hayes says most of 420 Lounge’s customers are local residents who are searching for strands that—like her favorites—offer head highs.
They also have customers who are tourists—a mix of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese visitors, Hayes said. That has given her an interesting insight into what their Asian guests think of the 420 Lounge.
“Most of them say it’s not allowed back home so when they come here, [their] first stop is the dispensaries,” she said.
Gaige Porras says Pink Kitty and Mutoid Man are two of his top strains at The HookUp.
Gaige Porras from The HookUp reaches for Pink Kitty and Mutoid Man as his personal favorites.
He says Pink Kitty is his “go-to” strand.
“It has a great taste; a great smell. The bud is nice and dense. I feel great [using it],” he says.
Porras says Pink Kitty gets him to “couchlock”—a term that means relaxed and idle, with heavy eyes.
“Pink Kitty is more for chilling at night,” he adds.
Some Mutoid Man, which you can find at The HookUp.
When he’s in the mood for the complete opposite effect, Porras says he rolls some Mutoid Man.
“It’s a good middle-of-the-day high, to stay up,” he says. “Mutoid Man is for the day, being out and about. With Mutoid Man I want to go out, say what’s up to my friends, and hang out.”
He also says the strand has him laughing at everything.
Lorenzo Attao, right, and Flora Sakamoto from CannaSaipan.
A favorite of budtender Lorenzo Attao from CannaSaipan is the Grandaddy Purple.
Lorenzo Attao, from CannaSaipan, does enjoy a classic—Grandaddy Purple.
“It’s really OG,” he says. “It has that gassy scent that I enjoy a lot. It’s very pungent; it’s very strong. It puts me to sleep and that’s why I enjoy it.”
Look for Lorenzo Attao and ask him for some Durbon Poison at CannaSaipan.
For anyone looking to be creative, Attao says to reach for Durbon Poison, which helps him feel alert.
“That keeps me awake and functioning. It’s good for gaming, watching movies,” he says. “Durbon Poison keeps you awake.”
But Durbon Poison is not for newbies, he caution.
“It will give you anxiety and paranoia, but if you’re an OG smoker… go for it,” he says.
In his opinion, anyone looking for mellow smokes could try out Gelato, Pink Runtz, or Black Runtz.
Mari Hanazomo from Saipan Select enjoys Northern Marianas Delight, or NMD, and Diesel Madness.
NMD might be great for artists, musicians, and writers, according to Hanazomo.
“It’s great for creative people,” she said. “It’s uplifting. It’s a long high and very tasty. It’s hard to describe but I always remember it.”
Marianas Variety was unable to take a picture of Hanazomo’s other favorite, Diesel Madness, as it was sold out—a testament to its popularity.
“It’s an instant hit,” Hanazomo said. “Kind of citrusy. It’s really nice. It is a strong head high.”
Happy (belated) 420 from Marianas Variety!
