Green Report: The buds are back

The small parking lot is located in the back of the building. As I walked up to the front door, I noticed a camera on the building, which made me feel safe knowing the cars and surrounding area were being monitored by staff. I arrived at the door and was buzzed into the front. Just inside was a large, well-designed waiting area with a fresh, clean look and smell. Everything appeared new, from the floors to the gold tin tile ceiling that had me mesmerized. I walked up to the check-in window and handed them my patient card and identification. Another buzzer clicked, and I was allowed entry to a back room that featured that same captivating gold ceiling and variety of wall art.

The flower display counter had top-shelf varieties priced at $15/gram, the middle shelf was marked $10/gram, and the lower-shelf strains were $8/gram. Even the buds on the bottom tier were aromatic and appeared to be good quality medicine. Each shelf had about nine different strains to choose from. I selected the Banana OG variety from the $10 shelf and the San Fernando Valley (SFV) OG from the top shelf.

I moved on to the extract display. They had everything from CO2 oil to stable clear shatter ($40 per gram). At the center of the display was a rare treat: caviar — top shelf bud rolled in oil then in kief (cannabis resin). In the next case there were candies, including gummies, and suckers. I was grinning ear to ear like a kid in a candy store — or a grown-up in a marijuana store. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the products. It was nice that I didn´t feel like I was being manipulated with upsells to buy things I didn´t need.

Once back in my cave, I was able to grind up and roll my SFV OG. I gave it two twists in the grinder, and already I was sure I had made a good choice. It had an earthy, organic smell with hints of lemon and diesel fuel. I twisted and lit the joint. The burn was clean, with white ash indicating a good flush. One of my favorite things about this strain is that it has dense smoke that expands in the lungs, though it causes many to cough intensely. Using a vaporizer for this strain would be a great way to reduce that effect. On the inhale, I tasted a smooth, floral pine, while the exhales tasted of citrus resembling a tangerine aftertaste.

Within just a few puffs, this strain had loosened my back spasms and relieved some of my back pain. My mood was also much improved, though I’m unsure if it was a direct effect of the smoke or because I was in less pain. The effect it provided was well-balanced. I’m happy with the professional staff and good medicine at Best Buds. It’s good to have them back.

Steve Green, who writes this column every two weeks, uses marijuana to prevent seizures. He has no business ties to any dispensaries or products.

Best Buds

2617 E. Michigan

Ave., Lansing (517) 580-3923, best-buds.net