High brow high

While exploring north Lansing, I found a somewhat new provisioning center called Cannaisseur. A simple sign out front displayed its black and yellow logo. When I pulled into the parking lot, I found out that there is parking on both sides of the building. The entrance is on the south side, and there is a small wooden ramp to get to the door, making it wheelchair accessible.

When I walked into the waiting room, I was stunned to find that what had once been a biker club has been transformed into an elegant provisioning center. It had a clean and pleasant smell. I presented my ID and Michigan medical marijuana card through a security window, and then I was buzzed into the back room through a metal door.

Once in the back, my eyes were drawn to the left wall, and I started reading a few of the T-shirts on display. I then noticed the pipes, papers, paraphernalia and smoking accessories. I always like when a shop carries all the things I could need for my medical cannabis use in one place.

Next, I noticed the several glass display cases featuring over 20 selections of flower buds. There were a couple high-CBD choices, as well as some old-school strains like Acapulco Gold. I was thrilled to see about 30 different edible selections, including many that are rare, like CBD-rich candy suckers, and healthy options like flax seed chocolate bars and cannabis-infused salad dressing.

The variety didn’t stop there. The shop offers 15 extracts types, promising something for everyone. Some examples include CO2 oil (extracted using CO2 gas) and THC- or CBD-rich Rick Simpson oil, as well as taffy, wax and shatter consistencies.

One of the my favorite things about this shop is that the management were growers first, and that shines through. The staff was very knowledgeable about the flowers they carried and answered every question I had with confidence and clarity. I like a shop where you can learn something while you are shopping.

Overall, the experience was very professional and informative, while still fast and accurate. The green room space was large enough for a small group of patients or to comfortable move around with a wheelchair. The shop itself did not overly smell of cannabis, but, after smelling 10 or so jars, I felt like the odor lingered around me for over an hour.

I decided to purchase a couple of the shop’s most popular strains. Skywalker Kush is a highly sought after strain in the state right now, and the buds at Cannaisseur were definitely grown right. It had a strong OG taste that was uplifting, euphoric and helped me feel positive and happy. I found it helped a lot with my PTSD symptoms, releiving my stress and anxiety. It had a strong earthy-pine scent with woody and spicy undertones and an aroma that is certainly unique to OG Kush varieties.

Wreck Recon, the other strain I picked up at Cannaisseur, burned clean with beautiful white ash. This strain was bred by Kevin Pybus, a co-owner of Cannaisseur.

“I bred it when I lived in Colorado,” Pybus said. “It’s the strain Recon from DNA Genetics crossed with a cut of Trainwreck — also known as the Sunset cut. Wreck Recon was sold for years in Colorado dispensaries under the name Cannalope Kush. I changed the name in 2014 when DNA Genetics released their own version of Cannalope Kush. Their version is Cannalope Haze and OG Kush. To avoid any confusion, we just changed the name.”

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

Cannaisseur

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 3200 N. East Street, Lansing (517) 580-7602, cannaisseursclub.com