Lansterdam in Review: All recreational pot is clearly not created equal in Lansing

Amsterdam-based DNA Genetics for more than a decade has built a reputation around high-quality seeds. Its proprietary strains make it one of the most highly regarded cannabis brands in the world, which includes a list of more than 200 national and international awards.

Last week, in a collaboration with DNA, Skymint launched seven of DNA’s most sought-after strains — including Clementine, Kosher Kush, LA Confidential and Strawberry Banana. I wanted a variety, so I picked up Clementine, a sativa, and Kosher Kush, known to be a powerful indica.

And at $70 an eighter, I’m not sure I had much room left in my budget to sample more anyway.

DNA x Skymint — Clementine (Sativa)

Price — $70/3.5g

THC content — 25.1%

This sativa-dominant strain is a cross between Tangie and Lemon Skunk and was awarded the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2015 for its balanced and citrusy flavor profile and its euphoric, uplifting and energizing effects. And believe me: This is a whole new level of stoner energy.

As expected, this strain packs a pungent citrus smell that tingles the nose and carries straight through into an almost tart yet still smooth and balanced flavor profile. The buds were large, coated with bright orange pistils and ground up perfectly into a few Saturday morning joints.

With an innocuous name like Clementine, you might not expect to run mental marathons after just a few tokes, but this stuff kicked my brain and body into insanely potent sativa stimulation.

My dog and I played fetch while I finished the joint, and we were running sprints together by the time it was finished. My coffee got cold while I proceeded to rake both my front and back lawns. Then, I organized my garage for 45 minutes and carefully color coordinated my entire closet.

Later that evening, I smoked another Clementine joint toward (what I thought was) the end of the night after a few beers with some friends. I ended up walking my dog to Moores Park at midnight, preparing dinner for the following day and watching a documentary until about 3 a.m.

DNA x Skymint — Kosher Kush (Indica)

Price — $70/3.5g

THC content — 25.93%

Kosher Kush is labeled as the cousin of indica-dominant OG Kush and was awarded the High Times Cannabis Cup in both 2010 and 2011 for its rich, earthy flavor profile and for its ability to induce a heavy-hitting sense of peace and relaxation. I think it’s the perfect bedtime bowl.

These Kosher Kush buds were much smaller than the Clementine, but they were still absolutely caked with crystals. I picked this peppery flavored blend based on a staff recommendation and was blown away by its powerful stress-relieving effects. I tend to lean on indica varieties for unwinding after work or for kicking back and watching murder mysteries or shows about aliens, and this stuff provided just the right amount of couchlock to spend an entire Sunday at home.

Flavor usually isn’t a big deal to me, but it’s worth noting that this was a particularly tasty smoke. Exceptionally smooth with just the right amount of full-bodied earthiness and some subdued fruit notes to help tie it all together. Herby and peppery without too much bite. Virtually no aftertaste.

A weighted blanket of euphoria seemed to wrap over me after just a few tokes. My natural desire to “feel productive” often prevents me from checking out on Sunday afternoons, even if I have nothing to get done. That feeling completely disappeared after a half-joint of Kosher Kush.

Back-to-back movies were interrupted only by an unnecessary amount of snacks and frozen pizza. If you don’t have plans to be productive, the only downside to this strain might be dry mouth and munchies. Then again, maybe I was just too relaxed to get up and refill my drink.

Kyle Kaminski is a City Pulse staff writer and cannabis enthusiast who has been smoking marijuana just about every day for the last decade. Every week, Kaminski samples some of the best cannabis products available in Greater Lansing, gets real high and writes about them.