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[REVIEW]
Into the Unknown
Stability Growers’ Monkey Tape, for sale at Bloc Dispensary, is a sativa even an indica lover can inhale
Written by GRAHAM TOKER
In the marijuana world, there are two camps: the indica and the sativa. I’ve usually been entrenched in the indica camp, known for couch lock and purple nugs. Personally, the body high is what I’m after. I want to relieve the aches and pains in my meat-covered skeleton suit, and I’ve generally found more success with those types of strains.
Sativas, on the other hand, have the stigma of leading to overthinking, and in my ventures haven’t had the same terpene pop as indicas. Then there’s the fact that almost everything’s a hybrid now. But I digress.
I’ve only ever encountered one sativa strain that I’ve enjoyed: Green Crack. Although recalling tasting notes is impossible now, the strain had a powerful effect on me. It was a great antidote for writer’s block, and I also got a rush of energy in the morning akin to a cup of coffee when I did a wake and bake.
Now it’s been years since I enjoyed a sativa-leaning smoke. And I wanted to venture outside the friendly confines of World Indica and blaze a trail across Planet Sativa.
I jetted over to Bloc Dispensary, across from the Galleria in Richmond Heights. I was there to ac uire some sativa flower from a new (to me) medical grower. I’d also never visited Bloc before. Uncharted territory.
Ample parking is available on either side of the dispensary. The waiting area gives a panoramic view through glass of a large, spread-out sales floor and seven
Stability’s Monkey Tape strain comes in the form of tight, bright green buds. | TOMMY CHIMS
registers. That’s different from most other dispensaries I’ve visited, which keep the sales floor behind a closed door.
After Bloc staff checked me in as a new patient, I was whisked onto the sales floor and walked up to the register to finali e my transaction. Multiple TV screens behind the registers scroll through all of the options available in each category: concentrates, vapes, edibles, pre-rolls and flower. ince loc doesn’t make its own products, staff has curated a heady list of vendors to showcase its wares.
A friend had recommended that I check out Stability Growers, and my budtender seconded the recommendation. Since Stability only had one sativa option available, my usually slow stoner decisionmaking was incredibly uick We would be smoking Monkey Tape. I paid $28.88 for the eighth, including a 15 percent discount since I hold a cultivator medical-marijuana card.
Clocking in at 24 percent THC, the neon green buds are definitely not something I’ve encountered often. Underneath an even coating of trichomes and woven against the bright green flower were fiery orange pistils. The eighth was composed of two larger flowers, a medium-si ed one and several smaller buds. The
scent from the jar leaned heavily towards a lemon Pine-Sol. Those same hints of lemon carried over after the grind, which coaxed out more of the fuel and rubber notes. After I hand rolled a Raw Black with paper tip, the smoke burned well with minimal kick, with the fuel notes coating my palate. The high settled in around my shoulders and temples, with a dash of tingly legs for good measure. Within the first hour after smoking, the Monkey Tape made my normally difficult task of deciding which YouTube video to watch stoned a nearly insurmountable challenge. As the cerebral effects ratcheted down, I had a mild case of the munchies — something swiftly overcome with a large handful of Oreo cookies.
Another session after work provided a relaxed, cerebral-dominant high with no body effects. Not something I’m used to, honestly, but it did have some advantages. After smoking, I sat down to watch The Wire, and stayed more alert and engaged than my usual indica tokes permit. This fun, lighter high also made for a great wake-andbake option on an off day. I got to enjoy a nice smoke and relax, but when it was time to run errands I wasn’t glued to the couch.
For the price point and the positive experiences I had smoking tability’s onkey Tape, ’d definitely be on the lookout to grab a few jars when possible. I’m also excited to circle back and try more of Stability’s offerings — at Bloc, that’s currently Tallymon and Larry OG. All in all, I went two for two in going out of my comfort zone for this review.
Stability Growers might not ump out as a flashy flower option such as Cookies or Proper, but I’m hoping they continue to shine with strong value-flower options for Missouri patients. n
