I've been a regular customer, but the last three eighths I've purchased have all had noticeable…read moreissues. The flower has a strange smell--more like sweet grass than the rich, familiar aroma most of us associate with quality cannabis. Even more concerning, the ash burns black and inconsistently, which raises some red flags. From my understanding, this could point to a few underlying problems: the flower might not have been properly cured, which would explain the moisture and uneven burn. It's also possible that excess nutrients or pesticides weren't flushed out before harvest, affecting both taste and combustion. Packaging or storage issues could also be a factor--if the product was exposed to heat or humidity, that would degrade its quality.
In addition, my last handful of eighths have had buds with noticeably dark or black leaves--something I've never seen this frequently before. While some strains can naturally produce darker pigments, these blackened leaves don't look intentional. They could indicate nutrient imbalances like phosphorus or potassium deficiencies, overfeeding, or even necrosis. Combined with poor burn quality and off smells, it feels more like a warning sign than a rare phenotype. Honestly, some of what I've received feels like lower-grade material, even though it's being sold as premium.
The flower has also been varying being airy and light, lacking the density and structure expected from properly cultivated cannabis. Airy buds aren't just a cosmetic issue--they often point to deeper problems in the grow process. Whether it's poor lighting during flowering, high heat, nutrient imbalances, or early harvesting, the result is the same: underdeveloped, fluffy flower that lacks potency, burns too quickly, and feels like a poor value for the price.
On top of that, I've noticed an excessive amount of pistils--those long, hair-like structures--on buds that are supposedly ready to smoke. While pistils are a natural part of the flower, when they're still white, straight, and overly dominant, it usually means the bud was harvested too early. Mature cannabis should have pistils that are mostly darkened and curled inward--about 70-90%--with trichomes that have turned milky or amber. When buds are covered in immature pistils, it suggests the plant didn't reach full maturity, which can lead to weaker potency, grassy flavor, and a harsher smoke. Combined with the blackened leaves and poor burn quality, this points to deeper issues--possibly poor curing, nutrient imbalances, or rushed harvests.
On my most recent visit, I spoke directly with a budtender and explained that my last few eighths had been disappointing--airy, inconsistent, and just not up to par. I asked plainly, "What's your best bud right now?" and was pointed to Uplifted Cannabis Co.'s Sherbstack, which was clearly positioned as a more premium option. Trusting the recommendation, I picked up an eighth hoping for a return to quality. Unfortunately, when I got home and opened it, I was met with the same issues I've been trying to avoid. The bud smelled like sweet grass--flat and grassy, not the rich, pungent aroma you expect from top-shelf flower. It burned black and unevenly, and the buds had dark or black coloration in the leaves. They were dense with white pistils around the stem, and while they looked full, they felt slightly light for their volume--almost like they were holding on to moisture in a strange way. It was nearly identical to the last few eighths I've had, despite being sold as a higher-tier product. I've tried to give the benefit of the doubt, but when even the "best" recommendation turns out like this, it's hard to justify coming back.
I just think customers deserve consistency and transparency, especially when we're paying good money. I've had good experiences in the past--but this pattern is hard to ignore. When you're paying premium prices, quality should be a given. I hope this feedback is taken seriously, because I'd really like to see the standard return to what it once was.
