Today’s review evaluates Peppermint Cookies, a branded discovery of an extraordinary Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies (GSCtm) plant by Gold Leaf Gardens , an indoor producer growing great cannabis in Lacey, Washington. Lux pot shop had a 3.5 gram jar for $57.75, while adding the 3.5 gram pack of five joints was another $46.25 (receipt image below).
1. Environmental Stewardship (0 / 5). Indoor operations can conceivably control every variable in cultivating horticultural perfection, but they pay huge amounts for electricity. The cost of that electricity and its carbon footprint is passed on to, and rests firmly on the shoulders of the consumer. Sadly, current prohibitions and fears prevent many urban producers from exposing their plants to the sun with solutions as simple as a rooftop or back-lot greenhouse.
2. Freshness (5 / 5). The freshest buds are most often the best. As stated above, the brand is very popular, so freshness was not an issue. The reviewed batch was harvested August 20, 2018 and purchased January 2, 2019 (~4.3 months).
3. Terpenoids were not quantified, nor qualitatively presented on the Label (0 / 5).
4. Producer did not disclose pesticides on the label. However, the packaging bears the “Clean Green Certified” logo, which indicates they will pass our scrutiny as well (5 / 5).
5. Communication (0 / 5). Producer has not yet responded to Seattle Bliss requests for information. Should things change, we will try to review them again.
6. Cannabinoids Labeling, two quantities missing; (3 / 5). The average consumer wants and needs to know Total THC and Total CBD. These totals are calculated values based on the loss of the ‘acid’ stub by shedding CO2, and sure enough Total THC is always just a little bit less than THC + THC-A. Consumers may also care to know how much of each of these active substances were still in the inactive, acid form. The law in Washington requires all four of these to be clearly and accurately quantified. Total Cannabinoids, CBG, CBN, etc., are not required, but may be included on the label as a bonus to the consumer. This label listed “THC: 23.06% CBD: 0%”, which fails to identify whether quantified THC is actual THC, THC-A, or calculated Total THC.
7. Terpene Presence (5 / 5) is evaluated with the First Sniff and is indicative of Concentration as an undetectable sample would rate at 0 and a very strong one at 5. Standard sniff evaluation includes the combined sniffing of the newly opened container AND subsequent grinding of 1 gram and sniffing the freshly-ground product. This step is for evaluating the whole buds in the newly opened container. The first sniff from the jar was very fragrant.
8. Product Purity is evaluated with the First Sniff and Microscopy (5 / 5). Any impurities may cause an unexpected odor, but should be detectable under the microscope. None were detected via either detection method.
9. Product Color (5 / 5). Buds were very white with trichomes covering epidermal patches of purple amidst golden brown; very pleasing.
10. Product Quality is evaluated during bud inspection (5 / 5). Points can be lost for male flower sites (more common recently due to the feminized seed market), insect or animal evidence, abusive handling, etc.
11. Product Moisture is also evaluated during bud inspection (5 / 5). The most ideal buds, this sample inclusive, are sponge-like, mostly dry, but a little bit sticky. The consumer will be able to open a bud, spreading the seedless bracts to reveal and snap the central stem without breaking the bud. No exception here.
12. Trim Quality (5 / 5). Sample had all sugar leaf stems, most pistils and all leaf matter removed; bud stems < 3 mm.
13. Trichome Density (5 / 5). Flower was densely covered with capitate trichomes.
14. Harvest Timing (5 / 5). Most trichome heads were white and opaque with a hint of amber here and there; Perfect timing.
15. Terpene Presence, 2nd Sniff (5 / 5). This step is for evaluating the freshly-ground buds and should garner a higher rating than the first sniff of the buds (unless both rate 5). The aroma was dominated by caryophyllene, with something else expressing freshness – probably menthol as it is the dominant terpene of peppermint (piper x mentha; also a hybrid).
16. Smoke Terpene Presence, 1st, 2nd taste (5 / 5). Sample is rated only upon how fragrant the smoke is; not how well it is liked. This sample was most delicious.
17. Smoke Smoothness was rated (5 / 5) with no undesired pops, crackles, or unavoidably fast/hot smoke to affect this score.
18. Smoke Pleasantness, 1st, 2nd taste (5 / 5). This evaluation criterion exists because some buds taste/ smell like feces, hay or vomit, perhaps a pesticide or soil amenity influences the taste; the pleasantness of the whole smoke requires rating.
19. Effectiveness (5 / 5). This strain, like all other GSCtm, is considered uplifting by some, and sedating by others. This branded strain appears to originate from the same source as GSCtm (perhaps Purple Kush and Durban Poison). I found it very effective.
20. Price-Value Rating (PVR), (2 / 5). PVR is calculated based on the price per gram versus the calculated average price regardless of potency. As is the case with this sample, those above the average price earn less. Those equal or under the average get the full five points. The average price at the time of this review was $11.00 per gram. The five-joint pack, which sold for $13.21 per gram, was used for rating here as the jar, at $16.50 per gram, gave a PVR of zero.
This sample earned an overall rating of 80 out of 100 possible points. Outdoor cannabis operations, greenhouse grows and those with light-deprivation greenhouses impose a much smaller carbon footprint on the Earth than indoor operations. Though this indoor grower may not be in a position to use less electricity at present, they could improve their Seattle Bliss rating, comply with existing laws and satisfy the desires of their consumers by making a few changes.
The Producer could easily satisfy the consumer’s desire to know exactly what they are consuming by proactively printing an annually verified terpenoid profile on their package label to earn another 5 points. Responding to requests for product information can begin to earn some points; a tour/inspection wouldn’t hurt either. Also, other states have their own requirements, but Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) rules state ALL FOUR of the following are required: “THC concentration (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) listed as total THC and activated THC-A and CBD concentration (cannabidiol) listed as total CBD and activated CBD-A” (WSLCB rules, https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=314-55-105 WAC Section 2, a, iv, E).
NOTE: The rules have errors. Activated THC-A is THC, and activated CBD-A is CBD. When transcribing these values from the lab report onto your label it is best to transcribe each exactly as the lab has it listed. THC is activated THC, THC-A is the non-activated, acid form of THC, and so on with CBD.
Gold Leaf Gardens can make the adjustments itemized here and not only score better on our review, but they’d likely improve consumer satisfaction with little or no additional cost.
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