[Review] Curaleaf Pre-Ground Flower - Durban Thai

It's funny to me that, as one of the most progressive states in the U.S., that New York State has to make it a chore for the MMJ patients to find strain, terpene, and potency information instead of just allowing the dispensaries to blatantly just put it on the packaging and online. Not only do they make it like they are selling weed to children with acronyms for names but they require that *only* pre-ground flower be sold. Like I mentioned in my previous review for the Vuber Nova, this is a complete bastardization of the plant and really doesn't allow adults to choose and be adults on their own. In direct contrast, when you look at Massachusetts' recreational program, it's a true adult market: full buds, concentrate, pre-rolled joints. Here's to hoping that our legislators can pull something out of their asses for us this year. #legalizeit #norml I hate to start a review like that but it needs to be pointed out that this is in no way the bidding of the dispensaries and is instead state mandated. This quarter ounce was purchased from FP Wellness in Halfmoon, NY and ran me $69 with a 20% discount and 12 dollars taken off for my rewards points. They have a really great, friendly, personable staff that are quick, efficient, and accommodated my pickup time change with no issues.

The last time I purchased bud from FP was a few months ago and at that time I chose to go with Columbia Care instead of Curaleaf but this time I just *had* to get that nice container for some photos. The selection of Curaleaf strains is also much more robust at FP compared to Columbia Care and they also are a few dollars cheaper which always makes me keen to save a few bucks.

Pictures, as promised:

In terms of grind this was in the same ballpark as Columbia Care - coarse grind with very small buds and mixed in with what I'd call heavy shake. In all honesty, it works, but it's something to get used to. As I mentioned above this strain was Durban Thai and it has a funky, cheesy, citrus aroma that stayed on my fingers in a really pleasant way after loading my vape. It was pretty dry compared to a full bud but it's almost expected when you grind something up and let it sit in a non-humidified environment (albeit it was sealed with an anti tampering cover).

Where the Columbia care also won was in the potency department. Now, I can't remember which strain I got last time from Columbia Care so it might've been an indica which would have definitely affected my sense of potency but I also smoked it instead of vaping which could also have had a different effect. I tend to agree with the sentiment that vaping is more of a controlled, smooth, precise high rather than mixing traditional smoking and an indica which would have the perception of a heavier hit. This observation almost makes the discussion of the Durban Thai's potency a moot point but I thought it needed to be discussed. What I can say about the Durban Thai's potency is that I definitely felt it, and it was more cerebral, energizing, numbing, and focus enhancing but not something that will make you want to sit on the couch and veg. It will make you think and be creative and maybe want to write a blog post about it! In terms of pain management it doesn't do much for me, again - more cerebral, less body.

Where the Durban Thai prevailed was in its flavor and smell. When I first opened the package I was taken back for a second as it was super stinky, cheesy, but citrus-y; it was a really weird combo but something that somehow worked. When I put the flower into the chamber of the Nova I did the ol' smell test on my fingers and it was really good - intoxicating in a slightly masochistic kinda way. It just stinks so good. Oddly enough this doesn't translate to the vapor as it was medium bodied and citrus-forward only. I never got a burnt flavor even vaping today at 430 degrees for both sessions meaning that, although I hate it, the grind must've been spot on and the element in the vape working the way it should with good airflow.

So, would I buy this again? From Curaleaf? Probably not. I'd be interested in what real, full-bud Durban Thai is like. If I were to buy ground flower again I'd probably go with Columbia Care. Judging by the reviews on FP's site I'm in the wrong here (DTA has 33 pretty positive reviews) but maybe I just got a whack batch or something else happened. To be fair I would need to try Curaleaf again to fairly judge this. Maybe I'll try the next best from them which is "APP" or Apollo 11 (a hybrid - 12 votes at the time of writing this). I'll update y'all when that happens. Peace.