Strains
THE STRAINS EVERYBODY IS CHASING RIGHT NOW IN THE 518
Why Finding Fire Weed Costs More Than You Think
by OG Strain
People always ask me how I find the best weed.
The answer is simple:
I spend a ridiculous amount of money doing it so you don’t have to.
Everybody sees the reviews. Everybody sees the rankings. Everybody sees the articles and videos. What they don’t see are the road trips, the dispensary visits, the pop-up events, the underground sessions, the networking, the vendor meetings, and the countless dollars spent chasing the next great strain.
What they definitely don’t see are the times somebody confidently hands me an eighth and says, “Bro, this is absolute fire,” only for me to discover that it smokes like somebody rolled up a lawnmower bag.
That happens more often than you’d think.
Over the years, I’ve built relationships with growers, breeders, distributors, and vendors throughout New York. I’ve smoked more strains than I could ever count and attended enough events that my GPS probably thinks I work for the cannabis industry.
The goal has always been the same:
Find the best cannabis available and help people avoid wasting their hard-earned money.
But before I get into my current top strains, I need to make something crystal clear.
It’s Not Just The Strain — It’s The Grower
One of the biggest misconceptions in cannabis is that a strain name automatically guarantees quality.
It doesn’t.
If I tell you that Super Boof is fire, that does not mean every Super Boof you’ve ever seen is fire.
If I tell you that NYC Haze is incredible, that does not mean every grower growing NYC Haze is producing the same quality flower.
A great strain can become average in the wrong hands.
An elite grower can make a great strain become unforgettable.
When I’m talking about flower that impressed me enough to write about it, I’m talking about a specific grower, a specific batch, and a specific source.
You can’t buy the same strain from a completely different grower and automatically expect the same results.
That’s like eating at a five-star steakhouse and assuming every gas station hot dog is going to taste the same because technically they’re both beef.
That’s not how this works.
So today, I’m doing something most reviewers don’t do.
I’m telling you exactly where I found the fire.
- NYC HAZE (A.K.A. GOOD BURGER)
Let’s start with the heavyweight champion.
Real NYC Haze.
The authentic stuff still has one of the most recognizable aromas and effects in cannabis. It’s loud, flavorful, energetic, and carries that classic old-school profile that made New York Haze legendary.
The best examples I’ve found recently are coming from two trusted sources.
The first is The Gas Station, a vendor frequently found at Crisxotics events. He’s not always the cheapest option in the room, but he’s consistent, reliable, and almost always has quality NYC Haze available.
The second source is Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, where the same Haze lineage is often sold under the name Good Burger.
And let me tell you something.
Good Burger is ridiculous.
Every time I get my hands on it, I’m reminded why people still obsess over authentic Haze genetics. The aroma jumps out of the bag, the flavor translates perfectly, and the effects are exactly what experienced smokers are looking for.
This isn’t hype.
This is one of the best flowers I’ve smoked recently.
- SUPER BOOF
If there were a Cannabis Hall of Fame for strains currently dominating the 518, Super Boof would absolutely have a first-ballot nomination.
The strain itself has become famous for its loud terpene profile, frosty appearance, and potent effects.
But the batches that have impressed me the most are coming from one specific grower.
My man Mullet from Adekrondack.
He grows the Super Boof himself, and if you’ve attended Crisxotics events, you’ve probably seen his work.
To put it simply, Super Boof is his lane.
Every grower has that one strain they seem to understand better than everybody else.
For some people it’s Sour Diesel.
For others it’s OG Kush.
For Mullet, it’s Super Boof.
The consistency has been outstanding, and every batch I’ve encountered has been fresh, flavorful, sticky, and loaded with quality.
If you’re trying to understand why people are still talking about Super Boof, this is where I’d start.
- TOAD VENOM
Last but definitely not least is Toad Venom.
This strain continues to gain traction throughout the region, and for good reason.
The standout version I’ve encountered recently is the Maine Cut from Buddah Brothers.
Fresh.
Potent.
Flavorful.
Exactly what serious smokers are looking for.
The Maine Cut has a unique profile that separates itself from many of the other exotics floating around right now. It delivers the kind of quality that makes people immediately ask where it came from after the first session.
That’s usually the sign you’re smoking something special.
Everywhere I go, people are talking about Toad Venom, and after trying this version, I understand why.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE SKUNKS
Now here’s where things get interesting.
I haven’t personally tested the latest wave of Skunk genetics making their way around the 518 yet.
But I’ve heard enough positive reports from trusted smokers that they’ve officially landed on my radar.
The whispers are getting louder.
And in cannabis, today’s whispers often become tomorrow’s obsession.
So while I can’t officially rank them yet, don’t be surprised if some elite Skunk varieties crash this list in the near future.
FINAL HIT
At this moment, throughout Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Amsterdam, and the surrounding 518 region, these are the flowers that have impressed me the most:
NYC Haze / Good Burger
Super Boof
Toad Venom
More importantly, these are the specific growers and sources behind those flowers that made them stand out.
Because anybody can tell you a strain name.
What really matters is knowing who grew it right.
That’s the difference between good weed and unforgettable weed.
So the next time somebody asks how I always seem to know where the fire is, remember:
You’re seeing the final review.
You’re not seeing the gas money, the vendor conversations, the event admissions, the disappointing purchases, the trial and error, the networking, or the countless hours spent searching.
That’s my job.
I sort through the mids to find the fire so that you don’t have to.
— OG Strain
The Plug’s Pages Magazine
“Finding the fire so you don’t waste your money chasing smoke.”
Strains
BANKROLL: THE “SWEET GASOLINE” STRAIN THAT STOLE AUGUST
Why One Purple-and-Frosty Favorite Was Enough to Earn Strain of the Month
Well, I had a great vacation.
Then I came home to a little bit of drama.
But enough about that.
It’s time to get back to business.
Normally, I like to give you two or even three Strains of the Month to choose from. But this month is a little different. I’ve been spending a lot more of my time exploring cold-cure rosin lately, so I simply haven’t been working through as much new flower as I normally do.
I did receive a few samples recently, but I haven’t made my way through all of them yet.
One of those samples, however, immediately caught my attention.
Bankroll.
The Bankroll sample reviewed for this month’s feature came from Hudson Valley Greens, and while I’ve had Bankroll before, this particular sample stood out enough to earn the title of The Plug’s Pages Magazine’s August 2026 Strain of the Month.
And after spending some time with it, I came up with a name of my own.
If I were naming this strain?
I’d call it:
SWEET GASOLINE.
And once you get into the appearance, aroma and flavor, you’ll understand why.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: PURPLE TAKES CENTER STAGE
Let’s start with the look.
Bankroll is an eye-catching cannabis strain, with buds showing a mixture of purple and green coloration. Purple is definitely the dominant color in most of the sample, while the orange pistils provide a nice contrast throughout the buds.
But the real attention-grabber is the trichome coverage.
There’s an above-average amount of visible trichomes here—enough that the buds have a distinctly frosty appearance.

Basically, Bankroll showed up dressed for the occasion.
And apparently, it didn’t get the memo that August was supposed to be a quiet month.
THE NOSE KNOWS
The aroma is where Bankroll really starts getting interesting.
To me, the first thing that comes through is gas.
But it doesn’t stop there.
I’m also picking up fruity, floral and slightly sweet notes. There’s even something about the aroma that reminds me of vanilla.
That combination makes for a surprisingly complex smell.
You get the gassy character first, but as you spend more time with the flower, the sweeter and more floral notes become easier to recognize.
It’s not simply a one-note “gas” strain.
There’s considerably more going on.
And that made me curious about whether the flavor would follow the same path.
THE FLAVOR: SWEET GASOLINE
The flavor doesn’t hit quite as hard as the aroma initially does.
The aroma is stronger and more immediately recognizable, while the flavor takes a little more time to reveal itself.
The first impressions are smooth and gassy, with a slightly sweet character coming through.
As I spent more time evaluating it, those floral and vanilla-like notes became easier to identify.
And that’s when I knew what I would call it.
Sweet Gasoline.
It’s an unusual combination, but that’s exactly what makes the profile memorable.
The more time I spent with the strain, the more recognizable the flavor became. Instead of getting tired of the profile, I found myself picking up additional characteristics as I continued evaluating it.
That’s always a good sign when I’m reviewing a strain.
THE BALANCED EXPERIENCE
Bankroll is generally described as a balanced hybrid, and that description made sense based on my experience with the sample.
The overall effects felt balanced rather than heavily tilted in one direction.
I experienced a euphoric and relaxed feeling while remaining mentally alert. I wasn’t particularly tired or ready to go straight to sleep.
Instead, the overall feeling was more along the lines of: “I’m good. I’m comfortable. Let’s put something on TV.” And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
Bankroll didn’t leave me feeling like I needed to accomplish twelve things before midnight.
It was more of a relax, watch a movie, watch some YouTube and let the brain take the evening off kind of experience.
That balance is one of the characteristics that stood out most to me.
A SURPRISINGLY STRONG SAMPLE
Another thing that stood out was the overall strength of the sample.
Because I have a high tolerance from regular cannabis use and my experience with concentrates, I don’t always expect flower to make a particularly strong impression.
Bankroll did.
The sample produced a noticeable effect without requiring a large amount, which made it clear that this was not flower I would describe as lacking character.
Of course, everyone’s response to cannabis can be different. Individual tolerance, body chemistry and other factors can dramatically change how someone experiences the same strain.
That’s worth remembering whenever cannabis products are discussed.
My experience is exactly that—my experience.
It shouldn’t be treated as a guarantee of what somebody else will experience.
THE GREEN NUG THAT CHANGED THE PROFILE
Interestingly, one of the final buds I evaluated looked noticeably different from the others.
This particular nug had considerably more green coloration—roughly 30% green compared with the more purple-dominant appearance of the rest of the sample.
And guess what?
That particular nug tasted really gassy.
It was another reminder that even within the same cannabis strain, individual buds can sometimes present slightly different characteristics.
For someone who pays attention to flavor and aroma, those differences can be fascinating.
SO, WHY BANKROLL?
This brings us back to the obvious question:
Why did Bankroll earn the August Strain of the Month title when I normally feature multiple strains?
Simple.
Because I only need one winner.
I haven’t been getting through as much new flower lately because so much new flower lately because so much of my attention has been on cold-cure rosin. I still have additional flower samples waiting to be properly evaluated, and I don’t want to give a strain a spot in the magazine simply because I need to fill a space.
If something earns Strain of the Month, I want it to actually stand out.
Bankroll did.
I’ve had this strain before, but the Hudson Valley Greens sample I evaluated for August was impressive enough to make the cut.
The purple-dominant appearance caught my attention.
The heavy trichome coverage kept it there.
The gassy, fruity, floral and slightly sweet aroma made me want to investigate further.
And the flavor profile ultimately gave me the name that sums up my experience with it better than anything else:
SWEET GASOLINE.
THE FINAL WORD
After returning from vacation, I wasn’t necessarily expecting Bankroll to become the highlight of my first month back.
But that’s the funny thing about reviewing cannabis.
Sometimes you think you already know what you’re going to find.
Then a strain comes along and says, “Hold my jar.”
For August 2026, Bankroll did exactly that.
It delivered an impressive visual presentation, a complex aroma, a distinctive gassy-sweet flavor profile and the balanced character that made the sample memorable.
There may only be one Strain of the Month this time around.
But when that one strain makes enough of an impression to earn the title on its own, I don’t think I need three.
Bankroll is officially The Plug’s Pages Magazine’s August 2026 Strain of the Month.
And if you ask OG Strain what I’d have named it?
There’s only one answer:
Sweet Gasoline.
Stay Tuned for the cold cure rosin of the month article!
Strains
🌿 FLOWER FAVORITES OF THE MONTH
🥇 Good Burger — Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green
If you haven’t tried Good Burger yet… what are you doing?
Seriously.
This was hands-down my favorite flower of the month.
The first thing that hits you is that loud, earthy, musky aroma that immediately reminds me of some classic New York haze cuts. Crack open the jar and it’s like Mother Nature slapped you across the face with a handful of fresh earth, herbs, and funk—in the best possible way. Many modern “dessert strains” lean heavily on candy terps, but Good Burger proudly marches in the opposite direction with a savory, earthy profile that keeps you coming back for another bowl.
The flavor is every bit as satisfying as the aroma. Rich earth, herbal spice, subtle fuel, and just enough sweetness to round everything out. Burger-family genetics are well known for their funky, garlic-forward and earthy terpene profiles, and Good Burger delivers that signature character while remaining remarkably smooth.
The effects?
Absolutely balanced.
A happy cerebral buzz gets the mind moving while a comfortable body relaxation settles in without gluing you to the couch. It’s the kind of hybrid that works whether you’re hanging with friends, watching movies, or spending twenty minutes trying to remember why you walked into the kitchen.
Trust me…
Most people who try this strain end up asking where they can get more.
⸻
🥈 Sub Zero — Gilly’s Greens
If Good Burger is the laid-back friend who always has great stories…
Sub Zero is the friend who drinks three energy drinks before breakfast.
Coming from the Blockberry (Super Boof) × Oreoz lineage, Sub Zero is absolutely loaded with bright citrus, creamy sweetness, and that unmistakable Super Boof influence that has become one of the hottest terp profiles around.
For me, this one leaned heavily toward an energetic experience. It’s uplifting, motivating and incredibly heady. Sensitive consumers may even notice their heart racing a bit—something energetic sativas can occasionally produce—so know your limits before diving in.
But if you’re a die-hard sativa lover?
You’re probably going to fall in love.
This is daytime smoke. Creative smoke. Get-things-done smoke.
Just maybe don’t clean your entire house at 2:00 in the morning because Sub Zero convinced you it was a good idea.
⸻
🥉 Pink Lobster — Best Budz
I’ve smoked Blue Lobster.
I’ve smoked Black Lobster.
I’ve smoked enough lobster strains that Red Lobster should probably start charging me rent.
But Pink Lobster?
This one surprised me.
It took everything I enjoy about the Lobster family and somehow made it even more enjoyable. Dense, frosty buds, a loud aroma, excellent flavor and effects that strike a beautiful balance between mental stimulation and body comfort.
Out of every Lobster phenotype I’ve personally tried…
Pink Lobster wins.
No debate.
⸻
🧊 COLD CURE ROSIN OF THE MONTH
Now let’s talk about the real terp hunters.
If flower is the movie…
Cold cure rosin is the director’s cut.
⸻
🥇 Western Maine — Buddah Brothers
I don’t throw around the phrase “favorite of all time” very often.
But Western Maine from Buddah Brothers might honestly deserve it.
This rosin is unbelievably smooth.
The flavor is difficult to describe because it refuses to fit neatly into one category. It opens with rich earthy sweetness before evolving into creamy herbal notes with a lingering finish that keeps coating your palate long after the exhale.
Every dab somehow tastes better than the last.
It’s the kind of concentrate that makes you stare at your rig after exhaling and quietly whisper…
“Yep… we’re doing another one.”
That’s usually how you know you’ve found something special.
⸻
🥈 Funk Mountain — Buddah Brothers
Don’t judge this one by the smell.
Seriously.
The aroma is downright bizarre.
Imagine swamp water, wet forest floor, funky cheese and old-school skunk somehow deciding to throw a family reunion.
Sounds terrible.
It isn’t.
The flavor completely changes once it hits the nail. Instead of tasting like the aroma suggests, the smoke becomes surprisingly smooth with earthy sweetness, herbal spice and a complex funky finish that keeps evolving throughout the dab.
This is one of those rosins where your nose says one thing…
…and your taste buds completely disagree.
⸻
🥉 Peanut Butter & Jelly — Central Oddities
Leave it to Central Oddities to sneak into the rankings with one of the sweetest rosins I’ve had this month.
Peanut Butter & Jelly delivers exactly what the name suggests.
Sweet berry notes mingle with creamy, nutty undertones and just enough earthy funk to keep everything balanced. Every dab is rich, flavorful and leaves behind a lingering sweetness that keeps you reaching for another.
It’s flavorful.
Potent.
Ridiculously smooth.
And one of those jars you accidentally empty way faster than you planned.
Don’t ask me how.
Science still hasn’t figured that one out.
⸻
FINAL PUFF
This month’s winners proved one thing…
You don’t always need the highest THC percentage to have the best experience.
Great cannabis is about terpenes, flavor, balance, and how the strain makes you feel.
Whether you’re rolling up some Good Burger, blasting off with Sub Zero, relaxing with Pink Lobster, or loading a dab of Western Maine, Funk Mountain, or Peanut Butter & Jelly, these are the strains that earned permanent real estate in my stash this month.
Until next month…
Stay lifted.
Stay laughing.
And as always…
Keep chasing flavor—not just numbers.
Strains
LAMB’S BREAD: THE LEGENDARY JAMAICAN SATIVA THAT REFUSES TO SIT DOWN
Some strains get famous because they test at ridiculous THC percentages. Some get famous because they have flashy packaging and marketing budgets bigger than a small town’s annual budget.
Then there’s Lamb’s Bread.
Lamb’s Bread didn’t need any of that.
This legendary Jamaican landrace sativa earned its reputation the old-fashioned way—by delivering one of the most uplifting and energetic experiences cannabis has to offer. Long before dispensaries were arguing over whether 34% THC is somehow better than 33%, Lamb’s Bread was already building a worldwide reputation from the hills of Jamaica.
And if the stories are true, it was reportedly one of the favorite strains of reggae legend Bob Marley. Whether you’re a cannabis historian, a sativa enthusiast, or just somebody who occasionally loses their car keys while they’re still in their hand, Lamb’s Bread is a strain worth knowing.
A PIECE OF CANNABIS HISTORY
Lamb’s Bread, often called Lamb’s Breath, traces its roots back to Jamaica where it developed naturally as a landrace strain. Unlike many modern varieties that have been crossed, recrossed, and crossed again until their family tree looks like a plate of spaghetti, landrace strains evolved naturally in specific regions over generations.
That makes Lamb’s Bread something special.
It’s a living piece of cannabis history—a genetic snapshot from a time before breeders started combining everything with everything else.
Many modern “sativas” on dispensary shelves are actually sativa-leaning hybrids. True pure sativas have become increasingly rare, making Lamb’s Bread one of those strains that seasoned consumers get excited about when they actually find it.
APPEARANCE: SUNSHINE IN FLOWER FORM
Lamb’s Bread doesn’t always have the dark purples or exotic color combinations that dominate social media these days.
Instead, it typically produces bright green flowers covered in a healthy layer of sparkling trichomes. The buds are often somewhat airy and elongated compared to the dense golf-ball nuggets many modern hybrids produce.
In other words, Lamb’s Bread looks like a strain that spent its childhood running around tropical mountains instead of sitting in a laboratory taking selfies.
AROMA AND FLAVOR
Open a jar of quality Lamb’s Bread and you’ll often be greeted with a unique combination of earthy, herbal, citrus, and slightly sweet aromas.
Some phenotypes lean toward spicy and peppery notes, while others offer tropical fruit characteristics that remind you of its Caribbean origins.
The flavor follows a similar path. Expect herbal earthiness mixed with citrus and subtle sweetness, often finishing with a spicy kick that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
It’s not one of those strains that tastes like a blueberry cheesecake dipped in rainbow sherbet and wrapped in cotton candy.
It’s cannabis-flavored cannabis.
And sometimes that’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
THE EFFECTS: WHY PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS STRAIN
This is where Lamb’s Bread separates itself from the crowd.
Many strains promise energy. Lamb’s Bread actually delivers it.
Consumers frequently report feelings of mental clarity, creativity, focus, motivation, and an overall sense of positivity. Instead of feeling glued to the couch while debating whether ordering pizza counts as exercise, Lamb’s Bread often encourages activity, conversation, creativity, and productivity.
This is the strain you reach for before tackling a project.
Before going on an adventure.
Before cleaning the house.
Or before convincing yourself that reorganizing your entire collection of smoking accessories at 2 PM is somehow a life-changing achievement.
For daytime consumers, artists, musicians, writers, and anyone seeking an uplifting experience, Lamb’s Bread has remained a favorite for decades.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH LAMB’S BREAD
I recently had the opportunity to pick up some Lamb’s Bread from Buddah Brothers, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
What stood out most was how genuinely sativa the experience felt.
These days, a lot of strains marketed as sativas turn out to be sativa-leaning hybrids that eventually settle into a relaxing body effect. Not Lamb’s Bread.
This one reminded me why pure sativas became legendary in the first place.
The uplifting nature of the experience was exactly what I look for when I’m reaching for a daytime strain. The mental clarity, the positive mood, the motivation—it all felt authentic and true to what cannabis enthusiasts have historically associated with classic sativas.
If you’re somebody who loves the energetic, creative, and uplifting effects typically associated with sativa strains, this is absolutely one I would recommend experiencing for yourself.
WHY LAMB’S BREAD STILL MATTERS
Cannabis trends come and go.
Every year there’s a new flavor, a new cross, a new “must-have” strain that everybody forgets about six months later.
But Lamb’s Bread continues to stand the test of time.
Why?
Because it offers something increasingly difficult to find: authenticity.
It’s a genuine landrace with a rich history, legendary status, unique genetics, and effects that have earned respect from generations of cannabis consumers.
In a market filled with flashy names and endless hybrids, Lamb’s Bread serves as a reminder that sometimes the classics become classics for a reason.
And if Bob Marley really did enjoy it as much as the stories suggest, who are we to argue with the King of Reggae?
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