M.A.C. Attack! Hashtag’s Review of an Instant Classic
By Jeff Eckenrode, director of operations
From left to right: Gold Leaf Gardens, Lazy Bee Gardens, Phat Panda strains of Miracle Alien Cookies.
The not-so cannabis friendly Ronald Reagan once said: If you’ve seen one redwood, you’ve seen them all.
And although I don’t agree with the former president’s opinion on redwoods (or any trees, for that matter), it does raise an interesting question: If you’ve tried one strain of cannabis, have you tried them all?
It would be reasonable to suggest your initial reaction to that question would be “No!” And I would be inclined to agree with you. But generalizations are often made about the different types of cannabis that we smoke, eat, and vape. Perhaps you’ve heard a friend or coworker mention one of these generalizations like “sativas keep you awake” or “indicas make you tired.”
Truth be told, our experiences don’t always meet our expectations. In fact, many cannabis users like myself have learned that these generalizations are not 100% true in every circumstance.
I can recall a few memorable occasions when I’ve enjoyed a heavy indica late at night, only to find myself bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready for anything … except for sleep.
How can that be the case?
Cannabis is an incredibly diverse plant. Just like the hops we find in beer or the grapes we use to make wine, the very environment in which a cannabis plant is grown can (and often does) play a determining role in the traits that the plant ultimately displays.
When the same strain (also known as a cultivar, genotype, or chemovar) of a cannabis plant is grown under different conditions, different genes get expressed. As a result, different varieties of the exact same strain, known as phenotypes, emerge.
Take a strain like Miracle Alien Cookies (commonly known as M.A.C.), for example. When M.A.C. is grown in an indoor garden, the flavors, potency and effects of the flower that plant grows will be strikingly different than a M.A.C. grown in an outdoor garden, even though their genes are exactly the same.
But hold on. Just how big of a difference do growing conditions really make?
To answer that question, we took a deep dive into the world of cannabis cultivation. Our top-notch budtenders have sniffed, smoked and scribbled down their experiences with M.A.C. in pain-staking detail to share with you. And were we surprised with the results!
Here is what we found out...
First, what is M.A.C., anyway?
M.A.C., an abbreviation for Miracle Alien Cookies, is a three-way cross of the following strains: Alien Cookies, Colombian, and Starfighter. And although this strain is generally described as gassy or citrusy, each version of this strain that I’ve tried has been unique, sporting flavors, aromas and effects that would make you think you were smoking weed for the very first time.
Currently, M.A.C. is in high demand (no pun intended), so supplies are limited, especially if you like to live dangerously and don’t order online.
But at Hashtag, we’ve got you covered. We have M.A.C. available from a variety of growers and for a variety of purposes.
The real question is: which one would you like to try first?
First up: Gold Leaf Gardens
Gold Leaf's roots reach way back to the Hawaiian islands, where generations-old cultivation techniques and values are used to grow medical-quality cannabis. Unlike some larger, commercial operations, Gold Leaf adheres to strict growing standards. To put it simply, everything they put on their plants you can eat or drink yourself. And in 2016, Gold Leaf was the first indoor grow to operate under the Clean Green Certification, which is modeled after the USDA’s organic standards.
Gold Leaf’s M.A.C. is a big-league hitter. And take it from us, you could stick these buds to the ceiling! This M.A.C.’s aroma is subtle but distinct, sporting saccharine hints of dough, lemongrass and brown sugar. If you’re the type of person looking to maximize your punch per dollar, you’ve found the right stuff. After just a few puffs, you’ll feel like you’ve been flattened by a comet-sized cookie of delight. Which makes M.A.C. by Gold Leaf the go-to option for nap-time and laser shows.
On Deck: Phat Panda
Considered by many as one of THE most successful cannabis growing operations in the state of Washington, Phat Panda flower is in a league entirely of its own. Their state-of-the-art growing facility and meticulously detailed growing techniques are executed by a one-of-a-kind team that has led Phat Panda to become one of the largest cannabis producers in all of Washington State.
M.A.C. by Phat Panda is a must-have for Saturday night jam sessions, dance battles and every adventure in between. Its compact, hairy buds boast an unquestionable choir of flavors, most notably: honey, rose water and sea salt. And the accompanying high is out-of-this-world! So if you’ve got a few friends and a guitar at hand, you’re going to want to reach into your bag for this beauty.
Last but not least: Lazy Bee Gardens
Lazy Bee Gardens arguably provides the best outdoor flower you can buy. And their freshest batch of M.A.C. is no exception. Grown with love in the rich, living soil of the Methow Valley, Lazy Bee’s growers have a big heart. Their passion for exceptional cannabis is rivaled only by their commitment to sustainable, outdoor farming practices, which are good for the planet and healthier for us. So everybody wins!
Lazy Bee’s M.A.C. is a unique treat for a lot of reasons. First, its easy-to-handle buds burst with flavors and are ideal for bowls, joints, pipes, and vaporizers. And you’ll know it first hand when you open the bag and feel the satisfying slap of sweet Maui onion and pineapple on your nose. And if you’re like me and love to read, write, skate, swim or work while you smoke, then you need not look any further than Lazy Bee’s M.A.C. to help you take on any challenge, big or small.
So which one should I buy?
That’s entirely up to you! Whether you’re looking for something tasty, something smooth, or something strong enough to crush a watermelon, we’ve got the M.A.C. that’s just right for you.
So stop on by either our Fremont or Redmond locations to see what the hype is all about!