The Cookies brand has become one of the largest multi-state operations in the cannabis industry. Outside of California, Berner partners with cultivators that share his vision and have the space to crank out massive amounts of quality weed. The first critique you’d have of this method of rapid expansion is ensuring quality control. In Respect My Region COO Joey Brabo’s recent travels to Chicago, he was able to visit Modern Cannabis (MOCA) in Downtown Chicago and pick up several products to try. Among which was a Collins Ave Cookies pre-roll that epically failed our Taste Test Review.
Considering the price of Cookies’ products, you’d like to hope and believe that you’re picking up something fire. If you’re a new patient at one of Chicago’s recreational dispensaries, the wait times outside the store may be cold and lengthy in the winter, or hot and sweltering in the summer.
Considering the price, the wait, and the hype surrounding Cookies’ products, we had high hopes for the Collins Ave pre-roll. These were not met when Joey opened the white doob tube to find over a third of the joint had fallen out of the crutch. Watch part one below and see how it all fell apart.
Collins Ave Joint Review Feat. Cookies At Modern Cannabis (MOCA) In Downtown Chicago [Part 1 Fail]
To see the Cookies’ name being poorly represented in states outside California is worrisome for any regular cannabis consumer. This company is supposedly setting the bar in any new state they’re in. Quality control is one of the biggest issues with any cannabis brand expanding its operation, especially into a new state.
This joint was obviously thrown around a bit and went through a rough transport to the shelves that may have knocked out so much bud. Whatever the cause, there was obviously not as much care put into this product as one that you’d seemingly find in California, Washington, or even Oregon. We’ve reviewed Cookies products in all three of these states and have come across products that score high and low, but nothing as bad as this.
Only after performing some serious surgery on the pre-roll was Joey able to salvage nearly half the joint to give it a formal review.
The Collins Ave strain is known for its creamy citrus and bright yogurty flavors. This might be the perfect strain to energize your day and create an overall uplifting effect. When Joey was finally able to get a good smoke off of the Collins Ave pre-roll, the flavor was undoubtedly there, as well as the heady high. But the price, the wait, and the loss of weed from the joint into the tube is unacceptable for a Cookies product and their retail partner.
Collins Ave PreRoll Review Ft. Cookies At Modern Cannabis (MOCA) In Downtown Chicago [Part 2 Score]
Joey also picked up pre-rolls from Grandiflora (a Cookies sister company,) Ozone Joints, and an eighth from Revolution Cannabis. Thankfully, the other two pre-rolls Joey bought were able to stay in one piece to get a proper Taste Test Review.
Grandiflora’s Melonatta strain pre-roll had a nice color to the buds and a creamy, fruity, gassy smell that had a similar taste on the dry-hit. The joint canoed at first, causing Joey to relight a few times, but once the cherry was going it became a solid 8.5/10.
Melonatta Joint Review Featuring Grandiflora At Modern Cannabis (MOCA) In Downtown Chicago
Next up was the Cake Mints pre-roll from Ozone Joints. Upon opening the doob tube there was a wave of cakey piney aromas that hinted at the quality of the flower. Upon lighting, the smoke was smooth, presenting all of the kush, cake, and pine flavors we were hoping for.
The taste was delicious, earning it a 9.75/10 on the taste test alone. If you factor in the price (~$18 + tax for two pre-rolls,) along with the flavor, Joey thought this particular product was worthy of a 93/100.
King Crasher Strain Review Featuring Revolution Cannabis At Modern Cannabis (MOCA) In Chicago
Revolution Cannabis’ King Crasher strain was the last product Joey reviewed while visiting Chicago. This was the only eighth of flower Joey picked up solely on a recommendation from the budtenders at MOCA. With around 27% THC, we also saw lab tests, the strain’s lineage and dominant terpenes on the packaging. This is the kind of information we love to see.
When breaking down the buds to roll up into a joint, Joey was met with pleasant cake and fresh pine aromas. Revolution Cannabis’ King Crasher strain was true to its dominant terpenes on the smoke, the packaging was informative, and the harvest date was fresh. This is definitely a high potency, premium product that is worthy of a 90/100 score.
