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On a weekend trip to Lake Placid, NY, I visited State of Mind in Latham. I could have shopped locally (Hudson Valley), but I wanted something different. Good luck for me at State of Mind! State of Mind provided me with selections that were new to me, as well as some great favorites! I preordered, and everything was perfect. I loved 10% off flower deal that I got because it was Friday. Huge selection of EVERYTHING cannabis! The service was stellar and professional. I will make this a regular stop from now on when I go north. Plenty of parking. Easy to find off the Northway (I-87).

I truly dislike this strain. My first experience with it was from Matter, my second time from Nanticoke, and subsequent times from LivWell. Matter's made me feel too racy, Nanticoke's had no kick to me, and LivWell's is the worst of the three. When you open a LivWell container of this strain, it smells very unappealing. Stank like a really bad funk. Its low THC of 21% isn't very effective, as compared to LivWell's Blue Dream which even at a lower THC percentage gives you nicer, mellower buzz. It's also a light-tasting strain. Slightly reminds you of its GG4 lineage, but it really lacks in any umami. Skip this mess, from my perspective. Blue Dream is a better choice in this strain style.

I absolutely am impressed with everything about Devine! I was anxious to go to this dispensary, as it became the nearest recreational one that is closest to where I live. It will now be a regular stop on a trip in Western Massachusetts. From the moment you pull up, you feel like you truly are at a mom-and-pop type shop for cannabis, and not a big cannabis-dispensing factory. Lovely landscaping and a bridge over the creek they are next to that leads to a beautiful area with seating. When you enter the shop, you feel transported to a magical space that is filled with a great variety of all things cannabis and CBD. This dispensary has a focus on wellness and feeling good. Having been to many Massachusetts dispensaries, and almost everyone in the southwestern area, I can easily say this is one of the best, if not the best, that I have visited in the entire state. Yes, it is certainly not the biggest, but the smaller, cozy space actually improved my cannabis purchasing experience. I also liked the fact of who I am supporting. I was able to meet the one of the co-owners, and talking to him solidified the fact of why I will shop here in Western Massachusetts from now on. I am already looking forward to my next visit. Fresh product, great prices, excellent customer service and cool location. A five-star experience you shouldn't miss.

My experience with Highwayman was an several eighths by The Botanist. Purchased 2/5/23, packaged on 12/20/22, expiration date of 11/22/23, and this review is a collective of this same batch. Last consumed on 7/4/23. Had it several times since February 2023. Highwayman is a smooth-smoking flower. Taste is very pleasant, with a hint of earthy coffee. Effects are decent enough, but I find this strain to be slightly underperforming for its THC level of 27.9%. Of course, at the time of this review, the flower is now seven months old. I purposely left it as is for a test. Because of The Botanist lack of inner seal and humidity pack, their flower degrades quickly, even when stored in the proper conditions surrounding it. I wasn't that enamored with it back in February, but I like to sample enough before I say it's not all that. Decent enough, but still an underperformer for me, for the most part.

This is the lowest THC strain of cannabis I've have ever had, short of Cannatonic (6% THC). This was 13.94%. I bought an eighth of Etain's California Orange on 3/28 and consumed it on 6/18. It was packaged 11/7/22 with a use by date of 5/7/24. Thanks to Etain's vacuum-packaging and Boveda packet within their glass jar, the freshness was as good as day one. Orange aroma emanates from the beautiful dense nuggets. Smooth-hitting with an orange-honey taste. Pleasant, but not overwhelming buzz. Overall, relaxing to mind and body. I give this strain props for having a decent enough buzz at a low THC content.

My experience with Zkittlez was an eighth of Etain Zkittles. 15.89% (this is last year's lower THC version they produced) purchased on 3/28/23, packaged 10/13/22 (use by date of 4/13/24), and consumed on 6/13/23. Etain's packaging means business. A vacuum-sealed jar with a Boveda packet ensures freshness. Yes, cannabis is still viable months after packaging if stored as such. I've heard people complain about Etain flower, but I've had many brands, and I find Etain's to be pretty damn good! A lot of brands are pretty dry, because their packaging isn't that good. There is either no safety inner seal or no moisture packet and sometimes both. Etain's doesn't turn to powder. It's sturdy. This is a pretty good version of Zkittles. Great taste, with fruit and sweetness, with a hint of citrus. Flowery and herbal exhale. Effective for being a low THC content flower. It gives a buzz you can feel after half a joint. My next review of Zkittles will be Etain's new higher (20% THC) strain. I am not disappointed at all with this older version, however!

My experience with Kush Mints was an eighth ounce of Curaleaf's Kush Mints. Purchased 2/27/23, consumed on 6/9/23, with a use by date of 12/7/23. THC: 30.63% THCa: 34.92%. Kush Mints is a very tasty and hard-hitting "indica". The aroma out of the jar was quite pungent. Curaleaf's packaging is a little better than some other brands. A safety seal is on the jar, and an Integra packet is inside. The flower I had was still fresh and perfect. Beautiful sized nuggets with good denseness. The taste is amazing, with a minty, earthy, and slightly menthol-based taste. Definitely unlike any other flower! The effects are amazing...this an indica-type strain that delivers a soothing and relaxing high. This particular batch was quite powerful. Save this one for the end of the day, although if you have a high tolerance, you will feel tranquil as you go about things, at the very least. As a veteran cannabis consumer, I cannot recommend this strain enough! I like getting strains that have an effective indica-lean. This is a classic example of flower that relaxes you and makes you feel euphoric. Get this if you want to feel mellow and comfortable.

This is a place where you are welcomed warmly. Small-town feel in a big town! My first visit was a really, really nice one. Their customer service is outstanding and incredibly efficient. I liked that I was asked if I wanted a consultation, even though I've been a MMJ patient for a while. The entire staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. The selection of products is excellent, especially in the flower department. The facility itself is well-designed and very inviting. Plenty of parking. Easy to locate just off of Route 17. They offer various discounts for patients. If I lived closer, I would shop at The Botanist regularly. If you're thinking about purchasing your medicinal needs here, stop thinking and get going!

Vireo Garlic Budder quarter ounce smalls THC 18.9%. Packaged 12/2/22, use by date 12/1/23. Consumed on 5/18/23. Fresh, decent sized "small" buds. Well-manicured. Vireo uses a Boveda packaged and safety seal on their jars, so their product stays fresh. I love the effects of this slow-burning flower. Great old-school feel, with a perfect balance of uplifted mentally, and relaxed body-wise. The taste is a combination of nutty, buttery, and cheesy. Smooth as anything I've ever smoked. This is a solid flower, and at 18.9% it still delivers a great long-lasting buzz. I would definitely purchase this again.