While the list of labels in Illinois grew quickly in 2024, this year’s list is on pace to exceed it. Recently, Mt. Vernon-based Green Growth Group has brought the MariMed label Nature’s Heritage to the state, along with a list of new strains. I picked up from Emerald Dispensary the Grape Diamonds to review.

Grape Diamonds is a sativa-leaning hybrid cross of Pink Grapefruit and Member Berry. This batch of flower tested at 1.1% THC, 23.51% THCa, and 24.97% total cannabinoids. Terpenes were 2.35% of the total weight with β-myrcene, β-caryophyllene, and linalool indicated as the heaviest.

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Two larger, pointed colas were joined by a couple just-larger-than-popcorn pieces. All were bright-lime green with a light surface trim that left a few darker forest green sugar leaves intact. Wispy fire-orange hairs reached out from the surface, weaving in and out of the layer of crystal clear trichomes. Consistently springy from surface to core, the dry and cure was even throughout these buds.

Sour notes of green apple, grapefruit, stainless steel, and pear created a sharp top end with a more complex blend of blue cheese, roasting garlic, and creamy vanilla underneath. The flavor carried the same top-end tones of grapefruit and pear, but the undertone of vanilla became heavier and richer, creating a cream-soda note on the finish. While the flavor was complex and layered, it was light and disappeared from the palate almost immediately.

Grape Diamonds fell into the Work Sativa category rather quickly, inducing a sense of mental clarity and a low-level clean-burning energy that boosted my productivity. My mood was optimistic and positive, calming my anxieties and further allowing for a clear-headed focus to dominate the following hour. The physical effect was shorter lived as a wave of muscle relaxation that came and went quickly.  Overall, Grape Diamonds delivered a flavorful flower with a clear work sativa buzz for morning, day, and afternoon dosing.

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Effects & Medical Attributes are based on anecdotal evidence. Individual experiences can be varied.