Happy 4/20 to all who celebrate the high holiday of April 20th, a day marked by relaxing with cannabis. If you’re looking to join in the chillest of celebrations, here in Champaign-Urbana, we can choose all sorts of ways to enjoy cannabis, from flower to gummies to chocolate bars to pre-rolled joints and more. What’s good out of the hundreds of products at our cannabis dispensaries — and what’s it going to do? Reader, I’ve got you.
Whether you’re a cannabis connoisseur or just want to partake for 4/20, this list of five THC products might spark interest.
Limoncello Gummies︱matter
These limoncello gummies by the brand matter ($18.52) come in a pack of 10, each with 10 mg of THC, and the flavor is yummy. The half-sphere had a chew and was like a thick yellow Sour Patch kid. The sour-sweet lemon flavor covered the cannabis oil well, and within half an hour, I felt the candy’s effects. I was slower and calmer, floating through the day, watching my hands complete ordinary tasks like it was a cinematic experience. Still feeling it two hours in, I got the munchies and satisfied them with a bowl of cereal that crunched so loudly and tasted more delicious than usual, like I could taste every granule of sugar on the flakes. There isn’t a strain listed, but I’d say it leans hybrid-sativa with an uplifting buzz.
If these matter gummies aren’t in stock, check out the Wyld brand gummies which are a little sweeter than these; go for the raspberry ones I recommended in April’s Five things to eat or drink in C-U.
Interstellar 420 Space Cakes︱Sweet Life by Hannah + nuEra
Two packs of these interstellar 420 space cakes ($9.63/ a bag) cost $20, and each bag has five chocolate-covered cakes. With no cannabis taste, the chocolate bite was decadent and dessert worthy. The brownie squares had a fudgy center with a milky chocolate exterior like the coating on Little Debbie Swiss Rolls. Irregularly shaped — so we know it’s artisan — the sweet chocolate brownie tasted just like a regular brownie, but it was a special brownie. Tory, a budtender at nuEra Champaign, recommended microwaving it for 20 seconds before eating, and holy delicious Batman, these little pot brownies were even better warm and gooey.
Since each contains 10 mg of THC, I recommend one square for a person without much tolerance to edibles, but if you’re wanting to feel interstellar, start with three. I ate three space cakes, and it felt like a hug for my mood. After an hour, my thoughts were a few miles away — not in space — but definitely higher than usual. I saw the wind blowing, and it was feat of nature; I was mesmerized by tree branches and waving blooms. Two hours in, I was in outer space. Everything was hilarious, and I was having a very, very good time laughing at absolutely normal things. The high lasted about five hours with a smooth come down.
These Space Cakes are a temporary release for 4/20, but keep any eye out for any limited holiday release edible because the Valentine’s marsh-mellow treats (also a collab with Sweet Life by Hannah) were excellent, too.
Animal Cake Pre-Roll︱Ozone
If you want to smoke a joint, there’s a variety of pre-roll options, but Ozone pre-rolls are my go-to because every C-U dispensary has them in stock. The 1g pre-rolls are a lot (personally) for one smoke session, and while I love Dogwalkers mini cigs (five pre-rolls at 0.35g each), they are pricier than $20. Ozone’s double 0.5g pre-rolls are a great size, no matter the strain.
This strain was Animal Cake, which is a sativa. The brand claims it’s good for insomnia, and I think it is helpful for that, but I love the feel, too. The smoke was lemony sweet, and it burned slow and evenly. One of these half gram pre-rolls sent me flying, which is kind of the point of smoking a j. The euphoric effect was immediate, and it lasted about an hour and a half. I also like the little plastic container that it comes with for easy travel (within the state of Illinois).
Orange Dark Chocolate Bar︱Nature’s Grace
Nature’s Grace orange dark chocolate bar has 100 mg THC ($20.74), with breakpoints at 10mg for easy dosing. The brand has other flavors like birthday cake, mint cookie, and marshmallow crunch, but the orange is my favorite. I loved the smooth texture of the chocolate and the bright citrus finish. Sweeter than most dark chocolate I’ve had, the chocolate bar was as tasty as any fancy chocolate bar from the grocery, and the classic pairing of orange and chocolate was delicious.
I took two one afternoon, and the effects were subtle — not as dramatic as 30mg, of course — but enough to feel a buzz. It served a mellow high; I felt a lot like myself, just in a more agreeable mood. Within two hours, I felt an easy chill that elevated my evening, but it’s great for a relaxing weekend afternoon, too. If you can’t find this chocolate in stock, I also really like the IncrEdibles brand chocolate bars.
Bear Dance︱Revolution Cannabis
Lastly, Bear Dance is one of many strains by the brand Revolution, but the name is reason enough to pick this particular strain. It’s a party vibe; the back of the bag said Bear Dance pairs well with a dance party, skateboarding, and creative endeavors. This 3.5 mg (one-eighth ounce) bag of Bear Dance flower ($45.60) is the priciest cannabis product on this list, but that’s how it is for flower. Flower can run over $100 depending on the strain and quantity.
Bear Dance flower had a lovely sweet, earthy smell and pretty little orange hairs. When smoked, it tasted pleasantly peppery, and the high was nearly immediate for me. The bag listed the strain’s terpenes in addition to a cute message: “The world is your dance floor. Welcome, friend!” The high added a glow everything, and I had resting smile face. Since it’s a sativa, I didn’t really want to sit down; the euphoric effects influenced me to cook an impromptu elaborate dinner. I happily chopped up veggies just so and made crispy fried chicken with coconut rice while listening to good jams. When buying flower, you will need accessories to consume it, so chat with any dispensary staff about cannabis paraphernalia needs.
Where to buy cannabis in Champaign-Urbana?
Here in C-U, we have four dispensaries each with their own vibe and menu. I highly recommend chatting with the staff at our local stores about what products and doses would be right for you.
nuEra Urbana
The OG of Champaign-Urbana dispensaries, this dispensary serves both medical card-holders and recreational customers with a variety of products and knowledgable staff. Order online or order in the store. Today on April 20th, the store is hosting a 4/20 parking lot party with food, face painting, and a prize wheel.
nuEra Champaign
This dispensary at the corner of First and Green Street is my go-to place to buy just because the staff is fabulous. From the people checking IDs at entry to the budtenders to the management, the store is a welcoming place for anyone looking to buy recreational cannabis. The store also has a 4/20 celebration with free Raising Canes chicken (while supplies last) and more starting at 2 p.m. today, April 20th. Order cannabis online or in the store.
Cloud9 Cannabis
The newest dispensary in town over off North Prospect by the new Fernando’s restaurant (which is not yet open) offers smell jars so customers can sniff products before buying. The staff are known as canna-seuers, and they’d love to walk you through the store’s options. Take time to stop and smell the flowers at Cloud9’s pretty Champaign store, or put in an advanced order online.
Sunnyside Champaign
Sunnyside Champaign is on Neil Street, and there’s parking beside the building. Entering the small room for the ID check, it’s the most bureaucratic entrance of all four dispensaries, but inside, there are bright colors, lots of nice cashiers, and assigned lanes for the queue. Anytime I’ve visited, it’s been quite busy, but the lines move fast. Personally, ordering online is best here, but you can also order in person at Sunnyside, too.
