Aster Farms’ Skin Contact. Photo from Sacred Bloom dispensary.
This weekend, I got to try two strains of Aster Farms’ naturally grown bud. Their Forbidden Punch hybrid and Skin Contact sativa were the perfect addition to a night out and the next-day recovery from it.
About Aster Farms
Founded in 2016 in Northern California, Aster Farms crafts an all-natural product. Aster Farms grows their cannabis in live-soil, and uses regenerative farming methods. When I opened a jar, an earthy, grassy smell immediately hit me that let me know how true to nature it is.
The difference between live soil and alternatives such as super soil is in how it is cared for. According to Dr. Greenthumb, an organic gardening supply shop, live-soil uses microorganisms and fungi, “to create a self-sufficient soil ecosystem.” Additionally, living soil requires added organic matter to maintain the microorganisms and fungi.
In keeping with the mindfulness of the land they grow in, the company includes a land acknowledgment of the original owners of their property, the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, in their 2021 Sustainability Report.
Aster Farms’ dedication to sustainability extends to other aspects of production, including product packaging. According to their 2021 Sustainability Report, the company attempts to reduce the use of plastics and waste by buying their products in bulk, using compostable materials, recycling organic matter, and using glass packaging.
The Products
With such dedicated tending to, it is no surprise that Aster Farms’ bud smells fresh, hits easily, and produces a clean and clear high.
Not only does Aster Farms take good care of their products, but they are also committed to making sure their customers understand their own bodies and that they are satisfied with their products. For example, their products have a sunscape design on their packaging so consumers can pick what type of high works best for them.
The sunscapes aim to be a guide to how the product will make consumers feel, marked by a period of the sun cycle, including moonlight—which is calming, or radiant—which may be best for daytime use.
Both Forbidden Punch and Skin Contact are part of their “radiant” sunscape line. I was drawn to these because I like to relax when smoking. But I don’t want to feel foggy or tied to my couch.
Forbidden Punch
805 mg of THC per 3.5 (one eighth oz)
$31.64
For a night out, I try not to mix too many things together. However, I had a feeling that Forbidden Punch would be the perfect addition to my pre-game.
The first hit of this hybrid—a cross between Forbidden Z x Purple Punch—was intense but did not burn or come with any sort of kick to the back of my throat. I was pleasantly surprised at how mellow the few hits made me feel. While I did not feel a body high, within a few minutes, I noticed a light feeling in my head and felt a smile spread across my face. As I continued to smoke, there was no feeling of sluggishness or lethargy, either.
I think this strain would be good for someone who likes to smoke without feeling completely dazed or getting too high. Typically after smoking, I will feel a buzz for about an hour; this strain lasted for around 45 minutes before I felt like I needed another hit.
Skin Contact
770 mg of THC per 3.5 g (one eighth oz)
$31.64
The next day, my friends and I decided to try out Skin Contact, knowing it was a sativa. Many consider a sativa better for daytime use. That’s because it creates more of a head high, while indica is best for sleeping and relaxing the body, according to Cresco Labs.
Their sativa definitely held up. Similar to Forbidden Punch, there was no harsh kick to my throat and the orangey smell as it burned was a nice addition to our session.
The high from this strain was similar to Forbidden Punch in that I felt it mostly spreading across my head, pulling a smile and giggles from me. I felt more energized after smoking the Skin Contact, as well. I definitely felt this high for longer than an hour, which was a nice contrast from my experience with Forbidden Punch.
Test Results
It’s vital that companies provide test results and/or a certificate of analysis (COA) for their products. On all of Aster’s jars, they provide a QR code so their consumers can check the cannabinoid levels, the safety level of the product, and investigate the terpenes the strains contain.
According to their results, Skin Contact contains 18.89% total THC (or 770 mg), 11.7% moisture, and 0.00% total CBD. Forbidden Punch has 23.81% total THC (805 mg), 0.18% total CBD, and 10.4% moisture.
The strains also passed a safety test, meaning the products were free from foreign matter, heavy metals, microbials, mycotoxins, pesticides, and water activity. Moisture content is also important when discussing test results for bud. According to True Labs, cannabis products should contain between 6%-15% moisture content. Anything higher than 15% leaves the product susceptible to contamination and mold, so Aster’s products passed their moisture test as well.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the story of Aster Farms, their commitment to clean products, and transparency with its customers, I feel good giving my support to the company. With a reverence for the land and Native Tribes, they are dedicated to growing the best possible plant, improving their ecological footprint, and fostering the best experience for their customers.
Out of the two products I used, I would certainly recommend both. I am, however, more partial to a sativa than a hybrid, so if I had to choose, I’d go back for another jar of Skin Contact.
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