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Happy holidaze, Arkansas!
Like the holiday season, cannabis cultivation is cyclical. Round by round, the way we grow each strain evolves. There are ups and downs, which allow growers to listen to the plants and make adjustments. When a grower learns to speak the language of a particular strain, cannabis flower cultivation reaches peak form.
Growers strive to bring out the best in a strain – the highest and most diverse terpene profiles and usually… THC percentages.
The cultivation team at The Source is no exception. They are loyal stewards of each cultivar, who use both science and intuition to bring out the best in a strain. One of my favorite moments in my role as CEO of The Source came on a random day when I was on a call in our conference room. Unbeknownst to me, test results from our most recent harvest dropped while I was on the call.
Flush with the excitement of badass test results, Rob and Ari scribbled “Chemmy tested 30%” on a piece of white printer paper and stuck it to the window of the conference room for me to read. I put myself on mute and jumped up and down, dancing with excitement like a crazy person.
My team had finally mastered the cultivation of the legendary strain, Chemmy Jones… and guess what? It wasn’t easy. We will never forget that day; that sign is still hanging in my office.
Grow lore suggests that there are four essential ingredients for peak cannabis cultivation, and they fall in this order:
I agree with this rough rubric, but I would also like to suggest that there is a fifth point that works a little bit like the “12th man” concept in football.
In business, we would refer to you as “the market” or “the consumer,” but I see it differently. I see you as the authors of the Arkansas cannabis story.
What you buy determines what we grow.
In fact, it’s your mindful consumption of products that allows local craft businesses like ours to pour deeper care into what we do, like the art of hand-watering plants.
At The Source, our Head Grower, Ari Pascoe, has many responsibilities, but she will never hesitate to say that her favorite duty of all is watering the plants. It is a meditative act for her, filled with intention, during which she possesses an uncanny ability to assess the health of each individual plant.
This attention to detail is evident when you take these products home in your kraft paper exit bag, open them up, and author one story after another with the essences of limonene, myrcene, and THC.
At the end of 2024, we are celebrating 12 cultivars by 4 different cultivators that have written themselves into the book of Arkansas medical cannabis history, thanks to your purchasing power. And let me tell you – these strains are worth celebrating.
You already know the bangers on our list: Donny Burger, Blackwater, Sour Berry Blue (and of course, Chemmy Jones). But we also included some deep-cuts – strains we feel deserve your attention, like one of our newest In The Flow cultivars, Grape Pie; the insider-favorite, MAC 1; and the shape-shifting, Wolverine, from BOLD Team.
I’m excited to invite you to shop “The 12 Strains of the Holidaze,” presented by The Source, where we create and sell products that tell a story.
Stay spark’d Arkansas,
Amanda Strickland
On the first day of the Holidaze, shop In The Flow’s Grape Pie grown at The Source! This indica-dominant hybrid is quickly becoming a new favorite in the Northwest Arkansas craft cannabis scene. Grape Pie gracefully blends the genetics of Peach Oz with (Grape Pie x Wedding Crasher) to create an experience that begins with uplifting euphoria before melting into profound physical comfort, making it the perfect companion for holiday relaxation.
A sophisticated terpene profile featuring myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene delivers waves of sweet grape and stone fruit aromas. It’s fun to grow, because it gets super crystally on the vine with large trichome heads. When you look at it under a microscope, the stalks of the trichomes are abnormally long, which is why it washes well (look forward to concentrates made with her soon).
Grape Pie takes on average height in the grow room and doesn’t get too leafy, making it easy to prune. She nugs out all the way down the plant, making her a solid yielder and one of In The Flow’s newest staples. Grape Pie’s terp profile creates a soothing body experience while maintaining mental clarity, perfect for unwinding during the hectic holiday season.
High Note: The stunning purple coloration in Grape Pie comes from its anthocyanin pigments, which are activated by various environmental stimuli during cultivation – the same plant compounds responsible for the vibrant colors we see in autumn leaves.
Our second day of the Holidaze brings a crown jewel from River Valley Relief’s gardens to Rogers, Arkansas. MAC 1 (Miracle Alien Cookies) has a fascinating origin story, as RVR’s head grower Drew Henderson explains: “MAC 1 was created by Capulator during hard times in the cannabis industry. Only one of its parents survived out of a large seed hunt – a Colombian starfighter from a coveted seed collection. Capulator deemed his creation Miracle Alien Cookies, and a miracle it is!”
This expertly crafted hybrid arrives coated in crystalline trichomes, delivering an experience that balances mental clarity with physical comfort – perfect for staying merry and bright through holiday festivities.
The terpene trinity of limonene, pinene, and caryophyllene creates an intricate aromatic tapestry of spicy herbs and sweet citrus, delivering an energizing and uplifting experience that keeps you clear-headed and focused. MAC 1’s balanced effects allow you to stay productive while maintaining a sense of calm and ease, making it an ideal choice for daytime use during the busy holiday season.
High Note: As Henderson notes, “MAC 1 is the most unique cultivar I have ever grown. It can be distinguished easily from clones all the way through the finished flower from across the room.” Its distinctive frost-like trichome coverage makes it one of the most photogenic strains in modern cannabis, often being compared to a snow-covered landscape – perfectly fitting for our holiday celebration.
On the third day of the Holidaze, BOLD’s Wolverine brings what Annie Iselin, Senior Director of Operations at BOLD Team, considers an underappreciated gem to Northwest Arkansas. As she notes, “most of Arkansas sleeps on this strain – both literally and figuratively.”
This unique cross of Animal Cookies and Pure Michigan delivers mid-20% THC content. The experience begins with an invigorating lift in spirits before settling into a comfortable, therapeutic calm that maintains functionality – ideal for Arkansas patients seeking relief while enjoying the holiday season.
The robust terpene profile featuring caryophyllene, limonene, and humulene creates a sophisticated bouquet of coffee and herbal notes, providing Arkansas medical cannabis patients with effective relief from chronic pain and appetite issues. As Iselin explains, “Maybe she got her name because she can morph from keeping you uplifted to peacefully bringing you to rest.”
With her powers of mutation, Wolverine is sure to bring you mental clarity during every kind of occasion this holiday season.
High Note: This versatile strain demonstrates remarkable adaptability in its effects, living up to its powerful namesake while being one of BOLD’s most underrated offerings.
On the fourth day of the holidaze, you should hear the music clearly as we celebrate Crescendo #11, a strain that embodies both heritage and experimentation in the most symphonic way. This indica-dominant hybrid is a cross of Mandarin Cookies and Chemdawg.
While Crescendo was once considered a heritage genetic, NSM’s cultivation team has carefully crafted this new-age interpretation through thoughtful experimentation, making it what NSM Sales team member Payton Weatherford describes as “the new Chemdawg genetic in a sense.”
The terpene ensemble of caryophyllene, myrcene, and limonene conducts an aromatic symphony that combines citrus brightness with earthy depth. This harmonious combination creates a heavy-hitting experience that can help Arkansas patients unwind during the busy holiday season.
Caption: Inside Natural State Medicinals state-of-the-art cultivation facility, where careful monitoring and precise environmental control help ensure consistent quality in cannabis production.
High Note: The legendary Chemdawg genetics in Crescendo #11 trace back to the Grateful Dead era and a passionate glass blower who, according to Weatherford, “focused on one single thing, and he did it right.” Having worked with IC Collective in the early 2010s, Weatherford brings unique insight into the Chemdawg legacy that lives on in Crescendo #11. “If you are willing to try something new with a taste of familiarity,” he advises, “Use this in the late evening, if you’re fine with sleeping on the couch that night. For others, Chemdawg genetics can be very creative.”
On the fifth day of the Holidaze, BOLD’s Cream Cake delivers what Iselin playfully calls her “favorite hoe!” This delectable cross between Ice Box Pie and Early Orange, which took home the title for Best Indica at the inaugural Big Bud Classic during the AR Times Cannabis and Wellness Expo in August 2024, offers impressive THC content ranging from high 20% into the low 30%. The experience starts with uplifting cerebral effects before melting into deep physical relaxation, perfect for unwinding after holiday shopping at the Rogers Promenade.
The strain’s signature terpenes – limonene, caryophyllene, and linalool – create a sweet, pastry-like experience that brings on waves of deep relaxation and tranquil bliss. As Iselin describes, “You’ll feel mentally calm, filled with a lightly weighty sense that leaves it difficult to focus on much of anything but smiling.” Perfect for holiday evenings, she suggests enjoying this one “under the mistletoe.”
High Note: Cream Cake’s trichome structure creates a literal sugar-frosted appearance, making it look like a holiday dessert dusted with powdered sugar.
The sixth day of the Holidaze features our own craft cannabis champion, Chemmy Jones. Born from the legendary genetics of Chemdawg D and Casey Jones, this sativa-dominant masterpiece has earned multiple awards, including the 2017 Connoisseur Cup Overall Champion title and most recently a Budtender’s Choice Award in Colorado.
In the Flow has been growing this strain since they began their business and still today Chemmy occupies nearly 1/3 of every round in their Colorado facility, even though it is difficult to grow.
Chemmy Jones is known for being temperamental, says In The Flow co-owner, Mike Diaz, “This is not an easy strain to grow. I always call her ‘high maintenance,’ because she demands extra time from the gardeners, so kudos to them.”
At The Source it took time to master the cultivation of Chemmy Jones, but as Mike Diaz says, “The finished product is always worth that extra time.”
Her complex terpene profile featuring myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene, humulene, and linalool creates an intricate diesel aroma with tropical undertones. This powerful combination delivers an energizing and balanced experience that uplifts the mind while maintaining mental clarity, making it perfect for staying focused and productive during daytime activities or tackling holiday preparations.
High Note: Chemmy Jones’s impressive competition history includes three major awards, making it one of the most decorated strains in The Source’s premium lineup.
On the seventh day of the Holidaze, BOLD’s Ecto Cooler brings a nostalgic twist to Northwest Arkansas’s medical cannabis scene. This classic strain combines East Coast Panama Chunk and Chem 91 genetics, originating from Boulder Colorado’s Green Dream breeders. As Iselin notes, “She’s been on the block for well over a decade,” delivering THC levels ranging from low to high 20%. The effects promote focus and creativity, making it perfect for enjoying holiday activities around town.
The strain’s dominant terpenes – limonene, caryophyllene, and pinene – create an uplifting blend that brings energizing clarity and festive vibes to your holiday experience. As Iselin describes, it provides a “very clear headed cerebral that allows you to focus without paranoia,” making it perfect for staying productive during the festive season. As Iselin playfully suggests, you might want to “toke before Santa comes and leave some out for him.”
High Note: Named after the beloved Ghostbusters-themed Hi-C flavor, this strain has earned its place as a classic.
AK-47 takes center stage on our eighth day of the Holidaze as NSM presents their take on this global cannabis classic. This heritage strain, which Natural State Medicinals is “fortunate enough to keep alive and nurture,” represents decades of cannabis cultivation excellence. NSM has preserved an aged representation of this strain that they’ve been cultivating for several years.
While many cultivators might shy away from lower-yielding varieties, NSM’s dedication to preserving AK-47’s legacy transcends production metrics. Their commitment to maintaining this classic strain reflects a deeper philosophy: honoring cannabis heritage and providing patients with authentic, time-tested genetics that have proven their worth across generations.
The terpene profile of myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene creates a complex bouquet of earthy, woody, and skunky notes. These therapeutic compounds work together to deliver focused relief that’s perfect for daytime use while maintaining a sense of balanced calm.
High Note: Officially developed in 1992 (though its origins trace back even further), AK-47 embodies NSM’s commitment to “preserving genetic heritage and transcending trends.” As Payton Weatherford notes, “It has stayed relevant for decades… providing patients with a sense of connection and familiarity with something they knew about before the medical market even existed in this state.” This European-bred classic shows that while NSM loves experimenting with new genetics, they remain dedicated to maintaining connections to cannabis heritage, even with strains that, as Weatherford points out, “don’t produce a mega-crop.”
The ninth day of the Holidaze showcases River Valley Relief’s mastery of modern cannabis genetics. Head grower Drew Henderson describes this facility favorite as “a cross of good OG lineage and Girl Scout Cookies,” creating a visually stunning strain with equally impressive effects. The experience begins with uplifting euphoria before transitioning into deep physical relaxation.
A terpene profile dominated by myrcene, limonene, and pinene creates what Henderson describes as “an earthy flavor with a hint of creamy sweet notes.” This powerful combination delivers deeply relaxing effects while maintaining a sense of mental clarity, making it a perfect choice for Natural State patients seeking evening comfort during the holiday season. As Henderson notes, “She has potent effects that entice creativity as well as motivation.”
High Note: Dosidos’ striking appearance, featuring lime green and lavender leaves with bright pistils and glittering trichomes, makes it one of the most visually distinctive varieties in modern cannabis. And as the RVR team proudly shares, “She grows like a dream with consistent results, making her a great choice for cultivators and patients alike!”
As we reach the tenth day of the Holidaze, Natural State Medicinals presents its most buzz-worthy banger: Blackwater. Blackwater combines Mendo Purps and San Fernando Valley OG Kush genetics to create an experience that begins with gentle euphoria before flowing into profound relaxation.
For Payton Weatherford, Sales Associate for Natural State Medicinals, no strain has impacted his personal journey more than Blackwater. As he says, “Blackwater is about making people feel right.”
From a young age, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in cannabis, so he moved to California to begin his career in a place where he could. Eventually, he got brought back home to work in the Arkansas medical marijuana industry, as the leader of Custom Cannabis Dispensary. In the dispensary, he was able to try every strain that Arkansas cultivators were growing.
He will never forget the first time that he smelled Blackwater, “It’s berries without the sugar and citrus without the sting. It makes your mouth water and tingles your nose hairs, creating a surreal effect just by putting your nose in the jar. So, once you break it down, and you have the experience of those trichomes sticking to your fingers, and you finally get to consume it, the cerebral effects are exactly what your uncle from the 70s told you about.” Blackwater makes me feel right.
So when it was time for Payton to make a change in his career, “I had to go to the place where they grow this strain and grow it so well. Since working at Natural State I’ve sold at least 100 pounds of Blackwater myself.”
High Note: This strain’s deep purple coloring can appear almost black under certain conditions, inspiring its aquatic name and making it one of NSM’s most visually striking creations. As NSM’s top-performing strain, it consistently ranks as one of Arkansas’s most sought-after varieties.
The eleventh day of the Holidaze brings BOLD’s Sour Berry Blue, what Iselin calls “an Arkansas fave.” This fruit-forward sativa-dominant hybrid combines Alpha Blue and Sour Strawberry genetics, offering THC levels in the mid to upper 20%. The energizing effects begin with bright mental clarity that promotes creativity and focus, making it ideal for daytime relief while finishing up holiday preparations around Northwest Arkansas.
Led by caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool, the terpene profile creates a unique combination of sweet berry notes and subtle diesel undertones. These compounds work together to deliver an energizing and focused experience that keeps you motivated and productive. As Iselin humorously notes, “She is sure to have you vacuuming the house six times before your guests arrive for the holiday.”
High Note: The complex berry profile comes from carefully selected phenotypes that emphasize both blueberry and strawberry terpene expressions, making it one of BOLD’s most flavorful creations.
Our twelve days of the Holidaze culminates with the most powerful strain in The Source’s In The Flow line-up and everyone’s favorite, Donny Burger. This indica-dominant hybrid combines GMO and Han Solo Burger genetics to create a very potent strain with savory, burger-y terps.
The sophisticated terpene profile featuring limonene, caryophyllene, myrcene, humulene, and linalool creates a complex earthy aroma that cannabis connoisseurs love. This harmonious combination delivers a balanced experience that soothes both body and mind, offering the giggles, then a sense of calm clarity that’s perfect for unwinding while staying present and engaged.
Pheno-hunted by the In The Flow team nearly five years ago, this cut of Donny Burger is sure to make spirits brighter. Known to sell out faster than any other strain sold in our dispensary, we are excited to drop our Harvest 11 Donny Burger on the 12th day of the Holidaze!
High Note: This strain’s slam dunk effects and genetic lineage have made it a favorite among cannabis connoisseurs, but what really sets it apart is The Source’s grow team’s mastery of its cultivation – consistently producing some of the highest THC percentages in Arkansas’s medical marijuana program.
This holiday season, The Source is proud to bring you twelve days of exceptional cannabis, carefully selected to showcase the best of Arkansas’s medical marijuana program. Each strain represents our commitment to providing patients with diverse, high-quality options for their therapeutic needs. Join us in celebrating the season with these remarkable strains, and experience firsthand why The Source has become Northwest Arkansas’s premier destination for craft cannabis.
Open Daily: 9am-8pm
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th: 10am-5pm (Last-minute shoppers welcome!)
Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th: Closed
Day after Christmas, Thursday, December 26th: 12pm-8pm
New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31st: 10am-5pm
New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1st: 12pm-8pm
Beginning January 2, 2025
- Monday – Saturday: 9am-8pm
- Sunday: 10am-6pm
About The Source Craft Cannabis Dispensary and Apothecary
Nestled in the heart of Rogers, Arkansas, just off Exit 85 on Interstate 49, The Source has evolved from a modest three-register dispensary into a comprehensive craft cannabis destination. Our journey reflects our dedication to quality and community, culminating in our expansion to include our own boutique grow, lab, and kitchen – collectively known as our “Apothecary.”
This holistic approach to cannabis cultivation and production mirrors the careful, hands-on practices of traditional apothecaries, ensuring every product meets our exacting standards. As a destination dispensary, we proudly welcome all Arkansas MMJ cardholders to experience our unique blend of friendliness, education, quality, and inclusivity.
In a time when critical voices are increasingly silenced, the Arkansas Times stands as a beacon of truth, tirelessly defending the fundamental rights and freedoms within our community. With Arkansas at the epicenter of a sweeping culture war affecting our libraries, schools, and public discourse, our mission to deliver unflinching journalism has never been more vital. We’re here to “slay dragons” and hold power accountable, but we can’t do it alone. By contributing today, you ensure that independent journalism not only survives but thrives in Arkansas. Together, we can make a difference—join the fight.
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