The Herbal Connection is located on the
west side of Cedar Street near Cavanaugh Road, between a mobile
telephone store and a Marco’s Pizza. This dispensary has a large open
lobby, which was unlocked when I visited on a recent Monday evening.
Staffers thoroughly checked my medical marijuana card and a form of
photo identification. 

After completing some very minimal
paperwork for a free membership, I was led by a male employee to a
backroom area with medibles and medicine in large display cases. Most
products were temporarily unavailable because the shop is undergoing
renovations. This dispensary typically stocks about 10 to 15 strains at a
time, as well as a line of medibles, I was told. On this particular
visit, three strains were available: Strawberry Cough, a sativa-dominant
hybrid; OG Kush, an indica; and Headband, an indica-dominant hybrid. 

I purchased the Headband, which came in a
generous intact bud with an earthy, uplifting aroma. When vaporized,
the Headband had the type of rich, complex flavor of quality cannabis
strains that can only be experienced through vaporization. Physically,
it produced a rapid onset of pain- and stress-relieving effects as well
as a feeling of euphoria. Effects were immediate and lasted one to two
hours, which is perfect for nighttime consumption. In my opinion,
vaporization is always the best way to consume medicine, as it provides a
better experience of all the qualities of the plant — from flavor to
medicinal effect — with none of the downsides like lung-punishing smoke
inhalation and risk of respiratory diseases.