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MICHIGAN—Every so often, a pile of free weed lands on my desk.
This one showed up just in time for patio season, so I sampled it in the summer sun.
All six strains came from Brandon Coffield, founder of Voyage Bloom—the Flint cultivator I’ve written about here before and the same folks who brought the Billy Awards to Michigan. These are all part of Coffield’s latest harvest, and he asked me to give them an honest review.
So, without further ado, here it is:
ZMarker
This is Permanent Marker crossed with Zkittlez, and it smokes exactly like it sounds.
The nose is pure sugar and tropical fruit with a real Sharpie-and-latex funk hiding underneath. The flavor profile follows suit with rainbow candy, citrus peel, and a peppery, gassy finish.
If you’re new here: Permanent Marker is one of the most hyped strains of the decade, beloved for a loud, funky nose that genuinely smells like a freshly uncapped Sharpie. Stoners chase it for exactly that—gas, funk, and flavor that announces itself right when you open the bag.
For me, the high is bright and social before it melts into something dreamier and spacier. I ended up finishing my joint, zoning out, and wasting my evening playing a phone game.
Not my most productive evening. Still, zero regrets.
Warheads
Don’t let the sour-candy name fool you. This Gelato 41 x Runtz leans dessert. I picked up cheesecake, sweet cream, graham cracker, a little papaya, and just a touch of gas.
If I’m being honest, it’s a fairly familiar profile. But it’s executed well, and it’s easy to see why these genetics keep showing up everywhere nowadays. The high was smooth, euphoric, and gently relaxing. It’s a crowd-pleaser and a modern classic, even if it doesn’t reinvent anything.
Magic Gum Drops
This was the best-smelling weed of the whole lineup, full stop.
It’s Bubblegum Sherb x Magic Marker, and the flavor profile is pure candy store. Think fruit yogurt, pink bubblegum, saltwater taffy, and powdered sugar, with surprising lavender and grape jelly notes that bloom once you grind it all up. If you like dessert, then you’ll like this weed.
Of course, beneath all that, if you’re paying attention, is that classic, chemical Sharpie funk. Coffield says it’s a coincidence that so much of his latest harvest leans into those permanent marker genetics. He just happened to get a bunch of clones and decided to roll with it.
For me, the high after two joints was bubbly, loose, and fun, with no mental drag—a genuine conversation starter of a strain. I brought it on a camping trip and ended up spending two blissed-out days zoned out in a lakeside chair. This is vacation weed. It’s a sunny day in a joint.
Sour Marker
This is a weird one, and I mean that as a compliment.
Sour Power OG x Permanent Marker gives you ground-up SweeTarts, lime zest, and blue raspberry slush over that unmistakable permanent marker funk. Think sour fuel with a soapy, almost rotten-fruit edge. It’s like Runtz that wandered off somewhere tropical and exotic.
For me, the high opens with an immediate head buzz before sliding into full-body calm. I think it’s the perfect movie weed. It’d also be a solid pick to pass around the bonfire with friends.
First Class Gas
This is the palate cleanser of the bunch.
After all that candy, First Class Gas (a Baby Yoda cross) feels like a more deliberate throwback to old-school weed. Zero sweetness, all fuel. Picture fresh-cut pine at the gas pump, or mint leaves crushed into diesel-soaked soil. There’s garlic, forest floor, and a funky cheese vibe.
After a few joints, the high stayed grounded and alert—social, loose, but never sleepy. This was my pregame to a few hours of backyard landscaping, and it ended up being the perfect choice.
Detroit Toad
This one was the mystery bag.
Officially, the genetics are secret. The package is unlabeled. But my best guess lands somewhere near a funkier, earthier version of Runtz. It’s skunky and dank, with notes of candied garlic, ground lemon, and a flavor I can only really describe as my grandparents’ old house.
The high was dazed, euphoric, and creative. For whatever reason, it also handed me the worst case of munchies of the bunch; I kept putting joints out halfway through to go raid the kitchen.
The bottom line
Six strains, one harvest, and a whole lot of candy, gas, and permanent marker funk.
If there’s a takeaway here, it’s that Voyage Bloom is still doing the thing that made me a fan in the first place: growing loud, flavorful, genuinely interesting weed and keeping it affordable for everyday stoners. You can usually find it for about $30 an eighth or $90 for a half-ounce jar.
My suggestions? Go with Magic Gum Drops if you want the prettiest-smelling summer strain on the shelf. Pick First Class Gas if you’re sick of candy and craving some old-school fuel. And choose Sour Marker if you want the one with the most personality to share with friends.
But honestly, there wasn’t a dud in the box. Six for six is a hard thing for any grower to pull off—and an easy reason to keep an eye on what Coffield and his team are growing next.
READ MORE: 6 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan
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