The searing month of July begs you to lose your cool. Leafly says: Stop it. Reach for a bowl of Ice Cream Cake and chill the eff out for at least one more afternoon.

All types of smokers—from everyday heads to novices—have made Ice Cream Cake a top 10 American dispensary staple in 2022. It’s gorgeous, award-winning, and has won over America in four years.

A modern classic, like frickin’ Beyonce—Ice Cream Cake is July’s national Leafly HighLight.

Since 2018, across US shops, this combo of the two champs Wedding Cake and Gelato #33 has spoken to people.

‘Thick, sweet, vanilla, creamy, minty, cookie dankness,’ the nose relates. Ice Cream Cake reviewers left sleepy, relaxed, and hungry notes, and they report it works on pain, anxiety, and insomnia.

Americans hit this dessert strain in every possible way. We’re seeing Ice Cream Cake from sea to shining sea in joints, bowls, blunts, infused blunts, carts, pods, live resin, live rosin, rosin, and even tinctures. Huzzah.

Now. Some weed snobs always say ‘Ice Cream Cake is played out.’ Indeed, popularity drives prices and quality down. But plenty of elite-tier growers still run ICC because both they and their shoppers frickin’ love it.

Case in point: scoreboards don’t lie: Ice Cream Cake has an average 4.6 out of 5, based on 923 reviews since 2018. It’s considered an indica hybrid with Starlink-level THC effects that hit calming and sedative. Bring plenty of water, do not operate heavy machinery, and get into a comfy spot mentally and physically.

The best Ice Cream Cake jumps out of the jar, and the creamy sweet vanilla smell can decohere into big whiffs of fuel/gas. All of this comes GSC and OG Kush family genes.

“Holy shit. Been smoking religiously for about 12 years. Few strains have hit me like this. Crazy powerful. Relaxation and pain relief are pronounced. Happy as can be,” states one Leafly reviewer.

Long summer days can get stressful and sleep-deprived. Not if you hit that cake.

Weed, lest we forget, is fun, too. So if you’re watching TV, snogging, or zoning out, Ice Cream Cake works.

“I packed my bowl and sat in my bed not feeling much watching TV, doing my usual thing wondering why I haven’t felt anything yet. And then I realized I’ve been watching TV in Spanish the whole time. (I don’t speak Spanish) Have a good sesh! :)”

“Absolutely next level. Them boys out in Cali are NOT messing about. Taste, smell, and the high are all blinding. This bit of kit will blow a new smoker’s socks off.”

How much does Ice Cream Cake cost?

Praise Baskin Robbins—it’s an Ice Cream Cake buyer’s market. You can find it from Long Beach, CA to Manhattan New York.

Prices vary by state market and quality. Eighth-ounces have hit $10 on the West Coast, but go as high as $50 in Boston or $60 in New York.

Splurge on some high-end ICC from Ember Valley in Cali ($40), or Phat Panda ($30) in Washington.

The Ice Cream Cake flood powers affordable extracts nationwide as well. A half-gram of Decibel ICC live rosin runs a bargain $30 in Oregon, versus $60 for a 0.5g cartridge in Illinois.

Ice Cream Cake flower spot prices around the US:

Ice Cream Cake seeds

World-leading breeder/grower Seed Junky Genetics of Los Angeles sold ICC originally as seeds, leading to today’s bumper crop. But Seed Junky Genetics isn’t selling Ice Cream Cake seeds at the moment. Instead, knock-off cakes abound, especially overseas.

For better results, Seed Junky Genetics sells Cake Crasher (Wedding Cake x Wedding Crasher) that’ll crush it. Dark Heart Nursery in California has—Gelato Ice Cream clones on tap. Yum. And North Atlantic Seed Co has an easy ICC auto from Humboldt Seed Organization.

Ice Cream Cake awards

Both the Wedding Cake and Gelato #33 parents of Ice Cream Cake are champions of their own. Ice Cream Cake took home its most notable 1st place trophy in 2019, in The Emerald Cup mixed light category, submitted by grower Josh D (popularizer of OG Kush).

Ice Cream Cake terpenes

Ice Cream Cake’s great not only for its icy white look and chilling THC scores, but it’s also got a trendy mix of aromatic molecules called terpenes. Lab tests show many samples average high in caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool; with myrcene, too. 

These heavily gassy fuel smells can at times cohere into an opposite aroma—velvety soft sweet vanilla; especially in the Triangle Kush line, from which much of this pot springs.

For the real experience, shop fresh Ice Cream Cakes in the 2% plus range for terpenes. 

Other highlights this July

Ice Cream Cake ran out? Don’t stress—here’s three more July campout and barbecue flavors.

We support the continued countrywide hype around Donny Burger—which can smell funky, biting, cheesy, and savory, and make you one with a beach chair. Donny Burger is for GMO lovers—a mix of GMO Cookies to Han Solo Burger. (Han Solo Burger itself crosses GMO to Larry OG F8, so it’s got a lot of great GMO genes doing what we love.)

Skunk House Genetics bred Donny Burger and released it in 2017 at the Michigan High Times Cannabis Cup where it started to pick up heat. Follow Skunk House’s funk to hybrid effects that leave reviewers giggly, happy, and aroused. Top terpenes: pinene, caryophyllene, and humulene.

Keep the campout lit with Watermelon—a strain that has become more of a flavor profile than a genetic at this point. The original, mythical Watermelon OG has spawned many crosses: Watermelon Kush, Watermelon Sherbert, Watermelon Punch, and Watermelon Zkittlez. They’re generally indica hybrids that can lift summertime sadness with sweet, tropical, grape, and berry notes. Prepare to meet three of our favorite dwarves: Sleepy, Hungry, and Relaxed.

Lastly, super-classic Cherry Pie in July. Cherry Pie has 171 reported descendant strains over eight generations: Forbidden Fruit, Trophy Wife, Pie Face, Carbon Fiber, Forbidos, … It’s in carts, flowers good and bad, tinctures, and live resin. If it’s got Cherry Pie in it—we’ll dig in.

Breeder Pieguy’s creation first received a review on Leafly in 2011. Popularized by grower Jigga for Cookies and rapper Berner, Cherry Pie presaged Girl Scout Cookies. A mix of GDP x F1 Durb, Cherry Pie clones only moved in close underground circles. But its giggly, happy, arousing hybrid effects and berry, sweet, fruit taste ensured Cherry Pie’s takeover of the mainstream.

And that’s the flavors for Leafly HighLight July. Stay frosty.

Like Leafly HighLight? Fave this post, leave a nice comment and order some trees on Leafly.

David Downs

David Downs directs news and lifestyle coverage as the California Bureau Chief for Leafly.com. He’s written for WIRED, Rolling Stone and Billboard, and is the former cannabis editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as the author of several cannabis books including ‘Marijuana Harvest’ by Ed Rosenthal and David Downs. He co-hosts The Hash podcast. TW: @davidrdowns | IG @daviddowns

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Leafly editors and contributors choose products based on personal experience, consumer feedback, and overall quality. At times, we take samples to inform our reporting, but receive no commission from any resulting sales.

Choosing the best vaporizer can at times feel like wading through an ocean. There are multiple varieties, prices, and capabilities, but unless you are a tech expert, multiple controls and functions can be overwhelming.

So why buy a weed vaporizer instead of just smoking cannabis the old-fashioned way? Vaping is likely healthier, especially for the lungs. Additionally, vapes are discreet, create less odour, and allow consumers to optimize the flavour and potency of their weed.

A portable vaporizer is an investment, and the right one can serve you for years to come. In this list, we’ve curated vapes for concentrates or dried flower, as well as devices that can do both. They are all reusable, rechargeable, and produce vapour (not smoke) via combustion-less technology.

Shatterizer’s Concentrate Vaporizer

This Canadian-designed concentrates vaporizer is a favourite among many dabbers. Coming in at under $100, it’s a very budget-friendly option for those looking for a discreet, portable method to consume their stash.

The lithium-ion battery operates for approximately 40 hours off each two-hour charge. There are three variable voltage settings and a 15-second continuous heat option. You can refill the chamber with your extract of choice or use the battery with a 510-thread vape cartridge.

Find it locally via Leafly or on Shatterizer.com

Airizer’s Air 2

Designed for use with dried flower, the Airizer Air 2  boasts an isolated airpath and a borosilicate glass vapour path to provide a smooth, flavourful vape with every sip.

Higher-capacity interchangeable batteries make for quicker heat up, while the USB charging makes using it while on the go a breeze. It comes with multiple tubes that you can pre-load so you’re always ready for your next hit.

Precision temperature control means you can dial in for specific terpenes, no special app required. Its durable design is backed by a 2-year warranty and comes complete with a belt-clip carry case, stainless steel stirring tool, filter screens, and a sample of aromatic botanicals. 

Find it locally via Leafly or on Airizer.com

G Pen’s Dash Vaporizer

The G Pen Dash Vaporizer brings supreme functionality to the palm of your hand. This dry herb vaporizer offers a powerful, ultra-discreet, lightweight, and affordable option for newbies and connoisseurs alike.

It features a glass-glazed and stainless steel heating chamber, with three temperature settings. The clean air source and integrated air path make for flavourful sessions. The chamber opening has been ergonomically designed for convenient loading, while the mouthpiece can be taken apart for easy cleaning.

This vape features haptic feedback with three LEDs to indicate heat level and battery life. It comes complete with a G PEN tool and keychain, USB charging cable, and a 1-year warranty.

Find it locally via Leafly or on Gpen.ca

DaVinci’s IQ2

The DaVinci IQ2 uses only medical-grade components, so no metal or plastic parts touch your herb for a pure tasting, flavourful vapour. It boasts an airtight, all-ceramic air path and a glass-lined oven to ensure purity and taste.

It offers a dual-use design for use with dry herb and comes complete with a “Dosage Pod” for concentrate consumption. The precision temperature control lets you choose from five levels of airflow, and its rechargeable battery heats the device up in just 60 seconds.

There is also a companion app that allows you to input your strain potency and the amount of herb or extracts in your oven so you can achieve your desired dose. It’s even available in a selection of colours for a touch of style!

Find it locally via Leafly or on DaVinci.com

The Storz & Bickel Mighty+ improves upon the OG Mighty vaporizer by integrating carefully selected materials and features for everyday use. The makers of the infamous Volcano table-top vaporizer have created a nearly indestructible device for the cannabis enthusiast.

We wouldn’t call this a starter vape, this device will last you a lifetime. Features include a ceramic-coated filling chamber, pre-set Superbooster temperate, and even airflow for a perfectly vaped bowl.

The supercharge function that gives you an 80% charge in approximately 40 minutes and the Mighty+ heats up in just 60 seconds. Plus, the brand’s outstanding quality and functionality are backed by a 2-year warranty + 1 year upon registration.

Find it locally via Leafly or on Storz-Bickel.com

Pax 3 Complete

Nicknamed the iPhone of portable vaporizers thanks to its user-friendly interface and ease of use right out of the box, the Pax 3 Complete has been designed for expert use with both dry herb and extracts. Its extended battery life and 2X powerful oven deliver a smooth vapour within 15 seconds, and subsequent heat-ups are nearly instant.

The half-pack lid allows users to measure out dry herb, making it ideal for newbies or those who prefer to vape smaller quantities. Settings can be customized using the companion app—including adjusting temperatures and dimming the device’s LED lights for greater discretion.

Find it locally via Leafly or on Pax.com

Caitlin McCormack

Caitlin McCormack is a writer based in Toronto. Her work has appeared in MSN, Lift & Co., HuffPost, What to Expect, and Mashable, among others. When she isn’t writing, she’s busy chasing after her two sons, testing out new recipes, and working on her century-old fixer-upper.

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