Walking up to a dispensary counter can feel overwhelming when the menu stretches a mile long. Between fresh harvests, seasonal drops, and classic genetics, how do you know what’s actually worth putting in your stash?
We took a look at what Midwestern cannabis lovers are hunting for across Missouri and Illinois dispensaries this year. Whether people are seeking out old-school gassy funk, bright citrus daytime fuel, or candy-sweet buds, these eight cultivars are consistently flying off the shelves and getting rave reviews at the counter.
The Lineup: 8 Elevate Strains To Watch
1. Grease Monkey
- Classification: Hybrid
- Lineage: GG #4 x Cookies & Cream
- Top Terpenes: Nerolidol, alpha-Humulene, Limonene
- Flavor & Aroma: Citrus-forward grapefruit, herbal spice, skunky fuel
- Similar Cultivars: AppalApe, Rampage, Glue Cake
Grease Monkey is a heavyweight favorite among budtenders and patients alike. While its name promises heavy mechanic-shop funk, opening an Elevate jar reveals an intoxicating top note of freshly sliced pink grapefruit backed by herbal spice and classic GG #4 diesel. Thanks to a rich concentration of Nerolidol balanced by Humulene and Limonene, Grease Monkey delivers a dreamy, hazy head high that settles into a deep, full-body couchlock. Pack your favorite snacks before sitting down with this one as it’s known to spark serious munchies.
2. Cali Sunset Rosé
- Classification: Hybrid
- Lineage: Mandarin Sunset x California Black Roze
- Top Terpenes: beta-Caryophyllene, d-Limonene, beta-Myrcene
- Flavor & Aroma: Zesty mandarin citrus, soft rose petals, peppery earthy spice
- Similar Cultivars: Citradelic Sunset, Sunset Sherbert, Gary Poppins
Smooth, sunny, and just a little spicy, Cali Sunset Rosé is a standout hybrid that helps you unwind without clouding your head. A cross of Mandarin Sunset and California Black Roze, these dense, violet-tinged buds sparkle with resin and burst with an aroma of fresh citrus peel and floral rosewater. Led by beta-Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Myrcene, it provides a gentle physical calm paired with a buoyant, clear-headed mindset. It’s an ideal session choice for easing daytime tension, staying social, or simply taking in a patio sunset while keeping your cool.
3. Black Maple
- Classification: Indica
- Lineage: Dulce de Uva x Sherbanger
- Top Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Humulene
- Flavor & Aroma: Warm maple syrup, burnt sugar dough, earthy fuel
- Similar Cultivars: Fatkids Cake, Cake Crasher, Sunset Sherbert
Black Maple is an absolute dream for dessert profile hunters who still crave a rich, gassy punch. Crossing Dulce de Uva with Sherbanger produces dense, trichome-laden buds that smell like warm breakfast pastries drizzled with maple syrup and finished with pungent kerosene undertones. It’s an elite indica for late afternoons and quiet evenings, helping you decompress, soften physical tension, and ease into a peaceful headspace.
4. Super Boof
- Classification: Balanced Hybrid
- Lineage: Black Cherry Punch x Tropicana Cookies
- Top Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
- Flavor & Aroma: Sour pink grapefruit, tart cherries, damp forest earth
- Similar Cultivars: Smashfruit, Tropicana Cookies #1, Hibiscus
Super Boof has earned legendary status across Midwestern dispensary shelves, and the bag appeal explains why: deep violet calyxes, fiery copper pistils, and a blanket of frosty trichomes. When broken apart, it explodes with sour, mouth-puckering grapefruit and sweet cherry undertones. The experience hits the sweet spot between cerebral euphoria and soothing body calm—keeping you chatty, creative, and relaxed without sending you straight to sleep.
5. Hell’s OG
- Classification: Indica
- Lineage: OG Kush x Blackberry
- Top Terpenes: beta-Myrcene, Limonene, alpha-Humulene
- Flavor & Aroma: Earthy blackberry, sour citrus, pungent spice, earthy skunk
- Similar Cultivars: Star Killer, Lotawana OG, High Octane
Fierce, bold, and unapologetically loud, Hell’s OG brings back that classic, pungent funk. A cross between classic OG Kush and Blackberry, its tightly packed buds carry a rich bouquet of sweet, dark berry fruit layered over sour lemon, sharp pine, and dank earth. Hell’s OG hits fast and heavy. While small doses offer a grounded, calm body high during quiet afternoons, it truly shines as an end-of-night ritual to wash away daily stress and help you drift off into deep sleep.
6. Lemon G (1:1 THC:CBD)
- Classification: Sativa-CBD
- Lineage: G13 x Northern Lights
- Top Terpenes: Terpinolene, beta-Myrcene, alpha-Pinene
- Flavor & Aroma: Fresh lemon zest, pine boughs, herbal mint
- Similar Cultivars: Lemon Sweet Skunk, White Poison, Jasmine Thai
Lemon G is one of the most unique offerings on our menu. Unlike standard high-potency THC sativas, Elevate’s Lemon G is an artisan 1:1 THC:CBD cultivar bred from legendary genetics (G13 x Northern Lights). Terpinolene and Pinene provide a crisp, refreshing lemon aroma and mental clarity, while the equal ratio of CBD keeps the experience completely functional, cheerful, and smooth—providing full-body relief without the jitters or anxiety that sensitive consumers sometimes feel with standard sativas.
7. Cake Crasher
- Classification: Hybrid
- Lineage: Wedding Cake x Wedding Crasher
- Top Terpenes: Nerolidol, beta-Myrcene, alpha-Humulene
- Flavor & Aroma: Vanilla cake batter, sugary frosting, sweet wood, earthy pine
- Similar Cultivars: Fatkids Cake, Biscotti Mintz, Glue Cake
For fans of sweet bakery aromatics, Cake Crasher is pure wedded bliss. Crossing Wedding Cake with Wedding Crasher yields sticky, rock-dense buds that boast straight vanilla frosting and cake-batter terpenes. Nerolidol, beta-Myrcene, and alpha-Humulene work together to deliver a hazy, blissful head high followed by creeping physical relaxation. It is a versatile evening cultivar for curling up with a book, watching a movie, or slowly melting into the cushions.
8. Star Killer
- Classification: Indica
- Lineage: Skywalker OG x Rare Dankness #2
- Top Terpenes: beta-Myrcene, Limonene, Nerolidol
- Flavor & Aroma: Herbal spice, pungent gas, sweet citrus fruit undertones
- Similar Cultivars: Hell’s OG, Lotawana OG, High Octane
Whether you are winding down after a night out or capping off a hectic week, Star Killer brings serious heavy-duty relief. An award-winning, indica-dominant cross between Skywalker OG and Rare Dankness #2, this cultivar packs a distinctly spicy, gassy aroma layered over subtle citrus undertones. Driven by beta-Myrcene, Limonene, and Nerolidol, Star Killer settles quickly into a hazy mental calm paired with a warm, buzzy full-body ease. If you are looking for an all-time favorite flower to soothe lingering aches and prepare you for deep, uninterrupted sleep, keep this one on your nightstand.
FAQ Section
What are the most popular Elevate cannabis strains in Missouri and Illinois?
In Missouri dispensaries, the cultivars that consistently top menus are balanced, high-terpene heavyweights like Grease Monkey, Black Maple, Super Boof, and Mimosa. Missouri shoppers tend to love cultivars that marry heavy trichome density and distinct flavor with dependable, full-body relief.
What makes these cannabis strains popular?
It comes down to three things: genetics, cure, and terpene expression. A strain might have a cool name, but it stays popular only if the aroma leaps out of the jar and the effects are consistent every single batch. Cultivars that deliver a rich terpene profile maintain their flavor down to the last pull, which keeps people coming back.
Which cannabis strains have fruity or citrus aromas?
If you love bright, zesty notes, look for cultivars high in limonene, terpinolene, or valencene. Outstanding choices include:
- Cali Sunset Rosé: Zesty mandarin citrus, fresh berries, and delicate rosewater.
- Super Boof: Tart grapefruit and sweet cherry funk.
- Lemon G: Sharp lemon peel and crisp herbal pine.
Which weed strains have candy-like or sweet aromas?
Dessert and confectionery cultivars get their sweet dough and berry aromas from combinations of caryophyllene, linalool, and myrcene:
- Cake Crasher: Vanilla frosting and baked sugar dough.
- Black Maple: Maple syrup, dark berries, and caramel batter.
- Cali Sunset Rosé: Sugared fruit and floral candy sweetness.
What are popular gas and diesel cannabis strains?
For consumers chasing that pungent, kerosene-like skunk, prioritize strains packed with beta-caryophyllene and humulene:
- Star Killer: Heavy herbal gas, pungent spice, and subtle sour citrus.
- Grease Monkey: Raw garage diesel balanced by sweet vanilla funk.
- Hell’s OG: Pungent skunk, chemical fuel, and earthy pine.
What should you look for when choosing cannabis flower?
Don’t just shop by THC percentage! Follow your nose and inspect the quality markers:
- The Nose Knows: A pungent, room-filling aroma means the plant’s volatile terpenes are well-preserved, which directly shapes how enjoyable the effects will be.
- Moisture and Structure: Look for buds that feel dense and gently spring back when squeezed—never bone-dry or brittle.
- Trichome Integrity: High-quality flower should sparkle with intact, cloudy mushroom-shaped trichome heads rather than bare stems.
- Lab Testing: Check the label or QR code Certificate of Analysis (COA) to see the full breakdown of active cannabinoids and dominant terpenes.
