The aptly named Pleasant Effects is back with another hitter from its consistent lineup.
You may already be familiar with the Pleasant Effects “Chem D” from last year’s surprise drop, which featured a special “John Mylar” bag poking fun at, celebrating and commemorating Dead & Company’s Sphere run. A fun, standout approach to design and packaging, as well as a touch of cultural awareness, really set this brand apart. Pleasant Effects continues to lean into the Dead and jam band scene with this latest release of Chem D in live hash rosin form, featuring a clever design nod to the intimidating “Wall of Sound” made famous by the Dead.
This design choice is well selected because the quality of this concentrate will blow you away, much like the old Maxwell cassette ads. This hash is an incredibly potent and pure expression of the Chem D plant. I’ve smoked a decent amount of Chem D over the past year, and this is one of the best hash renditions I’ve come across. It’s super pungent, and it carries that classic Chem D smell you remember from the loudest bags on the lot.
The effects were both pleasant and immediate, with a lingering taste that had me smacking my lips as the high rushed through my body, creating a sense of deep relaxation and buzzy stoniness.
I spoke with Sammy, the owner and head grower of Pleasant Effects, about why this cut, in particular, is so special to him. “To me, Chem D really represents a specific era of my career. A short time after I shared the East Coast Sour Diesel with Chaco, he passed this cut back to us in return. We have held it down about 16 years now. This is the original Chem family cut, not a derivative or S1. Growing it feels like shaking hands with the past while still stepping forward into the future, as she continues to hang tough alongside modern hybrids. And the hash it produces is excellent,” he said.
Like the Grateful Dead, every tour, run and experience will be a little bit different, but if you happen to be in the right place at the right time, you can find genuine magic. This batch of Chem D is no different. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a jar, experience it for yourself — so you don’t have to hear about the legendary thing you missed second hand from a friend.
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This article was originally published in the January 2026 issue of Northeast Leaf.
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