Women in Marijuana [Part 2] Feat. Clutch Cannabis

September 14, 2015 By Ellie Klein

As someone who has not been a part of the Washington cannabis scene for a super long time, seeing it flourish and become so relevant in a short amount of time is a real treat. Though, because I am somewhat new to the scene, I also have an understanding of how misunderstood and feared marijuana is in other areas of the country. This is disappointing; if people did their research, they’d know that cannabis should not be feared and has many health benefits. By visiting sites like Oregrown, which you can Click here to view, more could be learned about cannabis. Thankfully, the stigma that clings to marijuana is slowly becoming obsolete, which in part is thanks to the work being done here and in other legal states to make marijuana approachable and understood. A huge part of facilitating this understanding, women in the Washington cannabis industry are forging new paths and adding to the industry in tremendous ways.

The women in Washington state are really doing amazing things to change cannabis’ negative reputation, helping others realise that they can buy topicals online to help with their ailments, as well as in in-person stores. The passion that women bring to cannabis is contagious and exciting to see and talk about. Not everyone is familiar with this passion, or any positives about the industry. The feelings numerous people still have about marijuana can be very hard to believe. It is definitely a shock when I visit friends and family in other areas of the country and am met with lots of nervous energy and disbelief when I speak about the Washington cannabis industry. They simply do not understand the magnitude of what is happening here.

When I encounter someone who is nervous about marijuana, I want to help them understand the incredible things happening because of cannabis, with websites like https://amuse.com/california/los-angeles being there for people in need and adding to the economy. Tremendous economic success is a familiar talking point, but I love adding an exciting twist that peaks my listeners’ interest: Women in cannabis are a driving force and offer a “breath of fresh air to the current male-dominated cannabis industry.”

As the store manager of Clutch Cannabis, Ashley is deep in the cannabis culture of the area and loves every minute of it. She offered some great insight into what it is like working in an industry that is doing so much good, but is fighting a sometimes debilitating stigma. The legal marijuana industry is continuously developing in ways that no one has seen business develop before. In the midst of this exciting change are people who believe that marijuana is harmful, people who are trying to stop its growth by fostering negative ideas in their communities. Shedding this negativity is a huge task but is so important for the future of cannabis. Women like Ashley are tackling this head on, working tirelessly to make cannabis approachable for everyone.

Creating this welcoming environment around something so controversial is not easy. Though, it is 100% achievable with the right mindset. Ashley and her team believe that marijuana is universal and they are on a mission to share all of the good that it brings to culture as a whole. Cannabis is deeply engrained in numerous aspects of culture, from art to science; economics to world history. The women of the industry will stop at nothing to help others see the incredible positives of marijuana and the tight-knit, inspiring communities it creates.

Women are a driving force for marijuana business, as well as marijuana acceptance. They bring so much to the industry; their positive presence is unstoppable and undeniable. The future of cannabis is all the brighter because of the women involved in pioneering the industry. And that, my friends, is only going to help us all.

Note: Clutch Cannabis is an advertiser for HAS.

Marijuana Review: Animal Cookies by Elevate Cannabis Co. from Clutch Cannabis

August 5, 2015 By Fischer Campbell

When thinking about it – animal cookies make me think of childhood, literally getting cookies in the shape of animals and eating them. I’m pretty sure kids these days are eating iPad and iPhone shaped cookies, though I can’t be sure (although, trademarking tablet/smartphone shaped cookies is something to look into). Nevertheless, I want a cookie now.

Animal Cookies from Elevate Cannabis Co is the strain of the week (or review, whatever, you know what I mean). We picked it up from Seattle-area Clutch Cannabis (located in Renton), which resides in a rustic brick building and offers genuinely awesome customer service. We’re planning on reviewing the recreational shop soon. Oh, and Online Marijuana Design is responsible for the stellar branding of Elevate Cannabis Co.

Elevate Cannabis Co. is situated somewhere in Washington. I couldn’t find out exactly where, but a little investigative research brought me to the possibility of a greater Seattle location.

One thing… okay, two things I can tell you about Elevate: their weed is absurdly good, and their website is easily the best marijuana producer website I’ve ever looked into. We’re talking high quality photos of scenic vistas, in depth pages for each strain, and intuitive navigation/formatting.

When it comes to packaging, I’ve kind of stopped talking about it as of late. But a jar, well – that gets me excited. Elevate Cannabis Co uses elegant glassware to bottle their product; small enough to fit in the pocket yet with the capacity to mask smell, and preserve freshness. I’m also a fan of little jars because of the reusable aspect, as we really don’t need more plastic bags in this world.

Let’s talk specifics on the strain this week:

THC-A: 23.44%
Total THC: 21.45%
CBD: .31%

Strain: Animal Cookies
Species: Hyrbid (sativa dominant)
Smell: Lemongrass + Spice + Mint
Taste: Lemon + Skunk
Launch Point: 3-5 minutes after smoking
High: Peppy + Bubbly + Strong Phosphene Effect

Looking at Animal Cookies, the buds are luscious and pleasing to the eye. Plump purple spots across a summer-bleached emerald green, alas words do the photos no justice.

Is it me, or does a jar enhance the smell of superb marijuana? I couldn’t stop smelling Animal Cookies, all the while deciphering different shades of aroma. I passed it around, had other people smell it – the consensus was definitely lemongrass. There was some spice, and a bit of mint.

The flavor was abundantly lemon-equse, with a funky twist. There is a certain skunky characteristic that all herbs have in common, and I can’t help but include it when describing taste (in many of my reviews).

We had the whole day planned: head South, meet up with friends, hit up Clutch Cannabis, enjoy a special brew, and then peruse a couple hot spots around Renton. Oh, it was also one of the hottest days this summer.

Wearing my cliche hipster straw hat, we all gathered outside for some Animal Cookies and a Firestone Parabola Imperial Stout. The strain was perfect for a hot sunny day, but the beer – not so much. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a stout kinda guy but Parabola wasn’t as mindblowing as I thought it’d be.

After indulging, it was time to head out and attempt to act civilized . One of my favorite places would have to be the Berliner – a German style bar and restaurant. I spent much of the 2014 World Cup there a drunken mess, and it was my first time back in a long time.

5 words: pretzel with beer cheese dip. Just say that phrase in order and a spectacular gigantic pretzel, with a delicious beer cheese soup will be yours. Double the pleasure if you’re enjoying it with a potent herb, in this case Animal Cookies. There are many German style beers on tap, and the festivity is high.

Next up was 8 Bit Arcade, a bar with – you guessed it – arcade games. It was time to see to see what $20 in quarters looked like, and to get deep into the nostalgia. The beer on tap is brewed specifically for the bar itself, I got heavy into the Galactic IPA. There was a back porch with music playing, and let’s just say that directly through the wooden doors out in the alley would be a prime spot to rip a quick bowl.

The point of this story is to describe what Animal Cookies’ high lends itself to – social, rambunctious and otherwise jovial experiences. Pop on down to Clutch Cannabis and get yourself some of Elevate Cannabis Co’s stellar product.

NOTE: Clutch Cannabis is an advertiser on Highaboveseattle.com

Marijuana Review: Middle Fork by Top Shelf

June 17, 2015 By Fischer Campbell

Today, we are going to take a look at Middle Fork by Top Shelf. This strain was procured from Clutch Cannabis (formerly known as Rain City Cannabis), a unique recreational marijuana store off of Rainier Avenue South.

Top Shelf is a Washington based producer – and that’s about all I have to go on, considering their website (www.topshelfwa.com) says coming soon. I do have a couple of one-liners though, for your reading entertainment: Top Shelf, we grow only premium and Top Shelf, it’s just fire. Also, feel free to use the #topshelfwa when uploading pictures of yourself smoking top shelf product (… right).

The package is similar to others – logo on front, snappy one liner. I love the little window on the baggy so you can see the product, an incredibly important feature considering that the package is to remain sealed until in the comfort of your own home. Testing information on the back, plus the website address and hashtag. Pretty standard procedure, here.

It’s important to have an internet presence, but not as important as having killer weed. Luckily, Top Shelf’s product is mind-bendingly fantastic.

Let’s take a gander at the specifics:

THC – 27.35%
CBG – 1.67%
Total – 29.02%

Strain: Middle Fork
Species: Hybrid (+Sativa/-Indica)
Smell: Berry + Banana + Cheese + Pine
Taste: Fruit Berry + Pine
Launch Point: 3 minutes after consumption, give or take

Middle Fork is a dense herb, displaying a decent frosting of keif along the outside. It’s hard to judge as to what a giant nug would look like, but this author is going to assume that it only get’s prettier. Sometimes you get an ugly duckling specimen, but in the end looks are only cosmetic.

When snapping a nug in half and deeply inhaling, I was presently surprised by the menagerie of aromas perforating forth. Berry, banana, cheese, pine – it was all there. It was like a party in my nose, and every smell was invited (well… not EVERY smell). Middle Fork’s perfume could easily be made into some sort of fruit beverage, that I would certainly buy.

The taste was much like the smell, a smokey foreign fruit market on top of your taste buds. Smoking was not harsh, although my preferred method of consumption these days is ye olde vape (Hot Box brand, to be precise).

One thing that I loved about Middle Fork was how quickly the high hits. I’ve decided to include “launch point” (a.k.a. high onset) for my little dash fact quips about the strain at hand (seen above under “specifics”).

Speaking of the high, it’s really a marvelous heavy hitter. Enjoying out of a mini bong, and vaporize – this strain holds nothing back. Several minutes after inhaling, you’ll find your body humming and your mind at ease. Sit back and revel in the swirling visuals behind your eyelids, and turn on some music (or something).

We will update the article when Top Shelf get’s their website up and running, but that certainly won’t detract High Above Seattle from future sampling of this Washington producer’s potent harvest. Looking forward to more “premium” “just fire” product Top Shelf.

What time is it?! One reason why our legal industry is better than Denver’s

May 27, 2015 By Manic Conrad

Let’s just say it’s 4:20pm in Denver and you just smoked the last of your favorite cannabis flower: Bubblegum Kush.

And then it hits you.

You have roughly two hours and a half to sober up and drive to the nearest marijuana store before they close. Even though Colorado allows legal marijuana stores to open until midnight, Denver – as a city – decided to be old fashioned about it and require stores to close at 7pm! Of course, you could go online and visit an online dispensary similar to https://cheapbudcanada.com/ to order but your county might be one that doesn’t allow home delivery.

Two and a half hours seems like plenty of time, but you just smoked an indica and the only motivation you have at this moment is to perfect the art of ‘not getting up from where you are,’ or ‘sitting.’

“Who wrote these rules,” you question yourself aloud as you continue to sit, dumbfounded, staring into blank wonderment.

And then it hits you again.

“I should have moved to Seattle, dammit!” you express aloud as you give yourself a classic face palm. “It would be one less thing to worry about…”

_________________________________

The closing hours of legal stores vary in Seattle but Uncle Ike’s Pot Shop is open until 11:45pm on some nights and Clutch Cannabis is regularly open until 11pm, and 11:45pm on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Next time you are a weed tourist, stranded in Denver at 7pm without legal options for cannabis, you will still have time to catch a flight, travel to Seattle, and even check into a hotel before all the pot stores close.

Marijuana Review: Chem DD by Secret Gardens of Washington

May 20, 2015 By Fischer Campbell

Chem DD (also known as Chemm DD F-2) is the name of the strain at hand today. Yes, “double D” (heh heh). We procured this product from Renton area recreational pot shop Clutch Cannabis (formerly known as Rain City Cannabis). This store has some great specials on certain days of the week, and offers a VIP membership – definitely worth a visit.

Strain: Chem DD

Species: Hybrid (Chemdawg x Sour Diesel)

Smell: Cheese-Funk + Foreign Fruit Market

Taste: Banana + Sweetness + Skunk

The producer of Chem DD is Secret Gardens of Washington – love the name; part of me wants to crank up the Bruuuuuuuce and pop in a VHS of Jerry McGuire. SGOW (for short) is a premier producer for Washington, and pride themselves in having potent, perfected product.

SGOW’s website has an index of select strains including testing information, here’s Chem DD‘s:

You’ve got to admire the dedication that goes to creating these infographs, and I appreciate having this information in such specific terms (although to be fair most of these graphs are beyond my comprehension). All the same – good on you, SGOW!

The packaging is a small mason jar (dawww). A Seuss-like vine wraps around the logo on the cap, sporting a rustic design. Printed on the container is the strain name, minimal testing results (there is a QRS code linking to the infograph above), and harvest date. I like the fact that this little nug jar can be used after the product is gone, perhaps there could even be some sort of recycling program implemented.

Now, bring forth the nug! (giant gates open)

Chem DD Secret Gardens of Washington Clutch Cannabis

Chem DD is emerald green, with a blanket of kief. The nugs are nicely cured, slightly sticky but easy enough to break up with your hands.

Smelling this strain is delicious. Unscrew the mason jar, and let the aroma seep into your living room (or, wherever). When breaking this herb up, there was a significant amount of fruity skunky pungency.

The taste reminded me of bananas, or perhaps banana liquor. It’s hard to nail down specific flavor (and scents), some folks will undoubtedly not taste banana, but truly that’s what my taste buds get from sampling this bud.

Getting high with Chem DD is intense yet airy at the same time. I’ve had Chemdawg, and I’ve had Sour Diesel; both strains are heavy hitters. This is the love-child between two foundations of marijuana, so yeah – it’s damn potent.

Chem DD Secret Gardens of Washington Clutch Cannabis Rainier Beach / Renton

Prepare for couch lock, and intense visuals (if you close your eyes). There is an equal frequency of mental and physical vibrations that come along with consuming this strain, lay back and enjoy it. As the great Doctor used to say “buy the ticket, take the ride”. With such a high rise, there is a fall: be ready for the burnout. Have some tea or coffee, preferably anything with caffeine, close by.

From the look of SGOW’s bounty, they have some unique strains. It’s not doubt that we will review more of their products in the near future. Catch you next week!

Check out more marijuana reviews and the list of Seattle marijuana stores.