New marijuana store to open in SODO: 20% Off!

September 8, 2015 By Manic Conrad Leave a Comment

Choices, choices, choices. This wasn’t the case one year ago. In fact, we may have only had one recreational marijuana store at this time. But things are different. So different that some brands such as Dockside Cannabis are opening their second recreational store, this one in SODO!

Credit: Dockside Cannabis

The open house will be this Wednesday, September 9 from 4pm-9pm. Enjoy beverages and snack, browse the cannabis museum, listen to vinyl selections from Far West Sound System, and get 20% off ALL products! Here is the address: 1728 4th Avenue South.

Maybe Dockside Cannabis will be the final piece to complete the Seattle marijuana district?

Creative Brilliance Award for June 2015: The CannaBus Shuttle by Ganja Goddess

June 26, 2015 By Manic Conrad Leave a Comment

It’s time for the Creative Brilliance Award for the month of June (handed out the last Friday of every month). For those who are not familiar with this award, it’s a simple shout out that we give to anyone in the industry who comes up with an unique and creative idea. After all, we are a part of a creative industry. Or, at least, it can be.

Last month, the first month of the awards existence, the winner was Trail Blazins’ Street Bag, an Uncle Ike’s Pot Shop exclusive. Again, let’s have another round of applause for those two.

This months winner is Ganja Goddess. Yes, Ganja Goddess is an advertiser on our site, but doesn’t matter. Creative is creative. You do something that’s deserving of the award and you will get the award. Simple as that. Advertiser or not.

The SoDo and Industrial District based recreational marijuana store saw a need. They realized that tourists, who are mainly concentrated around the downtown and Pike Place Market area, had no easy way of visiting the city’s pot shops. So they created a way. They branded a van called the: CannaBus Shuttle. This shuttle picks up tourists near the Pike Place Market on 1st Avenue, and shuttles them to their shop and back – for free!

Brilliant. Just brilliant. Thank you Ganja Goddess for making this industry even better with your creativity.

Looking forward to handing out next month’s Creative Brilliance Award. So, keep being creative, it just makes everything more fun and interesting for everyone.

Pesticides on Cannabis

May 4, 2015 By Ellie Klein 1 Comment

Last week, High Above Seattle visited Analytical 360, Seattle’s marijuana testing facility located in SoDo, and wrote a little bit about it here. We were so interested in the information we received about the controversy surrounding pesticide use in the marijuana industry that we decided to dig deeper. As it turns out, this issue is prominent in the cannabis industry, and the future, in regards to pesticide regulation, is not clear.

Cannabis is considered a narcotic under federal law, rather than a consumable crop, so any decisions on growing, dispersing, etc., fall on individual states which have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational use. This means that many details that surround the agriculture industry do not apply to the marijuana industry, including pesticide use. Current safe limits in pesticide use are based on agriculture standards, which are ill-equipped to properly assess cannabis simply due to differences in smoking vs. consuming a product. Marijuana legalization is a very new thing, so pesticide knowledge and use in regards to marijuana plants, and how they affect consumers, are still evolving.

Typically, in the agriculture industry, pesticides used on crops grown for consumption are evaluated for their possible adverse effects on people and the environment. This knowledge then leads to decisions of which pesticides to use on which crop. Lawmakers in individual states where marijuana is legal have the opportunity to ban the use of pesticides and require only organic cannabis growing operations. Numerous states have exercised their rights to control pesticide use and share information with the public while other states have remained silent on pesticide use and testing.

In states where marijuana is legal both medically and recreationally, regulations and practices differ in each industry.Washington is transparent for much of its pesticide use and testing processes though, surprisingly, the state’s recreational industry is more strict in terms of use and public knowledge. This is surprising because, according to authorities at Analytical 360, citizens are concerned that pesticides used in the medical marijuana industry may be harmful to those with compromised immune systems. For the sake of time and interest, let’s look at each of Washington‘s cannabis industries individually. If you are interested in learning more about pesticide use in other marijuana industries around the country, this chart from an organization which studies pesticides is very informative.

Medical Marijuana

Washington State Department of Agriculture has devised a list of pesticides it believes are legal for use on medical marijuana. This list is not the end all be all of pesticides used, meaning that individual localities may choose to use different pesticides. Pesticide safety testing and labeling of pesticides used are not required by law in the state’s medical industry. So, even if you know which pesticides are “approved” by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, others may still be used in your area without your knowledge.

In regards to organic growing, sans the use of conventional pesticides, nothing has been finalized or discussed with the public.

Recreational Marijuana

Producers in the recreational industry must list any pesticides used, and how they are used. If producers fail to do this, their licenses may be revoked.

Transparency with pesticide use is monitored through contaminant testing, and this information must be made available to consumers upon request. This model allows for true organic growing operations to happen; though these operations cannot label their product organic unless they are permitted to by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Overall, holes in current testing procedures are being addressed by the Washington State government, which is a large reason many testing facilities are holding back on researching pesticide use and legality further. Monitoring and testing for pesticides is an expensive endeavor and facilities don’t want to go ahead with testing procedures only to have to change course midway.

In conclusion, the country has a long way to go before pesticide use and regulation is 100% transparent across the board. If you are concerned about pesticide use in your cannabis reach out to local lawmakers and growers to share your thoughts. We are happy to hear your thoughts as well so please get in touch or leave a comment!

All Aboard! Follow Us on a Seattle Marijuana Shop Road Trip

April 27, 2015 By Ellie Klein Leave a Comment

On Friday, we had a fun and adventurous road trip to several recreational marijuana shops in Seattle. The trek was complete with very appropriate Seattle happenings, including a lot of rain, cannabis conversation, incredible budtenders, and a very interesting (but super friendly) cab driver who saved us from becoming stranded. You should have been there! But, because you weren’t, we documented a play-by-play of our outing for your reading pleasure. It all started in a mysterious tunnel…

All aboard! Round trip tickets for the Seattle light rail.

Okay, it was the Westlake underground transit tunnel at noon, so it was not very mysterious. (Though, have you been down there at midnight? Mysterious is one way to describe it at that hour…) We took the light rail to Rainier Beach, which dropped us about three miles away from our first destination: Rain City Cannabis.

Admittedly, we had not thought about transportation from the light rail to the shop prior to landing, so, naturally, it started to rain. We tried to flag a passing taxi, but someone beat us to its services. We called yellow cab, waited on hold for many minutes plus two minutes too long, and then called an orange cab. I am still not sure if the orange cab that we flagged after calling was the one for us, but he stopped and agreed to be our designated driver. Swell guy!

Rain City Cannabis resides in an ‘old world’ brick building.

Rain City Cannabis is chock full of some of the friendliest budtenders a recreational smoker could ever meet. Tae, the shop’s manager/designer, gave us a rundown of Rain City Cannabis’ fine selection, which features Fireline, Secret Garden, and Top Shelf. The shop is also the proud recipient of the Dope Cup runner-up award for best hybrid flower. An expansion project is being planned, which will result in more service windows and more products. Rain City Cannabis is definitely worth a visit!

Owner Tae Rhee holds the runner-up Dope Cup award.

Budtender helping out customers.

Remember that awesome cab driver? He is so rad that he swung by to get us after our Rain City Cannabis visit and quickly delivered us to our next destination: Seattle Cannabis Company in SoDo.We have covered this amazing new shop before (here), but we really can never get enough of this local-cannabis stop. The shop’s selection is always fresh and the budtenders really know their stuff. Plus, the attention to detail found here (reclaimed wooden doors? Yes, please) is truly memorable. This spacious, boutique style shop has a very bright future and we can’t wait to see its evolution.

The Seattle Cannabis Co. has a modern reclaimed touch.

Reclaimed accents.

Yes, they got weed.

From that last gem of a shop, we walked down the road to another gem, and, oh, is it a sight to behold. Ganja Goddess has incredible ambiance, complete with 100-ish-year-old exposed brick walls, numerous hanging chandeliers, and captivating tapestries. The shop features God’s Gift, a record-breaking strain at 40.1% THC. Lee, a budtender we spoke with there, is incredibly friendly and full of cannabis knowledge. Be sure to shake his hand and pick his brain on your next visit.

Ganja Goddess adds their sign to the iconic Vertigo sign.

Nice menu.

Lee holding something good.

A touch of taste.

Buddy Boy Farm trading cards.

Because we were in the neighborhood we decided to pop into Analytical 360, Seattle’s marijuana testing facility. We discussed a current controversial topic with the man in charge there: whether or not pesticide tests and regulation should be mandatory in the recreational and medical marijuana industry. There is so much information to address in regards to this issue, which is why High Above Seattle will soon feature an article on this topic alone. Stay tuned!

After leaving Analytical 360, we had a realization: we should have ridden the light rail to SoDo from Rainier Beach, rather than take a cab. In all our excitement, we forgot to ask the cab driver to take us back to the Rainier Beach light rail station. We quickly recovered from this moment because we were having a blast and nothing could rain on our parade (except for real rain, of course). I only mention this for your own road trip! Save a few bucks and light rail away, friends.

An arrow marks the spot.

The last stop on our agenda was Cannabis City, also in SoDo. This was Seattle’s first licensed recreational marijuana shop and is full of very interesting wares, as well as very engaging and intelligent budtenders. This shop showcases glass paraphernalia, including guitars that double as smoking devices. Local art abounds here and the positive vibe is contagious. Do yourself a favor and visit this iconic and historic shop.

Glass smokeable and playable guitars!

The Weedsquatch.

History.

Cannabis City marked our last stop, so we walked a couple of blocks east to catch the light rail back downtown. As we digested our eventful day, we talked about everything from dogs to high parents. We encourage you to recreate our road trip, or make up your own route! Let us know how it goes and spare no details; we can’t wait to hear about it!

Seattle’s New Recreational Shop: Seattle Cannabis Company

March 2, 2015 By Ellie Klein Leave a Comment

Introducing Seattle’s newest recreational marijuana shop: Seattle Cannabis Company. Located in the midst of SoDo, the shop had its grand opening this past weekend. The ambiance of the shop is clean, inviting and open; its wares are unique and impressive.

Seattle Cannabis Company wishes to be seen as a “boutique” for recreational marijuana. To accomplish this, it features many products that are not found anywhere else in the Seattle area. Stepping into the shop is a treat for seasoned and novice smokers: the customer is greeted with smiling budtenders, opportunities to smell the strains, eye-catching packaging, and impressive brands.

Casey, Seattle Cannabis Company’s shop manager, values relationships with growers and producers. The shop features many products from tier one and tier two producers that specialize in the strains that they grow. However, this specialty preference does not mean that the shop is unfriendly to novice smokers or tourists unfamiliar with the recreational scene in Seattle. In fact, the shop was built with tourists in mind.

With well more than half of the recreational marijuana industry’s revenue coming from tourism, Seattle Cannabis Company is prepared to cater to and impress those visiting from out of state. The shop is large and open and the budtenders are familiar with strands for both seasoned and novice smokers. The budtenders all smoke the products, which undoubtedly helps them recommend strands to those looking for certain levels of high and experiences.

The Seattle Cannabis Company is now open! Stop by and stock up for the weekend. 3230 1st Ave S http://t.co/PYss3Wm1HQ pic.twitter.com/G9bpRFHFRJ

— Zoots (@Zootology) February 20, 2015

Specialty shop status yields unique marijuana strains with enticing packaging and, often, sustainable business practices. CannaSol is a featured farm of the Seattle Cannabis Company; the farm produces marijuana plants grown in the sun, using sustainable and natural methods. Seattle Cannabis Company also carries organic marijuana from Zion Botanicals, a Tier 2 producer. Seattle Cannabis Company is committed carrying product from Washington growers and takes care to build lasting relationships with all of its suppliers.

Currently, Seattle Cannabis Company offers numerous strains for experienced and new smokers. If you are new to smoking recreational marijuana, try the Pineapple Kush or Dutch Treat, both hybrids. Looking for strains that appeal to experienced smokers? Try 9lb Hammer, indica; Spacebomb, a sativa; or Cherry Pez, also a sativa. While you are in the shop, be sure to pick up some unique accessories that can only be found at Seattle Cannabis Company.

Seattle Cannabis Company is the only shop in Seattle where consumers can purchase Tommy Chong’s line of accessories. Tommy actually made an appearance at Seattle Cannabis Company during the shop’s soft opening. The shop also carries beautiful glass smoking devices and has plans for offering more exciting smoking pieces in the future.

Doug, the shop owner, and his crew worked tirelessly to open Seattle Cannabis Company. The retail space was built from the ground up over the course of four months, with heavy tourist traffic in mind and a desire to bring a unique cannabis buying experience to Seattle. Seattle Cannabis Company is located at 3230 1st Avenue South. Its location is becoming a prime area for a complete Seattle recreational marijuana experience and is a must-see shop for tourists and locals interested in the industry. Stop in for an experience worth raving about.

Note: This image is from recreational marijuana producer and processor Double Delicious. Check them out!