Seattle marijuana

Everything cannabis, pot, or weed in Seattle.

Three Changes I would Like to Happen for the Seattle Marijuana Industry

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Marijuana legalization is slowly making its way through various states in the country, with Ohio possibly becoming the next legalized state. Every state’s legalization is unique, and the freedoms that come along with legalization vary. For example, Portland has public places where people can gather and smoke cannabis they brought with them; whereas, in Alaska, public consumption of marijuana may result in a $100 fine. Seattle has some excellent retailers and an inspiring industry. Though, there are three particulars in Seattle’s industry that I would love to see actioned.

We Really Need Public Spaces to Come Together and Smoke

High Above Seattle wrote an article about this before, but it is an important issue which deserves further recognition. Portland just opened its own public establishment where people can come to smoke together. Patrons bring their own cannabis to use and paraphernalia is provided by the establishment. This solves the issue of purchasing marijuana and having nowhere to consume it if you are a tourist, or if you live somewhere where you are not allowed to smoke indoors.

Tourists are very limited in where they can enjoy cannabis in Seattle. Really, everyone is limited. It would be wonderful to have a couple of businesses where people can meet up, much like they do at a bar, to enjoy cannabis together. This would not only help the industry, it would help individuals become acquainted with others who share interests and learn more about cannabis together.

The Freedom to Grow Cannabis at Home

In many respects, Washington is not as liberal as other legal states in regards to its cannabis laws. In Colorado, a household is allowed to grow up to six plants, with three flowering at a time. Home-growing in Seattle is illegal, due in part to the tight hold that the government wishes to have on the industry along with the fact that this could potentially facilitate easier black-market dealings.

Oregonians are also allowed to grow their own plants, four plants per residence to be precise. Washington also does not allow legal, large-scale growers to sell their own cannabis and are instead required to go through retailers; other legal states allow growers to sell, which helps growers profit even more.

Growing cannabis in your own home would be an excellent freedom in Washington.

No More Cannabis-Specific Drug Testing for Employment

When I first moved to Washington I was enamored by the industry and excited for employees who worked for employers who would have drug tested before cannabis was made legal, believing now those employees could smoke and no longer worry about keeping their job. When I relayed this excitement to friends here, they were quick to point out that employers are still allowed to drug test for cannabis use and not hire, or fire, an employee for failing.

I know there aren’t too many employers who still test for cannabis use though some that do employ tons of people. I understand that much of the testing has to do with federal involvement, though it would be wonderful if those who live in a legal state did not have to worry about being punished for consuming cannabis. This is definitely a complex issue that deserves more attention at a later time.

Basically, gaining more freedoms to consume cannabis and grow cannabis would make Washington a legality front-runner. Of course, living in a legal state is amazing in its own right. Though, if improvements can be made, why not address them and create further positive change?

What freedoms would you like to see in the Seattle cannabis industry? Let us know in the comments; we would love to hear what you have to say!

Summer Over? Who Cares! Weed-Vacation in Beautiful Ocean Shores

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Ocean Shores Washington State

The essence of pumpkin spice lattes is in the air and every supermarket storefront in Seattle is overwhelmed by warty gourds. Fall is upon us! Though, just as there are those who never want to grow up, there are those who never want to leave summer. Many people are forcefully pulled from summer, kicking and screaming. If you fall into this category of human, I am here to tell you that you don’t have to give up summer! All you have to do is head to Ocean Shores, Washington, the Neverland for fall naysayers. The city is gorgeous and the businesses unique; if you follow this trip itinerary you will be in for a treat!

 

Grey Gull Condos Ocean Shores

Credit: TheGreyGull.com

 

The Perfect Place to Rest Your Head: Grey Gull Condominiums

The drive from Seattle to Ocean Shores takes a little over two hours, so a day trip is entirely possible. But, really, you know you want to spend a whole day exploring the city and not worry about making the trip back to Seattle the same day. So don’t. Just check in at the Grey Gull which features individual, rentable condos. Opt for an ocean-view room on the second floor with a fireplace and unique furnishings, which may or may not feel like you are staying in your well-to-do grandparents’ home (not in a weird way, rather a happy nostalgic way, I promise). Once you have dropped your luggage and have sat in the bathtub to size-test (am I the only one who does that?), head out for the area’s finest clam chowder.

 

Ocean Shores Lighthouse Fish & Chips

Credit: Yelp

 

When in Rome, Eat Fish and More Fish! Lighthouse Fish and Chips

There is this fantastic, tiny lighthouse which serves the area’s best fish and chips and clam chowder. A place where every guest is met with a smile and more often than not a personal conversation with the friendly owner. A place where dreams of crispy, not greasy, fish and chips and clam-y clam chowder come true. Lighthouse Fish and Chips is a local favorite that you cannot miss. The inside is small, but the hearts running the place are large and stomachs leaving the place even larger. After indulging here, head on over to a local favorite establishment to pick up a bit of an after-meal relaxant.

 

Credit: Haveaheart.com

Credit: Haveaheart.com

 

Get High With the Tide: Have a Heart Marijuana Shop

If you are reading this article, you most likely agree that marijuana is a wonderful night cap. You probably also agree that marijuana is the perfect night cap while vacationing by the ocean. Lucky for you, Have a Heart is located right near the ocean on Ocean Shores Blvd. This recreational marijuana shop is staffed with friendly and knowledgeable budtenders who can point all levels of cannabis user, from tourist to expert, to the perfect strain for the high they are seeking. Hook yourself up with some Purple Grinspoon or Cookies and Cream (one of the highest rated current strands for this shop) and cap your night off right.

If you are seeking my two cents (why else would you be reading this article), I think you should head to Ocean Shores next chance you get to partake in this aforementioned adventure. Please let us know when you do so we can live vicariously, and enjoy yourself to the fullest living in fall denial!

Note: Have a Heart is an advertiser for HAS.

Women in Marijuana [Part 2] Feat. Clutch Cannabis

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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. 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. 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.

women in marijuana

When I encounter someone who is nervous about marijuana, I want to help them understand the incredible things happening because of cannabis. 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.

It’s a good thing you won’t be president.

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You can never say never, but unless every single one of the republican candidates who are currently polling ahead of Gov. Chris Christie does something that would derail their presidential bids, we know that this guy will not be the parties nominee and have a chance to be president. Right?

“If I’m president no getting high in Denver or Seattle, Charles,” he added. “Get high now while you can. When I’m president it’s over.”

Drug Testing in Public Schools: Could This Happen in Washington?

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Students in a Wisconsin high school are going to be subjected to random drug testing. Come fall of this year, students of Marinette County High School will have their student identification numbers held in a lottery system by a local medical facility; 10 names will be drawn every month and those students will be required to take a drug test, like a 5 panel drug test. This decision was made by Jeff Dorschner, the school’s Athletic Director, who believes this will help students stay away from drugs. Wisconsin is very different than Washington in many ways though the prospect of randomized testing becoming commonplace anywhere is a scary one.

Of course, marijuana is only legal for those who are 21 years of age and older in Washington. Therefore, students in high school are not old enough to legally smoke marijuana but it is ignorant to believe this stops them from doing so. Furthermore, many students do use drugs responsibly and find they enhance their high school experience as well as help them better understand themselves.

While there are numerous arguments that could be made against this new rule, some highlights come to mind. One detail is particularly disturbing: students who wish to participate in any extracurricular activities such as band or football must take and pass a drug test. Not only does a student possibly lose important outlets, he or she will also lose self-esteem due to a lack of trust from authoritative figures. Not to mention, randomly drug testing students is a serious invasion of privacy and a breach of student-adult trust.

It is one thing to drug test a minor if he or she is suffering serious academic failure or is not treating him or herself, or others, with respect. Even under these circumstances, a test should only be done to help the student make healthier decisions for his or her personal health, rather than to promote a system of unnecessary and intrusive control. The faculty and other authoritative figures in Wisconsin argue that its new drug testing rule is intended to help students make better decisions and help with peer pressure, and it is by no means a way to get them in trouble legally. Even though I am at an age well beyond high school, I still strongly feel that convincing a minor to make better decisions has nothing to do with controlling their environment but everything to do with actively respecting their privacy, facilitating open dialogue and trusting that they are not going to ruin their future.

Let’s hope that this negative impact on students does not make its way to the west. Instead, let’s create a welcoming and understanding environment for all people to feel empowered to make the best decisions for their and their loved ones’ lives. Open dialogue about drugs and how they may positively and negatively impact lives, rather than a system of fear surrounding them, will make every difference in the lives of students. Facts will be shared, advice given and love emitted. Let’s stay away from control by fear and lean towards education and trust.

What are your thoughts on randomized drug testing in high school settings? Do you believe testing would be overall negative or positive for students? We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!