Seattle’s Capitol Hill is set up so perfectly to be home to recreational marijuana stores, and possible future marijuana bars or Amsterdam style coffee shops. Even though the neighborhood seems to grasp onto a sliver of what it once was – mainly because of an unstoppable insurgence of gentrification – it still proudly holds the counter-culture title of Seattle. After all, nearly two years ago, legalization of gay marriage and marijuana both ended their campaigns, with after-hour victory parties in the heart of the neighborhood that would make even Charlie Sheen jealous and wish he was more relevant. Parties don’t happen like that unless it’s the counter-culture mecca of anywhere. Sorry Georgetown, but you have 1000 light years to go – and you still need a grocery store.
So wouldn’t it make sense that Capitol Hill share a part of the recreational marijuana industry?
Often, as I walk up and down down these hillish streets just outside of this legal marijuana universe we have created, I wonder if we are missing out on a big opportunity because of the I-502 regulations that keep legal marijuana out of the area. There is no where else in the entire city where I smell more billows of cannabis smoke on the street than Capitol Hill. Except for maybe the corner of 2nd and Pine, in downtown. And there is now where in the city where marijuana is more accepted. Again, accept for maybe the corner of 2nd and Pine in Downtown. But you get the idea!
So wouldn’t it make sense that Capitol Hill share a part of the recreational marijuana industry?
Imagine a recreational marijuana shop next door to Lost Lake between Pike and Pine, a block from Broadway. You know it’s a perfect match marijuana and munchies! Or that bar strip on Olive Way which is home to Kedai, the best Malaysian food outside of Malaysia? The former Bus Stop bar, located a half block up the hill, is begging for a marijuana shop or future cannabis bar. Think about it: a coffee shop (Arabica Lounge) and delicious vegetarian noodle cafe (In the Bowl) next door, with a paraphernalia shop (Holy Smokes) and a tattoo parlor (Apocalypse tattoo) close by on the same block.
So wouldn’t it make sense that Capitol Hill share a part of the recreational marijuana industry?
The strip off of Olive Way looks to be straight out of Amsterdam. Only thing it’s missing is a marijuana store or bar.
Things will need to change for Capitol Hill to get a piece of the recreational marijuana industry action, and it’s not far-fetched that it can happen. Just maybe later than sooner. But until then, it’s like Amsterdam not having a recreational marijuana industry, but the neighborhoods outside of the dutch city do.
