Update: The Winterlife Cooperative is now called Winterlife Cannabis. They now make cannabis infused vegan cookies. You can now purchase these cookies and other products at Seattle marijuana stores.
We are a few months away from the legal Seattle marijuana industry, barring any hang ups. Granted, there are a couple of marijuana delivery services (The Winterlife Coop and the Raccoons Club) operating in the “grey area”, but I am referring to the time frame when it’s official. When Washington State opens it’s doors to legal recreational marijuana!
Anxious, excited, curious – maybe a little nervous? – are a few adjectives that could be used to describe how I feel. But I know I’m not the only one anxiously awaiting for the beginning of a new dawn. At times it seems so fast approaching, but other times the bipolar effect is complete, and it’s so turtle paced. If anything – this time of in between, gives us time to reflect, to look around.
Each and every one of us, involved in this industry, are connected. Whether we are consumers, patients, providers, businesses, friends or foes – we are connected. And we are connected by our own unique stories of how we arrived here.
Over 10 years ago, I landed at Schipol airport in Amsterdam. I really had no desire to visit this eclectic dutch city, but a chance career move brought me to this corner of Europe before I made my way to Hamburg, Germany.
During my short stay, I had a front row seat to the budding cannabis industry. An industry that was very illegal in the US, but so common place in Amsterdam. Thousands upon thousands of locals and tourists, were scattered and partaking in this special plant, amongst the many decorated “coffeeshops” (the dutch term for a shop where you can buy and smoke cannabis). The smell of marijuana in the air was unmistakeable.
One of my first memories of the marijuana industry in Amsterdam, was the purchase of a joint at the famous Bulldog Cafe. The joint, was a special blend of tobacco and a Sativa dominant cannabis strain. But, what really stood out to me was the packaging. The joint was packaged similar to an action figure: behind a plastic bubble, resting a a square piece of cardstock, and branded with a colorful logo. As a professional, with a creative director and graphic design background, I found this interesting and amazing. It was like being handed a little christmas present.
Throughout the next couple of days, I immersed myself in this peculiar industry. Visiting as many coffeeshops as possible, while each one had its own vision for its brand. Some had a touch of psychedelic and catered to tourists, like The Doors offeeshop; some were dark and moody like the coffeeshop chain, De Rokerij, and some were simple and catered to locals like Cafe Siberie. Amog the shops, papers, joints, cannabis strains, pipes, and more were often packaged accordingly.
It is now, 10 years later. I sit here on my balcony in the heart of Capitol Hill Seattle, overlooking the iconic space needle. In the next couple of months, the seattle marijuana industry will officially be born, with recreational shops in Seattle, farms and processors all receiving their licenses. Medical marijuana has been prospering here for many years, but this new cannabis industry, will be open to all residents of Washington State, who are over 21 years of age.
Looking back to my trip in Amsterdam, I never imagined this would happen to my home town of Seattle, but here we are at the cusp. I vowed at the time, if it ever did, that I would find my way at the forefront of this industry. So, here I am. Serving all of Seattle and surrounding areas. Bringing the Seattle marijuana industry to your screens and keeping you up to date. Welcome to High Above Seattle and please sign up to the newsletter to keep informed.
