After two years of dedicated service as your medical-marijuana dispensary reviewer, I took time to ruminate over the best experiences of Year Two of “Toke Signals.” A couple of weeks ago, I mused that some of the shops I reviewed in my first columns in 2011 might have been treated a little more harshly if I’d had more experience under my belt when I visited. Having recapped a few lowlights, I felt it only right to revisit a few of the “high”-lights, as well.
Greenworks NW (11064 Lake City Way N.E., 922-3911, greenworksnw.com) offered an impressive 40 strains when I visited. Their only weak point was that they charged $15 a gram for 27 of those. Prices aside, though, Greenworks has some of the best strains in town.
Seattle’s Best Cannabis (495-5498, seattlesbestcannabis.net) is a delivery service which offers excellent local organic and vegan weed for just $10 a gram. Their only weak point was that they were down to just two strains (!) when I used them; they redeemed themselves with the fact that both those strains (White Widow and Bubblegum) were exemplary, showing signs that loving care had been taken during cultivation and curing.
Cannatonics (711 Opera Alley, Court C, Tacoma, 253-302-5539, cannatonics.org) has distinguished itself as one of Tacoma’s best access points. The shop has more going for it than the visual charm of its 1930s-nostalgia, apothecary-themed decor; it also has a friendly and knowledgeable staff and a selection of about 15 strains of flowers. Their only weak point was that top-shelf strains were $14 a gram.
Washington Farmer’s Market (3211 Yelm Hwy. S.E., Olympia, 360-742-3669, sonshineo.com), held the first and third Saturdays of each month by Sonshine Organics, is more than just a medicinal-cannabis farmer’s market. It is a community, and it’s hard to imagine a better place to get your herbal medicine. The friendly competition among the 20 or so vendors exerts a downward pressure on prices, and there’s almost always some entertainment on hand; there’s never a dull moment around this place.
Green Ambrosia (496-2345, greenambrosia.net) covers King County in its delivery area and offers some spectacularly potent flowers. Almost all strains go for $12 a gram, with a couple of $10 exceptions and an occasional very special strain for $15 (only one, Tahuya, cost $15 on the day I ordered, and if any weed is ever worth that much a gram, this may be it). Don’t miss the Deadhead OG at $12 a gram; it has satisfying oomph.
Olympia Alternative (2405 Harrison Ave., Olympia, 360-705-9415) caps its per-gram prices at $10, and had an astounding 37 strains in stock on the day I visited. Five strains, in fact, were only $8.
MMJ Universe (26130 S.E. Green Valley Rd., Black Diamond, 360-886-8253, mmjuniverse.com) is one of the newest medical-marijuana farmer’s markets in the area, and it’s also one of the best, making it well worth the 45-minute drive to Black Diamond. Held inside a former greenhouse, it’s chock-full of vendors offering almost anything you need related to MMJ. Gram prices ranged from $5 to $12, most around $10. E
tokesignals@seattleweekly.com
Steve Elliott edits Toke Signals (tokesignals.com), an irreverent, independent blog of cannabis news, views, and information.
