An Inside Look At The Seattle Cannabis Farmer’s Market

I found the market boasted a comprehensive cross-section of the medical cannabis community in Washington State. Everyone from single growers, to delivery services, to full brick-and-mortar operations were present.

​I spent some time getting to know the folks from Northwest Greenthumb, the friendly bunch who dumped $10 packets of seeds and a pile of growlebrity Demosthenes’ current harvest: Kush, Diesel, Trainwreck, K2, and of course, Rainbow out on the table and cleaned house by the end of the day.

It was exciting to see the popular Lynnwood spot Bizzee Bee Medical Group (888) 932-6380 represented at the Farmer’s Market. Memorable for more than just the odd name, their excellent Permafrost is available at a $40 per 1/8 donation. According to the representative, this was a cross between two of my favorite social buzzes, Train Wreck and White Widow. The lively bouquet had a saccharine-sweet fruitiness grounded by a soft spice, like dark chocolate. Powerful on the bud, and undeniable in the bag.

Once home, the ease of combustion made it a regular for the water-pipe and smaller joints. It performed especially well in the water pipe, pouring milky smoke with good taste retention into the tube, building a smooth hit that expands in the lungs. Jeff from Bizzee Bee said it was sought out primarily by patients suffering from nausea and chronic pain. Jeff was familiar with his varietals and their growers, and able to provide buzz profiles, medicinal use, and genetics easily.

​Cascade Medical Center had an attractive table with a wide selection. They advertise as carrying “exotics,” never priced over $12. I donated $10 each  for a gram of Romulan and  Alaskan ThunderFuck. Both had decent resin production and looked appropriately harvested under the microscope. I found the Romulan grow enjoyable, but was more attracted to the unfortunately named Alaskan ThunderFuck, a palatable Sativa high that held a well-rounded buzz I returned to often. They also boasted an offering of Hawaiian Dutch.

Grateful Meds (206) 218-7950, a table that leaned towards the hippie side of product presentation, had an interesting menu. Their Headband looked promising, recommended for insomnia and rheumatism, but I passed it up in favor of part-owner Tim’s favorite, Hindu. A special strain to Tim, he hopes it will relieve those experiencing symptoms of asthma.

Throughout the next week I was taken by Hindu’s classic effects: pleasant sedation, mild hilarity, and a meditative stone that left the mind clear. The unique bud formation, buzz length, and decent smell didn’t leave me wanting more, but was enjoyable while it lasted.

Tim talked excitedly about the  ‘wide-open’ state of the industry. As soon as him and his partner Delta settle down in a Seattle locale, he hopes to turn his attention towards varietal high in medicinal cannabinoids, regardless of psychoactive content.

​I moved over to Cutting Edge Genetics’ (206) 313-6524 table, which took the prize for most informative and treatment-orientated. The representative of CEG had a refreshing approach to recommending medicine that empowered the patient. When discussing donations he appeared adept at matching a varietal to an ailment, taking the time to talk in-depth with each patient. A great choice for anyone, especially those with illnesses that require a exemplary provider whose knowledge goes far beyond the quality of a “buzz.”

Beyond that, both representatives I spoke to had an encyclopedia’s worth of knowledge and are happy to share. You will be hard up to meet any provider more passionate about preserving the true genetics of classic strains.

This table carried a powerful variety, including Blackberry, a nearly pure Sativa, but I walked away with Caboose instead, a varietal they claim you can’t find anywhere else between here and Humboldt, where it originated. It is rumored to be a cross between Big Bud and Trainwreck.

If you are fortunate enough to try this varietal, expect a creeping stone that takes it time, but eventually dominates. A highly relaxing experience that sits behind the eyes. With this varietal, take it easy if you plan on going out, or the meaning behind the name will become abundantly clear.

The lively #5, a Sativa Dominant cross between an unknown strain and Sour Diesel, was a complete buzz that met multiple needs. I also found it manageable during all times of the day. Both were at a very low $8 per gram donation, ounces at $225.

​In preparation for a writeup on alternative methods of medicating I was also donated CGE’s Lotus pills; these are usually donated for at $4 apiece. The capsules were a great workday compromise, on an empty stomach one of these provided medicinal relief with manageable mental effects for most of the day. Double that dose and I was met with an elated, creative experience that was both pleasant and sedating.

Midnight Baking Company held half the table with CGE, and I accepted the exceptional sample of their cheese cake. Feeling a little weary of table hopping I ate the dose whole at the representative’s recommendation. A quick break in the nearby park and my free sample had me feeling invigorated and clear-headed, and I noted a higher threshold for discomfort.

​With edibles on the mind I walked straight to Cannabis Cannaceuticals’ table, where I went for the tincture. Later I found that despite a higher tolerance, two droppers full of the Rose Hip tincture gave me total relief with little or no cognitive distortions for up to four hours. A great solution to the problem of medicating during the work week, when my tolerance is lowest.  The 15-milliliter bottle was a $10 donation and lasted me around 10 doses. The $1 per dosage seemed steep, but the convenience is hard to beat. Chances are I will be supplementing my stash with a tincture in the future, especially a nightcap of their most popular infusion, Chamomile.

By this point my cohort and I had become weary. The unfortunate weather removed the smoking tent that had been available earlier in the day, but we managed. Knottyy set to stuffing a gram of Jack Frost into a DLX paper he had lined with home-made oil. We bundled up and puffed away with his partner and friend, all enjoying the Jack Frost spice against acrid oil hits. The high began peaking quickly with a near teeth-gritting bursts of energy, leaving us feeling like the day had just begun.

​The Herban Collective (206) 724-6474 is a up-and-coming delivery service to the surrounding Capitol Hill area. Their delivery drivers and growers were all on-site to answer questions about varietals, OG Kush, LA Confidential, Afgoo and more.

The buzz around the Jack Herer Memorial (206) 250-7207 had only grown since they had piqued my interest early in the day. Taking the time to discuss the harvest and cure further with Matt and Tim, I decided to invest in a $40 1/8th, a great deal for these immaculate buds.

These genetics have been in the care of their group for over 12 years, and they had an outstanding confidence in their ability to grow Jack Herer to its full potential. I was impressed when I got home, outstanding taste and good trichome coverage made this potent Sativa a default from early-morning productivity to late-night socializing.

They’ve long been at work dialing in their curing process on Jack and it shows, the bud tastes excellent even through water filtration. They’ve brought all of Jack’s bag appeal right to the front as well, I saw great looking buds in every bag. The buzz it provided went was on par with the taste and smell’s excellence, a great example of Jack Herer.

​Earlier in the day, I had the pleasure of toking some of Blue Moon’s (253) 306-9151 (formerly Full Moon’ heart-thumping Afghan Haze Hash. A lung-full of this smoke took hold of the limbs quickly and gave a physical energy and creative thinking that came with urgency. After 15 minutes I was hardly aware of anything past my thoughts and objective, even the crowd’s overwhelming presence took backstage for a couple of hours.

I was apprehensive sampling more potent medicine early in the day, but this hash is a clear-headed freight train that earned a place in my stash when concentration and drive is needed. After the hash smoke had settled a bit, I topped it off with its bud of origin, Afghan Haze. Through the water pipe this varietal magnified the sweeter notes of the hash’s mouth-smacking finish, which lingered pleasantly for over 15 minutes. This varietal, and the hash it creates are a favorite of the owner, and his enthusiasm is clear in the final product.

​For those keeping up with the keep-up worthy “Toke Signals,” Steve Elliott’s column in the Seattle Weekly, you may recognize the Kungfoo Goo. A tip of the hat to the author; I found his review to be spo
t-on: a great smoke for all occasions. They were a friendly, informative table that I would feel comfortable recommending to anyone from friend to a grandparent.

The Farmer’s Market is young, and still bears the signs of its adolescent awkwardness. Cannabis quality can range from decent to ridiculous at some tables, and patients new to marijuana may be surprised at the ‘stoner’ culture integrated into some table displays.

For its minor setbacks, the Market format shows promise. Patients can feel validated by their company, not stigmatized, and an even somewhat discerning eye can cut through the trash and reveal potent medicine-grade flowers. A level playing field — patients can compare donation points side by side from multiple providers — is a great way to cut through the competition.

Beside that, the event is ripe with opportunities to get a birds-eye view of the community as a whole, and find those who meet your needs.

Editor’s note: Jack Foster writes for the Seattle Cannabis Journal.