Always at the forefront of the cannabis movement and culture, my state passed legislation legalizing adult use marijuana in 2016.
Anyone over the age of 21 can shop at a local recreational dispensary with valid identification. This long-time acceptance combined with the perfect weather for growing cannabis has led to a huge diversity and innovation of grow techniques, cross-breeding and strains. Living there I have easy access to a number of dispensaries. They all offer the full variety of consumption methods, yet each one carries different brands. A few include fields and/or greenhouses, allowing them to control their products from seed to sale. One of the dispensaries features an on-site bakery where they create the most delicious edibles. Several of the shops offer vape lounges and dab bars where I enjoy spending time. It is wonderful to have such a huge selection of products available. I sometimes shop strictly with recreational pleasure in mind. I focus on dried flower, pre-rolls and vapes with a higher percentage of THC for quick onset of strong effects. I also consume cannabis for its curative properties. I purchase tinctures, topicals and edibles that target inflammation, pain, migraines or insomnia. I appreciate the nearly limitless potential and benefits of plant-based medicine. There are no worries over the harmful side-effects associated with synthetic alternatives. I am hoping that eventually, cannabis will be as accepted and available as alcohol or cigarettes. While my state continues to lead the way, it would be helpful if the rest of the country would catch up and provide better and safer medicinal opportunities to all those in need.