Cannabis in Washington State, in plain English
Recreational cannabis has been legal in Washington since 2012 (Initiative 502). Adults 21 and over can buy and possess up to 1 ounce of usable flower, 7 grams of concentrate, 16 ounces of solid cannabis-infused product (or 72 ounces in liquid form). Every retailer is licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB).
You'll need a valid government-issued photo ID every visit. Driver's licenses, state IDs, passports, and military IDs all work. We can't sell to anyone under 21 — bring the ID.
Why Rainier Valley is a great place to shop
Rainier Valley sits along the Light Rail line and Rainier Avenue South, with Othello Station, Columbia City, Beacon Hill, and Mount Baker all walkable from each other. We're a transit-friendly neighborhood, which means a lot of customers walk in from the train. Seattle Cannabis Co. sits at 7266 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 with on-site free parking — so you can drive too if you need to.
What dispensaries actually carry
A typical Washington dispensary menu has seven or eight categories. Here's what each one is for:
Flower
The bud — dried cannabis flower, sold by weight. Typical sizes:
- Eighths (3.5 grams) — the most common purchase size
- Quarters (7 g), halves (14 g), ounces (28 g) — better per-gram price, larger commitment
- Smalls or shake — smaller buds or trim, lower price per gram, same flower
Smoke it, vape it in a dry-herb vape, or roll it into joints.
Pre-rolls
Joints, already rolled. Singles or multi-packs. Infused pre-rolls add concentrate or kief on the inside or outside for a stronger experience.
Vapes
Cartridges (510-thread) for a battery, or all-in-one disposables. Vapes typically run 60–90% THC and are the most discreet way to use cannabis. Live resin vapes preserve more terpene flavor; distillate is more potent but flatter.
Concentrates
Pure cannabis extracts — wax, shatter, live resin, rosin, hash. Used with a dab rig, e-rig, or sometimes added to flower. THC typically 60–90%. Live resin is flash-frozen; rosin is solventless.
Edibles
Gummies, chocolates, baked goods, beverages. Washington caps recreational edibles at 10mg THC per serving and 100mg per package. Onset is slower — wait 60 to 90 minutes before re-dosing. First-timers should start at 2.5mg.
Tinctures, oils, capsules
Lower-key, often unflavored, used sublingually for faster onset than edibles. Common for sleep, recovery, or daytime micro-dosing.
Topicals
Lotions, balms, transdermal patches. Most don't get you high — they're for localized relief.
Reading a label
Every Washington cannabis product is required to show:
- THC % — 18–24% is typical for flower; 70–90% for concentrates and vapes.
- CBD % — usually low in flower (under 1%); featured in tinctures, topicals, and 1:1 products.
- Strain type — Indica (often relaxing), Sativa (often energizing), Hybrid (in between). The labels are looser than people think — terpenes and individual chemistry matter more.
- Terpenes — aromatic compounds that shape flavor and effect. Limonene = citrus, often uplifting. Myrcene = earthy, often sedating. Pinene = pine, clear-headed.
- Producer name — the licensed Washington company that grew or made it.
- Lab test info — every batch is tested. The certificate of analysis is on file with the WSLCB.
How to pick something good
If you're new or unsure:
1. Tell the budtender what you want from it. "Help me sleep," "stay focused," "I'm going to a concert," "I want to cook dinner with friends." Effects-driven recommendations beat strain-name guessing.
2. Start low, go slow. Especially for edibles. 2.5mg is plenty for a first dose.
3. Don't chase THC %. A 32% flower isn't necessarily better than a 22% — terpenes and your tolerance matter more.
4. Ask about freshness. Recently-cured flower smokes better.
5. Buy small first. A pre-roll or eighth is a low-stakes way to try something new.
Cash, ID, and what to expect
Cannabis is federally illegal, which means most banks won't process card transactions for dispensaries. Bring cash. Seattle Cannabis Co. has an ATM on-site, like most Seattle dispensaries.
When you walk in, you'll be checked in (we scan your ID — it's required by law and we don't store the photo or personal info). Then a budtender helps you pick. Browsing the cases is fine; asking questions is encouraged.
Consumption is not legal in retail stores, parking lots, or most public spaces. Take it home.
Cannabis around South Seattle
The Seattle area has dozens of dispensaries — competition is healthy. Seattle Cannabis Co. is at 7266 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, walking distance from Othello Light Rail, with free parking on-site, open 8 AM–11 PM every day including holidays.
If you're coming from elsewhere in the city: we're 10 minutes south of Beacon Hill, 5 minutes from Seward Park or Rainier Beach, 12 minutes from Columbia City, and a quick Light Rail ride from downtown. Park free, pick something up, ride home.
Discounts
- 15% off online orders placed at our pickup site
- Veteran and active-duty military (with ID)
- First-responder discount (with ID)
- Loyalty rewards on every purchase
Finally: the responsible part
Cannabis affects everyone differently. Don't drive impaired. Don't combine with alcohol if you're new — the interaction surprises people. Lock products away from children and pets — gummies look like candy, and dogs respond very poorly to THC.
If you have questions we didn't cover, come ask us or give us a call. Our budtenders are happy to talk you through anything.