Suzie Q's, Baby I Toke You

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​The first impression I got of Suzie Q's, a medical marijuana collective on Aurora Avenue in north Seattle, was "Are you sure this is the place?" An undistinguished corrugated metal building gave no hint of the business being conducted inside. So it wasn't until I was almost at the front door until I saw the first identifier of any kind: a tiny, postcard-sized "Suzie Q's" sign with a vintage car and a nostalgia babe on it. Inside, I asked budtender Sweet Christie (the hippie vibe is strong with this one) about the lack of identifying signage. She told me the collective prefers to keep a "low profile."

Looking at its website after the fact, I realized I probably had been lucky even to get in. You don't wanna just show up, as I did. "We are NOT open to the public," the website reads. "We are By Appointment Only. You Must Call First!" Whoops.

While Sweet Christie checked and verified my paperwork, I noticed all the kitschy, ironic-hipster décor in the reception area, including Ray Conniff albums on the walls. A cat sauntered through the room, but just as I reached to pet it, Sweet Christie warned me that he was a "battle cat," so I aborted that plan.

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Fucking Incredible, an indica dominant originally developed on Vancouver Island, lived up to its billing

​Just to the right of the front door, I noticed the "Schwag Board." It contained 17 Washington drivers' licenses, which I asked about. Sweet Christie told me they were all "people who have burned us."

On a more positive note, a sign in the lobby indicates that patients who donate four food items (which are given to charity) get a "fat Suzie joint."

The bud room itself was tiny, but within its cramped confines was a good selection of more than 30 strains. Sweet Christie was very familiar with the varieties, including their placement on the indica/sativa scale, and was quite helpful as I selected Fucking Incredible (discreetly labeled "F.I."), Steve's Blueberry, Dr. Brain Haze, and Grape Ape.

Top-shelf strains like the ones I picked are available for a donation of $15 a gram; there are also strains available for $12, $10, and $8 a gram.

If you name a strain Fucking Incredible, it had better be good. F.I., an indica dominant originally developed on Vancouver Island, lived up to its billing, from the spectacular fruity scent to the sweet taste to the stupefyingly pain-relieving effects.

Steve's Blueberry (Suzie Q's had two batches of Blueberry, from two different growers) was also choice, with the sweet bouquet of its namesake and a potent, energizing wallop.

Dr. Brain Haze had a dank, almost cedar smell and an uplifting sativa buzz, making it a good choice for first medication of the day.

Grape Ape's deeply purple buds were redolent of grape Kool-Aid and delivered a soporific indica body-buzz, moving pain to the back burner.

Suzie Q's is at 12710 Aurora Ave. N., phone 650-2232, website mysuzieqs.com. It's open daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.; don't forget to make an appointment to ensure you actually get in.

Toke Signals wants to review your collective. Send an email to tokesignals@gmail.com.

Steve Elliott edits Toke of the Town, Village Voice Media's site of cannabis news, views, rumor, and humor.

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