If Initiative 502 passes in November—and polling suggests it has a good shot—marijuana in this state will be legalized, taxed, and regulated just like booze. Seattle will become the Amsterdam of the United States. Travel expert, civil liberties advocate, and distinguished stoner Rick Steves will spend the summer and fall doing everything he can to make it happen. "I think the laws against marijuana are the Prohibition of our age," he says. "They're arguably well intended but wrong-minded and counterproductive, like alcohol in the 1930s. And the only way to break down a federal law like that is for states to do it one at a time." How can you help? Donate money or donate time: There's a campaign open house on July 19 from 4–6 p.m., a volunteer drop-in every Thursday from 2–4 p.m., and volunteer happy hour Wednesday from 4:30–6 p.m. (Go to www.newapproachwa.org or call 633-2012 to register) CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE

Pot is a powerful painkiller. No one knows that better than Jeremy Kaufman, co-owner of the CPC in Georgetown. He flew into a tree on his snowboard while he was in college and broke his neck. Instead of taking eight OxyContin a day, he now swallows little capsules filled with oils extracted from marijuana—the blood of the plant. He sells four pills for $8, each pill a quarter-gram of marijuana (though the pills are made in-house, so the dosage can be adjusted). The sativa ones will also give you a blast of energy, and the indica ones will knock you out. (Center for Palliative Care, 74 S Lucille St, www.thecpc.org) CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE

The dispensary A Green Cure in North Seattle is unique for growing almost all its bud in-house—currently 90 percent, soon to be 100 percent. Nolan Foster, of Seattle's Best Cannabis and Concentrates, points out that this allows better quality control than most dispensaries. Not only does A Green Cure have the full spectrum of varieties available—from sativa to indica—but the jars of bud are arranged based on where they fall on the spectrum, meaning customers can more easily find exactly what they're looking for. (A Green Cure, 910 N 145th St, www.agreencure.com) CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE

When I called Rick Steves to ask him about Initiative 502, I also asked him what his favorite thing to do high is. "I love to go look at Botticelli paintings in Florence," he said, mentioning that he's never in Seattle during the summer. But then he added, "One thing I fly home for is Hempfest." Hempfest is the largest pot rally ever, anywhere, and it happens every August at Myrtle Edwards Park on the waterfront, just north of the sculpture park. One Sunday afternoon there a few years back, at 4:20 p.m., thousands of joints started raining down on the crowd. That's the kind of weather I can get behind. (Aug 17–19, Myrtle Edwards Park, 3130 Alaskan Way W, www.hempfest.org, free) CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE

Northwest Botanical Analysis offers potency analysis, pesticide screenings, microbial screenings, and more for about $50. If you don't want the hassle of dragging your bud to them and paying for a test, you can always just get your dispensary needs met at Fweedom in Ballard, which tests everything it sells through NWBA first. Scientific knowledge of the chemicals in a given strain helps patients target their ailments more effectively. Trivia: Fweedom took the trophies for highest THC and highest CBD in the 2012 Dope Cup. (Northwest Botanical Analysis, 127 N 35th St, www.nwbotanicalanalysis.com; Fweedom, 7027 15th Ave NW, www.fweedom.com) CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE

The current and glorious age of medical marijuana has inspired a renaissance of pot-laced cuisine at dispensaries around Seattle, from classic sweets (brownies, cookies, caramels) to savory revelations (whipped garlic, olive oil). Local MMJ catering company Feel Good Foods has responded to summer with a line of medibles fit for a picnic: mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, baked beans, barbecue sauce. According to the medical assistants at my local dispensary, Capitol Hill's Both Collective, the summery Feel Good Foods tend to fly out the door—so call ahead or check their website for availability. (Both Collective, 1417 10th Ave, www.bothcollective.com) DAVID SCHMADER

Whether you're a medical-marijuana user or a recreational one, this is a therapeutic way to spend a few hours. Get yourself to the University of Washington lakefront and rent a canoe or a rowboat. Paddle out to the nearby Arboretum and its many nooks and crannies between floating islands of cattails and lily pads. Maybe bring a picnic lunch, hang out with the ducks and the geese, and listen to the gentle, lulling slap of water against the hull. Nota bene: Amateurs might want to get the boat in the water before getting stoned. Public fumbling at the dockside can be embarrassing. (UW Waterfront Activities Center, 3900 Montlake Blvd NE, 543-9433, 10 am–9 pm, $5–$10 per hour, 18+) BRENDAN KILEY