Lux unofficially bills itself as the "Nordstrom of pot shops." Officially, their tagline is "Community. Culture. Cannabis." Their store is objectively gorgeous, and the service is definitely Nordstrom-esque. The budtenders, many of whom are transplants from more traditional service-industry jobs, all seem genuinely happy to be here, and genuinely excited about pot.

I'm not sure if employees are banned from leaning on things (as they are at Nordstrom), and I'm quite sure they can't legally accept returns (as Nordstrom very famously does), but it's a deluxe experience regardless. You're sure to enjoy, as their website promises, "an elegant, welcoming environment to purchase the finest quality cannabis products."

Lux is also quite convenient to many of Ballard's cultural and culinary activities. If you were looking to, say, smoke an ultra-heady sativa and go out for some of Renee Erickson's thought-provoking food, Lux is a mere three blocks from the Walrus and the Carpenter. For an even more mentally stimulating experience, you can pop over to Cafe Mox/Card Kingdom, two businesses that exist in symbiosis. You can enjoy Mox's lovely Northwest cafe fare and local beer all while settling the shit out of Catan or getting betrayed at the House on the Hill, thanks to Card Kingdom's generous game library. TOBIAS COUGHLIN-BOGUE