The Sky’s The Limit at These 10 Cannabis-Friendly Vacation Spots
According to HotelPlanner, cannabis tourism is one of the biggest travel trends of 2023. “With dozens of U.S. states now offering various forms of legal marijuana, this has created a whole new market of travelers visiting states where cannabis is much easier to obtain legally than wherever they reside.”
It is no longer trips to ‘hash bars’ in Amsterdam or April 20th events but year-round tourists. And a lot of them. Forbes estimates cannabis tourism is now a $1.7 billion industry.
“With 68% of Americans supporting adult use and half of millennials noting access to legal recreational cannabis as important when choosing a vacation destination, luring this new market is key to smoking the competition,” says Travis Scott, Executive Director of Visit Mendocino County.
U.S. Cities for a Canna-cation
The cost of a cannabis vacation will be noticeably cheaper in western states like Colorado, California, and Washington where adult, recreational weed usage has been legal for 6 to 10 years, and the general cost of living is lower than in East Coast states where just about everything costs more.
You can visit a nearby cannabis dispensary and get advice on the right strains for your needs in these vacation spots.
1. Denver, Colorado
The best city for a cannabis vacation is home to 19 guided cannabis bus tours and 64 licensed dispensaries for every 100,000 people.
Denver is a beautiful and interesting city with a science museum, a botanical garden, plenty of arts and culture, and now, cannabis. Denver is also known for its progressive stance on cannabis, being one of the first cities in the US to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, and hosting a thriving industry and vibrant cannabis culture. It is also one of the most affordable places on this list when looking at accommodations and food.
2. Portland, Maine
Maine was one of the first states that legalized marijuana for medical use, and quickly followed when it came to recreational marijuana. Visitors will find dispensaries and plenty of things to do in and around the city. It has a great arts scene and sits on the coasts with tons of water excursions and stunning views.
3. Oakland, California
Oakland is known for its culture, sports teams, and amazing California weather. Close to San Francisco, there is plenty to explore and as well as many cannabis-based businesse and tours, offering a wide range of popular strains such as OG Kush and Blue Dream.
4. Portland, Oregon
Oregon was a trailblazer when it comes to legalizing marijuana, and has a long list of things to do for visitors, including cannabis tours. The Japanese Garden and the awesome Oregon Zoo are also worth visiting while in town.
5. Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona is renowned for its luxurious golf resorts and sunny climate. In recent years, the city has also become a center for the cannabis market, with a growing number of dispensaries that offer a wide variety of products, such as traditional buds, edibles, and concentrates.
People residing in the city or visiting it can take advantage of Arizona’s permissive cannabis laws. Whether one is seeking to alleviate stress, reduce pain, or just enjoy a novel form of leisure, cannabis is a widely accepted option in Scottsdale and the nearby region.
With plenty of activities to do, including visiting the nearby city of Phoenix, travelers can optimize their time in Scottsdale by integrating many hobbies and interests in one trip.
6. Las Vegas, Nevada
What can we say about the experiences available in Las Vegas? If you want to take in a show, head to a casino, play a round of golf or enjoy one of the liveliest weekends of your life, you can head to Nevada and enjoy it all in Vegas.
Global Destinations
There are many places all over the world where you can head to enjoy the marijuana scene, visit dispensaries, and see how cannabis works in a totally different culture.
7. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is known for its charming canals, stunning architecture, and thriving cultural scene, but it is also becoming increasingly popular among cannabis enthusiasts. The city boasts a reputation for its laid-back attitude towards cannabis and is considered one of the world’s premier locations for coffee shops.
Coffee shops offer a vast selection of high-quality cannabis products, such as different strains of flower, concentrates, and edibles, making it easy for visitors to find exactly what they’re searching for.
Whether for recreational or medicinal use, the consumption of cannabis is widely accepted in Amsterdam and is an integral part of the city’s culture and heritage. However, the city has recently changed where it can be enjoyed, so make sure you’re staying current on Amsterdam’s laws and regulations.
Visitors can bask in the relaxed atmosphere of the coffee shops or embark on a tour to learn about the history and cultivation of cannabis in the city. With numerous attractions to see and experience, Amsterdam serves as the perfect destination for those who want to delve into their love for cannabis.
8. Cambodia
Cambodia has an interesting relationship with weed. People are free to grow a certain amount of it, and there are very few punishments for those caught with cannabis, though it is not technically legal.
In the big cities, it is easy to get hold of, but you do need to be cautious when traveling throughout the country. Cambodia has beautiful wildlife, amazing beaches, and fantastic weather for much of the year, so tourism is popular and growing by the day.
9. Canada
Canada has shown how well things can go when cannabis is legalized in a whole country. Since 2018, there have been no federal laws against cannabis, so plenty of states allow dispensaries to operate.
There are plenty of tourist spots in the big cities where cannabis is enjoyed in dispensaries or even on tours. It is a great place to seek advice and get specific cannabis that has the impact you are looking for.
10. Uruguay
Uruguay introduced laws to try and combat crime regarding cannabis. However that adults in Uruguay over the age of 18 can get up to 10 grams per week from their pharmacist.
The amazing city of Montevideo is where many people in Uruguay live, and this is where it is easiest to get weed and enjoy marijuana-related experiences. It’s also a great spot to enjoy culture or relax on their amazing beaches.