Cannabis tourism is recreational travel for the purpose of experiencing local cannabis culture. People practice cannabis tourism for many reasons: to try unique strains, attend events, or see culturally significant destinations.
For decades Amsterdam was the first name in cannabis tourism because tourists could smoke openly in cafes. Now that several States have legalized recreational cannabis and Canada is expected to legalize it on the federal level, the spotlight is shifting to North America
Cannabis Tourism in Canada
Canada has always been a popular tourist destination because of its pristine landscapes and welcoming population. With federal legalization on the horizon Canada will soon have another major tourist attraction.
Federal legalization throws open the door to investment and growth. It also allows for less restrictive tax policies and banks can treat the cannabis industry as they would any other industry.
One of the most popular destinations is British Columbia. It’s no surprise that B.C. is one of the first things that come to mind when you think Canadian cannabis. The Province accounts for 40% of Canadian cannabis industry and the population is known for its tolerant attitude towards the plant. For travellers searching for cannabis-friendly accommodations in Canada, Bud and Breakfast is a great place to look. Here are some of the top destinations for cannabis tourism in Canada.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Van City is at the top of the list of B.C. cannabis destinations. Cannabis-friendly coffee shops abound in “Vansterdam,” as it is sometimes affectionately nicknamed. The Pot Block on Hastings Street is a special attraction for cannabis lovers.
Nelson, British Columbia
Nelson is a small town, but if you’re in the Province it’s worth stopping by for the beautiful scenery and cannabis community. It may not be well-known outside of the cannabis community but Nelson, B.C. has been dubbed, “Canada’s Pot Capital,” by the National Post. Baker Street is the hub of a cannabis community which has been in the city since the 60’s.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is the largest city in Canada, so it’s no surprise that it has world-class cannabis culture. Toronto’s claim to cannabis fame is the Global Marijuana March, the largest event of its kind in the world. 20,000+ cannabis crusaders take to the downtown streets at noon on the first Saturday each May to demonstrate their support. After the march tourists often head to Queen St. West or Kensington Market, the hubs of cannabis culture in the city.
Cannabis Tourism in America
Since recreational cannabis was legalized in some States, the United States has unseated Amsterdam to become the hottest destination for cannabis tourism. Colorado and Washington are among the most popular destinations.
The scenic landscapes, nice weather, and welcoming population bring thousands of cannabis tourists to these regions each year.
There is no sign of nation-wide legalization and this detail poses a serious obstacle for the cannabis tourism industry.
The Federal ban stunts investment and growth in cannabis tourism by complicating taxes and creating barriers for banks and private investors. Despite these obstacles the American cannabis tourism industry is still one of the strongest in the world, perhaps because competition is still minimal.
With federal legalization looming in Canada, all eyes are on the Great White North as the next big name in cannabis tourism.
One of the innovators in American cannabis tourism is Kush Tourism, a Seattle-based tour company dedicated to providing our customers with a legal, safe, and relaxed way to experience the world’s premier marijuana culture. They opened a public Kush Tour of Seattle’s cannabis industry and thriving local culture in March 2014 and haven’t looked back since.
Denver, Colorado
Denver is the first name in cannabis tourism. It’s quickly replacing Amsterdam as the premier cannabis destination. Since legalization passed in 2012 the city has risen in popularity because it provides visitors the opportunity to use cannabis publicly at certain events. The authorities are still deciding how to regulate venues for cannabis use but many event organizers are still finding ways to accommodate cannabis enthusiasts.
Seattle, Washington
The cannabis culture in Seattle is unique, to say the least. As one of the first states to legalize cannabis the culture has had plenty of time to develop. Seattle’s famous “Haze” cannabis strains go well with the famous coffee, according to local aficionados. There are plenty of cannabis events and activities to plan a trip around and cannabis-friendly accommodations abound.
Portland, Oregon
The Rose City is well-known for its cannabis, but that doesn’t come as a surprise in a city where the motto is, “Keep Portland Weird.” The billboards advertising cannabis and concentrates downtown will serve as a constant reminder and give you an idea of how prevalent cannabis is in Portland. Make sure to plan your trip around the PDX Hempfest Expo, a combination of Oregon Hemp Convention and the Seattle Hempfest. It combines the hemp and cannabis industries and is a great attraction for industry insiders and consumers alike.
International Cannabis Tourism
Although North America is becoming the cannabis tourism capital there’s plenty to see and do all around the world.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam has legendary status in cannabis culture. It may no longer be the most popular cannabis destination but it still has plenty to offer. The city’s coffee shops still bring tourists flocking from all over the globe. Many tourists enjoy taking in the city’s rich art history or cycling around the canals before relaxing in a coffeehouse.
Barcelona, Spain
This European city is home to the largest cannabis gathering on the Continent. Every March Spannabis brings together people from science, culture, and politics all in one place to celebrate and discuss hemp and cannabis.
Negril, Jamaica
It’s hard to mention cannabis without a reference to Jamaica. It’s home to two of the most iconic components of the culture: reggae music and Bob Marley. The pristine beaches, tropical atmosphere, and friendly population are also major attractions. Many locals still sell freshly-harvested cannabis to tourists despite the laws which prohibit it.
Montevideo, Uruguay
If you want to experience cannabis history first hand, Uruguay isn’t a bad place to start. It became the first country to legalize cannabis in 2013. Only residents of Uruguay can legally buy cannabis but anyone can consume it.
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