Marijuana Tourism: What Is It and Where Should You Go?

According to recent data, 29% of leisure travelers are interested in marijuana tourism. This is likely due to the recent legalization of cannabis in 15 states and Washington DC. More and more people are interested in traveling for weed-infused fun!

But are tourists allowed to buy and use marijuana recreationally in states where they aren’t a resident? What are the laws? And which other countries have legalized marijuana?

This guide explains what you need to know about marijuana tourism and the best marijuana tourism in the USA and abroad.

What Is Marijuana Tourism?

It’s a relatively new type of travel. An increasing number of tourists are jetting off to different places for the main purpose of consuming cannabis.

Marijuana tourism has grown in popularity as more countries and US states legalize marijuana for recreational use. Marijuana-friendly hotels and vacation rentals are popping up in these states and countries. There are also tour companies that specialize in marijuana-based experiences.

Before booking a marijuana-based vacation, it’s important to check the local laws. There can often be age restrictions, buying and selling restrictions, and restrictions for tourists but not residents.

What Is Medical Marijuana Tourism?

Another form of marijuana tourism is medical marijuana tourism. This is where people travel to other states or countries in order to obtain cannabis for medical treatment. It’s likely to be illegal in their home country.

Many countries have legalized marijuana for medical reasons but not for recreational reasons.

Top Marijuana Tourism Destinations

Some popular countries for marijuana tourism abroad have actually not legalized cannabis. Jamaica, for example, is infamous for its weed culture, but it’s still technically illegal.

Likewise, marijuana is legal for personal use in the Netherlands and in Spain but it’s illegal to buy or sell. Coffeeshops in Amsterdam which often sell marijuana to tourists, for example, are tolerated but aren’t legal.

So, this is a list of the best marijuana tourism destinations that have mostly legalized cannabis for tourists to use recreationally.

Colorado, USA

Colorado legalized recreational marijuana back in 2014. Colorado marijuana tourism laws specify that out-of-state tourists over the age of 21 can buy one-quarter of an ounce per transaction from a cannabis retailer.

This amount of marijuana is around $10-$15.

Cash is also required to buy. Many credit card companies are under federal law so purchasing marijuana is a grey area they don’t want to get into. 

Colorado is one of the most popular destinations for recreational marijuana. These are some of the best hotels that are 420-friendly so you can partake in marijuana tourism in Colorado:

• Hotel Teatro in Denver
• Quality Inn Central in Denver
• Aspen Canyon Resorts in Silverthorne
• The Shangri-La Inn at Laporte

It’s still illegal to consume or smoke marijuana in public and not all accommodation options allow guests to smoke weed. So it’s important to do your research!

There are also many cannabis tour companies in Colorado that can take you to marijuana-friendly bars and cannabis farms.

California, USA

California legalized the recreational use of cannabis a couple of years after Colorado in 2016. This came into effect in 2018. However, marijuana for medical use had been legal since 1996.

Like Colorado, users need to be 21 or over to buy or consume marijuana and it’s illegal to do so in any place where smoking is banned and in public. Especially in national parks!

But it’s one of the best places for marijuana tourism because of the variety of weed-based activities and experiences.

Again, the best way to smoke cannabis or enjoy marijuana-infused edibles is at a registered dispensary or in private accommodation. These are some options of marijuana-friendly hotels in California:

• The Tangerine Hotel in Los Angeles
• The Hollywood Rosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles
• Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa in Napa Valley
• Hotel Triton in San Francisco
• The Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco

Many marijuana dispensaries in California look like high-end bars and restaurants. They offer weed-infused cocktails, vaping facilities, and fine-dining edibles.

Other states where recreational marijuana is legal (or in the process of becoming legal) to a certain extent are Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, and Washington DC.

Uruguay

If you are interested in marijuana tourism abroad, then Uruguay is one of the best countries in the world to visit. It was the first country to fully regulate and legalize the cannabis industry.

In fact, the possession of cannabis was never illegal for residents.

It is technically illegal for residents to purchase cannabis, but it’s perfectly fine if you are offered it as a gift. And that’s quite common! It’s also legal to enjoy recreationally if you join marijuana tours.

Tours typically include:

• Visiting grow shops
• Meeting a professional cultivator
• Enjoying weed-infused beverages or food

If you want to enjoy marijuana tourism in Uruguay properly, try CouchSurfing or joining tours where you can meet the locals. They are usually very generous with their supply.

Plus, smoking marijuana is generally legal wherever smoking tobacco is. This includes outside tables at restaurants which is a big no-no in the US. And you get to visit a cool South American hidden gem!

Canada

If you don’t want to travel all the way to South America for marijuana tourism abroad, head to Canada. The Great White North legalized weed in 2018.

But all Canadian provinces have slightly different laws and regulations.

Some allow people to smoke marijuana wherever smoking tobacco is allowed. But others have banned its consumption in public places. In some provinces, the age to purchase is 18, and in others, it’s 19 or 21.

You can legally possess up to 30 ounces of cannabis in any province. This is way more than any of the US states. And due to fluctuations in the industry, this amount costs anywhere between $150-$400 Canadian dollars.

Canada has plenty of cannabis tours on offer for marijuana tourists. These are some marijuana experiences you can have in Canada:

• Visit dispensaries
• Take a weed yoga class
• Try fine-dining with weed-infused foods
• Learn how to bake edibles

Toronto and Vancouver generally have the most marijuana tourism activities on offer. Montréal, Calgary, and Ottawa advertise plenty of cannabis experiences too.

Relax on Vacation With Marijuana Tourism 

As long as you educate yourself on the laws and stay sensible, you can definitely partake in marijuana tourism in other US states and abroad.

It’s only going to become more popular as more states and countries legalize marijuana. So, become a trailblazer and book your trip now.

Check out our other travel articles for more ideas, tips, and advice!