Have you ever thought about getting high while on vacation? Then cannabis tourism is likely the answer for you.
Cannabis tourism crosses tourism with cannabis (obviously). Generally speaking, cannabis tourism allows you to partake in a variety of activities, depending on where you’re visiting. For the most part, you will probably go about smoking weed and consuming cannabis. For example, Las Vegas houses “Planet 13,” a massive weed dispensary and a popular tourist destination. Here, you can try out a bunch of cannabis products, from edibles to THC-infused drinks to special cannabis spa treatments.
But cannabis tourism isn’t always about consuming. Many travelers take the opportunity to experience the ins and outs of the industry. Planet 13 offers glimpses into its cannabis-making process, showing tourists the equipment used to make their products. Overall, the experience is kind of like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – but with weed.
What’s the Outlook Like for Cannabis Tourism
These kinds of activities have also grown quite popular. The pandemic has definitely dampened the growth of cannabis tourism – or just tourism in general. But a 2020 survey found that 29% of active travelers want to do something cannabis-related when they’re on vacation. The demand for cannabis tourism is especially high among the younger generations. When traveling, 44% of Millennials and Generation Z vacationers go abroad to do something cannabis-related. Once the pandemic is finally over, and travel opens up again, we can probably expect the cannabis tourism industry to explode in popularity.
Why Has Cannabis Tourism Become So Popular: Canada as a Case Study
At this point, you might be wondering, “what spurred the popularity of cannabis tourism?” I would wager that it has to do with legalization and decriminalization in a lot of countries. Canada is a great example of this. The Trudeau government legalized weed back in 2018, and the country’s cannabis tourism industry has grown since.
A large part of this growth comes from how the Canadian populace has accepted cannabis since its legalization. A study from the University of Guelph found that as Canadians have steadily embraced cannabis, new avenues continue open for tourist opportunities. This is because social acceptance grants the industry newfound legitimacy, and tourists can come and partake in activities without the added stigma attached.
This sums up what I find so great about cannabis tourism. Not only does it give us new ways to experience cannabis, but it also exists as a conduit for the wider acceptance of cannabis.