Hotter than July! Weed tourism updates | Marijuana Games, Reviews, Research and More

Summer holiday season is upon us and no doubt you’ve already picked up those glossy, shiny brochures from your local travel agency or, if you’re more like us, you’ll have hunkered down for a couple of hours in front of you screen in search of your dream destination.

So, what’s on your list? What makes your ideal vacation?

Chic hotels with smooth lounge bars to sit and relax and enjoy?

The possibility of day tours and guided visits to plantations?

Tastings?

This list actually comes from an old brochure for eno-tourism!

But we stoners here at Marijuana Games felt these were just the sort of things we’d want to include when choosing our ideal destination. (OK, OK, the eno-toursim said vineyards, rather than plantations….!) Luckily for us, these are now viable options for the weed tourist in the US.

We haven’t found any precise figures, but pundits are signalling a multi-billion dollar weed tourism sector by the end of this decade. Given that the cannabis industry as a whole is forecast in 2022 to add $100bn to the economy, and that tourism in general in the States accounts for approximately 8% of GDP, a multi-billion dollar sector doesn’t sound overly ambitious.

We’ve been monitoring the nascent weed tourism industry for a while and it seems that state and city tourism boards all over the US are coming on board, realizing the potential draw for tourism and, of course, the consequent dollar spend. The profile of a weed tourist is far away from that lovable but unkempt Scooby Doo character, Shaggy. In fact, the weed tourist is as likely to be female as male, probably within the 25-40 age range, and with a family income in excess of 150K.

We read in a survey (obviously here as stoners we show a level of restrained skepticism because we couldn’t source the survey) around 30% of holiday makers worldwide would like access to cannabis, with a higher figure among millennials. Even so, those figures are very likely to get the attention of those cash hungry tourist boards.

So, Denver, LA, Oregon………. and a large list of etcs, here we come……

Interestingly, even states where cannabis has not been legalized for recreational use – such as Florida and New York (at the time of publication medical marijuana laws have been relaxed) – entrepreneurs are gearing up and offering dispensaries near to key tourist attractions.

Nearby Mexico with its spas and yoga centers is pushing through in anticipation of legalization of the horizon.

Further afield, we’ve already written about Uruguay.Will weed vacationing be legalised?

and Thailand Is Thailand the next weed holiday destination?

All in all, it seems that the US is ahead of the game. Not surprising on the country where the dollar is king.

But is you are thinking of Europe, we can advise you on Spain. Read on…

Spain’s Barcelona is famous for its laissez-faire attitude, whilst Madrid is a little less tolerant.

Cannabis is still considered illegal substance in Spain (medical use is still going through parliamentary scrutiny), although if you consume it in a private space you’re protected by stringent privacy laws. Hence the rise of cannabis private members’ social clubs, a safe no-hassles place, with good product and friendly faces. You’ll often need sponsoring to get into a club in Barcelona and in Madrid you’ll almost always need a sponsor. Marijuana Games can help advise on weed in Barcelona and weed in Madrid, and can help sponsor responsible, plus 21s, who understand the difference between a club and an Amsterdam-style coffee shop.

In the meantime, here’s some extra reading……

Barcelona Cannabis Club Review: Green Age

7 things to do while you’re stoned in Madrid

Club Review – The Dawg House, Mojácar, Spain

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