Tourism and cannabis
With the development and decriminalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, cannabis tourism is also on the rise. Currently, half of millennials in the US (50%) say access to legal recreational marijuana is important when choosing a vacation spot. More than four in ten millennials (43%) say they chose a destination because marijuana was legal there. “For now, cannabis travel is largely ignored by travel organizations and the industry, leaving millions of dollars on the table”. That is what says Victor Pinho, co-founder of Emerald Farm Tours. He continues: “They’re tourists and they’re shopping – they’re here to spend money in a weed mecca.”
History
Moreover, legal marijuana also boosts profits from other industries – restaurants, hotels, culture. The phenomenon of cannabis tourism has been visible also in Europe for years. Around the 1970s, the Netherlands adopted a liberal drug policy. They agreed to make the use and sale of cannabis in controlled clubs known as “coffeeshops”. Amsterdam, in particular, attracts millions of tourists every year who want to experience the famous cafes and the “420” culture.
The same is for Spain. This country decriminalized cannabis for personal use and private cannabis clubs can operate there. Barcelona is one of the European cities where we can find such clubs. With the decriminalization of cannabis use, more than 200 have opened in Spain. This trend may spread across Europe with easing restrictions. In addition to the Netherlands and Spain, a number of other European countries, such as Germany, are starting to legalize or decriminalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Another example is North Macedonia, which you can read about in this article.
Events
In addition, there are several cannabis-related events and festivals across Europe. Examples are: Cannabis Liberation Day in the Netherlands, Spannabis in Spain, and Hemp and CBD Expo in the UK. These events attract thousands of visitors who come to listen to live music, meet other cannabis enthusiasts and learn about the latest trends and products in the industry.
Overall, the growth of cannabis tourism in Europe reflects changing attitudes towards the drug and growing recognition of its potential medical and recreational benefits. As more countries continue to legalize or decriminalize the use of cannabis, the cannabis tourism market is likely to continue to grow and evolve, offering new and exciting opportunities for both travelers and cannabis enthusiasts.