A Cannabis Traveler’s Guide: Boston
With cannabis legalization and running our business, I’ve been spending a great deal of time on the East coast in the past few years, mostly in DC and Brooklyn, which I’ve fallen in love with. Massachusetts legalized recreationally in November of 2016, and the first recreational shops opened in November of 2018, two years later. We were able to start our Puff, Pass & Paint classes there as soon as anyone could legally possess and privately consume. I haven’t had the chance to spend much time in Boston, because we’ve had wonderful instructors there and I didn’t have much of a need to be there, but with a transition into a brand new PP&P space and the desire to learn more about the city, I was able to spend a week in Bean Town this November, and BOY did I love it!
One of the things I love most about the East coast is that people are so upfront… if you’re doing business, it’s all there on the table from the very beginning, no bullshit involved. Fall in New England was absolutely gorgeous, and I was lucky enough to have my boyfriend with me for part of the time, so we did a good amount of posing for pictures kissing with changing leaves behind us. I was afraid I was going to run out of things to do outside of work appointments and meetings, but we left feeling like we missed out on a few things and would definitely plan a trip back, if even just to crush more lobster rolls and check out a few more breweries.
USS Constitution in the Boston Harbor
We didn’t go to a dispensary in Boston, as both of us had brought our vape pens and edibles (Mozen vapes, I could use a new pen… I smoked all mine in Boston while I was checking out our country’s early history, thank you!), but it is a very cannabis-friendly city. The public perception of cannabis seems to be that no one really gives a crap about it, as long as you aren’t bothering them, and when I would tell people what I do for work, most of them responded with “cool, I like weed” and a shrug. As usual, I can’t condone smoking in public, because I don’t want you to get a ticket and then blame me, but we were puffing on our vapes all day while following the Freedom Trail and nobody said a thing… and it only made the clam chowder (which was already like, the best I’ve ever had) that much better.
If you’re looking for a cheap city to visit, Boston isn’t that (the hotels, especially downtown, are some of the priciest I’ve found in the US by city) but there are lots of free or cheap things to do, and the ones you pay for are definitely worth it. First of all, the Freedom Trail is a 2.5 miles trek across the entire downtown area and into Charleston (east of the bridge), starting at Boston Commons, ending at the USS Constitution, and taking you through the city’s Revolutionary and Civil War history, which is extensive. I’ve never considered myself super interested in naval history, but wandering around on a 200-year-old war ship was pretty rad (now I know that I could never survive living in a hammock in the belly of a boat with 50 other people sleeping in the same room; I would freak… but it was cool to see!).
Union Oyster House | Boston, MA
Boston has a ton of iconic restaurants, and as an unabashedly unashamed tourist, I love checking out those hotspots, but also finding some great local digs. The Cheers Bar is a must-do (make sure you brush up on the show first, it’s currently on Netflix) and there are a bunch of great local beers to try (Sam Adams makes specialty beers for a lot of restaurants in the Boston area, only available at those local watering holes). Regina’s Pizzeria offers some incredible loaded treats by the slice or the whole pie, and Union Oyster House has the best clam chowder I’ve ever had, and the best lobster roll we experienced in the city (it’s also the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the US). I stopped into 21st Amendment for lunch one day, and had not only the most delicious short rib grilled cheese, but also got a bunch of recommendations from friendly locals at the bar. Those took us to Panza in the North End’s “Little Italy” portion of the city, which was one of the most fantastic Italian meals I’ve ever had in my LIFE… the baby rigatoni and sausage with crumbled goat cheese almost made me cry, I’m not even kidding you. Afterwards, you can waddle right down the street to Mike’s Pastry, a favorite of both locals and tourists alike, and if you’re lucky you’ll actually get to stand in line inside, as the wait is often outside the door and around the block.
If you’re into incredible beers and cool atmospheres, Night Shift brewery was a good start, and Trillium Brewing was absolutely mind-blowing… my favorite was the Wild Sinister Kid, which is wild ale aged in red wine and bourbon barrels, while my boyfriend was obsessed with the Triple Seesaw with pineapple, coconut, and key lime. Unexpected bonus: the outdoor patio is dog-friendly, and we got to see a love affair blossom between two Golden Retrievers. If you’re the kind of person who likes history, seafood, and whether or not you enjoy a craft beer or two, Boston is an absolutely incredible spot to spend a few days… a weekend is enough to wet your whistle, but you’ll probably wish you had a bit more time. Be prepared to walk a lot and bring comfortable, cobble-stone friendly shoes, a warm coat and cold-weather gear if you’re traveling in winter, and your stretchy pants. Puff, Pass & Paint is in Boston every Saturday… if you’re in the area, we hope to see you there!
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