Dear Mama: Cannabis Tourism
Dear Mama,
I am wondering about places to visit and stay with weed around Arizona, like a bed & breakfast, canna-friendly vacations, events or something to do with other cannabis people.
Thanks, Happy Traveler
Dear Happy Traveler,
In a perfect world, my weekends would be spent trying all the options like this available in Arizona and give you my personal reviews of each and every one. But alas, I could start and finish my review now. Over the past couple of years I have been to a some events that allowed you to consume cannabis on site. I ubered to them. As we pulled up, the police presence was epic. I swear there were five or six officers at every intersection for blocks around the venue. Being that I look more like someone’s mom looking for their child at the event, they didn’t look at me twice, but it made me very nervous for everyone there who consumed anything. It’s just the “mom” in me that gets all nervous for everyone at public consumption events, but I have seen enough to know that all our officers are not yet fully trained on cannabis. Also, the intoxication testing doesn’t take into account that cannabis stays in the system for up to a month or what to look for when determining intoxication.
Let’s talk about the legalities of cannabis consumption in Arizona. Public “smoking” consumption is not allowed. The law does allow edible consumption in public (but there are some tricky rules about where that can occur, like not where there is a liquor license) and if you appear intoxicated or impaired that could be a problem. For me, the biggest issue is that there is so much confusion in what is allowed and how to prove cannabis intoxication, and those grey areas are still enough to make me wary.
There are events that are held in spaces that are considered private, like paint and puff events, cannabis cups, and occasionally one of the brand named products holds an event that will allow consumption, but its held at a place like an art gallery, which could be privately owned. I’ve seen yoga classes at dispensaries and cooking classes too, but again consumption at these is hit and miss.
There have been a few pop up lounges, for card holders, but currently one of the popular lounges in Phoenix is relocating, so I can’t at this time lead you there. There is another space in Phoenix called Domm Life that’s a great spot to look into if east Phoenix is near you, or close enough. They offer all kinds of interesting events and even have salon and spa services. They can help you schedule dispensary tours too.
Without a recreational market in Arizona, it’s not much of a destination for cannabis travel quite yet. If we legalize adult use cannabis, I think the options for cannabis related vacationing will blossom and the market for a cannabis bed and breakfast or hotel will be more likely to be found. There are some airbnb that allow it if you ask, or they’ll ask that you consume on the patio outside. I still just bring my vapes and edibles and keep it to myself. Sort of my own ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ program. It’s not ideal, but just because we leave home doesn’t mean we don’t still need to medicate.
Lastly there is an open kitchen option coming soon to the Phoenix area, and it may be open at the time of this printing. We are all hoping it offers more regular food, and healthy medicated options.
Personally, I don’t think the Arizona scene will have a lot of consumption events/bnb/hotels without adult use laws being passed here. With that comes more understanding within the police enforcement of cannabis laws and lower risk to consumers. Right now, as a medical only state it’s hard to justify to law enforcement the medical benefits of celebratory consumption.
Keep your eyes on your fave brands social media and dispensaries and they’ll let you know about events in your area. If you can’t find one, maybe it’s time you start looking into creating some in your area?
Wish I had tons of reviews to share but I think that’s right around the corner!
Safe travels! Mama
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