Pro Tips for Cannabis Tourism in 2021
Planning a stress free adventure in the USA
Cannabis tourism has been a thing for quite some time now. Whether you’re hopping on a plane to Amsterdam or Barcelona to visit some of the clubs on your Euro tour or simply visiting friends in Colorado or California, if you’re a lover of cannabis you most definitely want it to be a part of your next big adventure. With the legalization of cannabis sweeping the United States and the opening of many adult use shops, the state of travel in 2021 is a lot more inclusive now when it comes to destinations for lovers of the plant. Thankfully partaking legally at your destination is easier than ever before. Below are some pro tips I personally swear by.
Work the expense into your travel budget
Budgeting cannabis into your trip is a responsible way to incorporate it into your next vacation. Defining how much you want to spend on a given trip is something worth figuring out before you plan the next trip. Take into consideration any extra fees for booking a place with private access to the outside, purchasing your glass (if that is on your list of desirable ways to consume) and the overall cost of the cannabis itself. If you’re going to want to “go crazy” at the dispensary because you don’t usually get to visit one in your home state then factor this into your budget so you don’t have any added financial stress in the end.
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Confirm the laws at your destination
Just because a state is legal does NOT mean there are adult use shops open. The laws are still being worked out in many of the states where legislation recently passed. Adding states to your cannabis tourism bucket list that do not have clear laws around where to purchase legally and how to consume legally from an adult use standpoint should remain on your bucket list until there are legal ways for you to consume on your visit. States like Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Michigan are all beautiful places to visit with tons of options in the legal consumption department.
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Book accommodations that have private access to the outdoors
Once you have a chance to research the laws at your destination it becomes clear that legally consuming your cannabis is a factor to consider. Most of the time the privacy of a home is usually the best option. There are cannabis bed and breakfasts and cannabis friendly accomodations all over AirBNB and VRBO. Booking accommodations that have private access to the outdoors and give you freedoms not always available in a hotel is the absolute best option. There may be some extra effort required when searching however it is always worth it in the end to have a legal way to enjoy yourself at your home away from home.
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Define your preferred way to smoke
If you’re like me, you enjoy a bong at home. Having one on the road might seem like an impossible challenge, or something not entirely worth the hassle but that is not true in 2021. Head shops and glass shops are so easy to find and the options are affordable. Maybe you don’t need a bong but you really enjoy your bowl at the end of the night before bed. Visiting your local shop not only gives you access to a lot of the luxurys you were legally forced to leave at home but it also gives you a chance to instantly connect with a local person who likely enjoys some of the same things as you do. If you want to take the piece with you at the end of your adventure make sure to buy a heavy duty cleaner and toss any pieces that don’t look brand new before you head out.
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Make the purchase
Don’t be afraid to purchase a high quality product when you’re in the shop. Even if you haven’t defined your budget, spending a little bit extra on the top shelf will add to the feeling of being on a cannabis tourism trip. Take recommendations from the people working but don’t feel pressured to make a decision right then or to go with their recommendation. If you decide you want to buy the bong at the glass shop plus the top shelf, AND this fits in the budget you defined earlier, live it up. If the papers you brought from home work with whatever they have for $20, do that. Enjoy yourself after all this is your vacation.
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Consume Legally
Don’t get caught up in the excitement. Remember the laws you looked up and make sure to read any inserts and warning labels the shop sent you home with. Educating yourself on the laws around cannabis is an important part to a successful vacation. Keep yourself in check and remember if you have leftovers to leave them in the state you bought them. I know it can be tempting to bring things with you but it isn’t worth the hassle in the end. We finally have laws around cannabis to abide after years and years of fighting for them.
Now that you have the pro tips to traveling as a cannabis lover it’s time to plan your next adventure! Remembering to plan for budget, smoking style, and staying legal are going to help you make the most of your trip in the end. Get your friends and family involved and see what kind of cannabis friendly trips you can plan for your bucket list. Check back in with me in the October 2021 issue where I’ll outline some helpful websites and apps to help you plan your next weedy adventure.
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Kelly Anne Walborn Ferraro is a long time lover of cannabis in all forms. She got married to her amazing partner, Anthony Ferraro on October 2, 2021! Kelly spends a majority of her time helping companies hire dedicated tech teams. Kelly shares about her personal journey with cannabis and some of the experiences she has had in the past. Check out some of their short form videos about how Anthony tackles the world as a blind man. The Ferraro’s end all their creative pieces with the message of “One Love”.