Some travelers chase great wine. Others plan their trips around the perfect cup of coffee. And then there are the chill-seekers, the ones who travel to slow down and really tap into the vibe of a place.
If you’re in the last category and cannabis tourism has piqued your interest, you’re in good company. But you need to know what you’re getting into first.
There’s nothing wrong with planning a weed-friendly getaway. You just need to understand the line between what’s legal to own and where it’s actually okay to use, especially as a tourist.
The term cannabis tourism started making rounds as more countries legalized marijuana for recreational or medicinal use. However, outside a few countries, the general situation is murky at best.
For now, the most weed-friendly countries are:
If you’re truly interested in experiencing cannabis freedom while traveling, then a tour of the American continent, from top to bottom, is the best approach. It’s also a tour from the most weed-friendly nation (Canada) to the first country to ever legalize consumption (Uruguay).
Caution: In the US, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, so do not cross state lines or international borders with it.
If you’re looking at Europe, the experience changes. Notoriously fun locations, such as the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Spain (Barcelona/Madrid), Germany, or the Czech Republic (just joined the weed-friendly group), are gray areas where cannabis may be legal, but within specific limits and conditions.
In many of these countries, there are no public dispensaries or shops where tourists can just enter and buy. Instead, you can unwind in cozy, licensed coffee shops or intimate social clubs that serve local products and varieties.
The best part of cannabis tourism is the combination of two pleasurable activities: the deeper sensory experience provided by the weed and the excitement of discovering a new location. But to enjoy both, you must be familiar with the Indica vs Sativa differences and how they affect mood.
After all, if you’re in Barcelona to see the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí’s trippy creations, you don’t want to be glued to your bed the entire time you’re there, right?
We recommend researching the strains most common in the area you’re about to visit. But the cliffnote version is that Sativas are for power-ups and Indicas for a good night’s sleep. If you want to walk through the Vatican, climb the steps of a Mayan temple, or have an animated conversation at a Parisian bistro, Sativa is the choice.
On the other hand, if you’ve just survived a 14-hour flight, have cobblestone feet from walking across Prague, or need to drown out the noise of a busy hotel, Indica is the tool for the job. You’ll sleep like a baby and wake up rested and ready to go.
Travelling is incredibly fun and mentally stimulating, but it’s also exhausting and stress-fueled (when was the last time you enjoyed being in an airport?). So, adding the calming or energizing effect of different cannabis strains can make the experience a lot more enjoyable. It’s not for everyone, but if you want to try it, make sure you’re doing it right!
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