Move over, Amsterdam and Vancouver (sometimes known as “Vansterdam” for its notoriously loose, yet still illegal, pot culture): There’s a new plume of cannabis tourism locales on the rise in the United States.
Amsterdam has long topped lists of destinations for travellers seeking legal recreational marijuana, but new laws across the U.S. are producing a fresh crop of hot pot spots.
Colorado and Washington were the first to legalize recreational pot, and both states began sales in 2014. More recently, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C. have voted to legalize recreational marijuana, with sales likely to begin sometime in 2016 in Oregon and Alaska, while the debate over the fate of marijuana legalization in the District continues.
The U.S. capital aside, there’s no doubt travellers are showing interest in taking a toke-worthy trip right here in North America, now that the option is there. Our data shows travellers are significantly more interested in travelling to Colorado, Washington State, Alaska and Oregon in 2014 than they were in 2013. In fact, flight searches for Washington State on Cheapflights.ca jumped 82 per cent from 2013 to 2014, while flight searches to Alaska went up a whopping 204 per cent year-on-year between 2013 and 2014.
So what do you need to know before taking a trip to one of these new pot spots in the U.S.? Take a look at this snapshot of the U.S. destinations where lighting up is already, or at least soon-to-be, legal.
Colorado
Voters in Colorado legalized recreational marijuana use in November 2012, with the actual sale of recreational pot starting in January 2014. And flight searches to Colorado on Cheapflights.ca jumped 37 per cent from 2013 to 2014 — an indication that travellers are showing increased interest in The Centennial State. Visitors to Colorado — or the now even more aptly named Mile High City of Denver — are welcome to indulge, with a few caveats: You’ll need to be at least 21 years old and present photo ID to enter a dispensary. As an out-of-towner, you’ll still be able to purchase marijuana for recreational use, though you’ll be limited to 7 grams (Colorado residents can purchase up to 1 ounce). The state law also allows for anyone to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana. You can purchase marijuana in various forms, including buds, oils, hash and edibles, as long as you stay within the state’s purchasing and possession limits.
When it comes time to partake, you’ll need to be careful as marijuana cannot legally be consumed in public places. Colorado’s recreational marijuana legalization also came with a new DUI law, so avoid getting behind the wheel if using marijuana.
As far as bringing your stash back home? Don’t even think about it. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, so make sure to enjoy your recreational stash within Colorado’s state lines.
Washington State
Washington State voters legalized marijuana for recreational use at the same time Coloradans did, though it took a little longer for this Pacific Northwest state to implement sales. July of 2014 saw the first shops open, and more than 330 shops will eventually open under the new law. The delay hasn’t deterred travellers, though: At the end of 2013, The Evergreen State was the 12th most searched state on Cheapflights.ca; a year later, it’s now the sixth most searched.
You can purchase recreational marijuana at any of the state-licensed shops, though to make a purchase, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID. Washington State’s law doesn’t differentiate when it comes to purchase limits between residents and visitors, so you’re allowed to purchase as much as a local can: 1 ounce. If you’re interested in something other than buds, keep in mind that limits for marijuana-infused products are different: You can purchase 16 ounces of solids or 72 ounces of liquids.
Again, avoid lighting up in public or driving while under the influence, and don’t forget: You can’t take recreational marijuana outside the state.
Oregon
Soon, Washington won’t be the only Pacific Northwest locale where you’ll be able to light up legally with recreational marijuana: Oregon voters decided to legalize cannabis in November 2014. That doesn’t mean you can walk into a dispensary and buy a gram just yet, though: The law will take effect in July 2015, and actual sales probably won’t begin until 2016. Nevertheless, travel interest is already on the rise: Flight searches to Oregon on Cheapflights.ca climbed 34 per cent from 2013 to 2014.
Here, you’ll also need to be at least 21 years old to purchase or use recreational marijuana. The law allows for possession of up to 1 ounce in public, and the state will regulate where it is sold and how much can be purchased at a time. The law will also include specifics on where marijuana cannot be used (such as public places), and it will still be illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.
Alaska
Alaska also joined the movement to legalize recreational cannabis in November 2014. The law will take effect in February 2015, but travellers looking to light up should wait to take their Alaska trips until 2016, when sales will likely begin. The state still needs to create regulations for the recreational marijuana industry, which is why actual sales are still more than a year away.
Though other factors are likely at play, too, Alaska is clearly piquing travellers’ interest. According to our data, flight searches to the state almost tripled between 2012 and 2014, and the destination has gone from being the 34th most searched state on Cheapflights.ca at the end of 2013 to the 22nd most searched at the end of 2014.
Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital was the third locale to vote to legalize recreational marijuana during the 2014 election, but the future of lighting up for fun in Washington, D.C. is hazy, at best. While possession would be legal under this new law, sales would still be prohibited – plus, some members of Congress are looking to block the implementation of the legalization law.
(Main image: Jordan Greentree used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
