Learn About Cannabis Tourism for Fun and Profit
As cannabis legalization continues to spread across the country, “cannatourism” is becoming more and more popular in an increasing number of areas. Although some people were dubious about the potential of this type of business venture in the early days of cannabis legalization, the success of several booming cannabis tourism companies has put those doubts to rest.
It turns out that cannatourism has become a profitable business that appeals to a broad demographic. Those looking to embark on an interesting career in cannabis should consider cannabis tourism as a potentially lucrative pursuit. And if you merely enjoy cannabis, consider a cannabis theme to your next vacation. Many have already done so and have been happy with the experience.
A recent article in Forbes details this diversity. “Cannabis attracts everyone from lawyers to truckers,” Deidra Bagdasarian, co-founder of Ganja Goddess Getaway, said. Bagdasarian’s business attracts women of all ages and occupations for a special California weekend getaway that includes yoga, spa treatments, educational classes, and endless opportunities to consume cannabis. Vaporizers, skin creams, and infused smoothies are just a few of the ways women enjoy cannabis at these retreats. Some of the women are seasoned cannabis consumers who are no strangers to the plant, while others are curious newcomers to the use of marijuana. Ganja Goddess Getaways allows all women to experience cannabis in a safe, educational, and supportive environment. The business venture has proven so successful that Bagdasarian plans to take her women weekend getaways to other legal recreational cannabis states in the near future, as well as expand the business overseas to cannabis-friendly countries.
This type of business is just one of many opportunities for entrepreneurs who found ways to capitalize on the publics seemingly endless fascination with cannabis. Allowing people to freely enjoy marijuana together on weekends and vacations is becoming increasingly popular and is only bound to increase. Cannatourism can include any of a broad range of activities with a cannabis theme, from cannabis cooking classes and 420-friendly music events to cultivation and dispensary tours.
Numerous Diverse Opportunities
Those with the foresight to plan a viable cannatourism business took a gamble on the fascination many people have for cannabis and its rapidly growing industry. In short, cannabis tourism celebrates marijuana through comprehensive programs to educate and promote responsible consumption with like-minded people.
According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, cannabis tourism has increased 51% since 2014, attracting 6.5 million cannabis tourists to the state during 2016, resulting in more than 18 million cannabis-use days from those tourists in that year. The state has generated more than $5.3B since it legalized adult-use marijuana in 2014.
As the first state to legalize recreational cannabis, Colorado had a head start in cannatourism. Some entrepreneurs were quick to recognize the huge potential in cannabis tourism dollars and jumped on the concept since the start of full legalization in Colorado. As so often is the case with Colorado, which is more or less the cannabis guinea pig state for the rest of the nation when it comes to cannabis policies and practices, other legal adult-use states took notice and ramped up their cannabis tourism markets. With Colorado paving the way, luxury vacations and services across the country are popping up with increasing regularity. Massages with cannabis oils and lotions, specialty-chef cannabis dinners, cooking classes, and general-education cannabis classes—as well as numerous other cannabis-related business ventures—are paying off for those with the perseverance to chase their dreams in untested markets.
Two states in particular, Colorado and California, which already rely on tourism for their economy, are leading the charge with cannabis tourism, but they are far from the only states embarking on interesting cannatourism opportunities.
Colorado Cannabis Tourism
A pioneer in the field, one of Colorado’s leading cannatourism companies is My 420 Tours. With a broad range of options for cannabis exploration in the state, the company has more than proven itself. With opportunities ranging from sushi and joint rolling classes; cannabis massages; special tour packages; and extraction and growing classes, My 420 Tours has something for everyone. Their tours are extremely popular and include not only the expected cultivation, extraction, and dispensary excursions, but other innovative tour options as well. The Buds & Beers: A Grow & Brewery Tour combines two of the things Colorado is famous for: connoisseur cannabis and craft beer. Visits to high-end cultivation locations followed by a quality microbrewery promises an adventurous afternoon of Colorado-based fun. The various tours include the opportunity to light up and enjoy cannabis on the “420 Tour Bus,” which shuttles cannabis vacationers to and from a variety of locations throughout Denver.
The company will arrange lodging at numerous 420-friendly luxury hotels at various popular locations in the greater Denver area, including the 16th Street Mall downtown, the Colorado Convention Center, and Tech Center neighborhoods. For those who want to book their own accommodations, My 420 Tours will rent vaporizers for discreet hotel use, at a cost of $25 per day.
For those who are indecisive and want to experience all that Colorado cannabis tourism offers, My 420 Tours has a comprehensive deluxe cannabis vacation package that includes everything the company offers. This “All-Inclusive Cannabis Vacation” is a three-day, two-night package that is one of the most popular choices among its customers.
California Cannabis Tourism
Although full cannabis legalization came to California later than some other states, that state’s influence on the emerging cannabis industry is already huge, largely because of its size and agriculture prowess. California has been famous for its cannabis cultivation for many decades. Humboldt County is almost synonymous with cannabis and has supplied the country with top-grade flower for generations of consumers. Two other Northern California counties in close proximity to Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino, are now lumped together as the three counties that form the “Emerald Triangle” known for the production of outstanding cannabis.
As is the case in Colorado, California’s cannabis entrepreneurs have gotten creative with cannabis tourism and combined some of the region’s other noteworthy agricultural endeavors—specifically the wine industry—and bundled it with cannatourism. “Weed and Wine” tours are becoming all the rage in California, as two of its top crops dazzle locals and out-of-state tourists alike. There are many similarities to Colorado’s cannabis tours, with 420-friendly lodging, catered meals, and cannabis and wine tastings being included in tour packages. Cannabis-infused wine tastings are available from companies like Cannavines. Weed and Wine tours and other cannabis tourism opportunities in California, Colorado, and other states are available at Cannabistours.com.
420-Friendly Lodging
Of course, when you go on a cannabis vacation, you need a place to stay—preferably somewhere that’s copacetic to the use of marijuana. While major cities like Denver, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles all have their lists of “420-friendly hotels,” there are some states with hotels that not only allow cannabis use, but also cater specifically to cannabis consumers.
Some of these hotels even feature daily activities like “Wake and Bake” cannabis-friendly breakfasts and other cannabis-consumption opportunities throughout the day. Bud and Breakfast is a cannabis tourism company with opportunities for cannabis-friendly travel and lodging not only throughout the United States’ adult-use regions but other countries, like Uruguay, Spain, and Jamaica.
So, whether you’re looking for a new cannabis-related business opportunity or merely want to plan a fun and different type of vacation, consider a cannabis theme on your next big adventure. Most likely, you will have a wonderful time that’s full of fun!
