The ultimate weed travel guide: Top destinations for cannabis connoisseurs
The summer is almost here, which means it’s time to scour the rankings for the best countries to visit and choose a destination. But if you’re a fan of the green stuff, the usual lists of golden beaches and monkey parks might not give you the holiday high you’re looking for.
With a growing number of US states legalizing weed, it’s easy to forget that not all countries welcome stoners… and spending the night in a jail cell over a little bit of bud probably isn’t top of your vacation bucket list.
To create a list of the best travel destinations for marijuana lovers, WEEDAR analyzed the top 48 most popular tourist destinations, according to Condé Nast Traveler, and ranked them based on four factors:
Is cannabis legal there?
How much does it cost?
What penalties might you face for small possession?
How many people use cannabis in the area?
Because, let’s be real, a holiday without a little green is like a sandwich without bread.
The top five travel destinations for US stoners
1. Canada
Cannabis status: legal
Cannabis cost per gram: $6,9
Penalties for possession of small amounts: no
Annual cannabis use indicator: 27%
Canada is a world leader in progressive drug policy, having become only the second country after Uruguay to fully legalize the cultivation, possession, acquisition, and consumption of cannabis and its by-products.
With prices averaging an affordable $7 per gram, you can legally carry up to 30g and smoke in public places without worrying about cops sniffing around.
If you need some scenery to enhance your high, Canada’s got you covered with its stunning mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.
2. Mexico
Cannabis status: legal
Cannabis cost per gram: $7,9
Penalties for possession of small amounts: no
Annual cannabis use indicator: 2.1%
Cannabis in Mexico is legal for recreational and medicinal purposes, with users allowed to carry up to 28g, making it a safe place for cannabis enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite plant. It’s also cheap — but it might be best to steer clear of busy areas when you light up… The Mexican people aren’t weed’s biggest fans with only 33% of the population supporting its legalization for recreational use.
Nevertheless, the country's strong cannabis culture — and plenty of beaches, jungles, and ancient ruins to explore and enhance the high — makes it ideal for a stoner's holiday.
3. Australia
Cannabis status: partly legal
Cannabis cost per gram: $10,1
Penalties for possession of small amounts: no (a warning and a counseling session may be issued in some regions)
Annual cannabis use indicator: 11.6%
Australia may be a world away, but it’s definitely worth the journey. With its unique wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and progressive cannabis policies, it's a destination like no other. In 2019, the Australian Capital Territory passed a bill allowing for the possession and growth of small amounts (up to 50g) of cannabis for personal use. Despite the fact this conflicts with federal laws that prohibit recreational use, police in many areas take a relaxed approach, making it a relatively safe area for cannabis users to take a hit.
While cannabis can be slightly expensive at around $10 per gram, you will find that many people in Australia are avid smokers, so there’s no shortage of good quality bud to be found.
4. Italy
Cannabis status: decriminalized
Cannabis cost per gram: $9,5
Penalties for possession of small amounts: no (a warning may be issued)
Annual cannabis use indicator: 10.2%
Italy is also high on the list of must-visit destinations for cannabis enthusiasts. Possession of small amounts of cannabis is decriminalized and, at most, you will receive a warning and a formal request to stop using cannabis rather than facing any significant penalties. Plus, at a cost of around $9,5 per gram, it’s a fairly affordable option too — so you can save your budget to gorge on Italy’s world-famous foods when the munchies hit.
With its stunning architecture, beautiful countryside, and rich history, Italy offers a wealth of opportunities for travelers to indulge in the country's culture and beauty. And, with an annual cannabis use indicator of 10.2%, you won’t be the only one taking advantage of Italy’s relaxed cannabis laws.
5. Netherlands
Cannabis status: decriminalized
Cannabis cost per gram: $9,6
Penalties for possession of small amounts: no
Annual cannabis use indicator: 10,1%
A global leader in progressive drug policy, the Netherlands has been allowing visitors to light up for more than 50 years. While smoking in the streets is still frowned upon, cannabis is openly sold in its world-famous coffee shops (you’ll never have to walk too far to find one) and decriminalized for personal use. It’s no wonder that its capital city, Amsterdam, has become synonymous with weed.
Home to hash museums and the annual ‘Cannabis Cup’, countless weed tours and an abundance of food halls for when the munchies hit, there are few places more welcoming to the weed tourist.
Bonus: Thailand
Cannabis status: legal
Cannabis cost per gram: $9,5
Penalties for possession of small amounts: no (in case of smoking in private places)
Annual cannabis use indicator: 1.3%
Thailand should be on every weed smoker’s bud bucket list! Once among the destinations with the strictest drug policies in the world, the Southeast Asian country’s stance on marijuana has mellowed in recent years. With cannabis use decriminalized as of 2022, today, you will find no shortage of dispensaries dotted throughout its cities — but make sure you are not smoking in any public places.
Prices can be a little on the high end (with the market taking full advantage of the influx of smoke-seeking tourists). Everything else is relatively cheap though, so even a serious case of the munchies is unlikely to eat through your entire vacation budget!
Methodology
To create the study, WEEDAR ranked the top 48 most popular tourist destinations from Condé Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 list based on four crucial factors: cannabis laws, cost per gram, penalties for small possession, and annual cannabis usage rates.
Detailed findings
Sources:
How the WEEDAR score was calculated:
Cannabis legality. We scored each country on a scale of zero to four based on its cannabis legality status:
4 for legal
3 for partially legal
2 for decriminalized
1 for illegal but often unenforced
0 for illegal
2. Cannabis cost. We scored each country on a scale of zero to four based on the cost of a gram of cannabis:
4 for $0-9,99
3 for $10-14,99
2 for $15-19,99
1 for $20-24,99
0 for $25+
3. Punishment. We scored each country on a scale of zero to four based on penalties for possession of small amounts:
4 for no penalties
3 for no penalties in case of smoking in private places
2 for a fine
1 for imprisonment
4. Сannabis consumption. We scored each country on a scale of zero to three based on the percentage of the local population that use cannabis annually:
0 for 0-4,99%
1 for 5-10%
2 for 10-14,99%
3 for 15-19,99%
4 for 20+
