How to Go on a Weed-cation (if You Are New to Cannabis)
People travel the world for all sorts of reasons: to see natural beauty, to experience new culture, to meet diverse people and create lasting connections. However, increasingly, travelers are choosing to explore the globe in pursuit of a sticky, green bud called cannabis.
As more places legalize recreational cannabis use, more travelers are seeking out special weed experiences. Even if you aren’t typically a cannabis enthusiast, you can have a fun and memorable weed-cation of your own. Here are a few tips to keep you toking out of trouble on your first cannabis-centric trip.
Know the Cannabis Basics
It is a good idea to shore up your cannabis knowledge well before you book your dispensary tour. Though budtenders and other weed connoisseurs will be more than happy to help you learn about different strains or specific products like Homegrown Cannabis Co, you should have a fundamental understanding of cannabis upon which you can build during your trip. Some cannabis basics you will need include:
Understanding CBD vs. THC. Cannabis products are jam-packed with fascinating compounds, but the two you are most likely to encounter are THC and CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is best known as the dominant psychoactive compound in weed — the stuff that gets users high — whereas cannabinol (CBD) is non-psychoactive. Products with high THC content are best reserved for experienced stoners.
Understanding hemp vs. marijuana. In the United States, marijuana and hemp have different legal definitions. Hemp is cannabis that has less than .3 percent THC, which often means it is used in the creation of CBD, hemp seeds and hemp fiber. Though cannabis and marijuana are technically synonymous, the term “marijuana” is most often applied with psychoactive connotations.
Understanding storefront vs. dispensary. In places where recreational cannabis is legal, businesses that sell bud often call themselves cannabis storefronts or retail cannabis shops. In contrast, the term “dispensary” is more often reserved for places that purvey medical marijuana to patients. You want to use the right terms, so you are sure to end up someplace with legal weed for you to purchase.
Know the Cannabis Laws
Unfortunately, cannabis laws aren’t incredibly consistent. Because different cities, states and countries have developed their cannabis legislation at different rates, it is not uncommon to see vastly different rules regarding the whos, wheres, whys and hows of weed. Before your vacation, you need to brush up on cannabis laws in your destination, so you can be sure that you won’t get into any trouble on your trip. Some issues that you need to research in particular include:
Age restrictions. In the United States, every state that permits recreational cannabis consumption only does so for adults aged 21 years or older. In contrast, different Canadian provinces have different age restrictions; some permit 18-year-olds to toke, and others set the minimum age at 19 or 20. If you are around this age, you should check the local rules before booking your tickets.
Possession and purchasing limits. To cut down on overconsumption or black market sales, most places have strict limits on how much weed one person can carry at one time. Typically, possession limits are enforced in the dispensary, where budtenders are not allowed to sell more than a certain amount — an ounce or two — to a single buyer. Even in places where recreational weed is legal, possessing too much can get you in serious legal trouble, so you shouldn’t try to bend the rules.
Public consumption rules. It is remarkably rare for cities to permit the use of cannabis in public. Though many authorities are lax in enforcing public consumption rules, laws against consuming weed within certain public spaces typically stand. To avoid legal concern, you should brush up on where you can use legally — which typically means procuring 420-friendly accommodations.
Respect the Cannabis Culture
Finally, you should always be respectful of the culture in the places you travel to. Just as you wouldn’t spit in a cathedral or laugh at a traditional luau, you shouldn’t insult or ridicule locals engaged in their regional interpretation of cannabis culture. In fact, you might learn more about cannabis by participating in local weed traditions — and you will certainly have more fun on your vacation by doing so. Weed is a wonderful reason to engage in world travel — as long as you are fully informed about cannabis conditions at your destination. By reading and researching before your trip, your high should be educational, exciting and relaxing.
