If you are new to marijuana tourism, it is natural to wonder how it works.
Luckily, this hobby is much easier to understand than it may seem.
Before we get into specifics on different locations, let us take a look at some overarching themes in the use of recreational marijuana worldwide:
- Recreational marijuana legalization has resulted in a corresponding increase in the number of tourists participating in this activity.
- The rules around recreational marijuana are different from those around medical marijuana; make sure you have your facts straight before packing for your trip.
- The rules about recreational cannabis vary from state to state and even country to country.
Therefore, it is vital to always do research before heading out on your next adventure.
Marijuana in Massachusetts
Are you traveling to Massachusetts and wondering about marijuana laws? Recreational use of marijuana in Massachusetts is legal.
So, you can buy and use it there if you are 21 or older. However, if you are traveling to the state as a consumer, you must have a cautious approach due to the complicated nature of marijuana laws.
You can only consume it privately.
No matter where you bought your marijuana (for example, at a dispensary), you cannot smoke it in public spaces.
You cannot carry any marijuana across state lines, even if the neighboring states have legalized recreational marijuana programs like Massachusetts does.
Finally, banks get regulated on the federal level and want to avoid running afoul of federal law by accepting money from transactions that involve illegal substances.
Therefore, you have to pay for your weed in cash.
Is It Legal?
Although marijuana is legal in many other states too, like Colorado and Washington, many have not legalized it yet.
You need to check the laws of your state before you start smoking, as there are different laws for different states.
You can smoke marijuana in private places, but you cannot smoke it in public places. If you get caught smoking it in public space, you will get fined.
Also, you cannot cross state lines while carrying marijuana because it is illegal to do so.
Where to Buy Marijuana?
Whether you are a fresh-faced, wide-eyed newbie or a red-eyed veteran, you will likely want to know where to buy marijuana.
In most places, you can purchase it at dispensaries.
Most will be in out-of-the-way locations and may require some prior planning. (It is usually easy to find them online.)
There are two reasons for this: the stigma that still hovers around pot has made many business owners reluctant to have dispensaries near their shops; the recreational use of marijuana is still illegal in many regions.
Pre-Requisites
If you are curious about going through the dispensary experience, here are some things you should know:
You must be 18 years or older to enter a dispensary. It is true even if you do not plan on purchasing anything at all.
This law protects minors from inadvertently being exposed to any products they should not have access to in the first place, such as edibles or vapes.
In some states like California, minors under 18 who use medical marijuana require written consent from their parents before entering a dispensary (while minors over 18 do not).
So, make sure your kid knows not to tell anyone he is there, just looking unless he wants his parents called.
Dispensaries are regulated differently by each state. Some states choose not to allow patrons into their dispensaries at all.
How Much Does Marijuana Cost?
While prices vary depending on the quality of the cannabis and where you buy it, you can expect to pay more for legal marijuana than what a drug dealer would charge.
The average price of a gram of marijuana is around $15, the typical size sold in individual packages. An ounce (1/16th of a pound) averages around $350.
If you are looking to score some pre-rolled joints, they usually cost between $10 and $15 apiece.
Can I Smoke in a Public Place?
The short answer is that it varies from place to place, and you should always double-check with local officials.
In some cities, smoking in the privacy of your hotel room may be okay.
And some hotels have even started accommodating their marijuana-using guests by providing specific places where they can smoke.
However, this is not generally true across the board. Certain hotels take a hard stance against smoking in their rooms, including marijuana use.
So it’s always important to check on the rules before you get too excited about rolling up a joint and lighting it in your hotel room at night.
So, if you’re planning on traveling with marijuana and using it during your stay, one of the best things you can do is reserve a room at an establishment that allows for smoking on its property.
While you are at it, don’t forget to check the local laws regarding the use of recreational marijuana.