Cannabis has come quite a long way in the last 100 years. It was nearly a century ago when prohibition began and cannabis became criminalized (1923 in Canada/1937 in the US).
Today, places that have legalized recreational cannabis include the Australian Capital Territory, the District of Columbia, and 18 states in the US. Other countries where recreational use is legal include: Canada, South Africa, Malta, Uruguay, Mexico, and Georgia.
Globally 43 countries have legalized cannabis for medical uses as well as 36 states and 4 territories.
Regardless of legalization, there are other countries, states, and cities where cannabis is either decriminalized or illegal, but rarely unenforced.
In the last two decades, both potency and legal pot sales have increased tenfold making cannabis a very popular product.
If you want more than a cannabis vacation, there's plenty of places around the world that you can call home.
Just like there’s amazing places to live if you’re a wine lover– hello, Okanagan, BC- there are some great cities for cannabis enthusiasts to lay some roots.
In no particular order, let’s look at some of the top places for stoners to live around the world.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver BC is considered the heart of cannabis on Canada’s west coast. This place is loaded with canna-culture.
From Cannabis Culture headquarters, to the New Amsterdam Cafe, you can learn a lot about the trials and tribulations cannabis has dealt with throughout the decades.
The New Amsterdam Cafe was Canada’s first cannabis-friendly cafe. It’s still a great little lounge where you can pop in for a coffee and a puff at the same time- it’s also a wicked-cool head shop.
The Prince of Pot, Marc Emery called Vancouver home and helped pave the way for the booming industry we see today.
There are roughly 29 cannabis stores operating in the city of Vancouver alone (not including surrounding areas).
Ibiza, Spain
Unlike Canada, it’s still illegal to smoke weed in public. However, the great city of Ibiza has created cannabis clubs where travelers and locals can enjoy cannabis socially.
If you’re in Ibiza and want to visit a club, there’s a certain way you have to go about getting in.
Simply showing up and asking to blaze won’t work. You’ll have to ask for an invitation.
Be warned, these clubs adhere to the laws, and need to keep a record of their members on file. Don’t be surprised if you are asked for your passport.
Other than that, these places are a great stop on your cannabis adventures.
Places like The Escape Club Ibiza, and Club Ibiza Maria are only a couple stops where you can immerse yourself in the local cannabis culture.
Despite what you may think, Ibiza is a place that fully welcomes friendly cannabis users.
As long as you're not walking down the streets blatantly blazing a fatty, you should be good to go!
Toronto, Canada
Toronto is considered the east coast hot spot for cannabis culture. Just like in the west, you can carry 28-30 grams, and smoke in public (as long as you follow local guidelines like smoking at a school or certain parks).
Some people say Toronto is the Denver of Canada.
It’s always had a wicked nightlife scene, and when you throw legal recreational cannabis into the mix, it’s like the best of both worlds combined.
Enjoy a relaxing day taking in the sites, and let loose in the evening.
There are approximately 163 cannabis retail stores operating in Toronto, so there’s definitely no shortage of herb. For a truly amazing experience check out one of the many CAFE stores.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Nearly one year ago, Forbes published an article about how tourists will be banned from Amsterdam cannabis cafes and shops.
Well, it seems to me despite a global pandemic, that hasn’t happened quite yet.
Even so, that’s a good enough reason to move to Amsterdam permanently, right?
With places like Barney’s Cafe having over 3,600 reviews on Google and visitors posting images of their recent experiences there, it’s safe to say you still have time to experience Amsterdam and all its cannabis glory.
With over 160 coffee shops to visit, there’s no shortage of cannabis to be consumed.
Places like Abrazes and the Original Dampkring Coffeeshop should be on the top of your list!
Seattle, United States
The city of Seattle, Washington has legalized recreational cannabis sales and consumption.
Cannabis in Seattle is all about sharing, kindness, and coming together as a community. There’s over 50 licensed pot shops in the city center.
With places like Uncle Ike’s and Ganja Goddess, finding premium cannabis is a breeze. Seattle has literally become the Emerald City.
Living in Seattle has always been a bucket list city for me as long as I can remember, but now that cannabis is legal in the state, the move is more enticing than ever.
Denver, United States
Denver, Colorado has a whopping 364 cannabis dispensaries! It’s easily considered the Canada of cannabis in the US. The city alone sold more than $700 million dollars of cannabis products in 2020.
Aside from Seattle, if you want to live in the US and don’t want to worry about catching a charge because of cannabis, Never is a great place to lay some roots.
With both dispensaries and cafes, exploring highly potent cannabis varieties is simple and fun.
Taking a staycation at the Arrowhead Manor (a 420 friendly hotel), or popping into The Coffee Joint Colorado (Denver’s first cannabis cafe) are only a couple of amazing spots to socialize and blaze at the same time.
Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica is synonymous with cannabis culture- Kingston especially. Living the island life sounds like such a lovely dream.
The rich history, enlightening lifestyle, and killer cannabis are only a few reasons why Jamaica makes this list.
It’s no secret: stoners want to take a permanent vacation here and never leave.
Herb houses (as they’re called) are almost everywhere.
Places like Itopia Life are more than just a dispensary or a place to blaze, they promote cannabis healing education and thrive on the beneficial properties cannabis possesses.
Humboldt, United States
Spanning four decades, Humboldt County (part of the Emerald Triangle) has been the cannabis cultivation headquarters for the majority of the US.
Like Vancouver, BC is to Canada, Humboldt is part of the counterculture and cannabis movement.
It was less than ten years ago when the county tried to take its illicit cannabis industry mainstream.
This is a place to get lost in the woods, be one with nature, and cultivate your own ganja. From as early as the 60’s people flocked to Humboldt to craft their own way of living.
Currently, there are over 270 licensed cannabis businesses in the county.
Planting roots and calling this place home is ideal for stoners who want a mellow pace and killer cannabis.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Like Canada, cannabis is legal in Uruguay. Infact, it was the first country in the world to do so.
Montevideo is the capital of this country, and has a booming cannabis industry. It’s safe to say this city is the cannabis hub of Latin America.
If you are a foriegn resident you can grow, consume, and purchase cannabis in one of the many storefronts.
Places like the Espacio Coffee Shop make you feel like you’re right at home. Stoners living in Montevideo must have an amazing life.
There’s something about growing your own cannabis in a friendly community that makes it that much sweeter.
About the author: Heather Burton
Heather lives with her husband and two children in beautiful British Columbia. Her passion has always been to enhance the lives of others by helping them reach their business goals.
Content management is her specialty, and writing is what she does best. Working specifically in the cannabis market, Heather strives to help dispensaries, patients, doctors, manufacturers and recreational users by giving them the voice they need. When she is not writing, you can find her anywhere outdoors and away from the screen.
