It’s not secret that legal cannabis laws can be a huge pull for travelers and the tourism industry as a whole. Many tourists are eager to experience the emerging world of legal cannabis, especially if they come from regions that have yet to enact recreational reform measures, while some are simply cannabis lovers who want to ensure they can safely use and enjoy it in the places they travel.
The United States is becoming increasingly more friendly toward cannabis use, with a recent study finding that 54% of Americans live in a state where recreational cannabis use is legal and that 79% of Americans live in a county with at least one cannabis dispensary.
With that in mind, Upgraded Points released the results of a recent data study exploring the current landscape of cannabis tourism in the U.S., specifically taking a closer look at the best spots for travelers to freely enjoy cannabis-friendly accommodations.
“Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of legislative change on this issue, so we are happy to assist travelers in finding cities that offer cannabis-friendly tourism,” Upgraded Points Editor-in-Chief Keri Stooksbury said. “Accommodating destinations reflect a broader shift towards more cannabis culture within the travel industry.”
As an “homage to 420,” Upgraded Points used vacation rental data from Airbnb and Bud and Breakfast, a rental site for cannabis-friendly lodging, to uncover which U.S. cities have the most affordable and plentiful cannabis-friendly rental options.
The study selected 50 of the most populous American cities in states with legal recreational cannabis and proceeded to tally the total number of weed-friendly rental options through listing from the two sites, applying filters for “smoking allowed” and “entire home.” The study also looked at average nightly rates across the listings to identify the cities with the most and least expensive accommodations.
Upgraded Points then normalized the number of listings to the census population size of each city to calculate the best cannabis-friendly stays per 100,000 residents.
Ultimately, it found that Boulder, Colorado ranked number one, at 104.3 420-friendly rentals per 100,000 residents, followed by Burlington, Vermont (87.5); Las Vegas, Nevada (57.3); Scottsdale, Arizona (46.5) and Portland, Maine (43.8).
On Upgraded Points’ top 10 list of weed-friendly vacation rentals, Colorado appeared three times (Boulder at #3, Denver at #6 and Colorado Springs at #7). The study said Boulder’s top spot was “hardly a coincidence.”
“As the first state to legalize recreational weed use in 2014, Colorado was one of the trailblazers in the movement, setting the stage for a green revolution that has since swept the country. With nearly $12 billion in legal marijuana purchases since legalization, it’s no wonder that cannabis is built into Colorado’s hospitality industry, and accommodations are no exception,” the study notes.
Looking at Burlington’s second-place slot, Upgraded Points nods to the city’s progressive values, plentiful legal dispensaries and the state’s early adoption of legalization policies, “fostering an environment where cannabis culture thrives.”
Taking a closer look at the most affordable 420-friendly stays, the list shifts a bit. Columbus, Ohio ranked at number one, having recently legalized recreational cannabis but still working to establish a legal framework for sales, with an average nightly rate of $127.64. Spokane, Washington ($141.67 nightly rate average); Portland, Oregon ($149.65); St. Louis, Missouri ($154.47) and Colorado Springs, Colorado ($170.67) rounded out the top five for most affordable stays.
Conversely, the least affordable 420-friendly rental cities were San Diego, California ($360.21 nightly average); Scottsdale, Arizona ($308.99); Phoenix, Arizona ($304.25); Reno, Nevada ($291.00) and Virginia Beach, Virginia ($286.00).
“As state-by-state cannabis legislation continues to evolve, so too will the opportunities for more weed-based travel. If more states legalize and normalize cannabis use in 2024 (Florida could be next), we anticipate even more cities will join the ranks of these 420-friendly destinations,” Upgraded Points closes. “For the time being, weed tourists can enjoy staying in bud-friendly bungalows in Columbus, Ohio, and Portland, Oregon, for under $150 a night or opt for one of Colorado’s numerous ‘mile high’ bed and breakfasts.”
A full compilation of the study data, including all 50 U.S. cities in the analysis, can be found in Upgraded Points’ interactive table here.
