4 Winter Wonderlands for Weed Devotees
There are dozens of reasons you might be desperately searching for places to relax and unwind this winter. The end of 2020 and the beginning of a new year are certainly worth celebrating, and you deserve a (safe) trip, where you can enjoy yourself and forget the stresses of the previous nine-plus months.
Well, if you are a fan of cannabis, there is no better centerpiece for your winter vacation than a hub of marijuana tourism. Here are a few glorious winter destinations where you can enjoy weed and welcome a new year of (hopefully) less stress and more success.
Alaska
Though Alaska has a reputation as a conservative state, the Last Frontier has enjoyed legal recreational weed for a full five years — which, notably, is three years longer than California and a few other so-called “progressive” states. Though there aren’t as many pot shops as you might find in Los Angeles or Chicago, Alaska is quite tolerant of marijuana use. Plus, Alaska is otherworldly in the winter, boasting long, dark days and nights illuminated by the aurora borealis. A winter vacation to Alaska is certainly worthy of a place on your bucket list.
Whether you drive or fly, you should start your trip in one of Alaska’s large cities, Anchorage or Juneau, which have the largest collection of legal Alaska dispensaries. Technically, using cannabis is illegal in public spaces, which includes state and national parks, but if you don’t get ungodly stoned and opt for discreet methods, you should be able to partake safely while enjoying the natural wonder of the white north.
Michigan
Nestled in the middle of the Great Lakes, Michigan gets cold come wintertime. In fact, many years, the lakes surrounding the state freeze over, creating an ice and snow–covered landscape as far as the eye can see. Michigan was the first state in the Midwest to legalize marijuana for adult use, thanks in no small part to voters in more liberal corners of the state like Detroit.
Because not all Michigan towns or counties permit the sale of marijuana, you should start your winter trip in a town like Ann Arbor, which has plenty of dispensaries to meet the demands of its younger, college-going population. Then, you can journey to more festive locales around the state. You might also make a trip to the Upper Peninsula, the less-populous half of Michigan which boasts plenty of winter activities, like skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing and more.
Colorado
It should hardly be surprising that Colorado is on a list of 420-friendly winter trip ideas. A Rocky Mountain state known for its world-class downhill skiing venues, Colorado was also the first state in the Union to pass recreational marijuana laws. In fact, many hotspots for winter tourists are also well-known weed destinations within the Centennial State, meaning you can easily confine your travels to one or two locales, maximizing your relaxation and wintertime fun.
By far, Aspen is the town best equipped to provide for both your stoner and your tourism needs. Aspen Mountain offers some of the best skiing in the state, and the town also boasts a hot spring where you can warm up and recover after your winter adventures. However, if you want a more secluded winter getaway, you might consider heading to less popular towns, like Palisade, Grand Lake or Crested Butte.
British Columbia
Currently, pandemic travel restrictions severely limit which Americans can pass over the Canadian border, meaning a winter trip to B.C. might not be available to everyone. However, if you have family in Canada or can otherwise make it to the Great White North, you will not be sorry — especially because the entire country of Canada has legalized recreational weed, in many provinces for users 19 and older.
B.C. is like the Colorado of Canada; enjoying the northern edge of the Rocky Mountain range, the province has beautiful scenery and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, especially in the winter. Whistler is a town known for its skiing, and there are plenty of pot shops to cater to every visiting stoner. However, if you are less interested in the great outdoors, you might venture to Vancouver and Vancouver Island, both of which have strong winter vibes.
Winter is a wonderful time of year to visit new places and experience new weed. As long as you travel smartly and safely, you should have a fun, relaxing winter trip.