Beat the heat at these weed-friendly travel destinations
Planet Earth is clocking our hottest summer ever. Italian tourists are battling extreme temperatures, and once coveted summer destinations are getting too hot to handle. While this is disappointing for the family dragging through Disneyworld dripping in sweat, it could be a boon for tourist destinations where it’s cool for the summer.
These cannabis-friendly travel destinations also have August temperatures averaging around or under 70 degrees. Read on for some places to visit if the heat is getting too much to bear.
Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
Coastal towns are a proper place to escape the heat, especially for those who live in the city. No matter which metropolis, they all get a bit oppressive in the dead, humid heat of summer. Prince Edward Island, or PEI, is a mellow island right off the eastern coast of Nova Scotia with a few coastal cities worth trekking to.
The Prince Edward Island National Park is a great place to scope out a lighthouse, go for a beach walk, and watch a sunrise over the ocean while taking in the great outdoors. After all, Parks Canada gave the OK on consuming cannabis at campsites back in 2018. Book a campsite and either take the ferry or fly into Charlottetown to enjoy the beach life and skip the heatwave.
Newport, Rhode Island
That sea breeze can really take the bite out of a persistent heatwave, plus average temps in Newport, Rhode Island teeter around 70 degrees. Visit mansions like the Vanderbilt family’s “Breakers” property from the turn of the 20th century or walk the cliff and take in the sight of the sea in this coastal New England town.
Cannabis tourists might be intrigued that they can smoke cannabis in public wherever tobacco consumption is allowed. It’s also illegal to consume at a bar, public workplace, restaurant, or where children will be. Plan a seaside getaway to this bougie piece of American history when the AC unit just isn’t cutting it.
San Francisco, California
We all know that quote falsley attributed to Mark Twain quote by now, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” The people have absorbed that San Francisco is chilly in the summer. Sunny days can be so infrequent that oftentimes they’ll be celebrated like a holiday. People call in sick to work to soak up the rays in Dolores Park. But be warned that heatwaves can roll through, and many of the buildings lack air conditioning. So check the weather before booking a trip.
From visiting the Golden Gate Bridge to the Barbary Coast cannabis lounge San Francisco sits at the intersection of tourist heaven and cannabis culture. And after months of hot, baking sun Karl the fog seems like more of a reprieve than a burden. Enjoy a trip to the Bay Area, just don’t forget to bring layers. Weather changes quickly over there.
Anchorage, Alaska
The outdoors crowd may appreciate a trip to Alaska over the summer months. Eagles are coasting through the skies, rivers are ripe to be explored, and wilderness guides are ready to show tourists the sites. A trip to Alaska can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience getting up close and personal with glaciers and other parts of nature that aren’t lasting forever.
Anchorage is a nice starting point for any Alaska vacation with nearby trails, wildlife, and glaciers. It’s also home to cannabis dispensaries, but if a consumption lounge is a must, check out Fairbanks or Ketchikan. These cities are home to the first cannabis lounges in the state.
Portland, Maine
On the southern coast of Maine, Portland shines as a great place to get quality cannabis and enjoy a variety of activities. The town has preserved 19th and 20th-century architecture for history buffs, and a lot of it is seaside for the members of the group who like a good view.
Portland can be an ideal place to visit, but just remember public consumption is prohibited, so be responsible before lighting up.
Banff, Alberta, Canada
About ninety minutes west of the Calgary airport sits Banff, an outdoorsy resort town with a mountain-filled skyline. Mount Rundle and Mount Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountain Range, are ever-present on a Banff vacation as tourists flock to the boutique shops or explore the national park.
When it comes to cannabis consumption, Canada is fine with having the plant on public lands, just follow all the other consumption laws and keep it in the approved hotel, VRBO, or campsite.
Orcas Island, Washington
Known locally as the “gem of the San Juans,” Orcas Island is a beloved summer getaway destination, and not just because the average August high temperature is around 67 degrees. Like many towns in the Pacific Northwest, its steeped in arts and culture with historic inns to stay in.
Most visitors will fly into Seattle and drive to Orcas, so there will be a bounty of dispensaries to stop at on the way. Be sure to check in with hotel or Airbnb staff before smoking cannabis in rooms, though–especially in historic buildings.
No need to hide out through the hottest summer we’ve ever seen. Just find a location where temps don’t spike so high. These destinations keep it cool, and they’re cool about cannabis–a winning combination.