With the number of states that have legalized recreational marijuana use still relatively small, it is a logical consideration that tourists will be drawn to those states for marijuana tourism. For Colorado, that assumption has been proven through recently released statistics.
Colorado Tourism conducted a study that found that of the 82.4 million visitors to the state in 2016, roughly 15% or 12 million of those at least participated in marijuana-related activity while they were in the state. Of that group, around 5% admitted that marijuana use was their primary motivation for a visit to Colorado.
With the numbers in print, the next conclusion would be that states like California, Nevada, and Washington will be seeing a similar increase in sales in coming years. Many dispensaries and storefronts that handle marijuana-related product lines have adjusted to meet demands that include those of tourists, with a focus on providing a wide selection of product.
The boost in tourism will be a welcome one for Nevada, which has lost some appeal to tourists as other states have legalized gambling. The state hopes to take advantage of the narrower market for recreational marijuana as long as that market gives them an edge.
In fact, in 2017, Nevada saw an uptick of 25% more than they expected in tourism, due mostly to the fact tourists can enjoy marijuana legally within the state’s borders.
A study by Grand View Research, meanwhile, has set estimates of the value of the global marijuana market at $9.3 billion in 2016, with projections to see the value skyrocket to $146.4 billion by the year 2025. With this significant boost in value expected, it is logical for these states to hope for — and work towards — increasing their own proportional slices of the marijuana industry pie.
Certain states have already shown a willing mind to adjust and adapt, having included marijuana tourism in their website copy. Meanwhile, others have started creating various tourist-focused activities, from wine tours to Yoga and marijuana and even a bed-and-breakfast experience that centres around the newly legalized drug.
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