The Cannabis Tourism Boom in Los Angeles
At the start of the year, the production, distribution, and consumption of cannabis became fully legal in California. Just six months later, the recreational cannabis industry is booming in major cities like Los Angeles, serving not only local residents but also tourists from around the world. As one local cannabis company, MedMen, aptly advertises, “Legalization starts right outside the doors of Los Angeles International Airport.”
In just half a year, the city has seen a surge of chain stores and delivery services catering to both American and international cannabis tourists. Local entrepreneurs, such as the team at Green Line Trips, offer special bus tours for visitors interested in cannabis consumption. These tours allow smoking of any cannabis products on board and visit many of the city’s major dispensaries, in addition to popular tourist attractions. Unsurprisingly, the company’s website is filled with grateful reviews from “well-entertained” tourists who enjoyed their visit to the city.
MedMen is one of many recreational dispensaries in the city, located in West Hollywood. The store is popular—Weedmaps, a cannabis dispensary locator, rates its service at 4.8 out of 5—so there’s often a line at the door. After showing ID to prove they’re of legal age, customers enter a true cannabis boutique, reminiscent of an Apple Store for cannabis enthusiasts. The counters are filled with samples of various buds, extracts, and edibles, all emitting a rich, intoxicating aroma. In addition to several “cannabis sommeliers,” the store features self-service computer terminals with interactive touchscreens for exploring the product selection. Each strain is described briefly but informatively, highlighting its effects and aroma.
Other shelves display a variety of devices and accessories for consuming cannabis and its extracts. Freezers nearby are stocked with non-infused frozen snacks like churros and ice cream for customers who want a treat to go with their purchase. The staff, dressed in T-shirts reading “Relax and Shop. It’s All Legal Now” in bold red letters, patiently and enthusiastically explain the effects and properties of different cannabis strains to customers.
“Honestly, this is the best place I’ve ever worked,” says 26-year-old sales associate Richard Horn, who agreed to give a tour of the store. During the interview, Horn explained that the store sells two main categories of products: cannabis strains and extracts containing THC, and products containing only non-psychoactive CBD. The store also offers cannabis products for the whole family, from skincare and intimacy enhancers to medicines for chronic illnesses, available in forms suitable for both adults and children. There’s even a sizable section of therapeutic products for pets.
Some might think that cannabis has become much cheaper since legalization, but it’s not that simple. Rent, taxes, and licensing fees keep prices in legal stores about 35% higher than the average street price per gram. Of course, price and availability also depend on local regulations. For example, MedMen sells mid-range cannabis for $10–$25 per gram. The cheapest products, pre-rolled joints with shake, go for $5–$15, depending on quality. Customers with a valid medical marijuana card can buy any of these products at a significant discount, as they are exempt from certain taxes and fees. Currently, laws limit stores to selling no more than one ounce of cannabis per customer, and no more than eight grams of concentrates per day.
Despite the relatively high price of legal cannabis, stores have no shortage of customers. People of all ages, dressed in everything from business suits to casual wear, leisurely browse and purchase a wide variety of products. Horn shared his enthusiasm for new electronic vaporizers for cannabis oils, which allow users to consume large amounts of cannabinoids without impurities. “Plus, they’re extremely economical,” he notes. “The perfect product for the American market: fast, efficient, and on the go!”
Currently, the store accepts cash and some debit cards, but not credit cards, due to federal restrictions that prohibit major financial institutions from working with legal cannabis businesses under threat of losing their licenses and accreditation.
Tourist Challenges and Legal Restrictions
While local customers often leave the store with bags full of cannabis products, tourists tend to buy much less, mainly because it’s difficult to find a legal place to consume cannabis without running into legal trouble. State laws strictly prohibit any form of smoking in public places, including all bars, clubs, and restaurants. The ban also applies to cannabis stores themselves and most hotels, which enforce strict no-smoking policies in their rooms.
Currently, cannabis lounges have opened in San Francisco, and similar venues may soon appear in West Hollywood. Most visitors to the state get around the smoking ban by staying in rental homes or apartments, whose owners are happy to host cannabis-friendly tourists. Such accommodations are easy to find by searching for “420 friendly rentals” on popular social and rental platforms. Additionally, resources like KushTourism.com provide detailed information on cannabis-friendly lodging options in all legalized states.
Unfortunately, transporting legal cannabis across state lines is strictly prohibited. Federal law punishes even the smallest amounts of cannabis moved between two legal states, so even American tourists often have to discard leftover products before leaving California. Interestingly, this law also applies to CBD products, which are non-psychoactive and not suitable for recreational use. Because of this, some airports in Colorado and McCarran Airport in Las Vegas have installed special amnesty boxes where travelers can safely dispose of leftover cannabis.
According to Lisa Faberstein, head of the federal Transportation Security Administration, agents no longer prioritize finding cannabis in passengers’ luggage on domestic flights. As a result, TSA agents don’t actively search for cannabis, and if it’s found during screening, it usually results in a fine and confiscation rather than more serious consequences.
At the end of the tour, reporters interviewed some of the store’s customers. One woman quickly declined to speak, as she hides her cannabis use from her daughter, who is a police officer. Another customer, 62-year-old Bari Boggart, calmly told reporters that she regularly visits MedMen to restock her personal supply of buds.
“Do you use cannabis for therapeutic or recreational purposes?” a journalist asked Ms. Boggart, to which she responded with a laugh and a genuine smile.
“Are you kidding?” she said. “Now that cannabis is fully legal, it doesn’t matter if you use it for medical reasons or just to relax.”