Vacation on the Road for Cannabis: Where to Smoke Legally

08/04/2021 Author: Karolina Utíkalová 11 min read

Vacation on the Cannabis Trail: Where to Legally Smoke?

Vacation on the Cannabis Trail: Tips and Advice on Where to Have Fun and Smoke Legally

Legal status of cannabis in the European Union (as of 25 September 2026)

The EU has no single cannabis law: it sets a common framework for hemp farming, trade and drug trafficking, while recreational use is regulated by each Member State.
CBD lawfully produced in one Member State may in principle be sold in another; a national ban is allowed only if it is suitable to protect public health and does not go beyond what is necessary. The Court held that such CBD is not a narcotic drug under the 1961 Single Convention (Articles 34 and 36 TFEU, Case C-663/18 Kanavape, paras 76 and 96).
Industrial hemp qualifies for CAP direct payments only if the THC content of the variety does not exceed 0.3 % (Art. 4(4) Regulation (EU) 2021/2115); THC control methods are set by the Commission (Art. 60(4)(a) Regulation (EU) 2021/2116).
Member States may restrict how hemp is grown, for example ban indoor hydroponic cultivation, if the restriction is suitable and proportionate for protecting public health (Case C-793/22 Biohemp Concept, 4 October 2024).
Member States must make intentional unlawful cultivation of cannabis plants and drug trafficking a criminal offence (Art. 2(1)(b) Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA, as quoted in Case C-271/23).
Rules on recreational cannabis differ widely: Germany allows adults to possess up to 25 g in public, 50 g at home and three plants (§ 3 and § 9 KCanG), while in Czechia personal use becomes a criminal offence only above 5 plants, 200 g at home or 50 g elsewhere, and plants with up to 1 % THC are excluded (§ 285 Czech Criminal Code).

“Články 34 a 36 SFEU musí být vykládány v tom smyslu, že brání vnitrostátní právní úpravě, která zakazuje uvádět na trh CBD, který je legálně vyprodukován v jiném členském státě, v případě, že je extrahován z celé rostliny cannabis sativa, a nikoli pouze z jejích vláken a semen, ledaže je tato právní úprava s to zaručit naplnění cíle ochrany veřejného zdraví a nepřekračuje meze toho, co je k dosažení tohoto cíle nezbytné.”
[Translation: “Articles 34 and 36 TFEU must be interpreted as precluding national legislation which prohibits the marketing of CBD lawfully produced in another Member State when it is extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant in its entirety and not solely from its fibre and seeds, unless that legislation is appropriate for securing the attainment of the objective of protecting public health and does not go beyond what is necessary for that purpose.”]
Court of Justice of the European Union, 19 November 2020, Case C-663/18 (Kanavape)

This overview is based on legislation and case law in the legal database Europaius. It is not legal advice.

Traveling with the main goal of visiting places where cannabis is legal is slowly becoming a new type of tourism. We've compiled a list of global destinations where you can not only enjoy your hobby in peace but also admire the beauty of nature or modern cities. Moreover, we'll show you that such a trip doesn't have to be boring and consist only of sampling cannabis in various cult locations, but also in other equally attractive activities.

Netherlands as the Central Point

Long ago, it was the only place where we could sit down, light up a joint, and enjoy the atmosphere of Amsterdam's cafes and other establishments. The trip was like a secret ritual for all cannabis lovers, and what happened in dark cafes was the world's biggest secret. However, it cannot be denied that for many, visiting Amsterdam was the only opportunity to taste the best strains and experience the cannabis "world" from a different, more human and accessible perspective. Even today, in the era of merely declared changes in drug laws, it's worth remembering this cozy place, especially since you can visit it with just an ID and a bit of money in your pocket (cannabis prices range from 6 to 20 euros).

Tulips in the Netherlands

Since 2017, Amsterdam is no longer just an exclusive paradise for all smokers. So why not embark on a slightly longer but more exciting trip? Cannabis tourism is a new flourishing segment of travel, with more and more destinations being labeled as the most liberal and user-friendly.

Let's look at places that dared to organize interesting events for cannabis enthusiasts this year. If these amazing places don't immediately trigger our desire to pack a bag, renew our passport photo, and save up for plane tickets, it's probably because we're too stoned or our travel urge hasn't been sufficiently ignited. It's time to change that! It's time for a vacation on the cannabis trail!

420 in Denver

Colorado is a state that could be called the American Netherlands. Moreover, it's the longest-running and probably most cannabis-friendly sector in the USA. However, on April 4th each year, Colorado transforms into a true refuge for all cannabis lovers. The best part of Denver 420 Fest is that the ticket costs nothing. 420 Fest is a unique cannabis fair with the dense atmosphere of a true American party. The festival is spread throughout the city, so we'll have access to many vendors and farmers offering unique strains. The highest quality cannabis there costs around 25 dollars per gram, while unique and limited specialties can cost up to 100 dollars per gram! The long lines at popular vendors are almost unavoidable, but that largely captures the atmosphere of an eternal 60s party!

Summer in San Francisco

California has just legalized recreational cannabis, so there's never been a better time to visit the Golden State. Although their recreational cannabis industry and legal system are still in their infancy, finding an interesting cannabis-related event should not be a problem.

The best time to visit Sacramento and San Francisco is definitely summer. Because each year in Santa Rose, the Nor-Cal High Times Cannabis Cup takes place, which is 100% legal!

A basic one-day ticket costs 50 dollars, while for 90 dollars we can spend two weekend days there. Of course, premium tickets are available, for which we can spend up to 420 dollars, giving us various extras and souvenirs. Whether it's worth it is up to us to decide, because even in the basic option, a great party and all-night entertainment await us. And all in the constant company of top-quality cannabis!

Beyond the "usual" attractions like concerts and premium strain presentations, it will be possible to gain expert knowledge on any cannabis-related topic. At specialized exhibitions, they will not only introduce us to new ways of consuming cannabis or cultivation methods but also show us where and how to start a career in the legal cannabis business.

Barcelona: The New "Cannabis Capital of Europe"

Barcelona, with its more than 400 cannabis clubs, is the new biggest cannabis capital not just in Spain, but in all of Europe. In fact, there's no bad time to visit Barcelona, but if we want to visit the biggest and best cannabis fair, we can't miss Spannabis!

Spannabis takes place every year in Barcelona. It has become a global event with virtually everyone involved in the cannabis industry participating. This includes vendors, growers, and even fertilizer manufacturers! They all come to the Spannabis fair to showcase their best products for us to learn about and purchase at great prices. Live music and evening concerts by famous bands provide a pleasant addition to many fair hours.

Tickets cost from 19 euros per day, and a three-day pass is available for 39 euros, so Spannabis is not among the most expensive events of its kind in the world and will certainly leave an indelible impression. It's a mandatory visit for every cannabis lover.

Accommodation must be booked well in advance, as rooms closest to the event will definitely be sold out on the fair day, and you don't want to waste hours traveling to the event.

"Bud & Breakfast" in Jamaica

Cannabis consumption is legal in Jamaica only for medicinal and religious purposes. However, this hasn't prevented the creation of a unique event variant based on the traditional B&B concept. Jamaica can offer cannabis lovers more and more each year and wants to benefit from the growth of cannabis tourism. All-night parties, beautiful views, paradise Caribbean landscape, phenomenal beaches, crystal-clear water, great weather, and most importantly, the best cannabis strains - you'll find all this on this magical island.

Alaska's Warmup

For the most daring and adventurous smokers who want to experience an adventure alongside Bear Grylls, the best choice will be a trip to the heart of Alaska. If you want to smoke cannabis amidst majestic natural wonders, far from people and ubiquitous technologies, then Alaska is ideal for you.

Valdez is an Alaskan town with approximately 4,000 inhabitants. Located on the Pacific Ocean coast, hidden behind fjords, 5 to 6 hours drive from major cities, temperatures here almost never rise above 0°C - it sounds like a freezing hell, but it's not. The area has become home to marijuana lovers. It's worth knowing that in Alaska, cannabis use for medical purposes is legal, although at the time of writing, the government is discussing the legal status of cannabis, so it's possible that Alaska will become an even more cannabis tourist-friendly place.

If the freezing climate doesn't suit you, don't worry. Marijuana use is becoming increasingly common, and recreational smoking is becoming socially acceptable. It can be expected that soon, every major city will want to host its own cannabis festival. Authorities see the enormous capital such an event generates and allows us to have fun in many corners of the world - legally and safely.

Traveling with marijuana isn't impossible, but it can still cause many problems with authorities. However, with the growing spread of medical marijuana, more people are interested in how to travel with marijuana safely and legally.