If I were to tell you that the main source of income for the Seattle recreational marijuana industry is tourists, would you believe me? Well, this statistic is true, and the intricacies of it are fascinating. Recreational shops are often designed with tourists in mind, ensuring that large groups can be comfortably accommodated and the ambiance remains appealing and inviting. Shops attend to every detail, from marketing to decor, to give tourists a unique and unforgettable experience. Other states are getting in on the Tourism action too, Arizona Passed Prop 207, so their recreational marijuana market will surely pull in a lot more tourism to the state. However, they have yet to reveal their strategy, but with more states opened to helping tourists with their munchies washington dc included, it will be interesting to see how tourism continues to grow and develop within this new Proposition.
The strategy behind the Seattle marijuana tourism extends to all corners of the industry, including tours themselves. Kush Tourism, a company dedicated to delivering a unique and entertaining view of the city’s cannabis industry, leaves no detail of an amazing cannabis experience unattended. Kush Tourism offers professionally guided tours, similar to brewery or winery tours, of Seattle’s recreational presence. Transportation, even from SEATAC airport, is provided if desired, as is lodging. Anyone over the age of 21 may participate in the tours; the experience is completely legal and promises an unforgettable experience. This complete immersion experience is born from an in-depth study of the industry.
Chase Nobles, from Kush Tourism, and his team has extensively studied the city’s recreational marijuana industry and has found that tourists are its majority demographic. In response to this finding, Kush Tourism works with recreational shops to prime retail space and products to appeal to tourists. Between 50-60 percent of recreational marijuana, revenue comes from tourism. Kush Tourism helps tourists navigate the recreational industry, so they have a memorable and comprehensive experience of the possibly overwhelming scene. The recreational cannabis industry of Seattle certainly does have a lot to offer.
Chase and his team take pride in doing the research for tourists, connecting them with transportation, shop-to-shop tours and cannabis-friendly lodging in the Seattle area. Similar models (though sans the canna) have been done to great success by Global Basecamps and similar companies, as this not only amplifies tourists’ experience into a stress-free vacation, but it also helps those visiting for the industry to experience all that it has to offer.
Recreational cannabis shops are inviting and have an abundance of unique cannabis packaging and consumables. Seeing the evolution of the industry through each individual shop is part of what makes being a resident or visitor of the area so special. Producers are intentional through every step of production, from ensuring plant health to creating innovative and beautiful packaging. This care and attention to detail is on a constant incline to maintain relevance and profits as the industry gains more contributors and consumers.
Marijuana is still taboo in most areas of the country and is therefore considered a novelty item for tourists here; in effect, numerous people travel to Washington in order to experience legal marijuana and all of the potential health benefits and energy that surrounds it. Similarly, it is also for these reasons that some tourists flock to Los Angeles where cannabis has been legalized for recreational use. Accordingly, with ‘bud and breakfast’ facilities like pot pod soaring in popularity in downtown LA, it will be interesting to see what else the future holds for cannabis tourism.
Additionally, while many locals in Washington do purchase from recreational shops, a large percentage of residents either have a medical marijuana card or purchase from the same person that has been selling them weed for the last 10 years. So, it is not as if tourists are more interested in the marijuana scene than locals. Tourists simply do not have the same outlets as locals and, therefore, look to official stores and experiences like Kush Tourism to gain insight.
Kush Tourism and recreational stores are looking forward to this year’s tourist season because it will be the first season with a fully functioning legal market; the full potential of the industry will soon be revealed. If you have yet to patron a recreational cannabis shop, now is the perfect time to do so. Not sure where to start? Kush Tourism is perfect for tourists and residents unfamiliar with or wanting to learn more about the industry. Join the energy that will soon encompass Seattle as tourism once again hits its peak.
UPDATE: Check out marijuana tours for things to do in Seattle when visiting