The movement to legalize weed has had some significant victories over the last couple of decades. Marijuana is now legal in Colorado, Nevada, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Washington, and California. If you live in a state that still forbids the purchase or use of marijuana, then you may have thought of taking a marijuana tour. The latter consists of going to a state in which weed is legal and making the most of your time there.
Why You Should Do Your Weed Tour in Los Angeles
California is the top destination for marijuana tourists. The state has one of the largest and most mature cannabis industries, which makes its products highly diverse and of the highest quality. Los Angeles is an especially popular spot for this kind of recreation. A Los Angeles dispensary can be found in most places in the city. And it is a city with the least restrictions. Recreational and medical marijuana is widely available in Los Angeles, and it is permissible for weed to be grown indoors and outdoors.
Not All Marijuana Tourism is Recreational
If you have chronic pain or you are undergoing chemotherapy, you should consider taking marijuana. The scientific verdict on the benefits of medical marijuana has been published in numerous studies, and they all conclude that marijuana can be used for pain control. Although it is not effective for people who have undergone major surgery or who have broken bones, it can provide relief to people—especially the elderly—who have health issues that cause them frequent pain.
If you are in the latter category, you should not hesitate to plan a marijuana tour through Los Angeles. You will find a great many medical marijuana dispensaries. And if you have documentation that proves that your physician recommends you take marijuana, then you will be able to purchase products from one of these vendors.
What is Required to Purchase Marijuana
To buy weed in California, you must be 21 years or older. You must prove your age with government issued identification. A driver’s license or passport is acceptable.
State law requires that marijuana dispensaries remain closed between the hours of 10pm and 6am. So, if you want to purchase marijuana for the day, then you should start shopping early.
What to Expect in a Marijuana Dispensary
If you are new to the experience of smoking weed, you should not be shy when you walk into such a shop. Most staff in these vendors deal with first-timers all the time, and they will do their utmost to put you at ease.
Pre-rolled joints, edibles such as candy and brownies, and weed-infused drinks are the most common products on display. Each product should be marked. You should pay particular attention to THC concentration, as this will indicate the potency of the product.
You should also bring plenty of cash with you. At the moment, credit card companies do not allow the purchase of marijuana. Many vendors have ATMs on site. But these can quickly run out of cash at busy times.
You should also expect to pay a good deal of money. The legalization of marijuana was accompanied by a hefty 15% tax on it. The state government has also seen fit to impose heavy regulations on marijuana dispensaries, who pass the cost on to the consumers. Products can have as high as a 60% markup.
Bear in mind that you will not be able to enter a weed dispensary without proper identification. Once you are inside, do not be afraid to ask questions of the staff who are there. The weed industry is quite small. The vendors tend to be selective about who they hire. So, chances are that the salesperson you speak to will know quite a lot about the products they sell and weed in general.
Where To Consume Weed in Los Angeles
Although weed is legal to purchase in California, it is illegal to consume it in public. Not even the edibles can be eaten in a public space, and if you are found to be doing so it can lead to a $100 fine. In general, California is not a very smoker-friendly state. You cannot smoke in a bar, club, or restaurant. Most of the major hotel chains also forbid it.
However, a small but growing hospitality industry that caters to marijuana tourists has emerged in Los Angeles over the last few years. There are hotels that allow the consumption of weed. And if you are new to the city, it is possible to be collected at the airport by a bus service that will take you to a weed-friendly hotel. There are also weed tours that transport people to the best places to get weed in the city.
You can purchase and consume weed in California. You cannot take it with you to another state. Weed is still illegal under federal law. If you try to get on a plane with it, you can be arrested and prosecuted.