Pot votes in CO, WA raise specter of weed tourism
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Marijuana plants flourish under the lights at a grow house in Denver, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Marijuana legalization votes this week in Colorado and Washington state don't just set up an epic state-federal showdown on drug law for residents. The measures also opens the door for marijuana tourism.
DENVER — Hit the slopes — and then a bong?
Marijuana legalization votes this week in Colorado and Washington state don’t just set up an epic state-federal showdown on drug law for residents. The measures also open the door for marijuana tourism.
Both marijuana measures make marijuana possession in small amounts OK for all adults over 21 — not just state residents but visitors, too. Tourists may not be able to pack their bowls along with their bags, but as long as out-of-state tourists purchase and use the drug while in Colorado or Washington, they wouldn’t violate the marijuana measures.
Of course, that’s assuming the recreational marijuana measures take effect at all. That was very much in doubt Friday as the states awaited word on possible lawsuits from the U.S. Department of Justice asserting federal supremacy over drug law.
So the future of marijuana tourism in Colorado and Washington is hazy. But that hasn’t stopped rampant speculation, especially in Colorado, where tourism is the No. 2 industry thanks to the Rocky Mountains and a vibrant ski industry.
The day after Colorado approved recreational marijuana by a wide margin, the headline in the Aspen Times asked, “Aspendam?” referring to Amsterdam’s marijuana cafes.
Colorado’s tourism director, Al White, tried to downplay the prospect of a new marijuana tourism boom.
“It won’t be as big a deal as either side hopes or fears,” White said.
Maybe not. But many are asking about marijuana tourism.
Ski resorts are “certainly watching it closely,” said Jennifer Rudolph of Colorado Ski Country USA, a trade association that represents 21 Colorado resorts.
Any plans for an adults-only après lounge where skiers could get more than an Irish coffee to numb their aches?
“There’s a lot that remains to be seen,” Rudolph said with a chuckle. “I guess you could say we’re waiting for the smoke to clear.”
The Colorado counties where big ski resorts are located seem to have made up their minds. The marijuana measure passed by overwhelming margins, with more support than in less visited areas.
The home county of Aspen approved the marijuana measure more than 3-to-1. More than two-thirds approved marijuana in the home county of Colorado’s largest ski resort, Vail. The home county of Telluride ski resort gave marijuana legalization its most lopsided victory, nearly 8 in 10 favoring the measure.
“Some folks might come to Colorado to enjoy some marijuana as will be their right. So what?” said Betty Aldworth, advocacy director for the Colorado marijuana campaign.
Washington state already sees a version of marijuana tourism.
Every summer on the shores of the Puget Sound, Seattle is host to “Hempfest,” which according to organizers attracted around 250,000 people over three days this year. For those three days, people are largely left alone to smoke publically at a local park, even as police stand by.
“People travel to Seattle from other states and countries to attend Seattle Hempfest every year to experience the limited freedom that happens at the event,” said executive director Vivian McPeak. “It’s reasonable to assume that people will travel to Washington assuming that the federal government doesn’t interfere.”
McPeak draw parallels to Amsterdam where an annual “Cannabis Cup” attracts tourists from all over the world and Vancouver, British Columbia, which has lax marijuana rules that have borne marijuana cafes drawing travelers.
Amsterdam’s marijuana tourism is in a hazy spot these days, though. The incoming Dutch government suggested a national “weed pass” that would have been available only to residents and that would have effectively banned tourists from Amsterdam’s marijuana cafes. The “weed pass” idea was scrapped, but under a provisional governing pact unveiled last week, Dutch cities can bar foreigners from weed shops if they choose.
In Denver, some feared that the Colorado marijuana vote could deter tourists, not to mention business visitors.
“Colorado’s brand will be damaged, and we may attract fewer conventions and see a decline in leisure travel,” Visit Denver CEO Richard Scharf said in a statement before the vote.
Colorado’s governor opposed the measure but said after its passage that he didn’t envision marijuana tourism materializing.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper said. “They’re going to flock here to buy marijuana as if they’re going to take it back? On an airplane? That seems unlikely to me.”
Colorado’s measure specifically bans public use of the drug. But guidelines for commercial sales are still to be worked out. The state’s 536 medical marijuana dispensaries are banned from allowing on-site consumption, but lawmakers could set different rules for recreational marijuana shops.
Marijuana backers downplayed the impact on tourism. Aldworth pointed out that pot-smoking tourists wouldn’t exactly be new. Colorado ski slopes already are dotted with “smoke shacks,” old mining cabins that have been illicitly repurposed as places to smoke pot out of the cold. And the ski resort town of Breckenridge dropped criminal penalties for marijuana use two years ago.
“Some folks come to Colorado and enjoy some marijuana while they are here today,” Aldworth said.
The sheriff of the county including Aspen was sanguine about the prospects of pot-smoking visitors.
“For me, it’s going to be live and let live. If people want to come to Colorado because pot is legal — and that’s the sole reason — it’s up to them,” Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo told The Aspen Times. “I am not the lifestyle police.”
Nov 12, 2012 at 3:56 p.m.
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Dave's not here.
;~)
Nov 12, 2012 at 9:51 a.m.
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TroubleMaker: I agree with you, this guy is totally out of touch. It's just ignorant of him to think the public won't allow it. Maybe if more legislators would take the time and do the research on this they might see what an asset this would be for farmers and the state. They preach about going "green", how much greener can you get with hemp.
Nov 11, 2012 at 9:24 p.m.
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Last week I asked one or our state legislators when it might be legal for farmers to start growing hemp as a commercial, non-drug crop. His answer was "Never, because the "public" would not allow it."
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I think he's out of touch with reality. What do you people think?
Nov 11, 2012 at 6:27 p.m.
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Bigmike: there will def be things to iron out. The key is that we stop arresting American adults who choose to consume. Also, you really don't want the state running it. Private industry will provide plenty of jobs and tax revenue.
Nov 11, 2012 at 5:44 p.m.
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What about the men and women with a CDL ? That's a federal regulated test through the DOT, so professional drivers will lose out on the relaxation and ,the snacks to follow.Well some because a lot already do,just sayin.
Nov 11, 2012 at 5:29 p.m.
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I agree that cannabis can be used responsibly and should be legal.
We need to have a better procedure than the current blood test/urinalysis to accurately gauge a persons level of imbibing.
Nov 11, 2012 at 5:28 p.m.
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the real colorado gold rush is happening now.. our governor looks stoned but he only smokes the tea. legalize..
Nov 11, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.
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Bigmike,
If I had the option, I would prefer to buy it legally. For one, I would know that I am getting legitimate product. That means quality is assured, and I know that my money isn't being dirtied. I think the majority of people will take this stance.
Nov 11, 2012 at 8:20 a.m.
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tthompson Thanks for the info but same situation. How do you keep the guy off the street corner who is bypassing paying the state tax and selling cheaper than the shop? I can also see shops selling under the table for cash and thus bypassing giving the state their cut. There are for sure going to be bumps in the road on this. I think the penalties for selling outside the system are going to have to be harsh enough that it encourages people to sell it legally. I really hope that this turns out to be successful and can spread throughout the USA. The money generated from this has the potential to be pretty significant I would think. Personally I think the state itself should do the manufacture and distribution. This would add some jobs in terms of hiring people to farm it on state run lands. And then distributing to ether state run shops or selling to licensed shops. And then of course taxing the purchaser. That method has some serious money making potential for the state as opposed to just collecting a tax on it.
Nov 10, 2012 at 3:29 p.m.
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:)
Nov 10, 2012 at 3:07 p.m.
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smallBIZowner - theKid changed his username and is right where you expect him to be.
Nov 10, 2012 at 9:03 a.m.
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Good post bigmike. I think you are slightly confused though. It won't be the state selling it. It will be the state regulating it. CO's law allows up to an ounce per adult or 6 plants. Both states have the next legislative session to determine the rules and taxing of it, but I'm confident it will be 'mom & pop' stores that will be doing the retailing. I'm sure the Phillip Morris' of the world will get in the game as well, but it will end up looking a lot like local taverns and beer.
Nov 10, 2012 at 8:34 a.m.
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RAF I am totally in agreement. This will be very interesting and if this turns out to be a huge money maker for the states in terms of savings by the courts as well as revenue by the sales, you can bet other states will follow. One concern I see is that how do you make sure people are purchasing from the state? Does the state have to price it lower than the guys on the streets selling it illegally? I think one of the downfalls is that you are going to see drug cartels set up shop in these states. If they can sell cheaper than the states can, it would be a big money maker for them. So what you then have to do is increase the penalties for those selling illegally and you still are forced to use resources to go after them. Because this sounds like it will be heavily taxed, the street corner guy will be able to sell a lot cheaper than the state. Even though I agree that marijuana is far less of a problem than alcohol, I see a lot of secondary problems arising from this. But if it can be done and it turns out to be huge, expect to see more states follow suit. Let the pot heads pay down the deficit. They are already buying it and smoking it in every community in America anyways.
Nov 9, 2012 at 9:01 p.m.
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Sympathy for the Devil:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLddJ1Wce...
Now is that cool or what?
Nov 9, 2012 at 8:57 p.m.
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I smoked on a recreational basis (2-3 times weekly) for several years in the 70's when I was in college and a few years after graduation. It was an aphrodisiac, and enhanced my appreciation of Jethro Tull, Rolling Stones, and the Doors, etc.
Pretty much gave it up for good in my 30's as I was married with young kids at the time. Would I be tempted to go back if legalized here? Meh, I don't know if I can say that I would.
Nov 9, 2012 at 8:24 p.m.
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This is long overdue. Laws protecting people from themselves have always been a bad idea.
Nov 9, 2012 at 6:02 p.m.
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I hope more states follow suit. There is no reason to keep marijuana illegal.
Nov 9, 2012 at 5:57 p.m.
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I'm surprised 'the kid' hasn't chimed-in yet. I'll be taking 5-8 vacations a year in Colorado just because of this great development.
Nov 9, 2012 at 5:38 p.m.
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Alcohol literally killed one of my friends. Does that mean we should arrest those who are responsible when they consume?? Of course not, this is America. Nor should we criminalize those who consume pot in a responsible manner.
To answer your question, my guess is that it's up to the individual employer but they would probably go by whatever the law his in the state they employ you.
In King County, Washington the D.A. dropped 175 cases of misdemeanor marijuana possession today. How much money do you think that saves them??
Nov 9, 2012 at 11:21 a.m.
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Hasta la vista, prohibition.
Nov 9, 2012 at 11:10 a.m.
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They are watching over people so they don't hurt themselves. This post is sarcasm for the uninformed.
Nov 9, 2012 at 10:45 a.m.
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what happened to the posts?
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