New England doesn’t have the strong cannabis culture of the West Coast, but that doesn’t mean you will go wanting for weed when you visit the nation’s northeast. In fact, some New England states were among the first in the country to pass recreational cannabis regulations, and others are eagerly adopting new weed laws as the public perception of pot shifts.
Whether you are eager to try cannabis for the first time or you are an avid consumer looking for a New England weed-cation, here are the best places to go for a toke in the northeast:
Vermont
Vermont is one of the most pro-cannabis states in New England, and despite legalizing recreational cannabis use back in 2017, the state still doesn’t provide Vermonters or visitors reliable access to legal bud. When the state legislature voted to permit recreational consumption, they expressly prevented the creation of a commercial industry for weed. Finally, in 2022, Vermont will open retail cannabis operations, but the state’s initial hesitancy has delayed critical growth for the industry and denied the state access to ample cannabis tax revenues. Suffice it to say that even though Vermont has ostensibly enjoyed legal recreational weed for years now, this isn’t the best destination for weed vacationers on the hunt for top-shelf bud.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts was the first New England state to legalize recreational consumption of cannabis, and unlike Vermont, the state permitted commercial sales of the drug since the very beginning. As a result, Massachusetts weed is some of the best in the region, and it is relatively easy to find dispensaries in major cities like Boston, Worcester, Springfield and the like.
The cannabis law in Massachusetts is similar to that of other states: Adults 21 and up are permitted to purchase and possess up to an ounce of cannabis product and consume that product in private. Visitors to Massachusetts will need to secure 420-friendly accommodations, which they can find in the form of hotels, B&Bs and short-term rentals.
Massachusetts also makes for a fun and memorable cannabis vacation thanks to a wealth of different types of attractions. During the summer months, the beaches in Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are inviting, and there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation farther inland. As a significant location in the founding of America, Massachusetts boasts some fantastic historical sites, like Boston’s Freedom Trail and the town of Salem. These activities and more can be exciting both sober and stoned, which is what makes Massachusetts such a prime destination for a weed-cation.
Maine
Maine was fast on Massachusetts’ heels in legalizing recreational use of marijuana. Unfortunately, unlike Massachusetts, where weed is legal in the vast majority of the state, more than half of Maine maintains complete cannabis prohibition, and 90 percent of the towns in Maine do not allow recreational cannabis dispensaries to operate. Thus, travelers to Maine who are interested in buying bud should strongly consider sticking to the southern portion of the state, where purchasing is relatively easy and possession and consumption are permitted.
The capital city of Portland allows visitors to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis products, which is plenty for the typical Maine trip. Sightseeing is the most common activity for a vacation to “Vacationland,” as Maine boasts some of the most stunning vistas in New England. In the summer, it is easy to spend several afternoons stoned and sunbathing, swimming, sailing and fishing along Maine’s coast. Travelers can’t miss a visit to Acadia National Park or a lobster crawl trying the best seafood in the state, which are sure to sate even the strongest munchies.
Connecticut
One of the latest states to adopt recreational cannabis regulations, Connecticut only just managed to pass updated weed laws through its state legislature in 2021. Connecticuters already are legally allowed to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis product on their person and up to 5 ounces at home — but retail cannabis operations likely won’t begin until the end of 2022. For now, Connecticut is about as bad a destination for a weed-cation as Vermont, and traveling stoners would be wise to revisit the idea of a Connecticut trip until dispensaries are up and running.
New England is a beautiful place to visit, and increasingly, it is a wonderful place to find legal weed. Over the coming years, weed-cationers should find more viable destinations for enjoying excellent bud in America’s Northeast.
