The legalization of medical and recreational use of marijuana in Canada and parts of the USA set the foundation for new cannabis experiences. Consequently, cannabis tourism became mainstream and is a significant revenue source for regions where weed is legal.
Ontario province is among the world’s most notable pot hubs and attracts millions of cannabis tourists worldwide. Economic activities around cannabis, such as cannabis tourism, earn the province millions of dollars annually. So why is it that for those who love cannabis Ontario is such a big deal? Below are a few reasons why cannabis enthusiasts visit Ontario, Canada, for dank weed.
1. Strategic Location
Ontario province is along the Canada-USA border. The Ontario-USA border stretches over a 2,727km distance and covers 13 USA states, including; Alaska, Michigan, Minnesota, Idaho, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and New York.
While medical and recreational use of cannabis is legal in states like New York and Michigan, it is Illegal in others like Idaho and Pennsylvania. Therefore, weed enthusiasts from the American states along the USA-Ontario border that criminalize marijuana use troop to Canada to enjoy Kush freely.
Second, Ontario is home to Niagara Falls, a popular tourism destination and an even more popular spring break destination for college students. Thousands of American students visit Ontario through Niagara Falls to decompress; weed is excellent for decompressing.
The province’s accessibility also gives it an advantage. Ontario is accessible from various US states by rail, road, or plane; therefore, a weed-themed vacation in Ontario makes sense
2. High-quality Weed and Cannabis Products
Then Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) gave the provincial-run Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) full mandate as the exclusive cannabis wholesale distributor. Therefore, all licensed cannabis dispensaries source their weed and other cannabis products from the OCS.
The OCS is, therefore, the central middleman between cannabis producers and retailers in Ontario. It has a quality-control framework to ensure that all products that make it to retail stores are high-quality and safe for consumption. They must comply with then public health and safety provisions in Canada’s Cannabis Act.
Second, OCS collaborates with weed dispensaries to sustain fast and efficient distribution channels. Fast product delivery ensures that cannabis flowers and other cannabis products get to retail stores while fresh and with optimum THC content. The same goes for CBD, as it has a shelf-life of one to two years.
3. Product Variety
When Canada decriminalized marijuana use in October 2018, cannabis flowers, tinctures, and capsules were the only legal products in the cannabis market. However, phase two of the legalization process in October 2019 (popularly known as cannabis 2.0) legalized all other cannabis products.
Since the legalization, you can shop for anything, from weed edibles and drinkables to cannabis bath bombs and other self-care products. For medical marijuana use, patients can opt to buy topicals and even cannabis patches rather than using capsules and tinctures.
Ontario’s cannabis dispensaries also have diverse smoking and vaping accessories in their stores. The array of products means there is something for everyone’s taste and preference. Moreover, there are currently almost 300 weed dispensaries in Ontario, which has improved product accessibility.
4. Favorable Prices
Ontario’s cannabis industry has some of the most competitive prices in the cannabis market. Recent statistics show that cannabis prices in Ontario’s legal cannabis industry are lower than in its illicit cannabis industry.
The competitive prices also extend to cannabis-themed activities in the province. Some Ontario Tour companies specialize in cannabis tourism and curate unique cannabis experiences for local and foreign tourists. The activities range from wine and puff and cannabis spa treatments to simpler ones like joint-rolling classes. Interestingly, cannabis tourists can participate in these activities for as low as $5.
5. Accommodating Cannabis Delivery Services
Before the pandemic, the OCS was the exclusive online cannabis store and offered doorstep delivery for cannabis products. They can deliver either via same-day delivery or mail order.
Cannabis tourists can also enjoy Ontario’s efficient cannabis delivery services as the OCS delivers to hotels and BnBs. Some tourists make their orders beforehand and choose postal order delivery so that their arrival coincides with the package delivery. However, most Ontario hotels and BnBs receive packages in absentia for guests with bookings. Still, free-spirited cannabis consumers like backpackers can opt for mail-order services and collect their packages from the nearest post office.
6. Fewer Restrictions on Weed Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping are usually viewed as indulgent and reckless behaviour in many societies. However, things are different in Ontario. There are multiple designated smoking and vaping areas as spelt out in the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017. Cannabis enthusiasts with a bias for smoking and vaping can do so in public parks and sidewalks. They can also smoke and vape in private residential areas, in hotel guest rooms and designated smoking areas, and even in special social facilities.
However, to smoke or vape in designated public spaces, the individual should be at least 20 meters from a school and other children’s recreational areas. Individuals should also be at least 9 meters from a public entrance when smoking weed. Ontario’s cannabis smoking and vaping restrictions are still quite accommodating compared to regulations in other regions.
Conclusion
Ontario’s legal weed industry focuses on ensuring safe and responsible yet fun and memorable cannabis consumption. Everything from product quality, variety, and experience is phenomenal. If you are yet to visit Ontario for weed, you have six reasons to make the trip.
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