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 In 1937, Congress enacted the Marijuana Tax Act after repealing federal alcohol prohibition in 1933. As a reaction to the many Mexican immigrants who brought cannabis with them across the border from Mexico in the early 1900s, anti-cannabis propaganda was widespread regarding these immigrants and other minorities, like African Americans. They prominently targeted these groups, claiming they were susceptible to ‘deviant behaviors’ caused by the “devil weed”.

 The Nixon administration took the racially-charged propaganda behind cannabis prohibition even further by unofficially beginning the “War on Drugs” in 1971. Cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug along with heroin and meth in the Controlled Substances Act. This policy ensured significant penalties and incarceration for possession, cultivation, and trafficking for anyone found guilty in the U.S. So began decades of millions of arrests, particularly of African Americans, and an inability for researchers to study and unlock cannabis’s full medicinal value due to its status as federally illegal.

 Interestingly enough, the New York Times released an article in September of 2024, whereby a 1973 audio recording was unearthed of Nixon declaring he knew cannabis “is not particularly dangerous”, despite affecting millions of lives and families due to his policies ever since. Harper’s magazine also released an article in 2016, with clips from an interview with a top Nixon advisor who made a similar admission. Watergate co-conspirator, John Erlichmann, admitted on tape that the administration used the War On Drugs as a means to counter the voices of the anti-war hippies, as well as pro-Civil Rights efforts by African-Americans, to “disrupt those communities”.

 The efforts of anti-legalization proponents have continued since then, most significantly in the 1980s with the “Just Say No” movement by First Lady Nancy Reagan. The campaign exerted a massive influence on American society and families. Incarceration rates for cannabis possession and distribution continued to rise, as well as public opinion against marijuana among parental and morality groups.

 Since then, states in many diverse areas of the country have begun to enact their medical marijuana programs under the argument of state rights. This eventually culminated in a massive victory–Adult-Use passage in 2012 by voters in the state of Colorado. The legalization of weed for adults 21 and over has opened the floodgates, prompting 24 states to establish their own recreational, adult-use laws. Along with Adult-Use legalization in many states in the U.S., the 2018 Farm Bill added another dimension by introducing a widespread gray market for products containing other cannabinoids like CBD, Delta-8, and THCA.

 Current efforts to keep legal, black market, and gray market cannabinoid-containing products out of the hands of Americans have been working just as hard as those seeking to legalize. The intersection of socio-political and legal maneuvers by the anti-legalization crowd has been gaining traction in recent years to stem the tide of legalization. This is evident from the fact that 3 out of 4 states with Adult Use initiatives on the ballot in November of 2024 weren’t successful.

 According to its website, the lobbying group known as Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is “an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana.” Groups like SAM claim to work in the interest of public health and safety first and foremost, perhaps to distance themselves from the prejudicial roots of anti-legalization in the past. The organization’s current motto is “Preventing the Next Big Tobacco.”

 SAM is a prominent opponent of legalization by individual states, as well as federal efforts to legalize and provide access. These efforts include federal rescheduling and the SAFER Banking Act–the latter of which seeks to allow legal cannabis dispensaries and businesses to access services like bank accounts–which most other businesses can access with no issues.

 SAM argues that marketing will target children, gangs, and cartels will gain access to financial services, and “big marijuana” will create addiction problems similar to those caused by alcohol and oxycontin abuse. However, SAM does find common ground with legalization advocates on decriminalization, suggesting that it offers a more measured approach for governments compared to full legalization.

 The influence of anti-legalization lobbyists like SAM has manifested itself in states seeking to legalize and even those who have already voted to do so. This is evident by efforts like Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s reversal of the state legislature’s decision to pass Adult-Use legalization in 2021. Youngkin vetoed it based on “addiction prevention and public health safety.” However, polling shows that most Virginians have sided with legalization going back several years.

 Polling also showed that Florida had a majority of voters approved of adult-use legislation in 2024 before the election took place in November of the same year. Trulieve–a Florida-based multistate operator–spent over $140 million on Amendment 3 to legalize cannabis for Adult Use, according to finance reports released. Their efforts were ultimately thwarted by only reaching 56% instead of the 60% of approval votes that the state-mandated was necessary to pass.

 Before the election, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a heavy-handed approach by pumping large sums of money into anti-legalization efforts. He stoked worries of “the smell of marijuana in public everywhere” to engage voters’ fears like so many prohibitionists did decades before, however, he also took a more modern approach, as well, no doubt influenced by lobbies like SAM. De Santis was able to successfully portray Trulieve’s legalization efforts as a foreign company seeking to take advantage of Floridians by creating its own state-run monopoly on weed by keeping Florida-based companies away. These statements have been proven false since Trulieve originated in Florida and has its biggest retail medical facility footprint in the Sunshine State.

 While the winds of change have ushered in a new era of cannabis accessibility and acceptance, they’re also gathering strong headwinds in the opposite direction. As we approach 2025, several factors are at play–primarily thefederal government and the President, who will continue to create uncertainty on a wide variety of issues, not just cannabis.

 Whichever direction the federal government chooses to proceed on policies like rescheduling cannabis and the SAFER Act could be a window into just how much the momentum will continue in favor of cannabis legalization and access for the next few years to come.

 States’ rights have continued to propel many individual commonwealths to put their own adult-use initiatives up for a vote, with more states like Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Wisconsin possibly doing just that in 2025. Due to the recent efforts of anti-legalization groups, it remains to be seen if they will be successful or if there will be any compromise on either side.

 The West Coast has been a pivotal region for American cannabis culture, from the Emerald City to the Emerald Village. With full legalization spanning down the US western states of Washington, Oregon, and California, the West Coast is a prime area to get away from your troubles and enjoy some cannabis tourism. To see it all, a road trip is a great way to get a panoramic view of the Pacific Coast’s natural and cultural wonders, as well as the weed offerings for which this special trinity of cannabis-friendly states is renowned.

 So, it’s time to gather some friends, pack supplies, and hit the road for a journey into the best of cannabis culture on the West Coast! This guide provides a layout for taking your own thrilling weeklong road trip through all three states, stopping at iconic cannabis regions, scenic spots for stoner thoughts, and must-visit cannabis-friendly social spaces. We also outline the different legal complexities for each state that you should know, so you can have a good time without violating any laws.

 For both the experienced connoisseur and the newly cannabis-curious, options for excitement along this West Coast adventure are plentiful. As such, our itinerary surely can’t cover every standout landmark, city, or establishment available across all three states, so feel free to customize this trip to make sure you hit the must-see spots on your list. The most important thing is to plan a fun-filled excursion, so you and your road trip buddies can get the most out of this iconic region’s deep-rooted cannabis legacy, local weed-welcoming communities, and excellent buds.

 Recreational cannabis is well-established and legal in all three West Coast states, but laws still prohibit anyone from smoking or vaping cannabis, or consuming cannabis edibles, in public places or public view. Hotels typically forbid smoking in rooms or on the property.

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 Despite the laws in these particular states, Cannabis remains a federally illegal drug, making it illegal to transport any cannabis products (excluding hemp-based items) across state lines, even between legal states. So, pace yourself in Washington and Oregon, and don’t buy more products than you can consume before moving on to the next state. Thankfully, California is large enough that you can take your stash with you from one destination to the next.

 Federal law also forbids the possession of cannabis on federal lands, and this includes national parks. Therefore, if you visit any of the Pacific states’ awesome national parks, such as Redwoods National Park or Mount Rainier, you will violate the law if you use or even bring your cannabis along.

 There are specific rules for riding with cannabis in your vehicle. In Washington and California, state law requires drivers to keep a cannabis product completely sealed and unopened in its original retail packaging when storing it in areas of the car accessible to themselves or passengers. All open cannabis products must be kept in the trunk of the car (or some other inaccessible, unoccupied storage area if there is no trunk. Do not use the glove compartment.). Oregon’s laws do not explicitly define how to store cannabis in a moving car, but to avoid any trouble, follow the same rules outlined above in case you interact with police on the road.

 So, you can’t smoke on the beach, you can’t smoke in the car, you can’t smoke at the park, you can’t smoke on a hike, and you can’t smoke in a hotel room…where are you supposed to smoke your West Coast weed acquisitions? How exactly is an immersive cannabis road trip even possible? Here are some ways you can legally partake in your smokable dispensary purchases and have successful joint appreciation sessions on this journey down the Pacific Coast states:

 420-friendly rentals: Property advertisers who are open to cannabis use in their rentals can be found through services like Airbnb Bud and Breakfast. Securing a stay at one of these cannabis-friendly residences means that you will have access to a smoking space on private property, so you can light up without worry and then wander the exciting landmarks and locales found throughout this guide’s featured destinations in a mesmerizing weedy haze.

 420 Hotels: There are also a few hotels that allow smoking on the property, even weed. For example, Noe’s Nest in San Francisco permits guests to smoke on the patio and is known as one of the top 420-friendly stays in the city.

 Cannabis Lounges: Particularly in California, you can find several atmospheric spots for socializing and smoking weed freely in style. Some locations even offer food, so you can consume more than just cannabis in a lively, relaxing space serving tasty options ranging from casual bar fare to elegant dining experiences.

 Cannabis Buses: Taking a cannabis bus tour is also a great way to explore a variety of local sights. These buses allow passengers to consume cannabis while on the road taking in the attractions and scenery around town without having to worry about the legal consequences of smoking cannabis in public spaces.

 As one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis in 2012, the State of Washington has been historically at the forefront of the cannabis movement. In Seattle, the state’s largest and most populated urban hotspot, cannabis culture has thrived among the city’s abundant dispensary offerings and progressive local attitudes toward cannabis use. Taking time to explore Seattle and its surrounding areas gives your West Coast excursion an easy start without timelines or extended drives to worry about as you prepare for the road ahead.

 There are many ways to spend one short day in the Emerald City, but it seems obligatory to first pay a visit to Seattle’s famous Space Needle. Proceed from this landmark and head toward the city’s historic Pike Place Market. On your way to the famed public market, you will find a few opportunities to make the first cannabis pit stop on your West Coast weed tour. But before you hit the local shops, here’s a hot tip: Washington accepts medical cannabis cards from out of state, so if you or any of your fellow travelers are medical marijuana patients, you can receive an exemption from cannabis sales tax in the State of Washington, where recreational cannabis comes with a heavy 37%, sales tax, the highest amount in the nation.

 In the neighborhood of Belltown, there are two enticing dispensaries to look out for. One of your options will be the Lux Pot Shop, where local art meets local craft cannabis. The location stocks a selection of quality products from Washington’s most experienced and sustainable growers, offering cannabis tourists like you a taste of the region’s premier bud. Make sure to check out the dispensary’s adjoining pop-up/activation space featuring independent local artisans and artists for a unique cultural experience. Also along the way, you can find the flashier Have a Heart dispensary. With a distinctively wacky aesthetic, the cannabis retail shop boasts a selection of top-notch regional weed. Given so many enticing options, it is tempting to buy up a sampler of various locally-grown eighths but keep in mind that you will be crossing state borders tomorrow, so don’t buy more than you can consume if you want to avoid breaking the law.

 Now, you’re ready to immerse yourself in the bustling activity and diverse offerings at Pike Place Market. Explore and take in the spectacle with your road trip crew while flying high on Washington’s best weed, and there are sure to be good times and laughs all around. With museums, underground tours, shops, and amazing food options abound, there is a lot to see and do around the Seattle area, and you may decide to just move with the rhythm of the city’s busy pace and wander for a while. Seattle’s final must-see destination to enjoy after digging into your cannabis treats is Kerry Park, where you can gaze out at the city’s iconic skyline from a distance and get lost in deep thought.

 Have a leisurely morning in Seattle to go over any last-minute sights you missed, and perhaps stop in one of the city’s (non-Starbucks) coffee stops. If you’re in a spooky mood, go searching for Ghost Alley Espresso underneath the main entrance to Pike Place Market. People know the tiny shop for its unique artisanal shaken espresso drinks and its resident ghost. Or, if you’re too creeped out by haunted coffee, you can tryMoore Coffee Shop instead, which is known for serving drinks topped with incredible foam art creations featuring cute animals.

 Now the journey continues onward to Oregon, a state with a deep-rooted history of progressive drug policy and a thriving market for small-batch craft cannabis. Oregon has been a leading pioneer in the world of cannabis advocacy for decades, standing out as one of the first US states to decriminalize cannabis possession back in the 1970s and emerging as one of the earliest states to legalize recreational use, after Colorado and Washington, in 2014. So, say farewell to Seattle and the rest of the Evergreen State as you make the relatively light drive of around 3 hours to the State of Oregon’s largest and most famous city, Portland.

 As a city renowned for its progressive culture, vibrant social atmosphere, plus a population of health-conscious and ecologically-minded individuals, Portland has naturally become a prime destination for cannabis lovers, and it isn’t afraid to flaunt this fact. Visit today’s official Travel Portland website, and you will find welcoming guides for cannabis tourists providing legal information and sightseeing recommendations for cannabis-friendly attractions around the area.

 With Portland boasting an active arts scene, eclectic culinary offerings, scenic gardens, and over 150 cannabis dispensaries, narrowing down a to-do list in the Rose City can seem like a thorny decision-making process, which is why it might be a great idea to kick off your Portland experience with a guided tour on a cannabis-friendly bus. The Potlandia Experience Marijuana Tour will take you and your fellow road trip groupies on a rock n’ roll-themed ride around Portland in a dope 12-seater, green and purple consumption bus. Yes, you can smoke weed on the bus! As your designated bus driver takes you on a 420 adventure to dispensaries and some iconic Portland stops, you can enjoy an overview of the exciting variety offered by the weed-positive city while also partaking freely in your cannabis acquisitions.