Dispensary tours are quickly becoming the new brewery tour, giving curious travelers a structured way to explore legal cannabis culture while still enjoying that group-excursion, hop-on-the-bus vibe. Instead of hopping between taprooms, guests now ride between dispensaries, grow operations, and cannabis lounges—often with a knowledgeable guide leading the way.
Industry researchers estimated the global cannabis tourism market would be at roughly $10.2 billion by 2023, with projections surpassing $23 billion by 2030, reflecting strong annual growth driven by experiential travel. Just like craft beer once transformed dusty brewery backrooms into must-do tours, cannabis is now reshaping travel itineraries in legal states and countries.
A modern dispensary tour usually looks a lot like a brewery coach tour: guests meet at a central point, board a bus or limo, and visit several stops over a few hours. In cities such as Las Vegas, operators blend VIP visits to flagship dispensaries and cultivation facilities with behind-the-glass views of edibles kitchens and time at a cannabis lounge or tasting room. Some even pair “buds and brews,” ending the route at a local craft brewery so visitors can sip a beer after learning about terpenes.
Beyond the fun, tourism boards and economists see real impact. Colorado’s experience after legalization showed that out-of-state visitors accounted for a significant share of retail marijuana sales, especially in mountain resort communities, supporting hotels, restaurants, and attractions statewide. Studies of hotel occupancy and tax revenues in Colorado and Washington suggest that legalization—and the tourism it attracts—can drive measurable boosts in lodging demand and visitor spending.
For travelers, dispensary tours also solve a key challenge: how to explore cannabis legally and safely in a destination where rules can be confusing. In Colorado, for example, state guidance emphasizes that cannabis consumption is limited to private spaces or licensed hospitality businesses, prompting visitors to seek out structured experiences rather than guess about where to partake. On a guided tour, hosts typically cover local possession limits, consumption laws, and safe-use basics before anyone shops or samples.
The educational element mirrors a good brewery tour. Instead of talking about IBUs and yeast strains, guides explain cannabinoids, terpene profiles, and the differences between flower, vapes, and edibles. In Nevada, dispensaries have begun highlighting how cannabis culture ties into the state’s broader nightlife and outdoor recreation scene, positioning tours as a way to understand both the plant and the local lifestyle.
Travelers choosing a dispensary tour are encouraged to look for operators that emphasize compliance and education, not just party marketing. Reputable tours partner with licensed dispensaries, use professional drivers, and give clear guidance about what guests can and cannot do once the ride ends—especially around public consumption and crossing borders with products.
With more destinations legalizing adult-use cannabis and hospitality companies experimenting with cannabis-friendly offerings, analysts expect dispensary tours to become as common on travel bucket lists as brewery tours and wine tastings. For visitors, they offer a curated way to experience a new facet of local culture—one guided stop at a time.