Check out Brian Applegarth's latest issue of Cannabis Travel Weekly, republished here with his permission.
AMSTERDAM, NL - Destination Leadership Reimagines Red Light District to Improve Resident Quality of Life
Summary: “Residents of the old town suffer a lot from mass tourism and alcohol and drug abuse in the streets”, the City Council said in a statement. Under the new regulations, the sale of alcohol from shops, liquor stores, and cafes in the red light district will be illegal from Thursday to Sunday after 4 PM. After 1 AM, the old city center will be closed off to new visitors. The inhabitants have long complained about the disruption created by late-night partying and drug use, and these steps are intended to improve the livability of the area for those people. After the rules take effect in the middle of May, it will be against the law to consume cannabis in public places, and sex workers will be required to close their establishments at 3:00 AM. #destinationstewardship#destinationmanagementDestinations InternationalI amsterdam
Travel Commentary: Put cannabis and hemp aside for a moment. This story doubles as a case study that is directly related to 'destination stewardship in the visitor economy'. Amsterdam's destination leadership came together to identify visitor ecosystem related issues that needed to be addressed. Over-tourism, loud drunk people, smoke odors (including cannabis), and the red light district operating hours created an unbalanced environment that negatively impacted livability for residents. How to improve and maintain livability for residents? What a worthy question to ask and think on often for any destination leader. We also learn here with this story that headlines can be clever and sensationalize certain parts of a greater story. This headline here demonizes 'smoking' - which layers stigma onto anything 'smoking' like cigarettes, cannabis, cigars, and vaporization. I look forward to the day when Amsterdam evolves the visitor ecosystem to include non-halation wellness experiences, food and beverage activities, and cannabis effect pairing itineraries with arts and culture. #effectpairing#theganjatraveler @theganjatraveler
OAKLAND, CA - Visit Oakland Creates a Cannabis Trail to Attract and Serve The Rapidly Growing Cannabis Travel Audience
Summary: Rooted in culturally significant history and powered by decades of steadfast activism, Oakland’s cannabis scene is alive and well. Vibrant, fun and inclusive, Oakland is loaded with unique retail and destination experiences for the cannasseur and canna-curious alike. The Oakland Cannabis Trail, developed by Visit Oakland in collaboration with cannabis travel enthusiasts and Oakland’s leading retailers, offers a curated, immersive trip through our amazing neighborhoods. Points of interest include premium cannabis retail shops and their recommended food spots, plus sensory attractions covering art, nature, and cultural experiences. Plan your DIY journey with our Cannabis Trail Map, directory, and events calendar as your guide. Before you begin your journey, be sure to read this How-To Guide for The Ganja Traveler's perspective on how to navigate the trail.
Article: Oakland Cannabis Trail
Travel Lens Commentary: As of May 2022, research revealed that the cannabis travel audience in the United States had grown by 8% to approximately 30 million Americans. CBD-rich products, cannabis beverages, and infused spa topicals have widened the audience reach into mainstream travel discussions. The cannabis-interested travel audience is vast and nuanced, and reaches from the canna-curious to and cannabis connoisseur. The Visit Oakland Cannabis Trail is an example of a destination evolving to meet the moment. Oakland, California has a deep and rich history with cannabis legalization, the war on drugs, and human rights. Today, these destination stories offer experience-rich itineraries that differentiate the destination. With the 4/20 cannabis holiday coming up, Oakland will surely be a California destination that welcomes visitors for a dedicated cannabis experience that goes above and beyond a simple transaction. Visit OaklandCalifornia Travel Association
JAPAN - Medical Legalization is a Step Forward for Re-Normalizing Cannabis in Japanese Culture
Summary: In countries including the United States and Britain, medicine made from cannabis plants is used to treat patients with intractable epilepsy and other diseases for which existing drugs are ineffective. Cannabis plants contain a substance that has an intoxicating effect, which is one of the reasons why the use of marijuana in medicine is prohibited in Japan. The proposed revision would enable patients to use drugs made from cannabis plants. The government is poised to allow the use of medical marijuana to treat patients with intractable diseases. #medicalcannabistravel#medicaltravel#patientaccess#deia
Travel Lens Commentary: Like India and China - cannabis has a longstanding history in Japan. The first record of cannabis dates back to 200 B.C. pottery artifacts found in Fukui Prefecture, just north of Kyoto. The pottery discovered housed cannabis seeds and fibers. The Shinto religion recognized the cannabis plant for its cleansing powers. Ceremonial grade green tea, an agricultural crop, exists today. Will cannabis, also a sacrament, evolve to support ritual and ceremony like Green Tea? Historians believe that Japanese burned cannabis to welcome back the spirits of dead ancestors. Japanese cannabis historian Takayasu explains, “Cannabis farming used to be a year-round cycle. The seeds were planted in spring then harvested in the summer. Following this, the stalks were dried, then soaked and turned into fiber. Throughout the winter, these were then woven into cloth and made into clothes ready to wear for the next planting season.” #culturalhertiage#cannabisceremonyCannabis Travel Association International
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