California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine voters on Tuesday passed initiatives
making it legal to possess marijuana for recreational use, opening the door for
marijuana tourism.
California’s Proposition 64 was supported by 56% of the
state’s voters, while Nevada’s Question 2 passed with 54% approval. In Massachusetts, 54% of voters supported the ballot question, and in Maine it barely passed. The laws
will allow people 21 and over to possess limited amounts of marijuana for
recreational purposes.
With California and Las Vegas attracting more than 200
million and 42 million leisure trips a year, respectively, the laws’ passage
creates an opportunity for both states to generate tax revenue from marijuana
sales and for entrepreneurs to engage in marijuana-driven tourism.
Colorado and Washington state became the first two states to
legalize recreational marijuana use in 2012, while Alaska, Oregon and
Washington, D.C., did the same in 2014.
Marijuana-themed tours and hotels have been established in
Colorado and Washington state.
TravelNevada spokeswoman Chris Moran said Wednesday that
TravelNevada’s approach to marijuana tourism is “one of observation and
review.” Representatives from California’s and Massachusetts’ state tourism
bureaus did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.