As state officials crunch numbers to determine the legitimacy of marijuana tourism, we found proof of tourists’ cannabis curiosity on the streets of Steamboat Springs, Colo. — a popular mountain resort in the Rocky Mountains.
As we walked the ever-scenic streets of Steamboat earlier this week, we noticed something in the touristy souvenir shops that we’d never seen on previous trips here: T-shirts, cups, hats, magnets, ashtrays, stickers and cold-weather gear branded with Colorado marijuana.
Toking tourism, indeed.
“There are definitely people asking for this kind of merchandise,” Joe Kboudi, who was working at the River Blue souvenir shop earlier this week, told The Cannabist on Tuesday, referencing a slickly produced green cross sticker on the store’s shelves. “Tourists like this merchandise, and they’re also always coming in here asking where the (recreational) pot shops are at.”
A study released earlier this month found that out-of-state visitors make up nearly half of recreational marijuana sales in the Denver area — and 90 percent of recreational sales in mountain resort communities. Of the state’s estimated demand for marijuana — 130.3 metric tons, according to the study — tourists account for only about 7 percent.
Marijuana tourism is real, folks. And if you don’t believe me have a look at these 20 marijuana-themed souvenirs from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado:
1. The wake-and-bake sticker:
2. The hoodie:
3. The hat:
4. The funny sticker:
5. The ugly shot glass:
6. The state flag T-shirt:
7. The logo sticker:
8. The ashtray:
9. The coaster:
10. The pot-leaf sunglasses:
