Best Places for Stoners to Live: 5 Cannabis-Friendly Cities

Americans love cannabis. This is clear as cannabis friendly states make up nearly half of the United States. According to Politico, one in three Americans live where recreational marijuana is legal. This isn’t the only data pointing to America’s approval of cannabis – it appears marijuana legalization actually increases home prices. A new cannabis study published by Marijuana Moment noted that between April 2017 and April 2021, property values rose $17,113 more in cannabis friendly states where recreational marijuana is legal, compared to states where marijuana is illegal or medical only. More and more people are asking: where exactly are the best places for stoners to live? Depends who you ask! We looked at some of the newer and exciting cannabis markets and came up with a list of five cities in some of the best states for weed that are worthy of establishing roots.

1. Las Vegas

Sin City is famous for its glitz, glamor and tawdry pastimes, but it’s also a major city with a fully legal, recreational cannabis market. Better yet, Las Vegas has a relatively low cost of living compared to other West Coast cities, and its year round mild climate, truly great food and nightlife scenes are all the more reason to enjoy living in this vibrant desert city.

It’s safe to say you could spend more than a few hours exploring the Las Vegas cannabis scene. There are more than 50 dispensaries in Vegas, including the largest in the world, Planet 13, and a growing number of lounges, making it a fabulous destination to smoke cannabis. If you’re planning on getting a job in the industry, there are more than enough options for employment here. If you’d rather just enjoy the cannabis scene as a consumer, you’ll have tons to experience in one of the Entertainment Capitals of the World.

2. San Francisco

This Northern California, Bay Area gem is one of the most desirable cities to live in America. It has a booming economy, year-round great weather, a world-renowned food scene and tons of opportunities to stay active outdoors. The surrounding suburbs are some of the most quaint and beautiful in all of California, and it goes without saying that it’s a major cannabis hub in America.

The beginnings of the cannabis legalization movement started here in the 1960s and continued through the 1990s, when advocates were able to successfully enact Compassionate Care in the state of California. The city has 42 dispensaries, all ready to be explored by you (hint, you may even find some new smoking accessories while you are there). It’s definitely one of the best cities for weed, the only catch is that it’s one of the most expensive cities in America. However, if you’re able to snag a good paying gig, the cost of living is the price you’ll pay for a truly “high” quality of life.

3. Boston

Known for its colonial architecture, history, ethnic strongholds and art scene, Boston is another city on the list for cannabis lovers to explore. Massachusetts legalized recreational cannabis in 2016 and since then, the state has been building a thriving cannabis market.

If you’re looking to move to a weed-friendly city on the East Coast, Boston is walkable, more affordable than New York, and offers tons of culture and perks. Explore its many small, picturesque seaside towns, or enjoy the city’s famous sports arenas. Massachusetts has nearly 400 licensed retailers, with many in the surrounding Boston Metro Area.

4. New York

The Big Apple is one of the newest additions to the legal recreational market in the best states for legal weed. With nearly 9 million residents, New York City is booming with arts, culture, community — and now with weed!

New York is one of the most expensive cities in America, but its world-renowned status makes it a continuously exciting place to live, explore, and smoke weed. There’s always something new and novel happening here, and that includes the cannabis scene. Visit one of its many underground cannabis clubs, or enjoy a joint while taking in the scenery at Central Park or while taking a stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge. If you’re looking to live in a weed-friendly, world-class, East Coast megalopolis, the City That Never Sleeps might be for you.

5. Chicago

As of January 1, 2020, Illinois legalized recreational cannabis after six years with a successful medical program. The Windy City is one of the best places for stoners to live because of its central location in the Midwest, with access to a major international airport, a booming economy, the arts and relatively affordable rents.

Chicagoland boasts nearly 20 recreational dispensaries with 50 more in the surrounding suburbs. There are tons of options for weed lovers here and lots of delicious treats to satiate your munchies and warm your soul on one of the city’s record-breaking winter days.

Best places for stoners to live

No matter which part of the country you prefer to live in, it’s apparent that more and more Americans are choosing to live in cities where recreational weed is fully legal. A study by real estate company Redfin reports that 46% of people who recently moved to a new metro area said they prefer to reside somewhere where weed is “fully legal,” and more than one in 10 respondents, roughly 12%, say they would only consider living in places where cannabis can be legally purchased. These staggering statistics tell us that cannabis is here to stay and the best states for weed have an advantage in attracting talent, business and more.

If you’re a weed lover still living in an illegal state, start your pros and cons list now. There are many truly great American cities to consider when choosing the best cannabis friendly state and city for you and yours. We’ll see you there.