Pot Farms as Tourist Attraction in Northern California

Humbolt County has long been associated with growing marijuana, now some see an opportunity to turn that association into tourist dollars.

1 minute read

November 30, 2016, 10:00 AM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Marijuana

Soru Epotok / Shutterstock

Besides the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, the November 7th election also resulted in the historic passage of Proposition 64 in California, a proposition which legalized recreational marijuana use for personal consumption by growers. In the Golden State, it is already legal to use marijuana for medical purposes. Will Houston writes in The Cannifornian that some in Humboldt County, a region with a long history of producing marijuana, intend, "…to open a cannabis tourism business in the county, which has been able to expand in other weed-legal states like Colorado and Washington."

Some legal questions remain. "As the federal government views marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic, other local tourism agencies like the Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau are taking a watchful approach to the cannabis market," Houston reports. But that's not stopping local entrepenruer Matt Kurth from starting a business in cannabis tours. Houston writes, "the tours wouldn’t be limited to medical marijuana patients, Kurth said. If a tourist didn’t have a medical recommendation, they just couldn’t take any souvenirs."

Monday, November 28, 2016 in The Cannifornian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

Aerial view of flooding during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls

The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.

45 minutes ago - NC Newsline

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.