Based On The Number Of Dispensaries, Weed Prices, Hiking Trails & More, These Are The Best US Cannabis Cities

This little, yet complex and powerful green plant is getting more widely accepted thanks to destigmatization efforts from experts, scientists, patients and enthusiasts. New research from Real Estate Witch and Leafly reveals that as many as 31% of Americans would rather use cannabis than drink alcohol.

 As the acceptance grows, the question remains – what are the best weed cities in the nation?

To find the answer an online publication owned by Clever Real Estate teamed up with a popular online cannabis discovery marketplace and used multiple parameters. Measures helping to determine what are the best cities in the U.S. for cannabis lovers, included: the legality of marijuana, google trends, number of dispensaries per 100,000 residents, number of cannabis-prescribing doctors per 100,000 residents, average dispensaries ratings, site visitors to Leafly, number of head shops, concert venues, weed prices, number of fast food restaurants and movie theaters per 100,000 residents and local hiking trails.

Based on all the above, the best weed cities in America are:

1. Denver, Colorado 
2. Portland, Oregon
3. Las Vegas, Nevada 
4. Buffalo, New York
5. Baltimore, Maryland
6. Phoenix, Arizona 
7. Seattle, Washington 
8. Sacramento, California
9. Kansas City, Missouri 
10. Providence, Rhode Island 

“It’s no surprise to see Denver at the top of the best weed cities in America,” Leafly senior editor David Downs said. “They were the first to legalize and have the most mature and advanced cannabis economy of any jurisdiction on the planet. Every city has a robust population of cannabis users, but not every city is reaping the benefits of licensed, taxed, and regulated legal cannabis.”

Denver has the third-highest number of dispensaries per capita (10.4 per 100,000 residents) with an impressive average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 on Leafly. Cannabis is also affordable in Denver, with an ounce costing just $242, making it the fourth-most affordable city for weed based on the price-to-income ratio.

Growing Support For Legalization 

Furthermore, the research also revealed a whopping 3 in 4 respondents (74%) have no negative views toward marijuana users and 62% have tried it themselves. Just like previous Gallup surveys have already confirmed, this research also shows a strong support for cannabis legalization with 55% of respondents being in favor of recreational use, versus 23% against and 22% undecided. 

Marijuana destigmatization, reform support and ongoing trends are three of many important topics that will be discussed by industry experts at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference next week.

Worst Cities 

Using the same parameters, the research concluded worst cities for cannabis in the nation are: 

1. Louisville, KY 
2. Dallas, TX
3. Atlanta, GA
4. Houston, TX
5. Birmingham, AL
6. Nashville, TN
7. Charlotte, NC
8. Milwaukee, WI
9. Memphis, TN
10. Indianapolis, IN

Louisville ranks last due to high prices and its illegal status. With just 0.1 cannabis retailers per 100,000 residents and an ounce costing a whopping $350, it’s the fourth-most expensive city for weed based on price-to-income ratio.

See Also: 10 Best States For Cannabis Businesses Ranked By Legal Experts, The Winner Will Surprise You

Leafly’s CCO Carlos Pinto will also take part in the biggest cannabis event in the world, as moderator at the panel Emerging CPG Trends: The Road To Big-Box Retail. Come, learn from, and meet with the industry experts like Pinto and many others at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in a new venue in Hollywood, on April 16 and 17, 2024. The two-day event at The Diplomat Beach Resort will be a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world. Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!

Photo: Courtesy of Handatko via Shutterstock