From Tasting the OG Boston Cream Pie to Throwing Fake Tea into the Charles, Here’s a No Bullshit Review from Epibud on Cannabis Tourism in Boston
On December 15, 2016, the voters of Massachusetts decided to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. This was the beginning of legal cannabis tourism in Boston. When you’re here and tour its historic landmarks, one can’t help but think how that vote must of had a bit of a patriotic feel to it here, given the city’s historic place in the birth of America.
In 2023, the City of Boston announced it had surpassed $4 billion in cannabis sales. States where cannabis is legal have generated over $10 billion in tax revenue since legal marijuana sales started in 2014. Boston is not alone in that cannabis tax revenue exceeds alcohol tax revenue in the tens of millions of dollars.
We traveled to Boston over the Thanksgiving holiday this past November. For our international friends, Boston is located in the Northeastern state of Massachusetts and allows recreational cannabis as well as medical cannabis.
Carved Turkey and Hot Fudge Sundaes, Oh My
We hit the Delta Sky Club before departure. Delta had a nice Thanksgiving spread for those traveling on the holiday. They even came around with a sundae cart offering hot fudge sundaes made to order. Paired with an adult beverage from the bar, we were quite happy and full when we boarded the plane to Boston.
Arriving around 5pm Thanksgiving Day, the weather was, let’s call it “crisp,” about 40ºF (4ºC) with a light wind making it feel a bit colder. Not quite as cold as a witch’s tit, but definitely bearable for walking around the city.
After a quick Uber from Logan International Airport, we checked in to the Intercontinental, with a great view of the Seaport area of Boston. It felt so festive seeing the string lights down at “The Holiday Market at Snowport,” which features over 150 vendors and a Christmas tree lot, although in all honesty we skipped it. But it looked beautiful from afar.
From the fifth floor we watched people at the Boston Tea Party museum toss fake crates of tea into the Charle River. After the museum guests left, the workers would come out and pull the crates back onto the ship as they were attached via rope, making the whole thing seem a little ridiculous. When we found out it cost $40 for this experience, it brought it to a whole other level of insane. Paying $40 to toss a box – attached to a rope – into the water. Not sure it feels quite the same without the tyranny towards taxation.
The Freedom Trail and The Cannabist
The following day was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and lots of people were out and about. On our walking tour of the Freedom Trail we crossed Boston Commons, a large park. More than once we could smell the odor of cannabis as someone waked or rode past on their bicycle. This happened probably a dozen times over the 3 days we visited.
The punishment for public consumption of cannabis in Boston is a $100 fine, so if you vape or light up in public, that’s the risk you are taking. Under the law you are allowed to have up to one ounce of cannabis in your possession while in public, with 5 grams allowed as a concentrate.
Under the state law, you can’t consume marijuana of any kind in any public place. Violations can carry a civil penalty of up to $100.
From Boston.gov
We happened across a Cannabist dispensary just around the corner from the Old South Meeting Hall. We had a great experience. Friendly security personnel checked our state-issued ID at two separate checkpoints before we entered the store area. There were 2 lines, one for recreational, one for medical. The bud tender was very friendly and knowledgeable of the strains. Since we were in a hotel we opted for a disposable cartridge pen modality to keep the smell to a minimum.
The Cannabist offers separate menus for what they call “adult-use” or recreational, and medical use. This is expected and shows how much the Cannabist understands the different needs and use cases.
Checkout was easy using cash or debit, and we were in and out within 10-15 minutes. The store itself was clean and well presented. The Cannabist chain of dispensaries is spread across 11 states, with larger presences found in Florida, Virginia and West Virginia. Check out their full list of locations here.
We went with the Fernway disposable traveler in the Tahoe Indica strain. The packaging was well designed with a premium feel to the touch, like an iPhone box-like material. The product was well secured in the packaging. The vape pen itself was well designed and very sleek looking. It being more flat than round made it feel more comfortable when using.
The bud tender made it a point to tell us how Fernway’s disposables heat differently and thus provide a better experience. He was not wrong, the Fernway’s effects were felt within 5 minutes of use. We continued our walking tour of the Freedom trail with a smile, feeling relaxed and happy.
Walking from the Intercontinental to the North End was about a 15 minute walk through the park that was constructed over the top of The Big Dig. It’s a meandering greenbelt appointed with trees, some barren and some still clinging to autumn.The perfect place to walk and vape without disturbing anyone.
The OG Boston Cream Pie – Worth It?
We stopped by the Omni Parker House, one of the oldest hotels in the city as well as the home of the Original Boston Creme Pie. We couldn’t stop in for lunch without trying the pie, that’d be a travesty.
We lunched in the well-appointed Parker’s Restaurant, complete with carved wood and lit coffered ceilings adorned with sparkling chandeliers. The restaurant itself was near empty however the food was delicious. The famous Boston Cream Pie was ok, not insanely good. It was dry and crumbly and cold, and indication it could have been made a day prior and refrigerated. It wasn’t terrible, but also not amazing. We enjoyed our Boston Creme donuts from Dunkin’ more so. Ouch.
The North End and Quincy Market were decorated for Christmas. There was a fantastic holiday vibe in the chilled Boston air. We hadn’t been to Boston in probably ten years. Quincy Market felt a bit smaller for some reason than it was in our memories. Still bustling and charming with a ton of great food options. Still the same touristy merchant carts selling “Pahk the Cah” apparel.
The North End was bustling with people, especially at Mike’s or Modern Pastry bakeries. Be sure to stop in for a freshly made cannoli – so good. A quick stroll down a side street offered the cover necessary for a quick hit from the Fernway Tahoe disposable vape.
Cannabis Tourism in Boston – Final Thoughts
Boston is a great city to visit with so much history, excellent food and hotels, and lots to do and see. If you’re like us and looking for that upscale, luxury experience, Boston does not disappoint. Fine dining and luxury hotel options abound, as well as luxury travel options with the city by either black car or limousine.
Cannabis tourism in Boston is alive and well. There are numerous dispensaries catering to recreational users in safe neighborhoods within the city. Their selection is excellent with an abundance of flower, vape and concentrate modalities.
Walking around the city gave evidence to public consumption wherever we went. It wasn’t prevalent, but we’d pick up the cannabis aroma a couple times an hour, giving each other that knowing smile or nod.
We had a great 3 days in Beantown. Had it been spring or summer we would have taken in a ballgame, making it even better. Boston was dressed for the Holidays however, and we weren’t complaining one bit. We actually recommend it over a trip to Manhattan. Read the No Bullshit Epibud Review of Cannabis Tourism in Manhattan to find out why. Until next time – E.
