Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer original ideas into a potential future cannabis industry in the UK. This paper presents novel approaches regarding the potential existence of cannabis for the tourism industry. It presents an idea in which the UK Government could produce, distribute and control the industry. The proposed idea presents a scheme in which the UK could encourage regional tourism (inclusive to domestic and international travellers) through a controlled but innovative cannabis market scheme. This paper presents a future scenario aiming to encourage dialogue and critique, at a time when attitudes to cannabis are changing. Design/methodology/approach This research takes a scenario narrative approach in presenting and exploring a potential future cannabis market in the UK. The importance of narrative writing as a method is recognised by Lindgren and Bandhold (2009), who identify the significance in telling a story to the reader. Taking a pragmatic approach, embracing diverse philosophical methods, this research explores past and current trends via a mixture of secondary data sources to create and present a scenario narrative of the future. Findings This paper identified that trends in legalising cannabis for cultivation, medical and recreational purposes continue to become more liberal globally. However, cannabis laws mainly focus on the use for residents. Consequently, domestic tourism markets have the potential to grow. However, there is limited consideration regarding the potential for international tourism cannabis markets. Thus, the findings of this research are based on the potential for the UK to implement and promote a cannabis industry for international travellers. Originality/value This paper offers original ideas in exploring a future cannabis market in the UK, one where regional tourism is considered. The paper presents a novel approach that encourages domestic and international tourists to engage with the cannabis industry by navigating a well-managed, local approach to supplying cannabis in the UK.
Highlights
Rise and shine its marijuana time! Across the western world, attitudes towards cannabis are changing
Does legalising cannabis offer new possibilities for UK tourism? This paper explores the future potential of a UK cannabis tourism market, in the form of a scenario
The aim of this paper was to present a narrative scenario of a future UK tourism cannabis industry
Summary
Rise and shine its marijuana time! Across the western world, attitudes towards cannabis are changing. There has been a growing willingness amongst various political parties and their advisors to allow the use of cannabis for medical purposes, and for some countries the legalisation for personal, recreational use. In the USA, the recreational use of cannabis remains illegal under federal law for any purpose, by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. In Uruguay and the USA international purchase and consumption of cannabis remains illegal, whilst Canada who in 2018 legalised cannabis will allow provinces to make their own state laws regarding tourist consumption (at the time of writing, there was limited information available regarding the position taken across the country). In Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a popular cannabis tourism destination, cannabis remains illegal, but the cannabis market continues to be a pull for domestic and international tourists. Evidence across the globe highlights that tourist travel purposely to destinations to consumer cannabis, this paper considers cannabis’ what approach could the UK tourism market apply towards cannabis
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