Lessons From Writing a Book About US Weed

What consumers want & what newbies need.

The Broccoli Report
Friday, April 14, 2023
Time to read: About 9 minutes. Contains 1,971 words.

*My book, Green Scenes: A Guide to Legal Cannabis Destinations Across the US, is now available for purchase!*

Good morning!

So, I’ve been writing a book. It’s essentially a guide to the weed scenes in 15 legal states, comprising about 130 of the most interesting dispensaries, hemp-friendly spaces, and cannabis consumption-welcoming experiences and lodging in the country. Almost all are locally owned, and every single one is operated by people who care about the integrity of this plant, the positive disruptive potential of this industry, and the well-being of their employees. That was a non-negotiable requirement for me and the publisher (shout out Hardie Grant!). 

Over the course of my research, I learned about a lot of cool people and places; I learned how to pronounce “Worcester” correctly—shout out to Massachusetts’ Summit Lounge!—and I discovered a lot about what cannabis consumers are seeking in 2023, no matter the cost. And some of those insights fall beyond the scope of a coffee-table guide to legal scenes and vibes. Lucky for you, I am sharing them here. For today’s jumbo recap of things that didn’t make sense to include in the book, I’m starting by focusing on the state of cannabis experiences.

Are You Experienced? 

One of my passions as a cannabis consumer and advocate is the development of weed-friendly experiences. Yoga, while great, is not enough—I want to go to a drive-in theater where I can light up with friends, do stoned flower-arranging, and stroll through a sungrown cannabis plant topiary. So when I started researching my book, I was very excited to dig into what might be on offer out there in the wide world of weed.  

When I began looking at all the events I’d bookmarked over the past six months, I had a rude shock.