Spring and summer are just around the corner—and so are the best times to buy your tickets to escape the US for a bit. But where in the world should a stoner go?

The answer: Barcelona, Spain; Berlin, Germany; Bangkok, Thailand, venerable Amsterdam, and even Slovenia, or Prague.

International Cannabis Business Conference director Alex Rogers runs down the latest weed travel news with Leafly Senior editor David Downs in this video below. The surprise star of 2025 is once-restrictive Germany, he said.

Spark one in Berlin

Rogers produces canna-biz conferences in Barcelona March 13, and Berlin April 29 and 30th. https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/best-weed-friendly-travel-2025 He said Berlin now has smoking spots like Barcelona.

“I know a lot of people that are making social lounges in Berlin—party spots where people come and it’s just a weed party. You smoke your weed and have no problems at all,” he said. “So, it feels very accessible in Berlin. It already did. And now it feels like it’s just completely all out, 100% fully legalized.”

Blaze in Barcelona

Barcelona remains epic—just watch out for police in public.

“Barcelona has some great weed. I ain’t gonna lie. Or the hash, it’s all absolutely magical.”

However, “You definitely don’t want to be smoking weed on the street when the cops are around.”

See Slovenia

Rogers says: “It is an extremely open city for cannabis. So Prague’s wide open, too.”

“It’s very progressive for weed in general in the Czech Republic.”

Rogers recommends early to late spring or early fall for the optimal European trip mixing fair weather and fewer crowds.

Roll up in Thailand

Despite some murmurs of walking back cannabis reform in Thailand, the country appears to be welcoming once again this year.

“There’s shops everywhere with THC cannabis. And so I think things are wide open again in Thailand. And the weather’s nice.”

Where in the world do you want to blaze in 2025? Leave a comment below. 

World War II Air Force veteran Major Richard Olson never discussed his military service with his son, Dick Olson.

“I didn’t have all that much time to be asking these questions while he was at home,” Dick, a Westminster resident, told the Denver Post in an interview. “He was a distant father, and I imagine a lot of that came from what happened to him during the war and in service.”

After Richard died, Dick turned to military archives, old photos and interviews with the surviving members of his father’s B-24 Liberator airplane crew to learn about the veteran’s journey. Through his research, Dick discovered that his father, despite being seriously injured in a plane crash before enduring months as a prisoner of war, had never received a Purple Heart.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

The global cannabis liberation movement took several steps forward this 4/20 with German cannabis legalization. But the specifics look like baby steps up close. 

German smokers and tourists can partake of a more legal relaxed atmosphere that began April 1 countrywide. The country’s leaders have all but stopped adjudicating people for benign cannabis use or possession. But don’t expect stores, or smoky clubs any time soon. Instead, get ready to get cannabis covered by your insurance.

Read along for some takeaways from the first days of German legalization—fresh from the International Cannabis Business Conference.

Watch an Instagram Reel from ICBC Germany

1) German legalization isn’t as liberal as legalization in the States.

“Certainly, there’s excitement about German ‘legalization.’ I put it in air quotes, because many don’t believe it’s full legalization because there is no market set up for consumers to purchase cannabis,” said Leafly CEO Yoko Miyashita, who keynoted the first day of the event April 16.

Locals describe “decrimin plus.” You can grow 3 plants at home and social clubs will start, but they’ll be pretty tame at first—no smoking together.

Dream on, Germany

How to order weed delivery online with Leafly

2) Medical cannabis just won, big-time.

In the two weeks since legalization, the volume of requests for cannabis prescriptions has increased significantly. As stigma falls, patients come out of hiding for their safe and effective botanical drug.

“Medical will be big in Germany,” said Miyashita. “What Germany has going is that ‘medical’ truly means it’s part of the healthcare system, with reimbursement from insurance and distribution through the pharmacies. Doctors will be able to prescribe this broadly.”

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Patients report the compounds in cannabis can help with a variety of conditions.

3) The consumer knowledge gap is real.

Plenty of older folks still think weed is dangerous. Germany is going to be at Day One for questions like ‘What is THC?’, when do edibles kick in?, what’s one ‘dose’ of weed?, ‘what can I use this for?’, and the differences between eating versus vaping.

“I would reiterate the continuous need for educating consumers!” said Miyashita.

4) Germany is the domino

As the economic powerhouse of Europe, German decriminalization will trigger changes in neighboring states and countries. Germany is the heavyweight of the European Union—which has similarities to the United States’ federal government. 

Like New Yorkers going to New Jersey (but legal!), the EU allows frictionless movement between member states, and with it, cultural change. The Czech Republic, for example, has reforms planned.

5) Expect many more details to emerge from the haze

More regulations will come down this summer, promising local restrictions regulations for social growing clubs and flavors of decriminalization. Berlin could see a cannabis golden age. The south of Germany might move slower.

Bottom line: Germany just became a safe spot for pot in Europe

Time to visit their beer fests, and reggae festivals, and sightsee Germany’s multi-thousand-year history—it’s safe for stoners to touchdown in Deutschland. Link up with your peers, and keep the flame of cannabis culture lit. 

For more, listen to our interview with ICBC director and European local Alex Rogers

Also check out more basics of German legalization