"We believe Smiths Falls is the first community in Canada to develop a Cannabis Tourism Strategy. This is an important step in solidifying our role as a leader"

Smith Falls, ON, is taking advantage of its liberal city council and status as the home of Canadian licensed producer Canopy Growth Corporation, to become a premier cannabis tourist destination in the Great White North.

Earlier this week, the town presented a cannabis-related tourism strategy. Smith Falls is already a destination for Canadian weed lovers thanks in part to Canopy’s slick Visitor Centre, which provides enthusiasts with cannabis information, the history of the drug, and a good view of the company’s production rooms, located in the former Hershey’s chocolate factory.

“In other parts of the world where legalization has been introduced, cannabis tourism has injected hundreds of millions of dollars in direct and indirect revenue,” said Shawn Pankow, Mayor of Smiths Falls, in a press release. “We believe Smiths Falls is the first community in Canada to develop a Cannabis Tourism Strategy. This is an important step in solidifying our role as a leader.”

Earlier this year, Smith Falls created a Cannabis Tourism Committee that included industry members, local businesses, and tourism experts to combine forces and determine how best to get cannabis enthusiasts to visit and spend their money in the town.

Plans include an exploration of creating buildings from “hemp-crete” (hemp-based building material), potential participation in a Smart City challenge or competition, and developing a plan for cannabis retail and consumption across the town.

“We are proud to open our doors to tourists and visitors from around the world who are interested in learning more about cannabis”, said Mark Zekulin, CEO of Canopy Growth.

“When we moved into the former Hershey chocolate factory, it was always our dream to bring tourists back to Smiths Falls, and to pay homage to the history and heritage of the town. We have already welcomed more than 30,000 guests through the Visitor Centre, and look forward to welcoming even more,” Zekulin said.

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