Where to travel 'n' toke in Canada this holiday season

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Oh, come all ye faithful. Canada, from east to west, has plenty of destinations ready to welcome travelling tokers over the holidays. Consider these favourites:

Chill out in the Haliburton Highlands

Photo: Sir Sam’s Inn

When the hysteria of the season has become too much, head for the tranquility of Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands. Go snowshoeing, dogsledding or downhill skiing around the wooded areas of Eagle Lake. Then bed down for the night at the luxurious Sir Sam’s Inn & Spa, Canada’s first openly cannabis-friendly resort. Book a room with a walkout balcony or patio, so you can step out for a puff, or take a toke anywhere outdoors on the property. Inside your suite, soak in an oversized spa tub or nibble on munchies next to a wood-burning fireplace. It’s an adult-only resort, so book a sitter and leave the kiddies behind.

Revel in B.C. bud legacy

They don’t call it Van-groovy for nothing. Vancouver, B.C., boasts North America’s least-expensive weed. To get a great overview of where to buy Christmas gifts for bud-loving pals, book a Weed and Wine Tour, combining visits of the city’s top dispensaries and wineries in nearby Langley. Hang out with friends over a cannabis-themed dinner courtesy of The Nomad Cook, aka Travis Petersen, a former MasterChef Canada contestant who hosts pop-up events throughout the year and caters private parties. Before heading home, plan a visit to the Downtown Eastside’s “pot block,” a cluster of dispensaries and hangouts like the popular New Amsterdam Café.

Maritime charm

Photo: The Green Room

Saint John, N.B., sits on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy. It’s a laidback city with a robust culinary scene and a casual vibe, ideal for a pre- or post-holiday getaway. Get to know the local 420 scene at The Green Room Lounge, a private BYOB lounge that supplies the essentials like e-nails, dab rigs and vapes, plus comfy couches and board games. When hunger hits, cab it to The Coop Bar & Grill and order a pile of chicken wings finished with cannabis oil–infused sauce. Check out the province’s take on legal weed sales at a Cannabis NB store. There are two local locations where you’ll find everything from seeds to single pre-rolled joints.

Urban cannabis crawl

As Canada’s biggest city, Toronto has plenty to offer bud lovers — also too much. A curated tour is a great way to hit the highlights. If you’re meeting up with pals over the holidays, opt for a luxe option: a three-hour guided vapour-lounge tour in a Hummer limousine for up to eight people, available through Canadian Kush Tours. Want a more hands-on experience? The company also offers classes on joint rolling and cooking with cannabis. Swing by Kensington Market for a smoke on the “potio” at the Hotbox Lounge and use the Christmas money from grandma to buy weed-themed clothing, books and accessories. Munchies will be satisfied at Cannabis & Coffee in the Entertainment District, a ganja-positive space offering specialty tea, coffee and bowls of sugary cereal (more than 60 types).

Rocky Mountain high

Moraine is a glacially fed lake in Banff. Photo: pxhere

Alberta has the highest number of legal pot providers in the country, with more than 300 licensed private outlets, making it an ideal holiday destination for cannabis fans. In Calgary, tokers can check out well-known sellers like Fire & Flower or Four20, which will soon sell edibles as phase two of legalization kicks in. Still not sure where to buy? Canada High Tours offers a one-hour dispensary tour. Once you’re well stocked, point yourself in the direction of the nearest ski resort or to Banff National Park where consuming cannabis is allowed and the highs are spectacular.

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