The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered travel patterns internationally, and the Balkan nation was no exception. Prior to 2020, cannabis tourism in Croatia was a rising yet specialized segment, drawing visitors from countries where cannabis remains illegal. Many came for the country’s ambiguous regulatory stance of cannabis laws, notably in seaside towns where home-based herb use were commonly accepted. Tourists often mixed sunbathing with herb use, visiting unofficial cannabis shops or joining underground meetups.

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, international travel came to a near standstill. Croatia closed its borders to most foreign visitors, and stay-at-home orders curbed mobility. Cannabis tourism, which relied heavily on foreign travelers, suffered a sharp decline. Dispensaries that built their business around travelers saw a devastating financial loss, and some were forced to close permanently. Local operators who had invested in cannabis-friendly accommodations or offered guided tours lost their primary customer base overnight.

The sudden lack of visitors also affected the social and cultural aspects of cannabis tourism. Events like cannabis-themed workshops, mindfulness retreats featuring hemp extracts, and guided nature walks centered around plant awareness were postponed indefinitely. These activities had built strong social bonds among visitors and locals alike, and their loss left a void in the local cannabis culture.

As restrictions eased post-2020, Croatia’s tourism industry gradually recovered, but cannabis tourism lagged behind significantly. Travelers remained risk-averse, and numerous nations reinforced anti-cannabis policies, making international visitors less likely to seek out destinations where cannabis was not fully legal. Additionally, Croatia’s government initiated a policy review of cannabis laws, with targeted enforcement against gray-market vendors and a legislative moves to standardize therapeutic access, which inadvertently made the environment less welcoming.

Certain forward-thinking operators shifted focus by building a homegrown clientele and offering CBD products to health-conscious locals, the ambition to lead Europe’s cannabis travel scene was put on hold. The pandemic exposed the fragility of tourism models built on gray-market operations. Moving forward, any resurgence of weed legality map-focused tourism will likely depend on definitive legal frameworks, informed community outreach, and a more sustainable approach that integrates travel with lawful oversight.