The global health crisis drastically transformed travel patterns worldwide, and Croatia was equally affected. In pre-pandemic years, cannabis tourism in Croatia was a niche but growing segment, attracting visitors from countries where cannabis remains illegal. Many came for the country’s lenient de facto tolerance of cannabis laws, particularly in coastal areas where home-based herb use were commonly accepted. Tourists often combined beach holidays with cannabis experiences, visiting unofficial cannabis shops or attending informal gatherings.

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, international travel came to a sudden collapse. Croatia restricted entry to non-residents, and lockdowns restricted movement within the country. Cannabis tourism, which depended almost entirely on international visitors, suffered a sharp decline. Dispensaries that depended on tourist revenue saw a devastating financial loss, and a number folded for good. Local operators who had developed weed legality map-friendly lodgings or ran cannabis excursions lost their primary customer base overnight.

The disappearance of international travelers also affected the community dynamics of cannabis tourism. Events like herb-focused learning sessions, mindfulness retreats featuring hemp extracts, and botanical excursions focused on cannabis were postponed indefinitely. These activities had helped foster a sense of community among tourists and residents, and their loss left a void in the local cannabis culture.

In the years following the initial lockdowns, Croatia’s tourism industry began to revive, but cannabis tourism lagged behind significantly. Travelers remained risk-averse, and global attitudes grew more conservative toward cannabis, making international visitors less willing to travel to where cannabis was in a legal gray zone. Additionally, Croatia’s government initiated a policy review of cannabis laws, with targeted enforcement against gray-market vendors and a efforts to legalize medical use, 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 vision of Croatia as a top cannabis destination was put on hold. The pandemic highlighted the risks of ambiguous regulation built on legal ambiguity. In the future, any revival of cannabis tourism in Croatia will likely depend on clearer legislation, stronger public education, and a balanced model that integrates travel with lawful oversight.