The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered travel patterns worldwide, and the Balkan nation was equally affected. Prior to 2020, cannabis tourism in Croatia was a niche but growing segment, drawing visitors from countries where cannabis remains illegal. Many came for the country’s ambiguous regulatory stance of cannabis laws, especially along the Adriatic coast where personal consumption and modest growing were tolerated. Tourists often combined beach holidays with cannabis experiences, visiting dispensaries that operated in legal gray areas or joining underground meetups.

As COVID-19 swept through in early 2020, international travel came to a sudden collapse. Croatia closed its borders to most foreign visitors, and curfews limited local travel. Cannabis tourism, which was fueled by overseas tourists, suffered a catastrophic drop. Dispensaries that built their business around travelers saw a plummeting income, and some were forced to close permanently. Local operators who had developed buying weed in norway-friendly lodgings or offered guided tours lost their primary customer base overnight.

The sudden lack of visitors also affected the community dynamics of cannabis tourism. Events like cannabis education seminars, CBD-infused wellness getaways, 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 eroded the grassroots scene.

As restrictions eased post-2020, Croatia’s tourism industry began to revive, but cannabis tourism did not recover at the same pace. Travelers remained hesitant, 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 created a colder climate for non-medical users.

While some local entrepreneurs adapted by building a homegrown clientele and offering CBD products to health-conscious locals, the vision of Croatia as a top cannabis destination was temporarily shelved. The pandemic revealed the instability of niche tourism built on gray-market operations. In the future, any resurgence of weed-focused tourism will likely depend on clearer legislation, widespread awareness campaigns, and a balanced model that balances tourism with responsible regulation.