As more travelers plan vacations around legal cannabis access, two destinations consistently rise to the top: Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Both cities are known for nightlife, beaches or desert glamour, and tourism-driven energy—but their cannabis environments differ in major ways. When comparing laws, retail access, consumption options, and visitor experiences, one city clearly stands out as the more cannabis-friendly destination.
Legal Landscape: Nevada Holds the Lead
Nevada legalized adult-use cannabis in 2017, giving Las Vegas nearly a decade to build a strong and stable market. The state’s Cannabis Compliance Board oversees a mature industry with clear licensing categories, detailed rules, and broad acceptance of cannabis within the tourism economy.
New Jersey legalized adult-use cannabis more recently in 2022, and Atlantic City is still developing its cannabis identity. The state maintains stricter rules on advertising, public consumption, delivery, and municipal zoning. Atlantic City has embraced the industry—but it remains a younger, more regulated market compared to Nevada.
Retail Access and Product Availability
Las Vegas has one of the highest concentrations of dispensaries in the country. Large, immersive stores—like Planet 13—operate almost like tourist attractions, offering wide product menus, long hours, and streamlined visitor experiences. Whether consumers want edibles, vapes, concentrates, or infused drinks, Las Vegas offers variety at scale.
Atlantic City’s retail scene is smaller but expanding. The city has approved multiple Class 5 retail licenses, yet overall product availability and store density still lag behind Vegas. Atlantic City is working toward becoming a competitive cannabis market, but it currently offers fewer shopping options and less experiential retail.
Cannabis Lounges: Vegas Is Already There
One of the biggest differences between the two cities is cannabis consumption lounges.
Las Vegas has embraced on-site consumption, with licensed lounges providing legal spaces for smoking, vaping, and enjoying infused products. This is crucial because casinos, hotels, and public areas prohibit cannabis use. Lounges help tourists avoid legal risk and enjoy cannabis safely.
Atlantic City has approved lounges, and several businesses are preparing to open, but most remain in the planning or construction phase. Until lounges become fully operational, visitors face the same challenge as those in most East Coast cities—nowhere legally designated to consume.
Tourism and Experience Integration
Las Vegas actively incorporates cannabis into the visitor experience. Tourists can book cannabis limo tours, attend infused dinner pop-ups, explore massive retail showrooms, and visit the country’s first cannabis-forward hotels. The city treats cannabis tourism as a natural extension of its entertainment culture.
Atlantic City’s approach is more cautious. While the city supports retail growth, casinos still prohibit possession and consumption, and public-use rules remain strict. The tourism industry has not yet embraced cannabis as part of the Atlantic City brand.
Which City Is More Cannabis-Friendly?
Both destinations offer legal access, but they are at different stages of development. Las Vegas is currently the most cannabis-friendly city thanks to its long-established market, consumption lounges, extensive retail presence, and strong tourism integration.
Atlantic City shows real promise and continues expanding, yet its cannabis environment is newer, more regulated, and less connected to its core tourism economy.
For visitors who want cannabis to be part of their getaway, Las Vegas remains the easier, more welcoming choice—while Atlantic City offers a growing market with the potential to become a major East Coast contender in the years ahead.