Equity matters and for the 4/20 celebration this year, cannabis enthusiasts are invited to visit Oakland and support just that – EQUITY. Visit Oakland, the destination marketing organization for the city, is excited to announce the official launch of The Equity Path along the Oakland Cannabis Trail.
The Equity Path is an evergreen curated travel adventure that features Equity-licensed and BIPOC owned cannabis shops, lounges, and brands of Oakland, while also spotlighting and sharing about the cannabis history and culture of Oakland.
The Equity Path experience includes interactive Cultural Landmarks installations and Effect Pairings that showcase some of the best cannabis-complimentary art, food, and nature experiences The Town has to offer.
“Cannabis is part of Oakland’s deeply rooted history and diverse culture” commented Peter Gamez, President and CEO of Visit Oakland. “The Equity Path on the Oakland Cannabis Trail connects that past to the innovative cannabis offerings of today, creating a unique travel experience for visitors in Oakland.”
“Traveling The Equity Path is a way to celebrate 420 with a purpose and vote with your pocket book while enjoying a new adventure” shared Rickey McCullough, the founder owner and CEO of Rootd in the 510, a featured Cultural Landmark stop along The Equity Path. “We are part of the Equity movement of Oakland, a movement that has been in motion for decades and directly intertwines with the story of cannabis legalization and safe access.”
As the modern day cannabis industry took flight, Oakland stepped forward as one of the first cities to create a dedicated Equity program that prioritized cannabis industry opportunities and licenses for individuals who were negatively impacted by the war on drugs. Oakland and the east bay continue to lead the Equity movement, with leaders like Supernova Women and the Equity Trade Network carrying the torch forward.
This 420 Choose Equity. Celebrate 420 with a purpose. Come for the cannabis, stay for the culture, and leave with memories that will last a lifetime. As visitors map out their Equity Path journey, consider an overnight getaway with one of these cannabis-friendly Oakland hotels:
- Waterfront Hotel in Jack London Square
- Moxy Downtown on Telegraph Ave
- Kissel Uptown on Broadway
About The Author
BRIAN APPLEGARTH is a travel writer and innovator with a passion for cannabis travel experiences and cultural heritage preservation.
He has written for San Francisco Travel, Visit Oakland, Local Getaways, Skunk Magazine, Green State, Pineapple Express, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Visit Mendocino County and others. Brian was the sole advisor on the first ever national research on the cannabis-motivated travel audience in the United States.
He has been quoted in Forbes, The Washington Post, Smart Meetings, Travel Weekly and elsewhere, and his award-winning work has been featured on NPR, CBS, NBC, and The New York Times.
Brian is the founder of the Cannabis Travel Association International and the co-founder and co-creator of the CA State Fair Cannabis Awards & Exhibit. He leads the Cannabis & Hemp Task Force for the California Travel Association and Destinations International and is a certified cannabis sommelier Ganjier and a certified cannabis therapy consultant.
He recently published The Ganja Traveler’s Guide to the Emerald Triangle, a first-of-its-kind travel guide to California’s legacy craft cannabis region. Follow Brian on Instagram @thecannabistrail and @theganjatraveler or learn more at www.brianapplegarth.com.
Check out Brian’s Cannabis Trail Series here at Beard Bros Pharms here.
