We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Cannabis 101
  • Growing
  • Strains & products
  • CBD
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science & tech
  • Industry
  • Reports
  • Canada
  • Podcasts
  • Leafly Lists
Lifestyle

No Contest: 8 of Forbes’ 10 ‘Coolest’ Cities Have Legal Cannabis

Gage PeakePublished on October 31, 2017 · Last updated July 28, 2020

Forbes magazine recently published a list of “America’s 10 Coolest Cities.” Eight of those 10 have legal cannabis. Coincidence? We don’t think so.

Four cities made the list from California, where adult-use sales are set to begin in January. San Francisco won out as Forbes’ coolest city in the country, then came San Diego as the third-ranked city, followed by San Jose (#6) and Los Angeles (#7).

From the first states to legalize, Leafly’s home base of Seattle was rated #2 by Forbes, while Denver was ranked #10 on the list.

At #5 was Portland, OR, which saw legal sales kick off nearly two years ago, in October 2015.

In Massachusetts, which was one of eight states to pass legalization measures last November, Boston took a #9 spot on Forbes’ list.

The two “coolest” cities on the list that haven’t yet legalized adult-use cannabis were New Orleans—ranked fourth—and New York City, which came in at #8. While cannabis possession still carries criminal charges in Louisiana, New Orleans decriminalized it last year. New York, meanwhile, is slowly coming online in terms of medical marijuana, and although adult use is still illegal, it’s certainly earned a place in New York culture.

Nearly all the cities ranked by Forbes have seen significant growth over the past several years. In legal states, at least some of that excitement likely is being driven by the budding legal cannabis industry.

Both Washington and Colorado have recorded a billion dollars in sales of cannabis in the past year and have seen a slight economic boom as the result of the marijuana industry. In Colorado, for example, housing prices near retail cannabis stores in Denver gained 8.4% more value than homes farther away from stores.

Though California has yet to begin legal adult-use cannabis sales, analysts predict that the state’s market will quickly surpass those in Colorado and Washington.

Related Stories

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
DenverlistsLos AngelesSan Franciscoseattle
Gage Peake
Gage Peake
Gage Peake is a former staff writer for Leafly, where he specialized in data journalism, sports, and breaking news coverage. He's a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
View Gage Peake's articles

The latest in Lifestyle

  • Shop LGBTQIA+ brands and dispensaries this Pride Month and beyond image
    Shop LGBTQIA+ brands and dispensaries this Pride Month and beyond
    Leafly Staff
  • A journey through landrace cannabis in LA: From Mendocino to WeHo image
    A journey through landrace cannabis in LA: From Mendocino to WeHo
    Lindsay MaHarry
  • Shop military discounts and veteran-owned dispensaries this Memorial Day image
    Shop military discounts and veteran-owned dispensaries this Memorial Day
    Leafly Staff
  • Tiny joints, big buzz: Why mini joints are cannabis consumers’ new favorites image
    Tiny joints, big buzz: Why mini joints are cannabis consumers’ new favorites
    Leafly Staff
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.