Local Access is our ongoing series in which notable names in the cannabis community share insider travel tips for doing their hometowns right.
Based in Leeds, England, cannabis content creator Elle Cooper has been a vocal patient advocate since the UK legalized medical use in 2018. She travels the world experiencing cannabis culture, sharing her unique journey, and destigmatizing the plant one post at a time. Keep reading to learn about her favorite spots in Leeds, her relationship with cannabis, and where she hopes to land next.
What makes Leeds special?
Leeds has a unique energy that’s difficult to explain until you experience it. It feels like a city where people accidentally end up staying forever. Friends moved here for university, careers, PhDs, creative projects—and somehow everyone put down roots.
It’s a city that balances northern grit with creativity. One minute you’re in a bustling city center, the next you’re surrounded by Yorkshire countryside. It’s where I met my husband, professional wrestler Jack Bandicoot, who is Yorkshire born and bred and probably the best tour guide you could ask for.
Most importantly, Leeds feels real. There’s a strong sense of community here, and people genuinely support one another’s creative pursuits, whether that’s music, art, food, business, or activism.
What’s a common misconception about the UK?
Many people outside the UK view Britain as the land of free healthcare and assume that means healthcare is easily accessible. The reality is far more complicated. That’s one reason conversations around medical cannabis have become so important.
One thing that surprises visitors is that we don’t have dispensaries. Most patients access their prescriptions through online clinics, consulting with specialists remotely before receiving medication delivered directly to their door—often by Royal Mail the very next day.
How would you describe cannabis culture in the UK?
The UK’s cannabis culture is enormous, but much of it still exists in a fascinating space between underground culture and emerging legitimacy. Since medical cannabis became legal in 2018, conversations have become far more public, but stigma remains.
What’s remarkable is that some of the country’s most influential cannabis communities have existed for decades. Underground legacy events continue to thrive, activist-led spaces have educated generations of consumers, and patient advocates continue pushing for reform.
Events such as Cannabis Europa and The Women’s Circle create spaces where patients, clinicians, policymakers, and industry leaders can have meaningful conversations about the future of cannabis in Britain.
What’s one restaurant, café, or food experience in Leeds that every visitor should try?
Max’s Rotisserie in Leeds Kirkgate Market. The French toast alone deserves its own tourist attraction status. It’s indulgent, comforting, slightly ridiculous, and exactly what you want after exploring the city all day. Leeds Market itself is one of the oldest indoor markets in Europe, so you’re getting a slice of local history alongside some incredible food.
What’s a place most tourists miss but absolutely shouldn’t?
Leeds Dock. Most visitors never make it there, which is a shame because it feels like a completely different city. The waterfront atmosphere is beautiful, especially during summer, and you can take the iconic Leeds Water Taxi from Granary Wharf. I always describe it as a tiny Yorkshire version of the Staten Island Ferry. It’s bright yellow, incredibly charming, and offers one of the best ways to see the city. The whole area is also very accessible, making it great for visitors with mobility requirements.
What’s your favorite thing to do after consuming cannabis in Leeds?
A classic Leeds day starts in Hyde Park. It’s one of the city’s most iconic green spaces and home to the legendary annual 420 gathering. After that, it’s food time. Fat Hippo for an unapologetically huge burger, followed by Get Baked for dessert. If you’ve never heard of Bertha—their famously enormous cake—prepare yourself. Sharing is recommended, but rarely happens.
If you could send visitors to just one neighborhood, attraction, or local experience, what would it be?
Go and see live music. Leeds has one of the strongest music scenes in the UK. From historic venues to underground DIY shows, there is always something happening. Student houses with converted basements become punk venues. Warehouses become raves. Independent venues launch future headline acts. Some of the best nights I’ve ever had started with a flyer handed to me by a stranger.
Tell us about your relationship with cannabis.
Like many patients, my journey into cannabis wasn’t recreational at first—it was born out of necessity. After years of symptoms, countless appointments, and constantly having to advocate for myself, scans eventually confirmed that my concerns about my health had been valid all along.
My experience with traditional pharmaceutical treatments was complicated. The medications I was prescribed often created new health challenges while attempting to solve existing ones. Over time, I found myself drawn toward a more holistic approach, incorporating plant-based therapies, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and cannabis into my wellbeing journey. Today, much of my work focuses on sharing those experiences, documenting cannabis culture around the world, and helping normalize conversations around alternative approaches to health.
What’s the most underrated cannabis destination you’ve visited?
Barcelona and the Spanish islands deserve a spot on everyone’s bucket list. Tenerife and Lanzarote offer incredible scenery, fantastic food, and thriving cannabis communities. Events like White Ash Weekend showcase just how passionate and welcoming the European cannabis scene can be.
What’s a memorable cannabis-related travel experience you’ve had (that you’re willing to share…)?
My first trip to Spannabis in Barcelona will always stay with me. Barcelona itself has one of the most fascinating cannabis scenes in the world. Cannabis clubs operate discreetly behind unmarked doors, requiring memberships and a strong sense of community.
Walking into those spaces for the first time was eye-opening. It wasn’t just about cannabis—it was about culture, activism, education, art, and connection. Meeting people from all over the world who shared similar stories and passions made me realise just how global this movement really is.
🥊 Quick Hits
☀️ Sunrise or sunset? Both. I love waking up naturally with the sun, but a beautiful sunset shared with my husband and a perfectly rolled Doink is pretty hard to beat.
🏖️ Mountains, beach, desert, or city? Beach, every time.
🚗 Plane, train, car, or boat? Car. My friends lovingly describe my vehicle as a soccer mum bus, and honestly, they’re not wrong.
🌸 Edible, flower, beverage, vape, or concentrate? Flower and concentrates.
🥜 Favorite travel snack? A good nut bar, some oats, something filling and practical. The real priority is the drink. I never travel without something cold, fruity, and refreshing within arm’s reach.
🇹🇭 Dream cannabis travel destination? Thailand. I still haven’t made it there, but it’s firmly at the top of my list. The combination of tropical weather, incredible food, beautiful beaches, and a rapidly growing cannabis culture sounds like paradise.
🗽 One destination every traveler should visit at least once? New York City. I know that’s probably the most predictable answer I could give, but I genuinely fell in love with it. It’s one of the few places in the world where every niche interest, hobby, and obsession has a home.
What are your best cannabis travel recommendations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
