The Nation’s First Marijuana Resort is Catching Serious Flack
Smoking is a hot-button issue these days. While plenty of hotels now forbid guests from smoking in their rooms, a growing number of them have taken things a step further by banning all forms of smoking on resort property. Violators are generally levied with varying degrees of “punishment” – from monetary fines to lifetime property bans.
If tobacco smoke causes this kind of an uproar, it’s a safe bet that resorts and hotels would certainly frown on marijuana use. But believe it or not, a new resort has actually developed a business model that welcomes and encourages the use of marijuana.
Luxury Accommodations and…Weed?
Even in Colorado, where marijuana is legal for recreational use, the same anti-smoking policies are observed at most hotels. But one “ganja-preneur” in the state created the first-ever “cannabis resort” for pot users to light up without any repercussions.
CannaCamp, a 170-acre resort in Durango, is now accepting reservations from interested travelers. Although the resort doesn’t provide marijuana due to legal reasons, the concierge will direct visitors to nearby dispensaries so they can use marijuana during their stay. Smoking isn’t permitted in the cabins, but allowed everywhere else.
It’s the same policy implemented by the two “Bud + Breakfasts” establishments in Colorado, both of which were created by the group responsible for launching CannaCamp.
This Pot Resort isn’t Cheap
The resort itself claims it’s taking a luxury approach with its business. On-site activities include yoga (“Cannabis Yoga”) and art classes (“Canvas and Cannabis,”) while the on-site restaurant creates meals specifically paired to go with weed. The well-decorated cabins throughout the property range from one to three bedrooms and hold up to 40 guests in total.
However, the high-end touches result in a high-end bill that only the most elite marijuana enthusiasts can afford. Rates start at $395 per night (without tax). CannaCamp also originally planned to have a three-night minimum stay for all guests, but has since dropped that requirement.
Paying the Price to Light Up
Pot smokers traveling to Colorado on more modest means are certainly welcome to try smoking in their hotel room, but it can carry a stiff penalty. A guest at Hyatt Place Denver/Cherry Creek claimed he received a $200 fine for in-room smoking after leaving his marijuana on a desk after leaving the room, but he insists that he smoked off the property.
Marijuana users could also link up with an actual marijuana tourism company for their stay in Colorado. My 420 Tours has special weeklong tours that include stays at a “420 friendly” hotel, Home Grow Cultivation 101 classes, bus tours and daily 4:20PM Happy Hour parties.
“This is not about coming to Colorado to get wrecked and smoke as much pot as you can and be a degenerate stoner hippie,” said Matt Brown, co-founder of My 420 Tours. “We’ve modeled…as a cross between a wine tour of Napa Valley and the best concert or entertainment experience you can imagine.”
The bottom line is, whether you’re visiting exciting cities or hiking picturesque mountains, there’s plenty to do in Colorado without incorporating marijuana into your stay.
Additional Reading: First Legal Drug Consumption Room to Open in Paris