The cannabis policy of accommodation platform Airbnb

At a time when several U.S. states have legalized cannabis for recreational use, particularly Colorado and California, which are following in Amsterdam’s footsteps and attracting a new kind of tourist who comes to enjoy the pleasures of weed. However, despite the legalization of cannabis and its dispensaries, the laws remain strict: smoking or consuming cannabis is still prohibited in public places and establishments.

Cannabis users—particularly tourists who come exclusively to smoke weed—have thus turned to the Airbnb lodging platform to find a place to stay that is conducive to their cannabis use.

Do Airbnb listings allow cannabis use?

Airbnb’s official policy contains no regulations regarding cannabis use. It is therefore up to the host to decide whether guests may use cannabis in the rented accommodation. The fact that there is no official policy on this matter stems from the fact that cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. This poses a problem for Airbnb; since cannabis is not legal everywhere in the United States, the peer-to-peer housing rental company explains that it is unable to list apartments in states where cannabis is still not legal.

On the website LearnAirBnb, the company explains the «pros and cons» of cannabis in rental apartments. They state, «Airbnb has no policy against the use and/or consumption of cannabis.» The host therefore reserves the right to allow or prohibit its use, although in recent months many hosts have been permitting tourists and users to use cannabis in order to attract more customers and thus offer a home to those who sometimes come from far away.

An Airbnb listing in Denver, Colorado, that allows cannabis use

To find a place like the one shown above, some renters include cannabis-related terms in their listings: »420,« »marijuana,« or »cannabis-friendly.« If that’s not the case, and to improve your chances of finding a place that allows cannabis use, searching for the keywords »apartment” and “Airbnb” can help—especially thanks to reviews from former guests who’ve had the chance to enjoy it there. Additionally, checking the “smoking-friendly” box during your search will increase your chances of finding a place that allows cannabis use.

Cannabis-themed hotels: An alternative to Airbnb

In the United States, other platforms have followed Airbnb's lead by opening their own cannabis-themed hotels. One such example is Bud and Breakfast, the first hotel dedicated to cannabis use in downtown Denver. Unlike hotels with a public lounge, it features a private room where guests can smoke cannabis on the premises. It opened in 2014, marking the entry of the hotel industry into the market for cannabis-using tourists. Others have followed the same model, notably The Travel Joint or even Travel THC. These regulations allow marijuana smokers to use the drug freely in designated areas.

These new measures will continue to flourish and spread in order to attract more tourists and provide them with what they need, whatever their preferences and budget.

Mehdi Bautier