Denver Hotel becomes nation’s first hotel to receive legal cannabis use license

Through Maureen Meihan

Denver has long been a desirable travel destination. With the legalization of adult-use cannabis, tourism has exploded and hotels have struggled to keep up. In fact, a recent study showed an increase of 120,000 hotel room rentals per month after tourists were legally able to purchase cannabis but public consumption of cannabis was banned in Denver.

Enter the Patterson Inn, the first licensed cannabis consumption lounge in a hotel that has just received a provisional license from the City of Denver, clearing a major cannabis licensing hurdle to become a cannabis consumption lounge Convenience for the adjacent hotel to operate.

Chris Chiari, CEO and founder of 420 Hotels, was the first to apply for a license under Denver’s new social consumption rules. Now that he’s approved, Chiari is transforming part of the luxurious Denver chateau into a nation’s first licensed hotel cannabis lounge.

“The 420 Hotels consider cannabis hospitality to be the most unique and exciting amenity in the hospitality industry today,” said Chiari. “We’re excited to be the first cannabis lounge to be licensed as an overnight amenity, offering a welcoming place for legal cannabis use.”

heads in beds

“Licensed cannabis hospitality is the final mile in efforts to destigmatize and normalize cannabis possession and use. This has been my professional focus for a little over a decade and it is exciting to assume responsibility for our keystone property, The Patterson Inn, and our cannabis consumption lounge, The 420 Denver,” said Chiari.

“The 420 Hotels Inc. combines four-star hospitality with a licensed cannabis lounge. Our brand focus is heads in beds, and we see the addition of a licensed cannabis consumption lounge as one of the most unique and exciting amenities in hospitality today,” Chiari told Benzinga.

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With provisional license in hand, The 420 Hotels Inc. is moving forward with the renovation of the Victorian-era inn’s coach house, complete with a lounge compliant with recently passed state commercial cannabis consumption room legislation. The goal is to complete the updates, which will be funded through an equity crowdfunding campaign through Republic.com, by the end of 2022.

“We look forward to welcoming both canna-curious and informed consumers looking for a no-sneak space that allows for open and responsible use of cannabis in a social setting,” said Chiari.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.