Will Airbnb Ever Cater to Cannabis Hosts and Guests?

There is a need in the market for a platform that helps to connect cannabis users with cannabis friendly hotel stays or bed and breakfast locations etc. When cannabis users travel they often face venues that ban smoking, finding cannabis friendly locations isn't easy.

It would make life a lot easier for those cannabis patients if they knew that they could medicate in peace in a clean and safe location, they would probably even pay a premium for such a service that helps to meet that distinct need. You might think, well why wouldn't they just go outside for a walk to medicate? But this isn't always the convenient option for all users, sometimes it is much preferred to be able to medicate privately indoors.

Right now millions are looking to Airbnb to connect them with hosts, and there isn't any company that has captured the market so far for cannabis travel in a significant way. This leaves an opportunity for new companies to come in and try to connect the those hosts and guests, but all Airbnb would need to do to quickly takeover in this space would be to enable users to search for cannabis friendly locations.

There are some options already available for cannabis friendly hotel platforms that look to help meet those cannabis friendly accommodation needs, but it's a big space that is still not being served well enough.

Airbnb could do it best given their brand awareness and the hosts they have all over the world, and there are probably more than a few users already on the platform hosting properties who would be open to offering a cannabis-friendly stay. There are multiple regions with legalized cannabis markets for medicinal or recreational use that could help bring value to those cannabis users looking for a cannabis friendly hotel stay.

Cannabis is still federally prohibited in the U.S. despite the growing prevalence of legalization in the country. Perhaps when it is finally legalized on that level we might see Airbnb make a move to provide that option to their hosts to differentiate their property spaces from competitors on the platform in that way, by seeking to cater to those looking for cannabis friendly stays and allowing their hosts to market them in this manner. If not, it still leaves room for that space to be filled by another and it looks like there are growing options in the market that are trying to meet the need.