First Cannabis-Friendly Resort Opens in Ontario
The first cannabis-friendly resort in Canada has opened its doors in Ontario. Named the “Sir Sam’s Inn and Spa Resort,” the establishment is located on the grounds of the former residence of the country’s ex-Prime Minister, Samuel Hughes, in the forested northern part of the province, in the Haliburton Highlands region. This area, situated along the scenic and pristine Eagle Lake, has been a popular getaway for Toronto residents for centuries, thanks to its proximity—just two and a half hours from the city’s edge.
The resort is a premium nature retreat, featuring 25 private bungalows on the shores of the beautiful, clean lake. In addition to camping, the resort offers guests a wide range of healthy and active recreation options, from kayaking and sailing to extended tours through the region’s rocky, forested highlands.
A New Direction for Cannabis Tourism
After a change in management, the new owners decided to renovate the property and rebrand it to cater to guests who wish to legally consume cannabis during their stay. This turned out to be a wise move, as all rooms were booked for the entire season within a week of announcing the new focus. According to the owners, all it took was a post on the “Cannabis Hotels” website stating that the resort was the first in the country to openly welcome cannabis use—not only in guest rooms but also in designated consumption areas throughout the property.
“Our hotel and resort will be a pioneer in Ontario’s cannabis tourism market, and we hope that our example will help this segment of the cannabis industry continue to grow and thrive, both in the region and across the country,” said Wendy Forwell, CEO of the “Cannabis Hotels” holding company and owner of the new resort. “We’re excited to add this hotel to our company and hope it will be the first of many similar establishments in Ontario and beyond.”
Rules and Amenities for Cannabis Users
Unlike other cannabis-friendly hotels in the U.S. and Canada, the new resort prohibits smoking or vaping cannabis inside the rooms. However, guests are allowed to smoke or vape on the verandas and balconies of their rooms and bungalows. There are also clearly marked areas and lounges throughout the resort where guests can consume cannabis in a social setting. The hotel also plans to allow guests to consume food and drinks infused with cannabinoids, but only after the federal government formally regulates and legalizes the production and sale of such products.
Currently, many hotels in Ontario prohibit not only cannabis use but also tobacco smoking, due to strict regional laws against smoking indoors and in public places. To comply with these regulations, the resort has placed all smoking areas outdoors.
“Technically, the way we’ve set up the hotel and its smoking zones doesn’t violate any smoking laws. Plus, we’re a specialized boutique inn, not a standard tourist hotel, which minimizes the chance that minors will come into contact with cannabis or its smoke,” Forwell noted. “Other hotels may worry about trouble with authorities or hefty fines, but we’re not going to limit our guaranteed rights and freedoms because of doubts or concerns.”
Welcoming All Guests
Forwell also emphasized that the resort’s cannabis-friendly nature doesn’t mean non-smokers aren’t welcome or won’t feel comfortable. “Yes, we’re a hotel geared toward cannabis consumers, but that doesn’t mean we only serve guests who smoke,” said John Massey, the resort’s managing director, in an interview with local journalists. “In terms of our market positioning, we’re still primarily a boutique resort that, among other services, offers a comfortable place for guests to enjoy their own cannabis without disturbing others.”
“Honestly, there’s nothing particularly special about our establishment. We’re simply keeping up with the evolution of new social norms in our society,” Massey added. “Out of hundreds of candidates for the title of ‘Canada’s first cannabis hotel,’ we were the only team with the courage and skills to claim it.”