AirTHC Lets Colorado Tourists Book Weed-Friendly Rentals

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Fresh snow covers the mountain peaks east of Frisco, Colo., Saturday Oct. 5, 2013.

Image: Brennan Linsley/Associated Press

By Jessica Plautz2014-04-26 03:59:48 UTC

Beginning in May, travelers looking to get high in the Mile High City will have more options for lodging.

A new startup, airTHC, plans to help tourists "connect with people who have marijuana-friendly vacation rentals," ensuring "a private space of your own to smoke — legally — while you stay in Colorado," according to the company's website.

See also: Travelers Head to Colorado to Celebrate 4/20

"The whole goal of our site is to provide 420-friendly housing and vacation rentals," Greg Drinkwater, one of airTHC's founders, told Mashable. "The main purpose behind that is we believe in the legalization of marijuana."

Drinkwater says AirTHC was born on a trip he took to visit friends in Denver. Marijuana sales to adults of legal age have been allowed since Jan. 1, 2014, but there are many restrictions which make it difficult to smoke while visiting.

Public smoking is illegal, and most hotels, bars and restaurants do not allow marijuana.

"When the new laws started, I was in a hotel and I was like 'what can I do?'" said Drinkwater. "There's really no place for out-of-towners to take advantage the law."

The concept is a spinoff of Airbnb, allowing anyone in Colorado to offer their home (or extra bedroom) to visitors that want to partake in marijuana responsibly. Despite the name, airTHC is not affiliated with Airbnb in any way.

Drinkwater said the company is a couple weeks from launching. Coloradans interested in offering rentals can fill out a form on airTHC's website, and the company will begin offering rooms to travelers once there is enough inventory.

In addition to offering people a place to stay, airTHC also wants to set a good example. Drinkwater said that the company is promoting responsible use by including information on its website about adhering to the law.

Drinkwater said that the company could expand into additional states where marijuana is legalized in the future.

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Topics: AirBNB, colorado, Lifestyle, marijuana, tourism, Travel & Leisure, U.S., Work & Play