One of the largest cannabis policy groups in the U.S. is calling for a boycott of all Holiday Inns after one Colorado hotel filed a lawsuit on Feb. 19 meant to “end the sale of recreational marijuana in this state.”
The Holiday Inn in ski-town Frisco sued, claiming its business is already suffering because of a recreational marijuana shop it says is planning to open 75 yards from the hotel’s front door.
“Many of its guests are youth ski teams and families with children,” the lawsuit says. “Many parents and coaches will avoid booking with a hotel that is within a short walking distance and direct sight of a recreational marijuana store and grow facility.”
Now the D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project is fighting back with a call to boycott all Holiday Inns and petitioning that the hotel withdraw the suit.
“A majority of Americans want to end marijuana prohibition,” MPP communications director Mason Tvert said in a statement, “and we expect many of them would prefer not to spend their money at businesses that are fighting to maintain it.”
Holiday Inn’s parent company, InterContinental Hotels Group, told The Cannabist on Friday it can’t comment on ongoing litigation — especially since the Frisco Holiday Inn is owned by another company.
“The Holiday Inn Frisco hotel is an independently owned and operated hotel, and the owners are free to express their views. We cannot comment on ongoing litigation involving a franchised property,” the company said in a statement.
