Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
If you're visiting the Valley, it might be unclear as to where one might legally partake in the town's recreational-cannabis offerings. I-502 only legalized the use of cannabis on private property, outside the view of the general public; so toking up in one of Walla Walla's parks - although admittedly a fairly common occurrence at certain infamous spots in town - remains illegal. Similarly, you can't lawfully hotbox your Honda in the Holiday Inn parking lot. Where to sample the goods, then?
Increasingly, the answer is the Valley's "green-friendly" bed-and-breakfasts or vacation homes. According to operators, several local facilities were, are or will be open to the practice of cannabis consumption by guests. Most vacation rentals are, of course, completely smoke-free; but some offer places where smoking might be possible.
"They are allowed in the garden area," said chauffeur Fischer - also the owner of The Fischer House and Fischer Suites - referring to smokers of both tobacco and cannabis.
The recently closed Girasol Inn, former operator Michelle Rennie said, took a laissez-faire approach to responsible cannabis consumption by guests.
"Our policy for the legal, recreational use of cannabis was that adults were welcome to use any legal substance as long as that use did not interfere with the enjoyment and comfort of our other guests," she said.
"We maintained a nonsmoking establishment and would expect guests to follow the same considerations as with tobacco."
For vacation properties, guest satisfaction is paramount. So even if proprietors are open to cannabis use in other forms, they might draw the line at the irritating elements of smoking.
"There is an 'odor' involved that may offend other guests, so I guess at the moment I would not be 'cannabis friendly,'" said Penny Maxwell, owner of The Maxwell House.
However, less-offensive delivery methods might be a different story, other B&B operators state.
"I can say that we don't mind cannabis usage at the Inn," said Cynthia Koby, proprietor of Fat Duck Inn. "However, we don't allow any smoking of any substances inside of the Inn or on the grounds; they are welcome to eat or vaporize it."
"The edibles are not a problem at all," Fischer said.
Visitors from all around seem to be partaking of Walla Walla's legal cannabis. The Walla Walla Cannabis Company has a map in its store that highlights all the places its customers come from. Visitors have represented six countries, and every U.S. state.
"Most of these people are not coming here specifically for cannabis; they arrive and find out there is a cannabis store," Amber Cole said. "Walla Walla has a worldwide draw, which is exciting and beneficial for us as a community."
Indeed, like Seattle's Winston House, which offers boutique bed-and-breakfast accommodations to guests who use cannabis, a green-friendly Walla Walla has an opportunity to attract tourists from all over the globe. Two soon-to-open B&Bs plan from the outset to cater to visitors aiming to take advantage of the cannabis offerings available in the Valley.
The Black Walnut Cottage
Italian-born designer Raffaele Exiana and his partner, Ron Williams, are actively engaged in helping to guide local development in a responsible and conscientious way. Their track record within the community displays this, as they have worked separately and together with numerous local organizations, including the Walla Walla Symphony, Walla Walla Dance Festival, Walla Walla Public Schools, Walla Walla Community College, Visit Walla Walla and Cultural Access Washington.
Williams, the new executive director of Visit Walla Walla, has extensive experience in the hospitality sector - restaurants, hotels and wineries. He and Exiana are in the process of restoring a 1939 home, adjacent to Pioneer Park at 973 E. Alder St., that will open this fall as a vacation rental.
As Williams explained, "The Black Walnut Cottage will be intimate and private; with Pioneer Park as its front yard, it feels open and lush."
Exiana and Williams want guests to experience the warmth and hospitality that distinguishes the Valley from other vacation destinations.
"We'll provide the information, contacts, itineraries and means to explore and experience the best of Walla Walla," Exiana said.
As their own attitudes toward the legal use of cannabis products have evolved, Williams and Exiana have decided The Black Walnut Cottage will be cannabis-friendly. They want their guests to feel at home, relaxed and unplugged. The back yard features a secret garden with a pond - a perfect place to relax and escape.
"If cannabis is part of our guests' vacation experience, then we think of it no differently than wine or spirits," Exiana promised.
Williams believes adults can be trusted to use cannabis in ways that are safe and responsible, in the same way people are expected to consume alcohol responsibly. He said by moving the product out of the shadows, municipalities can focus on education and enforcement of laws, policies and best practices.
"I applaud City Council and other officials who have been so forward-thinking in their approach to the recreational use of cannabis," Williams said. "Walla Walla has yet another reason for tourists to visit, and I believe the results will be overall positive."
The Wesley Walla Walla
Since 2002, David Wesley and Doug Pierotti have purchased, designed, renovated and either sold or rented real estate at an average of about one property per year. The two are currently developing their latest project in Washington Wine Country. The Wesley Walla Walla, based in the historic Ward House at 228 E. Poplar Street, will feature accommodations for up to 36 guests and an extensive event space for up to 250.
According to Wesley, "Much thought has been put towards the curated guest experience by offering a modern aesthetic paired with classic Victorian 1878 architecture with a massive private outdoor space."
Being completely new to the world of cannabis, due in large part to legal and cultural roadblocks, Wesley and Pierotti simply didn't partake or consider cannabis as having any application to their business model before legalization.
Now, their intention is to expand on the traditional tourism base by cultivating an experience-based accommodation. They believe there is a largely untapped customer base currently overlooked by the traditional hotel and B&B segments, and aim to open up a new segment of tourism to Walla Walla.
"We hope to see a mainstream culture and industry born out of these early days," Wesley said.
The facility is designed to be cannabis-friendly, with interior and exterior areas for consumption. Upon arrival to The Wesley, guests will receive a greeting package featuring either local wine or cannabis. The operators pledge to respect all of their guests by maintaining inclusive yet clearly defined policies, such as vaping-only rooms and common spaces, except for specially designated and vented areas. An interior "speakeasy" space in the basement will be available for exclusive guest experience and special events.
"This will be known as a destination accommodation that hosts dining events, entertainment and educational series," Wesley said. "bringing in top Northwest talent to share a day or weekend, including live entertainment and educational events ranging from food to design."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: How And Where Might Valley Visitors Use Cannabis?
Author: Staff
Contact: 509-525-3301
Photo Credit: Greg Lehman
Website: Walla Walla Lifestyles
Increasingly, the answer is the Valley's "green-friendly" bed-and-breakfasts or vacation homes. According to operators, several local facilities were, are or will be open to the practice of cannabis consumption by guests. Most vacation rentals are, of course, completely smoke-free; but some offer places where smoking might be possible.
"They are allowed in the garden area," said chauffeur Fischer - also the owner of The Fischer House and Fischer Suites - referring to smokers of both tobacco and cannabis.
The recently closed Girasol Inn, former operator Michelle Rennie said, took a laissez-faire approach to responsible cannabis consumption by guests.
"Our policy for the legal, recreational use of cannabis was that adults were welcome to use any legal substance as long as that use did not interfere with the enjoyment and comfort of our other guests," she said.
"We maintained a nonsmoking establishment and would expect guests to follow the same considerations as with tobacco."
For vacation properties, guest satisfaction is paramount. So even if proprietors are open to cannabis use in other forms, they might draw the line at the irritating elements of smoking.
"There is an 'odor' involved that may offend other guests, so I guess at the moment I would not be 'cannabis friendly,'" said Penny Maxwell, owner of The Maxwell House.
However, less-offensive delivery methods might be a different story, other B&B operators state.
"I can say that we don't mind cannabis usage at the Inn," said Cynthia Koby, proprietor of Fat Duck Inn. "However, we don't allow any smoking of any substances inside of the Inn or on the grounds; they are welcome to eat or vaporize it."
"The edibles are not a problem at all," Fischer said.
Visitors from all around seem to be partaking of Walla Walla's legal cannabis. The Walla Walla Cannabis Company has a map in its store that highlights all the places its customers come from. Visitors have represented six countries, and every U.S. state.
"Most of these people are not coming here specifically for cannabis; they arrive and find out there is a cannabis store," Amber Cole said. "Walla Walla has a worldwide draw, which is exciting and beneficial for us as a community."
Indeed, like Seattle's Winston House, which offers boutique bed-and-breakfast accommodations to guests who use cannabis, a green-friendly Walla Walla has an opportunity to attract tourists from all over the globe. Two soon-to-open B&Bs plan from the outset to cater to visitors aiming to take advantage of the cannabis offerings available in the Valley.
The Black Walnut Cottage
Italian-born designer Raffaele Exiana and his partner, Ron Williams, are actively engaged in helping to guide local development in a responsible and conscientious way. Their track record within the community displays this, as they have worked separately and together with numerous local organizations, including the Walla Walla Symphony, Walla Walla Dance Festival, Walla Walla Public Schools, Walla Walla Community College, Visit Walla Walla and Cultural Access Washington.
Williams, the new executive director of Visit Walla Walla, has extensive experience in the hospitality sector - restaurants, hotels and wineries. He and Exiana are in the process of restoring a 1939 home, adjacent to Pioneer Park at 973 E. Alder St., that will open this fall as a vacation rental.
As Williams explained, "The Black Walnut Cottage will be intimate and private; with Pioneer Park as its front yard, it feels open and lush."
Exiana and Williams want guests to experience the warmth and hospitality that distinguishes the Valley from other vacation destinations.
"We'll provide the information, contacts, itineraries and means to explore and experience the best of Walla Walla," Exiana said.
As their own attitudes toward the legal use of cannabis products have evolved, Williams and Exiana have decided The Black Walnut Cottage will be cannabis-friendly. They want their guests to feel at home, relaxed and unplugged. The back yard features a secret garden with a pond - a perfect place to relax and escape.
"If cannabis is part of our guests' vacation experience, then we think of it no differently than wine or spirits," Exiana promised.
Williams believes adults can be trusted to use cannabis in ways that are safe and responsible, in the same way people are expected to consume alcohol responsibly. He said by moving the product out of the shadows, municipalities can focus on education and enforcement of laws, policies and best practices.
"I applaud City Council and other officials who have been so forward-thinking in their approach to the recreational use of cannabis," Williams said. "Walla Walla has yet another reason for tourists to visit, and I believe the results will be overall positive."
The Wesley Walla Walla
Since 2002, David Wesley and Doug Pierotti have purchased, designed, renovated and either sold or rented real estate at an average of about one property per year. The two are currently developing their latest project in Washington Wine Country. The Wesley Walla Walla, based in the historic Ward House at 228 E. Poplar Street, will feature accommodations for up to 36 guests and an extensive event space for up to 250.
According to Wesley, "Much thought has been put towards the curated guest experience by offering a modern aesthetic paired with classic Victorian 1878 architecture with a massive private outdoor space."
Being completely new to the world of cannabis, due in large part to legal and cultural roadblocks, Wesley and Pierotti simply didn't partake or consider cannabis as having any application to their business model before legalization.
Now, their intention is to expand on the traditional tourism base by cultivating an experience-based accommodation. They believe there is a largely untapped customer base currently overlooked by the traditional hotel and B&B segments, and aim to open up a new segment of tourism to Walla Walla.
"We hope to see a mainstream culture and industry born out of these early days," Wesley said.
The facility is designed to be cannabis-friendly, with interior and exterior areas for consumption. Upon arrival to The Wesley, guests will receive a greeting package featuring either local wine or cannabis. The operators pledge to respect all of their guests by maintaining inclusive yet clearly defined policies, such as vaping-only rooms and common spaces, except for specially designated and vented areas. An interior "speakeasy" space in the basement will be available for exclusive guest experience and special events.
"This will be known as a destination accommodation that hosts dining events, entertainment and educational series," Wesley said. "bringing in top Northwest talent to share a day or weekend, including live entertainment and educational events ranging from food to design."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: How And Where Might Valley Visitors Use Cannabis?
Author: Staff
Contact: 509-525-3301
Photo Credit: Greg Lehman
Website: Walla Walla Lifestyles
