Picture this; you’re on vacation with your besties to a destination with legal cannabis (What a coincidence! Definitely not planned that way. Nope, not at all).

You stop by the dispensary, stock up for the weekend, and head back to your vacation rental. “Can we smoke in here?” someone asks the squad.

You check the listing and nope, no smoking allowed. What a major buzzkill!

Now you have to wake and bake in the backyard, huddle out on the patio, or take your weed elsewhere. NOT COOL.

Well, that’s all about to change. HiBnb has entered the chat. Think of it like that other “BnB” site, but for cannabis-friendly hotels and unique stays paired with cannabis related local events, activities, and adventures.

To learn more, we stat down with HiBnb founder Elizabeth Becker for a quick chat.

Hi, Elizabeth! Tell us a little bit about HiBnB and what inspired you to start the company?

I was inspired to start HiBnb because I saw there was a gap that needed to be filled – while cannabis is legal to purchase, in many regions, it’s illegal to consume cannabis in public so where is the traveler meant to consume after they purchase?  Something needed to be done so that cannabis consumers can get out of the shadows and not have to sneak around or feel shameful or judged because of their lifestyle choice.  Also – I did it as a type of gift to the cannabis community. The community is kind, compassionate, and non-judgmental.  I cherish the feeling of connection I have with other people when sharing cannabis and honestly I wanted to pass that forward so that others could enjoy living without stigma or judgement, surrounded and accepted by compassionate and like minded people. My background is in film and television.  I’ve always been drawn to connect with a wide audience – to say something that people resonated with. But I’ve also always wanted to tap into my ability as an entrepreneur. After growing up working for my family’s sales and marketing company, I know I have an affinity for business. HiBnb gives me the opportunity to hit all of the notes – to give back, to say something, and to tap into my potential.  I feel very grateful for the opportunity.  

Thank you for sharing that. We’d love to know – What’s a big win you celebrated at HiBnb in 2021?

There have been lots of wins for HiBnb in 2021.  We opened for business in the US and also expanded the site so that anyone from any country in the world can add a listing.  AND, we integrated with a screening and verification of every accommodation guest, and by doing that we are able to guarantee each accommodation host with $1.5M in case of property damage.  That was a game changer for us as many hosts think only of the negative stereotype of cannabis consumers and the guarantee helps address their concerns. AND…. I was voted and awarded the 2021 Innovator / Disruptor in the Short Term Rentals industry.  That’s such an amazing kudos.  It’s a crown I’m very proud to wear.  

Congrats! That’s fantastic. Are there any women in the cannabis industry that you think of as mentors, or are inspired by?

Cannabis is a great industry for women because there is so much value on the feminine – considering that only the feminine plants flower.  I find that when I meet other women in the industry, they go out of their way to support me but I have to admit, men do the same thing.  There is a lot of support being a female entrepreneur – from accelerator programs to funding groups. There have been a number of women in corporate finance and the capital markets who have helped to connect me with others and educate me to increase my learning curve. Reverend Kelly Addison has been an amazing source of inspiration. And Tracy Lamourie of Lamourie PR.  They are so completely committed to the positive and healing qualities of the plant.

Amazing. Now, say you can pick one celebrity to work on your team at HiBnb. Who do you hire?

I think Seth Rogen could do a lot for us – to help create awareness and get the word out that we exist.  

What music do you jam to when you really need to get some major work done?

I’ve been listing to heavy rap, actually.  I align with the attitude and it helps me to put my head down and get all the sh*t done.

Heck yeah. He’s awesome. Looking ahead – Where do you see HiBnb five years from now?

I see HiBnb as a community of compassionate, positive, non-judgmental individuals and I would like to see that HiBnb can grow through North America, Europe and Australia within five years.  There is a negative stigma that is associated with the cannabis user and I hope that HiBnb can help to influence a global perspective change.

What is your favorite way to consume cannabis? What strain are you loving currently?

I like to microdose on edibles.  I also enjoy beverages, mints, and vapes.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good joint once in a while but it’s not as discreet.  And honestly, there still is a lot of stigma.

Does HiBnb give back? How so?

I’ve always considered HiBnb to be my gift to the cannabis community – because we offer the average person the opportunity to make money.   There are so many people who have made a lot of money renting out on short term rentals.  Well at HiBnb, you don’t need to be a property owner.  Anyone can become a HiBnb Adventure Host and offer a social meetup in their private residence or backyard, where consuming cannabis is legal.  So anyone can take advantage of the new market that cannabis tourism is opening.  

Last Q; Tell us something we should know about HiBnb (that we might not be able to find out from your website).

Most people don’t realize that we are a lot more than just cannabis friendly and cannabis forward accommodations.  Our three pillars are “Stay Hi” (accommodations), “Play Hi” (adventures), and “Get Hi” (advertising).  And we’re adding a fourth pillar called “Read Hi”.  Our Editor-in-Chief used to be Associate Editor at Rolling Stone Magazine so we will be generating a lot of content soon – interviews with celebrities, as well as stories about cannabis news and cannabis-focused experiences.  We’re also working on some strategic partnerships but mom’s the word until the ink is dry.  

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Thanks for chatting with us, Elizabeth! If you’re looking for 420-friendly accommodations, check out HiBnb and support this fantastic female entrepreneur.