Update, 9/12/16: We checked in recently to ask, but have not heard whether the cruise mentioned in this story will be moving forward. If you are looking for a cruise vacation to a cannabis-friendly location, we consider checking on Expedia and Priceline for cruises that include stops in Jamaica.
The U.S. cannabis industry has witnessed some amazing developments, but now marijuana entrepreneur James Lee is preparing to offer a deal that some years ago would have been considered little more than a pipe dream.
On October 24, 2016, a commercial-grade cruise liner filled with cannabis professionals will depart from Florida for Jamaica, where they will be greeted with an epic all-you-can-consume cannabis trade show specifically tailored for the business-minded cannabis consumer.
“This is definitely going to be something the industry has never seen before,” Lee told Ganjapreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Skill Stix and Dabvertising, but his true calling in cannabis may soon be tied to the hospitality industry.
To answer what is likely the first question on everyone’s mind: no — due to international laws, the cruise ship itself will not be cannabis-friendly.
“It’s take what we can get,” Lee said. “There is no way to legally have anything onboard the ship. It’s just impossible, the Coast Guard would seize the ship.”
The project has been in the works for about a year, he said. After facing countless rejections, Lee eventually enlisted the help of his friend’s company Canna-Travel to share in some of the outreach efforts. Together, the team landed a deal with what Lee claims is one of the best-positioned international cruise companies in the world. The deal was finalized February 3.
“We went as a duo to this major industry and said, ‘look, this is what’s on the line,'” Lee said. “‘We’ve got this money…. We have everything, down to designs for the placards they’ll wear around their necks. We have everything, we just need a ship.'”
More information — including which major cruise line is involved, as well as likely ticket prices and sponsors for the event — will be announced sometime in March.