Although four states have okayed marijuana for recreational use -- and 23 for medical use -- the federal government still considers pot illegal. That may lead to problems down the line
Is your multifamily customer thinking of making his prospective property pot-friendly? Well, you might want to advise Cheech to wait a minute before sparking that doobie. Even though pot has been okayed for recreational use in four states – and for medical use in 23 and the District of Columbia – the federal government still considers it illegal.
That means landlords – even those in pot-friendly states – shouldn’t feel sanguine about letting tenants smoke on the premises, according to Megan Booth, senior policy representative for the National Association of Realtors.
As reported by Graham Wood on the NAR website, Booth told attendees of a conference in New Orleans that while the majority of Americans now support marijuana legalization, and the feds haven’t exactly been kicking down stoners’ doors in Denver or Seattle – yet – there’s been considerable pressure for the federal government to start enforcing its laws.
“State marijuana laws haven’t been challenged at the Supreme Court yet,” she said. “That’s why they stand.”
And changing marijuana laws mean new issues to contend with even in the best-case scenario, Booth said. Multifamily properties may need to add language to their leases covering on-site marijuana policies, and they may need to make new disclosures when selling condos in pot-friendly buildings – or even homes near places where marijuana use is allowed.
That means landlords – even those in pot-friendly states – shouldn’t feel sanguine about letting tenants smoke on the premises, according to Megan Booth, senior policy representative for the National Association of Realtors.
As reported by Graham Wood on the NAR website, Booth told attendees of a conference in New Orleans that while the majority of Americans now support marijuana legalization, and the feds haven’t exactly been kicking down stoners’ doors in Denver or Seattle – yet – there’s been considerable pressure for the federal government to start enforcing its laws.
“State marijuana laws haven’t been challenged at the Supreme Court yet,” she said. “That’s why they stand.”
And changing marijuana laws mean new issues to contend with even in the best-case scenario, Booth said. Multifamily properties may need to add language to their leases covering on-site marijuana policies, and they may need to make new disclosures when selling condos in pot-friendly buildings – or even homes near places where marijuana use is allowed.
