Leaving Puerto Rico wasn’t easy. After a year of calling it home, the rainforest and the Atlantic Ocean stretched before my balcony, which became my daily comfort. The ocean was steps away… its salty breeze and constant invitation to swim were luxuries I cherished deeply. Still, as I packed my bags, excitement simmered beneath the sadness. My journey with the High Road Beyond Borders Tour– check out this video to learn more about the tour; was a natural evolution; after more than six years of documenting the USA’s cannabis revolution, it was time to go international.
Thailand, a country I’d dreamed of visiting even before I became the Traveling Cannabis Writer, was my first adventure off the North American continent. The travel requirements for tourists are refreshingly straightforward: passport, confirmed accommodation, and proof of onward travel are essentials, with most travelers able to enter visa-free for up to 60 days (check current requirements before booking!).
Now based in Bangkok, I find myself in the heart of a metropolis that feels like New York City with its skyscrapers, never-ending crowds, and pulse that never fades. Millions weave through the city by foot, motorbike, car, skytrain, and subway, moving over 12 million people. Yet within this urban sprawl, there’s a calm, spiritual energy: altars to Ganesha and Buddha, and golden temples, are everywhere. Bangkok’s malls are colossal works of art, with food courts spanning entire levels and offering global cuisine, from Indian and Ethiopian to Mexican, Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, and more. Vegan and plant-based options are easy to find, making the city a true melting pot. Expats of every nationality call it home, and I was especially thrilled to meet the vibrant community of Black Americans thriving here.
Fun fact: March is summertime in Thailand. Escaping the city, I journeyed south to the island of Koh Samui; a slice of paradise I wrote about for Beard Bros Media. My stay at The Beach Samui was unforgettable, and I highly recommend the experience. City and island life differ in many ways, but throughout Thailand, the philosophy of “sabai sabai” reigns. Loosely translated, it means “take it easy,” “relax,” or “everything’s chill”; a mantra that permeates daily life.
And then there’s cannabis. Thailand has descheduled cannabis and legalized it for medical use: you can travel domestically with it, even on flights, and send it by mail because cannabis is regarded as medicine. The industry is booming, with export permitted and new opportunities growing daily.
The first 30 days have been phenomenal. With another month and a half in Thailand ahead, and plans to explore the north, I’m eager to share more stories and discoveries soon. Stay tuned.
Big THANK YOU to the High Road Beyond Borders partners and sponsors:
Sponsored in part by:
Official Media Partners:
Psychedelic State(s) of America
Veronica “Vee” Castillo is the Traveling Cannabis Writer, an international traveling plant medicine journalist who has spent over seven years documenting cannabis culture across the United States and internationally, including Thailand, where she explores the intersection of ancient plant medicine traditions and modern cannabis culture. With over 25 publications and celebrity interviews to her credit, along with her role as former Communications Director for a leading minority cannabis trade association and author of Cannabis Legacy Chronicles, she has dedicated her career to amplifying BIPOC voices and authentic stories in plant medicine. Back on the road covering cannabis internationally, Vee helps wellness and cannabis businesses worldwide transform their unique stories into strategic content that drives measurable growth and global visibility.
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