Black in Thailand: Black Cannabis Entrepreneurs Building Beyond Borders

There are over 655,000 African Americans living abroad, and that number continues to rise. For Black Americans, motivations run deeper than travel experiences. The goal is to move away from systemic racism, achieve better economic opportunities, and have the freedom to build lives on their own terms.

While countries like Ghana and Mexico often dominate “Blaxit” conversations, Asia is becoming increasingly popular for Black expats. Thailand has seen significant growth in its Black entrepreneurial community. With a cost of living 122% lower than the U.S. and a collaborative business culture, Thailand is attracting those ready to build beyond borders.

Cannabis is Expanding Globally

U.S. cannabis companies are pursuing international expansion. With federal prohibition and complex state regulations, some American brands find international markets offer clearer pathways. Companies like Curaleaf, Jeeter, and Wana are moving into Germany, Canada, and the U.K. Cannabis businesses positioned for expansion include ancillary services, branded products that can be licensed locally, genetics and cultivation expertise, and education services. For Black entrepreneurs, international expansion offers opportunities in markets where barriers may be lower.

Thailand’s Cannabis Reality

In June 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis. By late 2025, over 18,000 shops were operating. However, in June 2025, Thailand reversed course with regulations requiring medical prescriptions. As of early 2026, over 7,000 shops have closed.

Despite tightening regulations, opportunities remain. The medical framework positions Thailand as a hub for pharmaceutical-grade cannabis and international export. Opportunities exist in medical partnerships, GACP-certified cultivation, and ancillary services.

Shane Edmond, founder of Munchy Merchy, is living proof that Black entrepreneurs can build cannabis businesses across borders. She expanded her cannabis merchandise company from the U.S. to Thailand in 2020 and has become a connector for Black business owners in Bangkok’s cannabis scene.

You expanded Munchy Merchy to Thailand. What did bringing your cannabis merch company international teach you about building as a Black entrepreneur outside the U.S.?

SE: “I think inherently in the US there’s this subtext that if you’re from a particular background, you shouldn’t be in certain spaces or own a business, but I think what I’ve learned about doing business outside of the U.S. is that people care more about how you do business rather than what you look like. Additionally, it’s taught me that there are so many other places, or like spaces, I can tap into, and that I have the right to do so, just like anyone else. In Thailand specifically, things just feel more collaborative, no matter what walk of life you’re from, and oftentimes, I have found that as a Black entrepreneur, some of my limitations have been self-imposed because of my Western mindset, and how blackness is perceived in my home country. It falsely led me to believe that it would also be perceived the same in other places (and in some aspects, yes and no), but ultimately, you can do whatever you wanna do as long as you make the right connections with the right people, regardless of your ethnicity.”

You’ve been connecting me with the Black cannabis community in Bangkok. How did you find your way into Thailand’s cannabis scene, and what has building those relationships taught you about our global presence in this industry?

SE: “Honestly, I found my way onto the scene via Munchy Merchy. There was a lot of going to events, doing pop-ups, connecting with people, and just kind of putting myself out there, bringing the natural swag to the space that others were trying to curate, and it honestly taught me that more of our presence in the industry is needed. Because we truly influence everything. I’ve seen so many aspects of our culture incorporated into the commercial/retail cannabis space here, be it the vibe of the shop, or the branding, or overall tone of ‘urban’ and ‘hip’ but essentially, it’s like that authenticity that only we can bring to the space and I think it’s particularly why we need to occupy more of it.”

A lot of Black folks have reservations about traveling to certain parts of the world, worried about how they’ll be received. What has the reality of your melanin experience in Thailand been like, and what would you tell someone in the community who’s hesitant to step outside their comfort zone?

SE: “As a whole, it’s been an overall positive experience. I’ve definitely had challenges. I’ve definitely had moments where I felt discriminated against or some sort of injustice, but I don’t necessarily think it’s been due to being Black; just more so about being an outsider because at the end of the day, I AM an outsider to them and their country and the people here will always look after their own first, which I respect and understand 100%.

That said, when it comes to stepping outside your comfort zone, if you’re hesitant to do so, stay where you are because you WILL be uncomfortable at some point, if not most of the time. Moving abroad will test and stretch you in every sense, and if you can’t appreciate that for what it is, problem-solve, pivot, and take the necessary steps to succeed in the midst of being outside your comfort zone… this isn’t for you. If you’re not willing to adjust and learn how to do things (the right way) in the country you’re moving to, or if you expect the country and the people to make YOU feel more comfortable and you’re not taking the initiative to learn more and immerse yourself in their world, don’t bother. Straight up.”

Cannabis culture looks different everywhere, but Black people have been at the heart of this plant’s story for generations. How do you see your work with Munchy Merchy contributing to that legacy, especially as you operate across borders and bring our culture into new spaces?

SE: “It’s doing exactly that. It’s operating outside the box (borders), defying what people think is possible. It’s authentically and positively bringing our culture into new spaces and showing folks how versatile we really are, beyond the caricatures we are often stereotyped into. It’s laying a solid foundation for the black cannabis community to expand beyond the US and impact the cannabis industry on a more global scale. And personally, I think it’s high time our legacy and impact on cannabis culture expanded in this way, because we are indeed global, influencing every corner of the world we know today. It just makes sense, feel me.”

You’ve become a connector for Black business owners in Bangkok’s cannabis scene. What advice would you give Black cannabis entrepreneurs who are considering taking their vision international but don’t know where to start?

SE: “Understand your goals and your situation first. Frankly, everyone’s path to Thailand is different, just as their entrepreneurial journey will be, so it’s really important to understand what you’re trying to accomplish, how you’ll go about it, and what you need to do to succeed. Whether it’s understanding legal pathways to come to Thailand and stay/work, what kind of structure you need to have in your business depending on the endeavor, who you need to cooperate with within your business, where you plan to live in Thailand… like so many things need to be understood before deciding to take root in any foreign country especially for the sake of business, because laws are laws. In short, it’s not impossible, but you truly need to understand what you’re trying to do, who you need on your team to make it happen, and how to legally get it done.”

The Path Forward

Shane’s journey demonstrates what’s possible, but the path requires preparation and commitment. For Black cannabis entrepreneurs considering international expansion, opportunities are real but not shortcuts. Success requires strong business models, capital, and regulatory navigation.

We are global people building global businesses. The barriers we face in the U.S. don’t define what we can build. Black cannabis entrepreneurs are already proving that borders are not barriers, they’re just the next frontier. The work is real, the challenges are real, but so is the possibility.