Travel and the Coverage of Black/Brown and Woman Owned in Cannabis- Get to Know Vee, The Traveling Cannabis Writer
The cannabis industry is constantly changing and growing; new buds and flowers come with that growth. Veronica Castillo, appropriately named “Vee Traveling Veg Canna Writer”, stands tall amongst the brightest and terpiest, making her presence feel like an inevitable force. It’s hard not to notice her when she’s near, and everyone who has experienced her energy is immediately blessed. Vee has gone from looking for invitations to the room to setting her table, including a specially curated guest list. She hails from Miami, Florida (which Vee has named the United Caribbean), but the world is her home, and cannabis is her long-term partner.
The force is STRONG in this one! Vee powers through the industry as a voice and beacon for the people using her self-made, tribe-influencing platform, VeeTravelingVegCannaWriter.com
The site offers advisory and promotion for BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ-owned businesses in the cannabis field; mentoring services are also available to help raw content creators hone their craft and connect with audiences. Vee does this by mothering a team of writers and a “street’ team” through submitted content on the site and social media. Her ever-encouraging Aries manner is a much-needed push that has opened doors for Vee and anyone associated with her!
Suppose there was ever an individual more passionate about social equity and tangible changes across the cannabis world. In that case, Vee tops them all in a lane she has manifested independently. Few have imitated, but can never duplicate THE Traveling Cannabis Writer.
The Switch: Corporate Success to Freelancing Nomad Sensation
Dreams of writing and traveling were always prevalent to Vee. She recalls age eight when she saw what she would eventually do through an enlightening conversation with her uncle. During that talk, Vee expressed her passion for writing and being an activist for people who had stifled voices. Writing was always the rally, but plants weren’t what she imagined would be the call! Ironically, Vee grew up in a home where homegrown fruits and vegetables were a staple for her family. Her roots ultimately led Vee to her own physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and, eventually, her true vocation and purpose.
It wasn’t until 2015, when Vee had her first healing encounter with cannabis from chronic migraine that she realized exactly what she would write about. She believed people should know the truth about cannabis! The game plan just needed to be set in motion.
Three more years passed before Vee sold her home (that she had built from the ground up) and accepted her calling to hit the road to learn and teach the cannabis “gospel”. She quit her corporate 9-5 without notice and packed her Mazda CX-7 for an audacious journey that has proven her name many times over, from Vee, the Traveling Canna Blogger, to Vee, the Traveling Cannabis WRITER.
Manifestation Conversation and Action
Travel and the Coverage of Black/Brown and Woman Owned in Cannabis- Get to Know Vee, The Traveling Cannabis Writer
Vee’s first public appearance as her new and truest self began on Medium, a liberal online publication known for providing writers with an open, uncensored space to share their content. At first, most of Vee’s content focused on her personal wellness journey. She published a 60-day weight loss guide complete with vegan recipes and relative cannabis consumption to help others be curious about cannabis and its many healing benefits.
While writing on Medium as part of The Bad Influence team, Vee began to write for Cannasseur Magazine (an online publication). She has then since held writing positions for The Chronic Magazine, Herbage Magazine, The Fresh Toast, Leafly, Skunk Magazine, Ganjapreneur, and nearly every other cannabis industry media outlet.
Despite a slow start due to the pandemic, Vee initiated her 2020-sponsored travel venture by living on farms in Oregon, propelling her into a decisive follow-up year.
On her East Coast Canna Tour, co-hosted by cannabis industry colleague Sunflower’s Spacecakes of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vee covered seven cities in 7 states in the 7th month of the year.
With some notable and highly recognized journeys in 2021, Vee closed out the year with a dream having come true; she visited and toured GKUA Ultra Premium, Lil Wayne’s cannabis company, interviewed their leadership team, and sampled and reviewed their exclusive line of strains. But there’s more: Vee closed out the year having set a date for her visit to tour and interview the team at Monogram, Jay-Z’s cannabis company (if you know Vee, you know she loves everything Lil Wayne and Jay-Z and so these dreams coming true are massive).
Closing on a High Note
Vee closed out 2021, having been the first black cannabis writer to cover the United States cannabis industry from the ground: all major markets, all coasts, all regions, even down the middle. She started 2022 on a high note, accepting an offer of equity partner from Skunk Magazine, joining the writing team at Bud and Breakfast, and being named the new BIPOC in Cannabis Columnist for MJ News Network.
Vee has been all over the country and continues to take the country by storm, so be sure to check her out on her socials, give her a follow, and subscribe to her site so that you don’t miss a thing. Vee is in America today but could be gone to the Caribbean any day now. Her mission is to cover the Caribbean cannabis scene, and all signs point towards it- she will make it happen!
Written by Dom Hart
