The Ganja Traveler

06/17/2024

The secret's out, and The Emerald Triangle is ready! We were excited to see the recent piece in the LA Times highlighting Mendocino as part of "w**d country" - an alternative travel experience to wine country (or perhaps in complement to it). The Cannabis Trail is mentioned as a fun cultural journey, along with our partnership with local Destination Marketing Organizations in uplifting the stories and experiences unique to Northern California's cannabis country.

From the article: "Since leisure-use cannabis legalization, Mendocino County tourism has seen a constant uptick in visitors, about 60% more annually since 2017 [based on Transient Occupancy Tax collections]," Ramon Jimenez said. "As travelers become more educated, they want to move past the lounges and dispensaries to an authentic place of source. ... This growth has spurred a new co-op between Visit Oakland, Visit Mendocino County and Humboldt County Visitors Bureau [focusing] on the Cannabis Trail." Landmarks in Mendocino who received a shoutout include Area 101, Plantshop and The Bohemian Chemist. Congrats all around on this amazing coverage just in time to plan an epic summer road trip!

Read the article at the link in the comments 👇

06/13/2024

Meet more of the Top Brands in Cannabis Travel in California in Part Two of our series with the Beard Bros. These are companies ahead of the curve on creating unique visitor experiences, and we have one more list of ten coming in Part 3 - there is already so much to see, taste, and experience in the cannabis travel space, and we can't wait to see what more is ahead!

https://beardbrospharms.com/articles/the-top-thirty-brands-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-cannabis-tourism-in-california-part-2/

06/07/2024

If it weren't for LGBTQ+ activists, we would be nowhere near legalizing access to the plant. The stories of both q***r and cann*bis liberation share entwined roots, and as we celebrate Pride this month we honor pioneers like Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary who risked it all to make sure that patients had access to this life saving medicine during the AIDS epidemic and beyond by creating Proposition 215 in California. And what better way to celebrate their legacies than by traveling the Trail where their stories come to life? Now is the perfect time to plan a journey along the Trail and visit some LGBTQ+ owned shops, lounges and experiences along the way. Check out our Pride-themed itinerary and hit the Trail! Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

Plan your trip:

Explore the Shared Roots of the Cannabis and LGBTQ+ Movements Along the Cannabis TrailJun 4, 2024 | ArticlesThis Pride Month, we Invite You celebrate the shared roots of cannabis & q***r Liberation along the TrailIn the lush, scenic landscapes of Northern California lies a trail less trodden but ric...

06/05/2024

The cannabis travel niche is still young, but if there's one area ahead of the game, it's definitely California. In part one of a three part series from Beard Bros Pharms on the Top Cannabis Travel Brands in California, you'll meet the first ten attractions, brands, and travel experiences that are pioneering this growing field. As normalization and legalization slowly advance, these companies will surely continue to lead the pack in the exciting and growing sector of cannabis hospitality and travel.

05/29/2024

A short drive from the Bay Area, Mendocino County’s outdoor cannabis lounges are now becoming the go-to gathering places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and celebrate the summer solstice in nature. A place where local growers, herbalists and community members can connect with visitors and travelers around a cultural ceremony and celebration.

For those travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind cannabis-infused solstice cultural experience, you are invited to escape to Plantshop Cannabis Lounge in Ukiah on June 21st, 2024. This celebration will include a Summer Solstice ceremony, mocktail social hour, and a silent auction to benefit the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance. Visit the Trail Landmark at Plantshop, support local farmers and celebrate the summer solstice in the beautiful lounge. Read our travel guide to plan your perfect Solstice weekend getaway in Mendocino:

Celebrating the Sun: A Summer Solstice Getaway to Mendocino CountyMay 23, 2024 | Articles, EventsCelebrate the Summer Solstice at Trail Landmark Plantshop in Mendocino CountyThe summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and it has long been a time of sacred celebrati...

05/24/2024

Recently on the G***apreneur podcast, Brian Applegarth shared how cannabis tourism is evolving as the legal landscape continues to change. Take a deep dive into the cannabis travel industry with Brian and G***apreneur and give this insightful episode a listen: https://www.g***apreneur.com/brian-applegarth-how-cannabis-tourism-is-evolving-with-legalization/

05/21/2024

Hear some wise words about the potential impact of cannabis tourism programs and how DMOs can nurture their local cannabis community to enhance visitor experiences and attract more tourists from this growing market from Brian Applegarth in this recent article published by Destinations International.

"Cannabis tourism offers unique opportunities to reinforce community alignment and engagement. By actively collaborating with local governments and cannabis industry stakeholders who are invested in evolving the visitor economy, destination organizations can enhance their role as community brand managers. This involves utilizing data-driven strategies and methods from “Becoming a Community Shared Value”."

Read more here: https://destinationsinternational.org/blog/cannabis-tourism-within-broader-visitor-economy

05/16/2024

In the heart of Mendocino County, a cinematic and cannabis convergence is set to unfold with the premiere of the award-winning documentary American Pot Story: Oaksterdam at the Mendocino Film Festival (MFF) on Friday, May 31st, at 7:30 pm. Come meet filmmakers Ravit Markus and Dan Katzir and the film’s primary subject, Dale Sky Jones, Executive Chancellor of Oaksterdam University. They are staying for a Q&A with the audience, after which you are invited to an exclusive gathering just a short walk away...

As June approaches, the stage is set for an unparalleled first-of-its-kind getaway weekend that promises to immerse attendees in the best of both worlds – cinematic magic and cannabis-inspired travel moments and memories. Experience the ultimate fusion of film, cannabis, and natural beauty at the Mendocino Film Festival on the stunning Northern California coast, and visit several Cannabis Trail landmarks along the way!

Cannabis and Cinema Converge at The 2024 Mendocino Film Festival WeekendMay 3, 2024 | Articles, EventsCannabis-Themed Film Screening: American Pot Story: OaksterdamIn the heart of California’s captivating Mendocino County, a cinematic and cannabis convergence is set to unfold with the Mendocino pr...

05/08/2024

One of our Featured Storyteller Brands, Next Level Edibles, will be collaborating on a unique infused community meal in Oakland later this month. Elevated Plates is an infused dinner series led by the team at Euphorium. The goal of these dinners is to build community and culture through cannabis and food, and the next delicious dinner takes place on June 9th.

Each event is ticketed in collaboration with Chef Mike, an Oakland native and Foodie Extraordinaire. This event is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a culinary adventure like no other and experience the potential of canna hospitality. Bon appetit! 🍽️

Get your tickets here: https://partiful.com/e/xqvPl5uhvBdoUon0XkKH

05/08/2024

One of The Trail's Featured Storyteller Brands, Next Level Edibles, will be collaborating on a unique infused community meal in Oakland later this month. Elevated Plates is an infused dinner series led by the team at Euphorium. The goal of these dinners is to build community and culture through cannabis and food, and the next delicious dinner takes place on May 26th.

Each event is ticketed in collaboration with Chef Mike, an Oakland native and Foodie Extraordinaire. This event is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a culinary adventure like no other and experience the potential of canna hospitality. Bon appetit! 🍽️

Get your tickets here: https://partiful.com/e/xqvPl5uhvBdoUon0XkKH

04/30/2024

Big news for the plant today! While it's a small step in the right direction and not the descheduling that we truly need, the DEA announced today that they would move forward with rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III - the biggest drug policy move in 50+ years. This change raises many more questions and our work is far from done, but it makes things like banking, scientific research, and tax write offs for business expenses possible for an industry that has been struggling. And any type of relief for our beloved community is definitely something to celebrate! 🙌 We hope that this change opens up the growing world of canna travel and tourism!

📸: Sugarhill Farm in the sun at

04/26/2024

What a trip (and a blessing) to see and w**d featured in a wine publication! As any seasoned g***a traveler knows all too well, when it comes to wine and w**d, there's no reason you have to choose just one. Experiencing all the richness that a region offers and enjoying all that delights the senses in Northern California especially has always involved BOTH. Wine and w**d is very much a "Yes, And" situation and so we're thrilled to see the Wine Enthusiast covering cannabis travel in a recent article:

In recent years, in-the-know travelers are seeking not just high-end wine tastings, but elevated cannabis experiences. Here’s how to plan your journey.

04/19/2024

Looking for something fun to do this 4 / 20 in the Bay? Try a trip along The Equity Path of Oakland’s Cann@bis Trail!

The Equity Path features the Equity-licensed and BIPOC owned shops, lounges, and brands of Oakland, while also spotlighting and sharing about 🍃 history and culture.

The Equity Path experience includes interactive Cultural Landmarks installations and Effect Pairings that showcase some of the best canna-complimentary art, food, and nature experiences The Town has to offer. This 4 / 20, Choose Equity!

Plan your journey this 4 / 20 here 🍃💨✊🏾 https://www.visitoakland.com/blog/post/traveling-the-equity-path-along-the-oakland-cannabis-trail/

04/18/2024

Our cultural high holiday is coming up and we've rounded up a few opportunities to celebrate along the Trail. 4 / 20 is an opportunity to uplift the brands, shops, lounges, and events that most need our support, and it’s a great time to give back to the legacy and equity communities who have given so much to normalizing the plant. 🍃

This 4 / 20, make it an adventure. Explore the events and happenings along the Cann@bis Trail like these...

Celebrate 4/20 Along the Cannabis Trail with these Curated 4/20 California EventsApr 15, 2024 | Articles, EventsDo you know the origin story of 420? picture it: San Rafael, California, 1971. The air is thick with excitement and the scent of something, well, a little herbal. Enter The Waldos, a band....

04/17/2024

Spring is in the air, and it’s time to get outside! While you’re at it, why not combine warm, sunny skies with epic street art, delicious food, and a little something to enhance your experience? In Santa Ana, you can find all of the above and more. The 4/20 weekend is the perfect time to set out on an exploration of public art and cannabis culture in sunny Santa Ana.

Like a living, city-sized art museum, Santa Ana is a destination that proudly displays one of Southern California's most extensive collections of murals and public art. Starting with the Chicano movement of the 1960s, artists began painting massive images that commemorate the city’s colorful, multicultural heritage.

Santa Ana also happens to be home to some of the most travel-worthy cannabis shops that feature colorful, large-scale public art murals for your enjoyment: https://www.travelsantaana.com/cannabis-blog/post/420-weekend-art-crawl-experience-in-santa-ana/

**dart

03/26/2024

You’re invited to travel The Cannabis Trail – a journey through the heart of California’s rich cannabis culture. From the vibrant streets of Oakland to the serene landscapes of Mendocino County and ending in the rugged Humboldt hills, this curated adventure promises an immersive exploration of the plant’s journey from seed to consumption. Each of the landmarks represents a historical moment in counterculture or a pioneer in the fight for legalization and compassionate access to the plant.

As you travel The Trail, each landmark will have a map and signs that tell the story of the people, places, and benchmark moments of the California cannabis movement. Scan the QR codes found on each storytelling sign to dive deeper into the history of the plant and the unique community in Northern California that spread its seeds and its stories.

In this Taste of the Trail, you’ll experience these landmarks and much more:
🌇 Oakland: Root’d in the 510, Blunts + Moore, Harborside
🌊 Mendocino: Plantshop, Bohemian Chemist, Sol de Mendocino
🌲 Humboldt: H**p Connection in Garberville, Huckleberry Hill Farm, Humboldt Cannabis Tours

Get the full itinerary here: https://thecannabistrail.com/the-trail/a-taste-of-the-trail/

03/01/2024

Explore the Equity Path along the Oakland Cannabis Trail with some delicious local eats and great stays in Oakland!

The G***a Traveler welcomes you to Oakland, California, a groundbreaking cannabis scene where inclusivity, empowerment, and entrepreneurial spirit take center stage. We're bringing you on a guided tour through the Equity Path along The Cannabis Trail, where canna-curious travelers can experienc...

02/07/2024

This Black History Month it's important to honor and support Black owned businesses, especially since the Black community was disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. Several BIPOC owned businesses and brands are honored as landmarks along The Cannabis Trail that highlights the culture and history of the canna community across nine counties in Northern California, including two in Oakland. Plus we've got some event paired suggestions to support along the Equity Path of the Oakland Cannabis Trail...

Tucky Blunt received the world’s first equity license to open his store Blunts + Moore which now hosts an outdoor lounge called The Happy Lounge that’s perfect for stopping by before games at the nearby stadium.

In the lively Temescal neighborhood, Root’d in the 510 is a gorgeous equity dispensary with a wide selection and helpful signage that highlights BIPOC, women, and veteran owned brands that they carry while you shop. They are working on an epic lounge and community gathering space that should be open sometime this summer, but the store alone is worth a visit!

And worth a mention is Black-owned and conveniently located Oakanna, near Lake Merritt and staffed by East Bay locals. Oakanna is well stocked and offers accessible prices, helpful staff, some fun snacks to help quell your munchies and the perfect spot to stop before a walk around the lake on a sunny Oakland afternoon. We miss those.

You can find lots more Black owned businesses to support by following our friends at the Equity Trade Network. While you’re out supporting these Black-owned shops this month and all year long, may we suggest some fun effect pairing experiences to enjoy with your treasures - like legendary BBQ or a visit to a museum? We’ve got the perfect itinerary in Oakland planned out for you - come blaze The Equity Path along the Oakland Cannabis Trail: https://storystudio.sfgate.com/blaze-the-equity-path-along-the-oakland-cannabis-trail/