Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Castillo.
Hi Veronica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was working in insurance and HR when chronic migraines changed my quality of life. In 2015, I tried cannabis to manage the pain, and it didn’t just heal me; it gave me purpose and confirmed what I already knew: I was meant to be a writer. So I sold my house in Ohio, packed my car, and hit the road. For almost a decade, I’ve traveled across America and aborad documenting the cannabis industry, but specifically the Black, Brown, and women-owned businesses that mainstream media wasn’t focusing on. Over 250 published articles later, I’ve built a platform to amplify voices that deserve to be heard. The Traveling Cannabis Writer wasn’t a career plan, more like a calling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I acted on impulse, and I don’t regret it for a second because my passion is beautiful and it’s gotten me here. But honestly, things could’ve been easier with structured plans. I didn’t have a business model when I started. I didn’t have investors or a roadmap. I was literally figuring it out as I went, staying in my car, grinding it out. If I’d taken time to build strategy first, maybe I wouldn’t have struggled so hard financially early on. But that hunger and that willingness to learn on the fly also shaped who I am as a writer and an advocate. The struggle made me adaptable. It made me resourceful. So yeah, it’s been messy, but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
On any given day, I’m pitching stories, conducting interviews, traveling to cannabis businesses, and creating content across multiple platforms. I write for national publications, lead a column, and work on longer-form projects like my book series. My specialty is telling stories that move people to action and change perception. I focus on educating people about cannabis as a wellness plant while shining a light on the entrepreneurs and cultivators doing the real work. What people might not know is that I’m also a strategic storyteller for brands and businesses that align with my values. I help them communicate their mission authentically to their communities. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the doors I’ve opened for other voices. When a cultivator tells me that my story about their farm changed how people saw their business, that’s everything. I’m proud that I’ve stayed fearless in a white male-dominated industry while being unapologetically an AfroLatina from Miami. That takes audacity. What sets me apart is my longevity and consistency. I’ve been showing up for almost a decade, not chasing trends. I’ve built real trust with business owners, and that trust is currency in this space.
How do you think about luck?
Luck is being positioned when opportunity shows up. I got lucky meeting cultivators and business owners who became mentors. As my career grew, I transitioned from being a freelancer to a media partner with publishers. Now I’m collaborating on strategy, not just pitching stories. I believe in making your own luck through consistency and showing up authentically. The best things happened because I was present and open to unexpected connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.veetravelingvegcannawriter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vee_thetravelingcannawriter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/v2travelingvegcannawriter/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vee-traveling-veg-canna-writer/
