Episode 12 of Travel Tuesday, a segment of the Beard Bros Media Network dedicated to the intersection of culture and industry, spotlighted the burgeoning field of wellness and cannabis tourism. Hosted by Brian Applegarth, founder of the Cannabis Travel Association International and head of tourism for Sunstone Brands, the episode delved into how cannabis and hemp are transforming travel experiences focused on healing, relaxation, and self-discovery.
In this episode, Applegarth was joined by two pioneering figures shaping this movement: Rose Moberly, a seasoned cannabis professional and sound healing practitioner, and Felicity Chen, founder of Potly, a brand that merges health, heritage, and innovation through cannabis-infused and hemp-infused food staples.
The Roots of Personal Transformation and Wellness in Cannabis
Rose Moberly shared her deeply personal journey into the intersection of cannabis and wellness. After a decade working in corporate cannabis in Colorado, her life took a profound turn when her mother was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma and passed away at age 48. Witnessing her mother’s suffering inspired Moberly to pursue a slower, more meaningful, and wellness-oriented lifestyle. Moving to Humboldt County, she found a new purpose in integrating sound healing and natural therapies into her life and work.
Moberly explained how her initial interest in sound healing predated her mother’s illness. A simple Tibetan bowl purchase became a catalyst for reconnecting with her body and purpose amid the disconnection she felt within the industry. Her experiences underscore the importance of wellness practices like sound baths in fostering emotional balance and self-awareness.
Felicity Chen’s narrative echoed similar themes rooted in family and cultural heritage. Growing up in an Asian-American household, she witnessed her parents’ small business and their emphasis on health, tradition, and holistic approaches. Inspired by her mother’s anxiety and asthma, Chen experimented with infusing honey with cannabis to create a healing ritual. Her product, a cannabis-infused honey called Auntie Juice, exemplifies how traditional practices can be adapted to modern wellness routines, emphasizing natural, local, and ritualistic consumption.
Cannabis as a Vehicle for Spiritual and Cultural Connection
Both guests emphasized that cannabis’s historic role as a medicinal plant informs their current work. Rose highlighted how ancient cultures used plant medicines for healing, viewing cannabis as a tool for restoring harmony and balance. Felicity reflected on her cultural roots, noting how traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese culinary practices prioritize balance, which aligns closely with cannabis’s therapeutic potential.
Their insights point to a broader understanding of cannabis not merely as recreational but as a facilitator of spiritual health, self-reflection, and cultural expression. The conversations touched on how travel experiences centered around wellness—such as sound baths, forest walks, and culinary rituals—offer immersive opportunities for self-discovery, especially when thoughtfully integrated with cannabis.
Curated Experiences and the Future of Cannabis Wellness Travel
Applegarth asked both guests to share memorable travel-related experiences. Moberly recounted a farm tour featuring a sound bath with Ricky Williams, where the football star was moved to tears, exemplifying the power of safe, emotional openness fostered through cannabis and sound healing. Chen described a collaboration at Mendocino’s Madrones estate farm, where food, nature, and cannabis combined to create reflective, self-empowering journeys.
Felicity Chen also highlighted her work with Potly’s travel-friendly products, such as CBD and CBN chews designed to enhance sleep and energy during travel. She emphasized how these products are crafted for on-the-go use, supporting travelers seeking authenticity, wellness, and balance during their journeys.
Cultivating Connection Through Craft and Culture
Rose discussed the unique cultivars grown at Huckleberry Hill Farms, emphasizing their heritage and the intentional breeding of strains like Paradise Punch and White Thorn Rose. These cultivars symbolize the farm’s deep connection to family, tradition, and healing. She also mentioned ongoing research into the therapeutic properties of these strains, including potential neurogenesis benefits.
Felicity shared stories of collaborations with culinary and cultural icons, such as Mr. Juice in San Francisco, and her brand’s engagement in community-centered projects like the Courage Over Comfort magazine. These initiatives exemplify how cannabis-infused products can serve as catalysts for community building, cultural storytelling, and wellness.
Looking Ahead: The Role of Cannabis in Holistic Travel and Wellness
Both guests concurred that the future of cannabis tourism lies in authentic, balance-oriented experiences that transcend recreational use. With a significant and growing audience of over 72 million Americans interested in wellness-focused travel, the industry is poised to expand offerings that integrate plant medicine with cultural, spiritual, and physical healing practices.
Felicity Chen expressed optimism about the ongoing research and innovation, especially as holistic and traditional healing modalities gain recognition worldwide. Rose underscored the importance of preserving the legacy of plant medicines and fostering responsible, meaningful consumption.
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