High Times Launches Travel Series Exploring Contrasting Cannabis Cultures in Mallorca and Portugal

High Times has debuted a new travel documentary series on YouTube, produced in partnership with Matca Films, that examines cannabis culture through a nuanced lens. The series opens with two distinct episodes: one delving into the discreet cannabis club scene in Mallorca, Spain, and the other spotlighting Portugal’s burgeoning regulated medical cannabis industry near Lisbon. Rather than reducing cannabis to a tourist novelty, the show investigates how local customs, unspoken rules, and the broader social fabric shape each region’s unique relationship with the plant

The Mallorca episode, titled “Inside the Cannabis Underground of a Mediterranean Paradise,” offers viewers a glimpse into a community built on discretion, neighborhood respect, and a quieter island rhythm. The episode’s guide, Roger, emphasizes the island's distinct identity, noting, “Mallorca isn’t just another Mediterranean island. Every sunrise here reminds you that this place has its own rhythm.” The program spends time on a hemp agriculture project before visiting Palma’s private cannabis clubs, where operators stress the importance of careful ID checks and maintaining a respectful, low-profile presence to coexist with local residents

According to High Times, the Mallorca segment intentionally avoids stereotypes of Spanish cannabis culture as a party-driven spectacle. Club operators highlight that their approach is “not about doing party or just being loud,” but about integrating responsibly into the community and upholding strict internal rules. This careful balance is essential, as operators are keen to distinguish Mallorca’s scene from the more boisterous reputation of cities like Barcelona. The narrative centers on coexistence, discretion, and the survival of these private spaces amid evolving attitudes and regulations

The second episode, “How Portugal Quietly Became Europe’s Cannabis Capital,” shifts the focus to a more formal and ambitious landscape: Portugal’s regulated medical cannabis sector. The spotlight falls on Sunlight Green, a major greenhouse facility outside Lisbon founded in 2019. Founder Jonathan Goldman describes Portugal as “the pearl of the cannabis industry in Europe,” citing climate, location, and regulatory frameworks as key advantages. Head grower Matt Wils discusses their commitment to exclusive genetics and pesticide-free cultivation, aiming to elevate Portugal’s reputation and provide patients with high-quality, safe products

Unlike Mallorca’s club-based community, Portugal’s approach is defined by infrastructure, compliance, and scale, with an emphasis on medical standards and export potential. The documentary contrasts these models, suggesting that cannabis culture is shaped as much by local values as by legal frameworks. As the series continues, it promises to chart both the underground and the increasingly global, regulated sides of cannabis, mapping Spain’s diverse regions and following Portugal’s transformation into a medical cannabis powerhouse

From the OG Lab perspective, this new series signals a maturing narrative around cannabis tourism and industry, moving beyond clichés to document real-world complexities and community dynamics. By highlighting both grassroots and commercial models, the series could help inform policy, industry standards, and cultural understanding across Europe. For the cannabis sector, such storytelling underscores the importance of context and adaptability as the market evolves on the continent