3 Ways to Use CBD Oil You Haven’t Thought Of
January 28, 2026
No Comments
Copyright © 2023 Haze Buds | Powered by C&R Group
Chiang Mai is a city of layers. You have the vibrant, neon-lit layer of the Night Bazaar. You have the historic, brick-walled layer of the Old City. And then, you have the natural layer—the Doi Suthep mountain range that hugs the city like a guardian.
But for those who truly want to escape—for the adventurers, the dreamers, and the Haze Buds community—there is another level. There is a place where the city lights cannot reach, where the air turns crisp and cold, and where the sky opens up into an infinite canvas of diamonds.
We are talking about Doi Luang Chiang Dao.
Located about 1.5 hours north of Chiang Mai city, Chiang Dao translates literally to “City of Stars.” It is Thailand’s third-highest peak, a massive limestone monolith that rises abruptly from the valley floor to a staggering height of 2,225 meters.
Unlike the rolling hills of Doi Suthep, Chiang Dao looks prehistoric. It looks jagged, raw, and imposing. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a sanctuary for rare wildlife, and—during the winter months—it transforms into a magical, otherworldly escape that feels more like the Swiss Alps or the Himalayas than tropical Thailand.
If you are looking for the ultimate road trip to pair with your favorite cannabis strains, this is it. But Chiang Dao is not a day trip. To truly understand its power, you have to stay the night. You have to witness the transition from the golden sunset to the pitch-black void, illuminated only by the Milky Way.
Here is the Haze Buds guide on how to experience Thailand’s starriest night.
In the Haze Buds seasonal guide, we describe Chiang Dao in winter as a “Magical, otherworldly escape.” From November to February, the temperature on the mountain drops significantly. At night, it can reach single digits (Celsius).
For a Westerner, this might sound normal. For a local or an expat used to the humid heat of the valley, this cold is a luxury. It changes everything.
The Air: It becomes thin and crystal clear. There is no haze. The visibility stretches for miles.
The Fog: In the early morning, a “Sea of Fog” (Talay Mok) settles in the valley below the homestays. You wake up floating above the clouds, looking directly at the limestone cliff face jutting out of the white ocean.
The Vibe: It invites “nesting.” It invites wearing a thick sweater, drinking hot cocoa (or herbal tea), and huddling under a blanket.
This atmosphere is the perfect setting for a specific kind of cannabis experience—one focused on introspection, awe, and cozy relaxation.
The journey to Chiang Dao is part of the adventure. You will head north on Route 107. The road starts straight and busy, but as you pass the Mae Rim district, the traffic thins. The trees get taller. The air gets cooler.
The Pit Stop: About an hour in, the road begins to wind through the jungle. This is a great time to stop at one of the roadside coffee stalls.
Strain Pairing: Orange Creampop (Sativa – 32% THC)
Why: You want to be alert for the drive, but you want to enhance the visuals of the passing jungle. Orange Creampop is a powerhouse Sativa. It offers a zesty, creamy citrus kick that wakes up the brain instantly. It makes the green of the trees pop and the winding road feel like a video game.
Effect: High energy and focus.
(Note: Please consume responsibly. If you are the driver, stick to CBD or micro-dose. Safety first).
The Final Ascent: To get to the famous view, you need to drive up to Ban Na Lao Mai. The road here is steep, narrow, and paved with concrete. It requires focus. As you climb, your ears will pop. You are leaving the “real world” behind.
You don’t go to Chiang Dao for 5-star luxury. You go for the view. The accommodation in Ban Na Lao Mai consists of simple bamboo huts built by the Lisu hill tribe people. They cling to the side of the ridge, facing the massive Doi Luang mountain head-on.
Amenities: Minimal. A mattress on the floor, a thick blanket, and a mosquito net.
Electricity: Limited. Usually solar-powered. No fancy plugs. No TV.
The Deck: This is what you pay for. Every hut has a bamboo balcony hanging over the abyss, with an unobstructed view of the mountain.
The Arrival Ritual: Drop your bags. Step onto the balcony. Breathe. The silence here is heavy. It’s not the silence of an empty room; it’s the silence of a massive landscape. You might hear the wind whistling through the limestone crags or a rooster crowing in the village below.
Around 5:30 PM, the show begins. The sun sets behind you, casting its light onto the face of Doi Luang Chiang Dao. The grey limestone turns gold, then orange, then purple. It is a slow-motion psychedelic show performed by nature.
Strain Pairing: Trop Cherry Gas14 (Sativa – 22% THC)
Why: This strain is genetically engineered for this exact moment. It provides a cerebral, uplifting high that enhances color perception. As the light changes on the mountain, the deep cherry and gas notes of Trop Cherry Gas14 add a layer of sensory richness.
The Effect: It’s euphoric but not racy. It allows you to sit still and watch the shadows lengthen across the valley without feeling restless.
Once the sun is gone, the darkness falls quickly. Because you are high up and far from the city lights of Chiang Mai, the light pollution is almost zero.
This is when Chiang Dao lives up to its name. First, you see Venus. Then, the major constellations. And then, as your eyes adjust, the Milky Way emerges. It looks like a dusting of powder across the sky. You can see satellites moving. You can see shooting stars.
The Activity: This is not a time for loud music or partying. This is a time for stillness. Put on a warm jacket (seriously, it gets cold). Lie down on the bamboo deck. Look up.
Strain Pairing: Alien Mint (Indica – 27% THC)
Why: The name fits the setting perfectly. You are staring into space, and you need a strain that feels otherworldly. Alien Mint is a heavy hitter. It has a complex, minty, earthy profile that feels “cool” on the inhale but provides a deep, warming body high on the exhale.
The Effect: It dissolves the boundary between you and the mat. It quiets the internal monologue (“Did I lock the door?”, “I need to check emails”). It allows you to stare at the infinity of space for an hour without getting bored. It is a profound, spiritual experience.
You cannot visit Chiang Dao without the culinary tradition: Mookata (Thai BBQ Hot Pot). Most homestays offer this for dinner (usually included or for a small extra fee). Imagine a charcoal grill set up on your freezing cold balcony. The heat from the coals warms your face. The smell of grilling pork and boiling vegetable soup wafts into the night air.
Why it works with Cannabis: We mentioned the “Munchies” in previous blogs, but Mountain Munchies are different. Your body is burning calories to stay warm. The hot soup, the salty pork, the spicy dipping sauce—it hits every pleasure center in the brain.
Strain Pairing: Guzzlers (Hybrid – 34% THC)
Why: If your appetite needs a kickstart after a long day of travel, Guzzlers is the answer. It’s a potent hybrid known for inducing a serious appetite. The chemical/gas flavor profile cuts through the cold air and prepares your palate for the spicy dipping sauce.
Do not sleep in. Set your alarm for 6:00 AM. Walk out onto your balcony. The valley below will be filled with a thick, white layer of fog. The peak of Doi Luang will be poking out of it like an island. The Lisu hosts will bring you hot coffee (grown locally) and Khao Tom (rice soup).
Strain Pairing: Pineapple Express 2.0 (Sativa – 35% THC + 2% CBD)
Why: You need to wake up, but you want to stay balanced. Pineapple Express 2.0 is the ultimate morning engine. With a massive 35% THC, it provides immediate energy, but the added 2% CBD helps keep the high clear and focused, preventing morning anxiety.
The Flavor: Tropical, sweet pineapple. It tastes like breakfast. As the sun burns off the fog, this strain will energize you for the winding drive back down the mountain.
1. Booking is Essential These homestays (like Ban Lisu or Baan Rabiang Dao) sell out months in advance for the winter season. Book early. If you can’t get a room in Ban Na Lao Mai, staying at the foot of the mountain (Chiang Dao Nest area) is also lovely.
2. Clothing Strategy Do not underestimate the cold.
Pack a beanie.
Pack thick socks.
Pack a hoodie.
Haze Buds Tip: Cannabis lowers body temperature slightly. If you smoke, you will feel the cold more intensely. Layer up before you start your session.
3. The Supply Run There are no 7-Elevens in the homestay village. There are small mom-and-pop shops, but their selection is limited.
Stock up: Buy your snacks, water, and cannabis supplies at Haze Buds and a supermarket in the city before you leave.
Accessories: Bring a Teak Wood Joint Holder or Wooden Grinder. They fit the rustic aesthetic and protect your supply during the drive.
4. Respect the Environment Doi Luang is a sacred mountain. It is a protected wildlife sanctuary.
Leave No Trace: Pack out all your trash (including roaches).
Noise: The walls of the bamboo huts are paper-thin. Be respectful of your neighbors. Keep the music low or use headphones. Let the sound of nature take over.
In the hustle of travel—the tuk-tuks, the temples, the markets—we sometimes forget to just stop. Doi Luang Chiang Dao is the stop button.
It is a place where you are forced to disconnect (often the cell signal is weak anyway). It is a place where you are forced to look at something bigger than yourself.
At Haze Buds, we curate strains like Alien Mint and Trop Cherry Gas14 not just to get you high, but to enhance experiences like this. We want you to feel the awe. We want you to see the stars.
So, grab your jacket. Come to the shop to pick up your “Mountain Kit.” And head north. The stars are waiting.
Read our full itinerary for a Doi Luang road trip in the magazine.
Copyright © 2023 Haze Buds | Powered by C&R Group