Beginning in April 2014, Uruguay’s laws surrounding the use of marijuana will become more encompassing, allowing for government control over the entire industry. In an effort to curb traffickers, the country legalized the sale, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis, and plans to begin to sell it for $1 a gram.
The Netherlands, and Amsterdam in particular, have long been considered a hotspot for marijuana use, and “coffee shops” that sell weed are incredibly common. Though it is illegal to sell to tourists (in an effort to prevent it from being brought back to foreign countries where it remains illegal), marijuana use is still incredibly prominent.
As marijuana is decriminalized in Switzerland, only the minimum penalty is enforced for possession and personal use, despite the amount. Even further, the government decided in January 2012 that each person would be able to grow and cultivate up to four plants for personal use, in an effort to cut down illegal trafficking. The result has been considered fairly successful.
Though selling cannabis remains against the law in Spain, the country legalized the cultivation of cannabis plants for personal use, so long as it is consumed by adults in private spaces. Buying, selling, possessing, or consuming cannabis in public locations is decriminalized (and very rarely enforced), meaning the punishment is merely a small fine and confiscation.
Portugal is extremely progressive in its treatment of drug offenses, and became the first country in the world to decriminalize all drug use (for personal consumption) in 2001, opting instead to treat drug use as a sickness and enforce treatment rather than punishment. Marijuana use is still widely prevalent throughout the country, and no criminal charges can be brought if one has less than an estimated 10 days’ supply of marijuana — determined to be 25 grams for weed, five grams for hash, and 2.5 grams for THC oil.
Marijuana has been decriminalized in Chile since 2007, allowing for minimal punishment for the personal consumption, possession and cultivation of the drug in private locations. Despite the “private” stipulation, it’s still extremely common to find marijuana in many of the country’s bars and beaches.
Jamaica has long been considered a haven for weed smokers (thanks in large part to Bob Marley) but in fact the cultivation, selling, and consumption of marijuana is illegal, albeit decriminalized as of October 2013. Regardless of the law, marijuana is often sold openly and is extremely easy to come by, and the tourism industry heavily markets ganja tours and other marijuana-related activities.
Like many other countries on this list, the possession of up-to-15 grams of marijuana or the cultivation of up to five plants (all for personal use only) is decriminalized in the Czech Republic. Medical marijuana has also been legal since April 2013, and it’s not uncommon to find many people smoking pot in bars and other public places.
Mexico can lay claim to the word marijuana, slang for cannabis. It translates from Spanish to “Mary Jane.” America can thank Mexico for this “highly” creative play on words. As of 2009, holding and the recreational use of less than five grams of pot is legal in Mexico, although in a country said to be largely run by drug-trade bribery, it’s easy to push the limits. Recently, lawmakers proposed decriminalizing (but not legalizing) the personal possession and usage of pot in Mexico City. Tens of thousands of people have died as a result of the U.S.-led drug war over the years, and it’s speculated that a move to relax laws on marijuana may reduce general violence in the country.
Marijuana is still illegal, and burning it down in Kiwi land is not uncommon. But more than 13 percent of people ages 16 to 64 say they partake. Steep fines and short prison time has been slapped on unauthorized possessors, but recent steps to relax these laws have been introduced. The Green Party works to decriminalize users and holders, and a 2011 Law Commission review said that the anti-cannabis legislation needs to be revisited. Until then, how can such a paradise be experienced without a little psychotropic help?
Perhaps its the influence of neighboring Uruguay and Peru, but Argentina is practically on the verge of legalizing marijuana. At the end of 2013, the country’s anti-drug czar called for a pragmatic discussion on the matter. Argentina’s Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to legislate personal lifestyle decisions, therefore public consumption and possession of drugs to a very limited degree is acceptable. Every year there are two Argentine Cannabis Cups where thousands of growers showcase their loot.
While it’s not the first choice of travel destination for most ganga tourists, Pakistan is known to treat the herb with spiritual reverence. During traditional ceremonies for Sufis and Hindus, cannabis is used to access a state of euphoria. Because it is one of the world’s largest growers of the herb, it is really easy to buy marijuana here. Swaths of the crop are found all over the country, and cultivators are rarely bothered by the authorities.
Possessing up to eight grams of marijuana in Peru is absolutely legal, although growing and selling is not. Public consumption is reportedly pretty friendly as well, although it’s personal use which should be highlighted here. There is the risk of being mistaken as a trafficker, and Peruvian prisons are no cake walk. Other drugs in small quantities are permissible too, as stated in Peruvian Law No. 28002: “Possession of drugs for immediate and personal use is not punishable, for quantities not exceeding five grams of base cocaine, two grams of cocaine hydrocholoride, eight grams of marijuana or two grams of it’s derivatives, a gram of opium latex or 200 milligrams of it’s derivatives.” (Cannibis Friendly Peru).
Though it’s not actually permissible in Cambodia, pot is allegedly very accessible. Cannabis is available for purchase all over the country, especially in areas backpackers frequent, and can be smoked in public with few ramifications. “Green Light” districts have been set up through police bribery where consumption is rampant, and many restaurants will cook the herb on pizza or with other dishes! The sad reality is the poverty level of Cambodia, and the desperation of the sellers to earn a few dollars.
What?! Are you Kim Jong ill?? (Get it?). Yep, apparently this isolated country with its often verbally aggressive leader who is extremely oppressive to the people didn’t get the memo. Cannabis is not considered a drug in any way in North Korea. This according to defectors and the rare visitor to the country who happens to, um, buy a bag of weed from an outdoor vendor and smoke it in a public park. The government has even made some bucks selling the green abroad to earn foreign currency. Question is: who’s out of touch with reality regarding pot — the Westerners or this crazy regime?
In Ecuador, it is considered legal to possess up to 10 grams of marijuana, and even up to 20 grams is not a criminal offense (it remains a misdemeanor). These are recent developments, but weed smoking has been common practice in Ecuador for a long time.
Though it’s illegal at the federal level, the U.S. is quickly becoming much more weed-friendly thanks to recent landmark legislation in Colorado and Washington. It seems that most Americans support legalization, so it is thought that many more states will follow suit, and several others have legalized marijuana for medical use.
