25 Destinations For the Cannabis Connoisseur

Derek Thomas – Political Analyst

The cultural shift towards marijuana acceptance is global. Europe, North America, South America, and even some Asian countries are shifting their hearts and minds to be more marijuana accepting. If you like to travel, this article lays out 25 awesome places you can visit and not worry about serving a 15-year stint of hard labor in the gulag for a doobie.

Germany

While Germany just legalized a robust medical marijuana system that includes selling in most of the nations and dispensaries and covering prescriptions with insurance plans. For a long time, though, authorities have turned a blind eye to marijuana. Authorities have even allowed places like the infamous Gorlitzer Park in Berlin – a large open air market where marijuana is sold – to flourish.

Australia

Medical Marijuana finally has come into effect in Australi, and some states have elected to decriminalize possession of marijuana. Unfortunately, other states have states opted to interpret the laws differently and consider it a more substantially-punishable offense in others. Queensland State has the most flexible laws, followed by New South Wales and Victoria, while Western Australia’s laws remain the most strict in the nation.

Cambodia

Marijuana use is fairly common among the ancient Khmer people and foreigners alike! There are even places designated as “Happy Restaurants” in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville that publicly offer food cooked with marijuana. You certaintly don’t want to get caught selling it or sneaking it into the country, but no one is going to raise an eyebrow to a joint or two.

Argentina

The chill mindsight of Argentina’s “to each their own” policy carries over into smoking. But you don’t want to get caught selling, transporting, or cultivating marijuana. Seriously, don’t get caught doing that. But lighting up a bong in your home is still totally fine.

Canada

You have to try hard to get in trouble for anything in Canada. The least of which is smoking weed. You can probably walk down their one highway smoking a joint, playing Springsteen, and shouting “USA! USA!” and all that’ll happen is a passerby will likely offer you a ride.

Colombia

Pot has actually been decriminalized in Columbia since 1994 and up to 22 grams is fine under the eyes of the law. Just don’t get caught with 20 plants or more. That’s not going to be good for you.

Costa Rica

Pura Weeda. The de facto decriminalization policy of possession has been upheld throughout the country, and there’s no maximum amount assigned. Just another chill policy from the country of no army, no worries, and green energy.

Croatia

Want to walk around with a small baggie of weed in your pokect? No worries. You might be met with a small fine. Want to sell small baggies of weed from your pocket? Minimum three years in jail. Don’t do that, and enjoy your stay.

Czech Republic

Medical marijuana was implemented in 2013, maing it somewhat of a veteran in Europe’s medical scene. For tourists, possession of up to 15 grams for personal use has been decriminalized, and consumption – even outdoors – is tolerated in some places.

Ecuador

Like most other south American countries, possession of a few grams is no biggie, but selling, cultivating, or transporting can land you in big trouble. Specifically for Ecuador, you can possess up to ten grams and be care free.

Estonia

Stick to the 7.5-gram possession limit or you’ll end up spending five years in an Estonian jail. In fact, we suggest you travel a little lighter than the 7.5 grams just to be on the safe side.

Italy

One of the lesser pot friendly countries on the list, possession for personal use will only get you slapped with a misdemeanor. The sale of cannabis-based products is punishable by imprisonment. Marijuana for medical use, on the other hand, is strictly regulated.

Jamaica

You’re probably not shocked to see Jamaica on this list, but you might be shocked to know they just recently decriminalized weed. Possession of up to two ounces will only be counted as a petty offense and citizens can now grow up to five plants for use of religious purposes.

Mexico

Mexico decriminalized weed in 2009. Still, its advised not to be too blatent about consuming in public areas and it’s still necessary to be very careful when buying marijuana depending on what area of the country you’re in. Looking for a doobie in Tulum? No worries. Looking to score in Sinaloa? Don’t go to Sinaloa.

Nepal

Weed is nothing new to Nepal. They’ve used the plant for centuries, mostly in religious rituals that involve either drinking an infused beverage, smoking the buds, or harvesting and smoking the resin, or hash. You could actually get high on the highest point on earth in Nepal.

The Netherlands

While not technically fully legal, an extreme blind eye has been turned in designated smoking areas – like coffee shops – around the country. It’s been ignored for so long that an entire industry has been built around this, and now cannabis is even exported to other countries across Europe.

North Korea

Surprised? We are too. The famously hermetic country has a shockingly liberal stance on marijuana. You can quite literally walk into a grocery store and pick up a bag of weed (if they have it) and then smoke it to your heart’s content. All fun and games until you remember you’re in North Korea.

Pakistan

Pakistan is tricky, because the “legality” relies on the laziness of the local police force (or the depth of your wallet) – while it’s illegal to possess pot, it’s widely tolerated. However, cultivating marijuana has been decriminalized, which explains the large tracts of cannabis growing freely throughout the country.

Peru

You can grow it. You can drive around with it. You can smoke it. Hell, you can do whatever you want with it. Except sell it. Definitely don’t do that.

Portugal

Portugal became the first nation in the world to legalize all drugs (in personal amounts) in 2001. Every single one. You’re allowed to carry 25 grams of weed on you at all times, and that weighs in at almost a full ounce. That’s a lot of green.

Russia

Another slightly surprising country makes the list – you can actually possess up to six grams of marijuana in Russia. And historically, Russia’s hemp industry has supplied many nations with a quality reliable source of fiber. Just make sure you don’t have more than six grams, or you’ll totally go to Siberia.

Spain

Referred to as the “new Amsterdam,” Spain boasts about 500 “cannabis clubs” and has made it legal to grow and smoke weed in the comfort of your home. Cultural rules are big in Spain still, so don’t go around like a drunken brit smoking your joints on public buses and you’ll be fine.

Switzerland

In an effort to curb illegal buying, the Swiss have decriminalized marijuana are allowing cultivation of up to four marijuana plants per person. And an indoor plant can yield around two pounds of herb alone, making the quality of life not the only thing that’s super high in Switzerland.

Ukraine

While technically illegal in Ukraine, it is an administrative fine to possess up to ten plants in your home, which also cultivates a culture of acceptance if consumed privately. You definitely don’t want to get caught selling marijuana in Ukraine though.

Uruguay

Uruguayan president, Jose Mujica, and its legislators have completely legalized pot. While Mujica hasn’t yet specified certain amounts or mandated any rules on transporting or selling, you do have to be over the age of 18 to buy it. The country was the first in the world to completely legalize marijuana.