Looking for the perfect destination for a mind-blowing vacation? Unfortunately, smoking cannabis isn’t legal in every country. But that doesn’t mean some countries aren’t fully on board with letting you enjoy your weed within a legal framework.
To be more transparent, you can never be certain whether the country you plan to visit would tolerate the recreational and/or medicinal use of cannabis due to changes in the legal system and legal gray areas. It is always best to avoid crossing into countries where cannabis in your pocket. But that doesn’t stop you from getting some locally!
Here, we’ll take a look at a list of the 10 best places in the world to smoke weed. Some of them might surprise you!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Let’s start with the world’s best-known and most renowned cannabis destination: Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and the cannabis capital of Europe. To combat the heroin epidemic that was raging in the 1970s, coffee shops were opened to separate cannabis from heroin on the black market. Today, the city offers every variety of cannabis you could possibly want.
Amsterdam's upscale coffeeshops are still open. The city has more than 200 coffee shops, all with their own “green” menu. Not to mention a few excellent spots that are just a metro ride away from Utrecht. The maximum amount of cannabis you can buy in coffeeshops is 5 grams. Note that smoking it on the street is prohibited.
Barcelona, Spain
How about soaking up the Iberian sun while enjoying your cannabis? Barcelona is the ideal destination for cannabis users looking for a warm climate, beautiful beaches, relaxation, and a wide range of excellent cannabis strains. Thanks to its many cannabis clubs, it is one of the top destinations for cannabis-loving tourists.
In public, cannabis is technically prohibited. However, as long as you use common sense and limit your use to one of the many cannabis clubs, it is widely accepted. Most clubs comply with the law and welcome foreign members.
Negril or Kingston, Jamaica
How could we not include Jamaica on our list! Bob Marley, the most famous of all cannabis enthusiasts, hails from this island. As a side note, according to the teachings of the Rastafarian religion, the Rastas smoke marijuana as a sacrament to enlighten themselves and connect with other devotees during “reasoning sessions.”
The Jamaican government has just decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, giving cannabis-loving tourists even more opportunities to get high and escape to another world.
Uruguay
Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalize cannabis for recreational and medical use, and it allows pharmacists to dispense a maximum weekly dose of 10 grams to people over the age of 18. This decision to sell marijuana at a lower price was motivated by a desire to curb illegal drug trafficking.
Certain rules and restrictions must be followed in order to purchase cannabis legally. Buyers must be registered; cannabis must be sold in packaging that clearly states the potential health risks (similar to tobacco packaging); the use of cannabis is illegal in public spaces; and consumers are not permitted to drive if their reaction times are impaired.
California
Ah! The American Dream! Recreational cannabis use became legal in California on January 1, 2018, making the Golden State the world’s largest cannabis market. One in five Americans can now smoke marijuana without fear of prosecution.
For some Californians, the new year brought the long-awaited legalization of recreational cannabis. Adults over the age of 21 can now use cannabis for non-medical purposes, grow up to six plants per household, and possess up to one ounce (30 grams) as of Monday, January 1, 2018. However, it remains illegal under federal law.
Sri Lanka
Cannabis is illegal in Sri Lanka, and its possession or sale can result in fines and prison sentences. However, cannabis has been used in Ayurveda for hundreds of years, and practitioners may provide cannabis-based treatments to their patients if the ingredients are obtained from the Ayurvedic Medicines Society.
Despite Sri Lanka’s stance on marijuana, the government announced in 2017 that it would legalize cannabis for medical use. In Sri Lanka, cannabis is used exclusively by Ayurvedic practitioners, but some of it may also be exported to the United States for medical purposes.
Christiania, Denmark
Christiania, a small Danish town that holds the most puzzling cannabis mystery in Europe, is a fascinating place in the world of cannabis. Christiania is a small town where cannabis can almost be bought and sold openly.
Cannabis is technically illegal in Denmark, but Christiania, a municipality located in the heart of Copenhagen, has declared itself an independent entity, so the sale and use of marijuana are not an issue there. The city has a “green district,” a farmers’ market where you can buy herbs, hashish, brownies, and other high-quality cannabis products.
Czech Republic
Czechs have a positive attitude toward the issue. Across Europe, the Czech Republic has one of the most progressive policies regarding psychoactive substances. Almost everything is decriminalized, as long as you don’t have too much. Before it becomes a serious offense, you can carry up to 14 grams of cannabis; any amount less than that will simply be confiscated.
Even if you can't walk down the street smoking your favorite marijuana and having your cannabis confiscated could be devastating for you, the Czech Republic is a relatively safe haven for smokers.
Berlin, Germany
Cannabis is prohibited in Germany under the Federal Narcotics Act. It should be noted, however, that cannabis use is not considered a criminal offense under German law. In other words, it is decriminalized under the law.
You can legally smoke cannabis in Germany, but only if you have a doctor’s prescription with you.
Brussels, Belgium
Many people believe that smoking cannabis in Belgium is completely legal. That’s not true!
The Royal Decree of September 6, 2017, specifies that the possession of cannabis for personal use “in a prison, a juvenile detention facility, or a school; on a public road; or in any place accessible to the public” is once again a criminal offense (rather than a misdemeanor). This offense is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
In the eyes of the law, it is always illegal to possess or grow cannabis, regardless of your age. However, in practice, the police tend to be lenient. If you have up to 3 grams of cannabis on you and consume it in private, away from schools and other public places, you are unlikely to face serious consequences. However, whether your use is deemed for personal use depends on the officer who arrests you and the prosecutor handling your case. But the penalties will be less severe than for other illegal drugs.
However, in the case of cannabis containing less than 0.2% THC, no psychoactive effects are produced, and its use becomes legal.
And finally…
If you’re looking for a cannabis-friendly destination, any of the places on our list will do. But keep in mind that smoking in public is still illegal in many of these places, so be sure to check the local laws before packing your pipe or rolling a joint. And have fun! Cannabis tourism is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason: it’s a great way to explore new places while enjoying some downtime. Have you visited any of these destinations? How was your experience?
