Throughout the world, possession and smoking of marijuana is heavily penalized. However, there are about a dozen nations where the use of cannabis has been decriminalized, generally with very positive results. I’ve decided to prepare this post today ( 04/20 ) as most of you might know that famous number 420 is directly associated with marijuana.
For most people who enjoy the recreational use of cannabis, it is always fun to travel to a country where it is legal to smoke weed in public. In fact, there are some cities around the world where, even when the punishment for using cannabis is still severe, cops and governments look the other way, because they consider pot smoking a relatively harmless violation not worth wasting their precious time and resources.
On the other hand, there are certain places where although possession of small quantities of pot is not illegal, public pot-smoking is frowned up, and should be avoided at certain public places.
With traveling ” weed smokers ” everywhere in mind, I have compiled a list of the world’s most weed-friendly spots, which also includes some of my favorite cities in the world like Vancouver and Montevideo, so, pack your bags, (not wise to pack your marijuana there….) and get ready for some weeded fun.
Table of Contents
VANCOUVER
Probably most people would have started this list with Amsterdam, but I just prefer Vancouver as a traveling destination, and as far as marijuana culture, the Netherlands’ capital has nothing on it. Besides being a young, relaxed cosmopolitan city set amid breathtaking natural surroundings, full of people with rather progressive ideas about everything, Vancouver is a heaven for bud lovers.
Although weed smoking is illegal, cops won’t bother you if you’re smoking in peace. ‘Vansterdam’s Pot Block‘ is a clear display of this police tolerance, with its marijuana seeds retailers and relaxed cannabis smoking pedestrians. Local marijuana is known as BC Bud, and it is known for its very high quality.
AMSTERDAM
Because of Amsterdam’s famous coffee shops, foreigners tend to think marijuana smoking is legal in the Netherlands, but it isn’t. There some laws which establish when and where it is possible to smoke weed without violation, this will generally be inside coffee shops that sell it with a special permit.
In fact, the central government has expressed a desire to introduce a coffee shop pass system, to limit “marijuana tourism,” however, most municipalities oppose the idea, which is actually implemented since years ago in the South of Holland. Surveys have shown that only 30% of cannabis users would get a coffee shop membership if the system were implemented, whereas the rest would rather grow their own plants or but it from a retailer or buying marijuana seeds online.
Marijuana coffee shops do not sell alcohol since 2007, when they all had to choose between a marijuana license and an alcohol license.
MONTEVIDEO
Marijuana possession has been decriminalized in most of Latin America. The Uruguayan capital is a beautiful coastal town with a busy nightlife, where people can be seen smoking pot outside of bars everywhere. Police will simply leave you alone, pot is easy to get around Montevideo, and people are generally friendly enough to share their own. Although planting marijuana is illegal, this is an extremely common practice as well.
Foreigners tend to claim that Uruguayan marijuana is “not strong enough,” but the good atmosphere and great sea views will probably make up for all that. The Rocha coastline is also a great spot for weed smokers in the summer, especially the former hippie-paradise of Cabo Polonio.
BARCELONA
Barcelona is home to marijuana festivals such as “ Spannabis ” and the “High Life Expo.” The city gets a very good quality supply of weed and hash from Morocco, and the hot spots for smokers are the areas of Las Ramblas, Plaça Reial and Carrer Escudillers.
In terms of drug policies, marijuana has been decriminalized and it is also legal to grow it for your own consumption. Nevertheless, public smoking, buying and selling is illegal. Besides, the penalties for trafficking are extremely severe compared to other European countries.
Barcelona’s nightlife is pumping and drug use is very common here, hash being very popular, traditionally. If you like your tapas, your pot and hash and the glamorous disco life, Barcelona is surely the place for you; you should just keep your drug business behind closed doors.
NIMBIN, AUSTRALIA
Cannabis is decriminalized in several regions all over Australia, but Nimbin in New South Wales is its rightful spiritual home, no question. This is a great place to experience a full-grown pot-activism culture. Cannabis is openly grown, sold and smoked on the streets, and locals have campaigned for is legalization since the early 90’s.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Obviously, with the laws from 2015 allowing carded visitors to buy medical marijuana, Las Vegas immediately becomes one of the top destinations. You just can’t put it aside with the name of being SIN city. You can go and buy strains from many dispensaries in Vegas even right from the Strip as the first Las Vegas marijuana dispensary opened on the famous city center of Las Vegas. Enjoy Your stay.
SEATTLE, WASHIGTON STATE
Washington State adopted medical marijuana early on. Besides the people who have marijuana prescriptions from a doctor, people without this advantage don’t run a great risk, as the police usually look the other way when it comes to cannabis related violations. The city hosts the famous Seattle Hempfest, which is the largest weed festival on Earth, gathering over 100,000 people.
Other countries where personal use is either decriminalized or poses no risk:
ARGENTINA, CHILE, COLOMBIA, PERU (not legal if you are also in possession of another drug) VENEZUELA, GERMANY, BELGIUM, SPAIN, FRANCE, MACEDONIA, SERBIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, INDIA, RUSSIA.
Luca is a travel photographer and luxury explorer who brings destinations to life through curated guides and stunning visuals.