Сountries Where Marijuana is Legal

Сountries Where Marijuana is Legal

You’ve surely read our complete guide to legal weed laws in each of these 50 United States of America, but we know you’re also intrigued by the possibility of getting lit in a foreign land. So where are the best places for getting weird around the world? You’ll not want to smoke in, say, France, or Singapore. But there are loads of countries where marijuana has been legalized, decriminalized, or just socially mainstreamed enough that even if you are technically breaking the law a bit, no one will bother you about it. Here follow 26 countries where weed is, if not legal, at least super chill and legal-ish.

CANADA

Should you smoke here? Yes
On October 17, 2018, Canada legalized recreational marijuana in full. Growers can get licensed by the federal government, and then individual provinces determine how the product gets distributed and sold. It isn’t heavily advertised though — the attitude here is that the government will sign off, but not promote.

THE UNITED STATES

countries where marijuana is legal

Should you smoke here? It depends
Surely the most mismatched category of laws state-by-state across this bipolar land of ours are the marijuana statues. In some you may smoke without fear; in some, you must have a demonstrated ailment to avail yourself of a plant so easy to grow that it’s known as “weed”; in others, carrying so much as a few puffs’ worth of bud can get you thrown into prison, where you’ll share exercise equipment with rapists and serial arsonists.

This, at least, we know for sure: The TSA doesn’t give a flying bong rip about you taking small amounts of pot onto an airplane.

MEXICO

Should you smoke here? Most likely
Private, personal use of recreational marijuana in amounts 5 grams or less is decriminalized, meaning no jail time. It’s still illegal, as is cultivation and sale of marijuana, but there’s been a recent wave of momentum behind legalization as a means of defusing drug violence. I wouldn’t go out of your way to advertise what you’re doing, but you should be alright with a joint here and there.

Legalization Is Coming After the Usual Roadblocks Are Removed

When the Supreme Court made its ruling on Halloween 2018, it was the fifth time it issued such a decree. This is extremely important because in Mexico when its highest court reaches five similar verdicts on any issue, it becomes the nation’s standard. Therefore, the Supreme Court legalized adult-use cannabis in Mexico.

Of course, this isn’t much of a help when there is no framework for buying or selling weed. Also, the Court only decides what is and isn’t lawful; it doesn’t actually change the existing law. Lawmakers in Mexico had a year to rework legislation to create an adult-use marijuana market.

As is the case with lawmakers around the world, it seems, the ones in Mexico waited and waited. They finally came up with something in October 2019, a couple of weeks before the deadline! Here are a few relevant points:

  • You can purchase cannabis in Mexico if aged 18+.
  • Consumers can only use their weed in a private residence.
  • There are strict packaging regulations to ensure products don’t appeal to minors.
  • Only MMJ patients can use cannabis-infused drinks and edibles.
  • The Cannabis Institute will oversee the entire industry. It will set potency limits, implement legislation that’s passed, and issue sales and growing licenses.
  • Major corporations will not have priority over licensing.
  • No pesticides are allowed in the cultivation of the plants.
  • All plants and seeds must be registered, or else you risk forfeiture.
  • At least 20% of licenses are going to economically disadvantaged individuals.

There are also calls to impose a 12% sales tax. The funds would help pay for treatment efforts for cannabis abuse.

BELIZE

Should you smoke here? Yes
In late 2017, the government of Belize was kind enough to decriminalize cannabis in amounts up to 10 grams. You can smoke it in your home, or someone else’s provided you’ve gotten explicit permission.

COSTA RICA

countries where marijuana is legal

Should you smoke here? You may rely on it
Like with many places on this list, it’s technically illegal to smoke here but doing so carries no legal penalties. Smoking up is suuuper common here, and you can be pretty comfortable smoking out on the beach and so forth, not just in the privacy of your room.

JAMAICA

Should you smoke here? Without a doubt
Weed’s been decriminalized in Jamaica since 2015, and if you happen to be Rastafarian you can use it unlimited quantities with no repercussions. I passed through a few weeks ago and within about a minute and a half of hitting the beach in broad daylight I was approached by strangers asking if I wanted to pick up. Even at music festivals that usually takes at least, like, four or five minutes.

ARGENTINA

Should you smoke here? It is decidedly so
In March 2017, Argentina laid claim to the title of First Woke Country to Provide Medical Marijuana For Free. And you won’t be arrested for recreational possession in Argentina, as has been the law there for nearly a decade.

COLOMBIA

Should you smoke here? Signs point to yes
For almost a decade, Colombia has enjoyed marijuana decriminalization of amounts up to 20 grams. It remains illegal to sell it or grow it, but the country’s wrenching history with the drug trade has given it perspective on how harmful marijuana is compared with other substances — which is to say … not harmful … like at all. You can also grow up to 20 plants here, which because of the ideal climate conditions can apparently get fuckin’ huge.

ECUADOR

Should you smoke here? Yes
Ecuador is one of the chiller countries when it comes to marijuana policy. While it’s still illegal to cultivate and sell it, when it comes to personal use you’re cool so long as you don’t exceed 10 grams.

PERU

Should you smoke here? Signs point to yes
Peru is cool if you smoke so long as you do it discreetly and don’t mess around with any growing or selling. In other words, just enjoy your grass at home (or someone else’s home, so long as they cool with it).

URUGUAY

Should you smoke here? Without a doubt
First Woke Country to Legalize Weed for Ages 18 and Up. People here just gotta make sure they officially register with the government before they engage in any buying, selling, or growing. As of 2017, you can buy commercial grass in Uruguay from regular ol’ pharmacies. This is the future liberals want.

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Beatrix Mcbride

    Medical use of marijuana became legal in Canada in 2001. Its full legalization was one of the election promises of the current prime minister J. Trudeau in 2015. He argued it was the best way to combat the illegal sale and use of marijuana among youth. But critics have doubts about it.

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