A few months ago, I kicked a tenant out of my South African apartment because he broke 8 of the 10 rules given to him prior to moving in. A few days passed and my friend went by to clean the place and make sure the tenant stole nothing and she sent me a photo that didn’t quite shock me, but made me very happy. There were two decently sized weed plants growing on my balcony. “Well, the tenant did one thing right,” I told her.
Disclaimer: I’m actually not a weed smoker. Well, not enough to say “Yeah, I smoke weed.” It’s typically once a year when I’m doing hoodrat things with my artist friends around 3 am in some strange country I likely have no business in. I don’t know how to roll, hold a pipe, make a bong out of an apple, or even purchase the stuff.
I returned to Johannesburg and suddenly an interest in Marijuana grew. I began taking care of the plants like they were pets. I moved them around with the sun, sprayed them with water, hung up my hammock next to them and talked to them when the weather was beautiful, and played my James Vincent McMorrow loud enough through my Bose speakers so they’d hear it. Weed smoking still isn’t for me, but the cultivation of the plants is, so now I want to travel the world to places where weed is legal and work with farmers and nuns and fiends and patients and whoever will teach me more.
So hey, this list of 10 world places where weed is legal and/or the authorities are quite lax about it is for those who like weed in whatever way they like it.
Germany: Still just for “medical purposes,” but isn’t that that California was saying just yesterday? Head over to Berlin or Munich for Oktoberfest or for Summer or Fall or just ‘cause and enjoy yourself.
Israel: It’s true that Israel is a leader in cannabis research with cannabis farmers popping up all over the place to supply the goods to the tens of thousands of folks currently on the “medical use” list. I’m almost certain it’s safe to assume that the leaders in cannabis research should have some of the most amazing cannabis, right? #NoReggie.
Estonia: I’m certain you had no plans to visit until now, even though I’ve mentioned it several times before, but now you must. You’re legally able to have a little more than a quarter ounce. These are some of the coolest folks on the planet and they’ll gladly pass the dooby to the left hand side. Wait, do people still say that?
Cambodia: Yep, they’re known for more than just immigrant (or locally harvested) breast milk. They have weed-infused pizza! And although it’s not “legal,” it is a norm and authorities will turn the other way. Hell, a friend said he smoked with a cop. But he lies sometimes.
Ecuador: Come, grab less than 10 grams, and mellow the hell out. Some towns have even started making weed-chocolate flavored bon bons. Now listen, edibles are nothing less than the devil, but a dance with the devil can be fun as f*ck sometimes.
Mexico: Repeat after me, weed and tacos! WEED AND TACOS! Go and go now!
Czech Republic: Medically, weed is legal, and for personal use, you can have under 15 grams. 15 grams seem like plenty! Money Bagg Yo talked about 5 grams in his Backwoods and he wouldn’t even pass it, so I’m sure you’ll be just fine with 15. Anyway, go to Prague.
Switzerland: How else did you think they grew to be so on-the-fence about everything? Same thing that made the last US president not really GAF. It was the weed! Did you know Switzerland actually stands in front of the charge to provide marijuana to their medical folks for FREE? Get into it. Oh! For personal use, small doses are just fine.
Portugal: Portugal is chilling over in the corner like “do you, boo.” Generally speaking, drug use and possession are not criminal offenses, and that great move by the country has made it a better place. Ahem, America!
North Korea: Listen! Any country whose world leader is a dear friend of Dennis Rodman is a friend of mine. Well, partly. I bet the house that you had no idea North Korea was out here dabbling in the sticky ooh-wee. You can actually grow, carry, and smoke as much as you want. Just don’t get high and laugh too much in public or steal sh*t.
Of course there are a few others: Argentina, The Netherlands, Spain, USA, Peru, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Canada.
Guess what! In a few days I’ll be in Amsterdam, hopping in and out of coffee shops with friends, buying pre-rolled white widows and ordering shots of absinthe and thinking about how great life is. On the come down, I’ll probably think about that bad tenant and how he called asking for his plants back and how I refused, and it’ll keep me laughing for a long time.
Happy 4:20 y’all. See you out there.
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