April 9 2017
Australia, yet this village in New South Wales is often referred to as “the drug capital of Australia” and is famous for its thriving cannabis-centric counter-culture.
Each May, thousands descend here for a festival they call Mardi Grass, which, according to the official website, “is held to protest the drug laws, educate people on the various uses of cannabis (medicinal, industrial, recreational and spiritual) and to celebrate the culture that has grown here over the last 40 years”. Events include joint rolling and bong-throwing. This year’s is on May 5, 6 and 7. See nimbinmardigrass.com. 4. Vancouver, Canada It’s still illegal if you are caught in possession of a large amount or appear to be selling it, but Vancouver has a long tradition of lenient laws and if you are caught with less than 30g it will most likely just be taken away — for now. The city is also famously home to several medical marijuana dispensaries or “pot shops”, some of which last year declared they would be selling to customers whether they had permits or not.
Under the pro-weed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the government is expected to introduce legislation to legalise marijuana this year and has appointed a task team to recommend proper parameters. 5. Jamaica In the collective consciousness, the dagga leaf is as synonymous with Jamaica as Bob Marley and the reggae flag, yet it remains illegal throughout the country. Many report, however, that law enforcement is fairly forgiving, as long as you’re discreet. Particularly in the capital, buying weed is easy as there are plenty of resorts, street markets and taxi drivers who will be willing to sell directly to you. 6. Portugal Portugal decriminalised all drugs in 2001, including marijuana, cocaine and heroin. As the Independent reports, the country “decided to treat possession and use of small quantities of drugs as a public health issue, not a criminal one”. The drugs remain illegal but now getting caught with them means a small fine and perhaps referral to a treatment programme. 7. Prague, Czech Republic Sometimes called “the Amsterdam of the east”, Prague has a reputation for being potfriendly and for even having bars and cafés where patrons can freely partake — but that’s not technically accurate. It is not legal to smoke marijuana in public, though police again are said to be willing to turn a blind eye (or nose). The bars where one can buy high strains of THC are not legal either. 8. Uruguay Uruguay was the first country in the world to fully legalise the production, sale and use of marijuana. The government hopes to take over the industry and boot out drug traffickers by selling cannabis for $1 per gram.