What are other countries doing about weed?
SOMETIMES it helps to get a little outside perspective. Medical marijuana, prescriptions, laws, regulations, arguments, abuse, misunderstandings – it can all be a bit much.
How do people around the world feel, in countries where cannabis is legal and in places where it’s still up for debate?
I lived in Laos and Cambodia a few years ago and, although not technically legal in Laos, recreational use is commonplace.
In fact, certain regions like Si Phan Don (the 4 000 Islands), are tourist hotspots for stoners from around the world.
Cannabis is listed on menus, paraphernalia is available in shops, and most bars and restaurants offer cannabis milkshakes and baked goods.
Smoking weed in and around the bars, hostels and beaches is overlooked and even the locals enjoy the herb.
Life there is much less stressed: locals travel by boat, fish for their supper and go to bed when the sun sets. There’s a relaxed energy on the islands and it’s immediately noticeable when you arrive.
Hemp and the production of hemp is legal.
However, in other places like Laos’ capital city Vientiane, smoking or the possession of cannabis is illegal and, if caught, you will face prosecution. In Cambodia, cannabis is illegal, but you will find several pizza places that serve “happy pizzas” openly.
Thailand and Vietnam are much stricter and you will face severe criminal charges if caught. However, in the hippie mountain town of Pai in Thailand, cannabis is sold and smoked primarily in its biggest bar/club, which, rather interestingly, is owned and managed by a policeman.
I asked a few people around the world to tell me what the laws and opinions of medical marijuana are in their countries:
Fili Göcer, Dinslaken, GERMANY: The law just changed in Germany. It is now possible to get medical marijuana more easily. But as it has just changed one or two months ago, I can’t really tell if much has changed. I think it is still not that easy to get it. You have to be chronically ill. Before the change, patients in pain used THC liquid.
Michael Johnson, NEW YORK, US: A prescription is easy to get. Generally you don’t get a ticket for smoking anymore. But (Donald) Trump just announced he may roll all that back. Everything is changing from (Barack) Obama’s term.
Becky Cooney, Ontario, CANADA: Currently the marijuana laws are in transition with a massive push to legalise the sale of it. It has been decriminalised for years and police really only care or crack down on the big guys. It is easy to get a medical marijuana card and there are dispensers popping up everywhere (especially in Toronto) that are so relaxed. I’m not sure if they are 100% legal, as I believe they get shut down all the time and relocate somewhere else.
David Bennet, Cornwall, UK: It is illegal in the UK, but where I live, in Cornwall, the upholding of the law against it is very lackadaisical. Police sort of turn a blind eye and just move you on. They only get involved if large quantities are involved.
Kieran Gaya, Dublin, IRELAND: Well, I don’t think it’s easily available since I’ve read in the paper of children with autism and such going to the US to get treatment that uses cannabis. I don’t hear much about weed on campus and I don’t smell it in the air as frequently as I would in the US. I think Irish students are much more into drinking and then there are those who do hard drugs, but they are considered low-lifes. Then there is cocaine, quite prevalent in the up-and-coming freshly-graduated classes… almost because there is status associated with it. A bit copying London.
Nico Eklund, Espoo, FINLAND: Politics concerning cannabis are totally ridiculous here in Finland. If you get caught holding small amounts, a few grams or so, you basically get a fine and your stash taken away. But you get a record for five years and cops get an excuse to raid your home. So if you want to apply for a driver’s licence or a job with children or in the military, you’ll be f*****. I know there are only some patients with medical marijuana prescriptions. It’s taking baby steps. I think doctors are still afraid of the stigma they might get as a dope-doc.
Anya Klaassen, Minnesota, US: It’s pretty all over the place in the US. It’s largely been left as a state-level decision and so far eight states have legalised recreational use. Most others have some form of medical use legislation. However, I know in Minnesota it’s only approved for a few conditions. This is all in jeopardy though as the current administration has hinted that they’re going to crack down on states that have approved recreational use.
Allin DC, Monterrey, MEXICO: Well in Mexico things are changing – finally. Slowly something is happening. In December last year, Federal Congress approved marijuana use for medicinal purposes thanks to the case of a six-year-old girl who needed to import Californian marijuana because it was discovered that it was the only thing that could stop her 400plus seizures per day. Now the debate is to legalise it for recreational purposes in order to decriminalise it. Last year, just for medical purposes, fewer than 200 people had a licence to use marijuana, but using it recreationally is still a crime.
Jonathan Gordon, Glasgow, SCOTLAND: The government here are still too scared to legalise it because of apparent “health risks”. Even though it would make them a terrifying amount of money and alcoholism and alcohol-related injuries/disease are crippling the NHS. Nice one lads!
Tom Sangster, Sydney, AUSTRALIA: A fair bit has happened in Australia this week. Medical marijuana has just been legalised. But before that, people were forced to go to the black market. And they still are until these new laws actually kick in.