The Global Ganja Guide for Student Travelers

Regardless of your expectations for the college experience, there are two things you absolutely must do while you are young enough to truly enjoy them: traveling and weed. This guide to cannabis laws and customs around the world will help you plan your next summer vacation, long weekend, or spring break to maximize your exposure to new sights, sounds, and smells while minimizing your potential for getting in legal trouble for weed use.

Far East Asia

China and Japan

Currently, Japan’s and China’s legal systems are as aggressive toward cannabis as America’s was in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Suffice it to say that you don’t want to be found in possession of cannabis products — let alone buying or selling — anywhere in the Middle Kingdom or the Empire of the Rising Sun. Still, hemp is growing in popularity around these countries, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see some hemp products on offer.

Korea

South Korea is taking steps to legalize recreational cannabis, but currently, the drug remains illegal for sale or consumption. Meanwhile, in North Korea, cannabis is said to grow like a weed, and enjoying the good green herb is culturally accepted. However, how you will get into and out of North Korea is your own problem.

Southeast Asia

A handful of countries in Southeast Asia tolerate cannabis consumption, though it might be technically against the law. For example, in Cambodia and Laos, you will likely encounter restaurants that serve “happy” dishes, which indicate that your meal will be made with cannabis-infused ingredients. In other countries, you should be able to find weed with relative ease and at a low cost, but you should be careful when and where you smoke, so you don’t get in trouble with authorities.

Middle East Asia

India

India has strong historic ties to cannabis, which Hindu texts consider one of the sacred herbs. While weed is illegal in modern India, there are places where it has widespread acceptance — in particular, Himachal Pradesh, a northern province where cannabis use flourishes. You can also easily find cannabis in other forms, like bhang lassi, a cannabis drink.

Afghanistan

Another country where cannabis has been used for millennia, Afghanistan also officially prohibits the drug’s sale and consumption. However, culturally, weed is an important part of the Afghan lifestyle. Though it isn’t exactly advisable to travel to Afghanistan under the current political climate, if you find yourself there, you’ll spot personal weed plants growing in front of almost every home.

Europe

Most of Europe is moving toward legalization of recreational cannabis at the same rate as the United States. Aside from the Netherlands, which has allowed cannabis consumption in a roundabout way in Amsterdam for decades, most European countries are actively decriminalizing cannabis, legalizing medical use and setting up the framework for recreational sale and consumption. Currently, the best places to go in Europe for a weedy experience include:

• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Switzerland
• Spain
• Portugal
• Italy
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Ukraine
• Russia

Africa

Much of modern cannabis culture comes from the spiritual practices of African slaves brought to the U.S. in the 17th and 18th centuries. While some groups still engage in cannabis consumption today, the practice has largely died out — but that doesn’t mean Africa is a weed-free continent. On the contrary, many African nations have legalized cannabis cultivation with the express purpose of capitalizing on an imminent international cannabis boom. Specifically, you should head to the southern tip of the continent, where decriminalization and cultivation are more common. These countries offer excellent tourism opportunities:

• South Africa
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Malawi

North America

Canada

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Canada legalized recreational cannabis nationwide — the first major economic power to do so. Rules and regulations vary by province, but most places allow adults 18 or 19 to buy small amounts of weed from registered retail shops. Usually, you will need to consume in private, but you might be able to find a cannabis lounge, depending on where you travel.

United States

As of this writing, 17 states permit recreational cannabis consumption — so you should head to one of these for your domestic travels. Perhaps the most exciting 420-friendly U.S. destinations for college students include California, Nevada, New York and Alaska, but in truth you can find adventure pretty much anywhere across America.

Mexico

Mexico has a strong cultural cannabis history, and though cultivation and sale of the drug remains illegal, you can possess and partake of 5 grams or less without any worry about hassle from authorities. Soon enough, Mexico could completely legalize marijuana to eliminate the threat of dangerous drug cartels around the country. Regardless, as long as you aren’t ostentatious regarding your consumption, you should have a high time in Mexico.

South America

Uruguay

Uruguay was the first country to legalize recreational consumption nationwide — but it isn’t exactly easy for travelers to get their hands on the stuff. You can register with the government before your trip, or you can ask a friendly local to pick some up for you during your travels. Then, you shouldn’t be afraid to partake in public, even on a packed (and pristine) Uruguayan beach.

Argentina

Medical marijuana patients in Argentina get their treatment for free, and recreational possession of the drug hasn’t been a crime for more than a decade. Discretion is the best policy when it comes to consumption, but you probably won’t get in trouble for enjoying weed during your trip.

Ecuador

While other countries strive to control every aspect of the cannabis industry, Ecuador isn’t remotely concerned about cannabis cultivation or consumption within its country. You can possess up to 10 grams of the stuff and use wherever you like, as long as you aren’t annoying about it.

The Caribbean

Jamaica

The home of the Rastafarian religion, Jamaica is one of the easiest places in the world to find weed. You shouldn’t be able to travel far on the island without locals offering you a joint or blunt, and as long as you are a dedicated Rastafari, you won’t get in trouble with authorities for partaking, even in public.

Costa Rica

Another country where the laws differ from the customs, Costa Rica criminalizes cannabis, but pretty much everyone here uses whenever and wherever. You should be able to approach a local to find a hookup, and you can enjoy your weed without fear as long as you don’t make a scene.