I once heard a backpacker refer to weed as the Mastercard of travel: “It’s everywhere you want to be.” In Germany, you can carry up to 6 grams; in Columbia, anything under 20 grams will keep you out of jail; and in North Korea, no one’s counting either way. The legalization of marijuana around the world is a complex issue challenging cultural norms, religious beliefs and economic stability. And while the following information does not reflect my opinions or behavioral choices, I do believe that this is a trend will continue to affect the destinations we visit, and how we choose to travel through them.
South America:
In most South American countries, marijuana is technically illegal, but its possession (in small amounts) has been decriminalized. Argentina allows these little legal doses because the government has determined it would “unconstitutional” to ban the drug entirely. Paraguay only punishes smokers if they have an addiction. Though the continent has a reputation for massive international drug development and smuggling, beware: buying and smoking pot can still get the traveler into a lot of trouble, especially as sellers and police are out for bribes.
- Most progressive country: Uruguay – The country not only decriminalized marijuana for consumption and growth in 2013, but it’s the first one to organize a state-run industry that regulates the cultivation, distribution and consumption of weed.
- Strictest laws: Guatemala – Here, marijuana is still highly illegal, and tourist use can result in jail time.
- Biggest weed event: ExpoWeed – At this “cannabis fair”, home-growers and industry names promote their product to avid fans. Special guest speakers often include industry leaders, governmental figures and doctors who support pot for medical purposes.
- Get your literary high: Marching Powder, by Rusty Young – Enter Bolivia’s harrowing San Pedro Prison, guided through by McFadden, an English traveler sentenced to six years for smuggling drugs. After befriending McFadden on a visit to the prison, Young bribed guards in order to live in the same cell and record the smuggler’s story.
North America:
The region’s three biggest countries – Canada, the United States and Mexico – are all actively reassessing and loosening federal drug laws. In the U.S., Washington and Colorado states allow pot consumption for private use; in 20 other states, the drug is approved for medical purposes only. Throughout the Caribbean, weed is technically illegal, but is grown abundantly, smoked openly and considered the next “banana”, or cash crop, of the future.
- Most progressive country: Mexico – Arguably, this southern country beat out its neighbors by not only decriminalizing pot in small doses, but also giving the ‘ok’ on small possession of all narcotics, including meth, heroine and cocaine.
- Strictest laws: South Dakota, Idaho and Wyoming – So they aren’t sovereign nations, but these three U.S. states hold some of the strictest laws on marijuana use. Just being under the influence in public is considered a misdemeanor punishable by 3-6 months in jail and a fine of $100-1,000. In South Dakota, a positive urine test is considered the same as possession, and will put you behind bars for up to a year.
- Biggest weed event: 4/20 – April 20th, or four-twenty, is a date to smoke with friends, support the pot industry, show public support for looser marijuana laws, and in general, celebrate the “cannabis subculture” that has flourished since the 1970s, when the term four-twenty was first used.
- Get your literary high: Hidden Harvest: The Rise and Fall of North America’s Biggest Grow Op, by Mark Coakley – A clever group of Canadian criminals turned an old Molson brewery into an indoor cannabis field. Before cops caught on, the gang made millions of dollars and incorporated a load of other smuggled goods (guns, pornography, cocaine) into their business plan. The co-op was raided in 2003, but the masterminds behind the harvest weren’t discovered until 2011.
Europe:
If the legalization of marijuana came with international awards, than Europe would be a heavyweight champion. This continent has long held the record for proactive legislation, treating pot as other countries would alcohol or cigarettes. Everyone knows that Amsterdam is the place to go for a public puff. Belgium was one of the first countries to distinguish between weed and other drugs. In Spain, raising two plants for personal consumption is legal, and the government has overseen the creation of 300+ cannabis cooperatives. Denmark has an entire autonomous neighborhood, Christiania Freetown, where residents have bought, sold and smoked pot freely since 1971.
- Most progressive country: Portugal – After becoming the first country in the world to decriminalize all drugs in 2001, Portugal has seen a dramatic decrease in rates of drug-related violence, HIV infection and drug trafficking. This is partly credited to government rehabilitation programs, which treat users as “sick people” and not criminals.
- Strictest laws: Malta – Federal law doesn’t discriminate between possession and trafficking, meaning even the smallest amount can get you jail time as a drug smuggler. Penalties run anywhere from 4 years to a life sentence, or over 100,000 Euros in fines.
- Biggest weed event: Cannabis Cup Amsterdam – Originally created to celebrate the yearly pot harvest, the Cup has been running for over 25 years. Besides sponsoring expo-style booths for vendors, information and sundry products, the event is also a competition. With a judges pass, visitors can sample and vote for the best weed in the house.
- Get your literary high: Midnight Express, by Billy Hayes – When author Hayes was caught at a Turkish airport with hashish strapped to his leg, the US backpacker was thrown into prison with rapists and murderers. While his own government petitioned for his release, the Turkish government meant to make an example of him. Hayes eventually planned his own escape, fleeing for Greece.
Just in time for 4/20: join me for A World Tour, Part Two, when I explore the legalization of marijuana in Asia, Africa and the South Pacific.
Photo credits: Laurie Avocado, Flikr; United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Wikimedia Commons;