Cross-Cultural Cannabis

Colorado isn’t the only place cashing in on the cannabis craze. Its growing popularity is popping up around the world, often in places you wouldn’t expect, like Iraq and North Korea. You could be executed in those countries for the smallest infraction, but smoking weed isn’t one of them. While many countries allow marijuana for medical use, more and more countries are using it to attract tourists. And it’s working!

Europe

Long before Colorado offered recreational marijuana, Amsterdam was the place for anyone who wanted a hit with their coffee. Step inside one of the city’s legendary pot shops and you can find everything from chess boards to space cakes. Usually small and tucked into narrow side streets, these little gems bring in nearly $800M a year. And that’s according to the most recent study done eight years ago. Technically illegal, there are no charges for smoking pot here.

You’ll find this in most marijuana-friendly countries. The laws are often complex, so make sure you understand where and how you can partake in cannabis without landing in jail. Spain, for instance, allows people to legally smoke marijuana, but only in private. There are now 700 private cannabis clubs in Spain, with half of them in Barcelona. In neighboring Portugal, all drugs are legal as long as you don’t have more than a 10-day supply.

A growing number of European countries are decriminalizing marijuana. This means, while it’s usually illegal, it may be punishable by fines only. In addition, small amounts may be legal, like in Switzerland, Berlin, and the Czech Republic.

South America

The small South American country of Uruguay is the first and only country to fully legalize marijuana. The law was originally intended to stop the often violent illegal drug trade. Now, it’s paying off with tourists flocking to this lesser-known country to smoke good weed at low prices that the government controls. Right now it’s $1 per gram. That’s compared to an average of $7.90 per gram in Denver, according to Colorado Pot Guide’s Winter 2016 Survey.

South America has a long history of growing and using marijuana for various purposes. Chile began producing hemp in the 1600s. Now, it’s legal to smoke it at home and many people do. More people smoke pot here than anywhere else in Latin America. Up to 22 grams are legal in Colombia and have been for more than two decades now. In Ecuador, smoking weed is part of the everyday culture. Up to 10 grams are legal.

Asia

Asia is the biggest continent, and has the largest contrasts in marijuana laws. Before smoking weed there, know the law. In Malaysia, it can lead to the death penalty. But, in even more conservative countries like North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan, marijuana is either legal or seldom prosecuted. In fact, it’s commonly smoked in public in Pakistan and Egypt.

While technically illegal in Cambodia, it is quickly becoming a smokers’ paradise because of how easy it is to obtain, and the practically non-existent law enforcement. Some pizza places even advertise “extra ingredients” and bake marijuana into their pies. Bangladesh has some of the least restrictive cannabis laws in the world. In neighboring India, the tradition goes back as far as 2000 B.C. While illegal now, a milkshake known as Bhang is made of marijuana seeds and leaves and is legal in many local areas.

Other

In the Caribbean, Jamaica — the Mac Daddy of weed — just legalized cannabis a couple months ago. While it’s still illegal in Australia, it’s been decriminalized in South Australia, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory.

Close to Home

Canada and Mexico are keeping a close eye on the US to see what happens here before relaxing marijuana laws there. Both countries largely supply the illegal marijuana trade in America. Many suggest that legalizing it in Mexico would remove power from one of the world’s most violent drug cartels. In Canada, recreational legalization is expected soon.