Where On Earth Has The “WORST” Weed Laws? What countries to avoid if you’re a “cannabis consuming” international traveler?
Many US citizens believe that the United States cannabis laws are far too strict. While they may be right, the truth is, most US states only slap your hand with a petty fine, for under an ounce possession. America might be a nation where the laws are quite LIBERAL in comparison to some of the SCARY nations of the world.
If you lived in America your whole life, you have NO IDEA what types of tyranny go on in the far reaches of world. Living in a 1st world country allows us to live a very “cooshy” lifestyle, almost entirely removing us from the rest of the world.
The theory is that the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side. That is, until you actually get there and realize you had it better on the other side. Before you decided you HATE America and the cannabis laws, take a few minutes to realize how good you have it. We have several states with FULL ON LEGALIZATION where you can easily make a voyage and acquire large amount of quality product.
While we mostly have it good in America, it can be interesting to note how CRAZY it can be in other parts of the world. What if it wasn’t that easy to get cannabis? What if the black market was even SUPER dangerous and dry? Could you believe the death penalty still exists in some countries for simple possession of cannabis?
Take a few minutes and try to imagine what it would feel like if you lived in a country with a VERY REAL THREAT of being executed or sentenced to life in prison for possessing a joint. For possessing a very small amount of cannabis, you have been placed on death row! How does it feel? In some nations, this is a daily injustice cannabis users are in constant fear of.
Let’s take a peek at the some of the countries with the strictest cannabis laws.
1) Japan
If the Prefectural Police catch you smoking a joint on the side of the street in Japan, you could quickly get a five-year prison sentence with hard labor. However, the judicial branch does take your criminal record into account and first timers may only get a six month sentence.
2) China
Just across the South China Sea lays Japan’s less tolerant counterpart, China. If the Ministry of Public Security catches you with cannabis you are forced to attend drug rehab in a state run facility. They completely understand if you don’t feel like attending drug school. The alternative is a public execution celebrated on the United Nation’s Day Against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
3) United Arab Emirates
In the UAE you receive a mandatory, four year minimum drug sentence for possessing any amount of cannabis. If you get caught, don’t try and swallow your supply, because if you test positive for any trace of THC, you are still considered to be in possession. Moral of the story, don’t smoke a joint to make the long flight to Dubai a little more relaxing.
4) Malaysia
The Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) don’t joke around when it comes to cannabis. Possession buys you a one-way ticket to five years in a state run prison. Do you consider yourself a green thumb? Make sure you don’t accidentally plant a cannabis seed in Malaysia or you could be looking at a life sentence. Even if you get away with planting a few cannabis plants, harvesting more than 200 grams of cannabis is a mandatory sentence for death by hanging.
5) Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabians have a three strike policy when it comes to cannabis use. First time offenders receive a six-month stay in jail. Second time offenders get 14 times the punishment with a seven year jail sentence. Finally, getting busted a 3rd time puts you in the fast last to execution. Additionally, if you get caught selling drugs, it is also punishable by death.
6) Cambodia
Cambodia is a little more liberal when it comes to their drug policies. Unlike many South Asian Countries, Cambodia allows its citizens to grow cannabis plants for use in food. While the rest of their drug laws are very strict, they have acknowledged the benefits of cannabis. However, visitors are not permitted to use the substance and distribution is punished with a lifetime jail sentence.
7) Indonesia
For some reason Indonesia views cannabis as the mother of all drugs. Possession of Cannabis can land you a twenty year jail sentence, while other substances only get you a twelve year jail sentence. Perhaps they are acting on the belief that marijuana is a gateway drug?
8) The Philippines
Filipino’s want to ensure that nobody profits from illegal drug sales. In fact, possession of just 1/3 of an ounce of marijuana makes you a drug trafficker, which is punishable by death.
9) Colombia
Most of South America have long-term jail sentences for possession of narcotics. However, it seems like Colombia is geared towards preventing foreigners from taking over their drug trade. The National Police of Columbia focuses their efforts on catching foreign nationals transporting drugs across the border. If you are caught illegally transporting drugs across the national border, then you get a long-term sentence in one of Colombia’s overcrowded, gang infested jails.
10) Laos
Cannabis Culture magazine reports that Laos, as of 2009, has placed a MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY for certain cannabis cases.
After taking a look at a few of the STRICT nations on Earth and compare it to the United States, the realization is we have it pretty good. Although we might not have the BEST laws on the book, we won’t be getting put to death anytime soon. Or at least, as far as we know. Laws can always change on a whim and stay that way for generations.
While you may want legalization for your city, state or nation, REALIZE this is a global problem. At an international level we have injustices coming at us from the people who are suppose to be protecting us.