Marijuana and Cannabis News
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| John Moore |
| A man smokes a joint at a 4-20 celebration in front of the state capitol building, April 20, 2010, Denver, Colorado |
By Artemis Hendy
Special to Toke of the Town
From all over the world, people regularly make hazy pilgrimages to the Mecca of cannabis smoking, Amsterdam. It is not only home to liberal drug laws and a huge selection of cannabis cafes; it is also a stunningly beautiful city with picture perfect canals all over the place, historic churches lurching out of the scenery and quaint buildings on every corner. You can't help but want to move there.
But chances are you have been there and bought the t-shirt -- and now, Amsterdam is threatening to ban foreign "weed tourists," anyway.
So why not try an alternative cannabis-conscious destination? Such as...
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| Chris Hondros |
| The haze of marijuana smoke looms over a crowd of thousands at 4:20 pm April 20, 2010 at the University of Colorado in Boulder |
4-20 Day, USA/Canada
This is pretty much National Cannabis Day in both the United States and Canada.
In states where it is legal to do so -- and some where it isn't -- thousands of cannabis lovers will come together on April 20 (4/20 by the US dating system) and at 4:20 pm will spark up in unison.
It is said that the tradition started in the 1970s when a group of teenagers would meet after school in San Rafael, California at the same time; '420' became a code they used for smoking weed and it stuck.
You can attend events in Central Park, New York; Golden Gate Park in San Francisco; Boulder, Colorado; Tallahassee, Florida and many other places.
Best for: Group smoking
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| Cannabis N.I. |
Barcelona, Spain
Smoking in public in Spain isn't officially tolerated, but you can possess up to 40 grams legally and major cannabis events such as Spannabis happen every year.
There are many major cannabis seed breeders based there, so it certainly has its place.
In my experience, as long as you don't make a scene you can smoke it pretty much anywhere.
Barcelona is a stunning city too, Guadi architecture is everywhere and there's a nice beach!
Best for: Beach smoking
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| Cedro |
| The tropical island of Jamaica is a country with a traditional use of cannabis dating back some 150 years |
Kingston, Jamaica
Like Spain, Jamaica doesn't officially permit cannabis consumption but it is in reality, very widely tolerated.
You can't go far without someone offering to sell you some either.
Go to Kingston and sample the culture a bit before you get your 'Bob Marley' on and drift off into the scenery.
Best for: Chillin' to Marley while smoking
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| European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies (ENCOD) |
| Protesters in Prague demand the legalization of cannabis at the Global Marijuana March, May 2009 |
Prague,
Czech Republic
I was surprised to find that the Czech Republic is such a cannabis-tolerant country.
You can keep up to five plants in your home and carry up to 15 grams.
Liberal criminal justice bills have made it one of the most tolerant places in Europe, and Prague, in particular, is a beautiful city to visit.
Best for: Beer and babes
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| Nimbin Mardi Grass |
Nimbin, Australia
While in entire states such as South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory marijuana has been decriminalised, it is the village of Nimbin in New South Wales that is the spiritual home of cannabis down under.
Cannabis is openly grown, sold and consumed on its streets and the residents have been campaigning for the end to marijuana prohibition since 1993.
Best for: Experiencing an alternative lifestyle
Where have you been on a cannabis holiday?
Editor's note: Artemis Hendy is a cannabis seeds collector and has his own seed bank. His favourite strains are those produced by Lowryder Seeds Company.
More links from around the web!
34 comments
actually crime and drug use and health rates have all improved steadily in the decade since they did it. so how about you try looking into shit before you run your mouth like an ignorant fuck
india has some of the finest weed smoking experiences, hugely popular with backpackers, cannabis originates in the subcontinent. Hindu Sadhus, or holy men are known to use cannabis as a way to connect with gods and openly smoke around india. It should be noted that weed is a wild plant in india and you are never too far away from a wild plant. There is also a traditional indian drink, called bhang which is often sold in three strengths. It contains sometimes up to a quarter of an ounce in one glass and has a very strong effect on the user. It is commonly consumed by people of all ages, of all classes and both sexes. In such a culturally and traditionally rich country, one can not go wrong with a weed holiday in india!
Hey Villas, smoking cannabis is technically illegal everywhere! Period. Get with the point of the article please.
I think if you are in any other country then you shouldn't smoke. Because you can caught in a big problem. Because you don't know that id it permissible to smoke any where in other country.
I was in Prague almost 2 years ago. At that time they really loosened up their drug laws. one could possess up to 15g of weed, 4 pills of ectasy, 1g of coke, 1.5g of smack and not be arrested. Guess they are taking passengers on the 'high train' that is leaving Holland due to laws being tightened up there. It is a very amazing city.
Nepal's a great destination too...well atleast on Shivaratri( some time in February or March, depending on local calendars)...National Ganja Festival offers free marujuana and like minded company...all as a respect to holy Lord Shiva, a lover of marijuana.
Good to see Prague here. I am living here and it is very tolerand city. If you have some questions, just send them via mail - michal.ciap@gmail.com. I can give you some info or tips :)
Im surprise you all didnt put Portugal on the list seeing how all drugs are legalized there.
There's always the next list. There are plenty of good ones left over, seeing there's only 5 on this one.
I agree prohibition is dumb but my point is I smoke where ever I want but I do not travel to weed smoking destinations just so I can smoke. Besides, have you ever been to those weed rallies? A bunch of annoying disrespectful people there who forgot to take showers LOL.
Mexico!Dont listen to the hype,Mexico is safe and they have some awsome Hydro!Loving life in Mexico!
Be sitting on my deck with mesquite burning in my chiminea and hotlinks cooking on the top,,,so far three different strains and a bowl of hash saved towards the event.
Cali! Get a medpot card for $20, smoke the sacred herb almost anywhere, anytime. You can grow it too! All legal. What a raised finger to the feds! Fuck yah. But watch out for the infamous canabis chocolate bars. So strong I overdosed after I ate one. Very unpleasant. Thought the tomato juice I was drinking was blood. Like any foraging animal, I learned my lesson, and will eat a smaller amount next time.
Yay, Prague! It is such a hidden cannabis gem. We enjoyed the cheap food and beer (this was before they joined the EU, more expensive now) and how you could sit in bar or cafe and openly roll and smoke a spliff ~ it's worth noting that I would wait until I saw a local smoke before lighting up, not sure if EVERY business is tolerant. To them it was no big deal, and even though they could smoke cannabis and hash right there, most didin't.
Fond memories, for sure....
my bestie and i went to canada last year on 420! epic!!! :) next time im trying to get a group to travel at amsterdam with me!
*Gets a pen and makes a list* I know where my next few vacations will be. But for this 420 I will see everyone at Golden Gate :)
Dutch 59 male, smoke pot for over 40 y !And iam ashamed.But its a good idea to go to other countries now. Let oure GOV know that way that its a stupid and silly law and its harming oure economy. When oure GOV isnt hearing wel , let them feel it in there wallets.Spend your good money elswhere plzzzzz.Holland isnt so nice anymore. Sorry.Sorry sorry.
Are there cafes in Prague like in Amsterdam or does one have to score in the street ???
Just try some nice "underground" looking pubs, when you enter one, you will know if you can score there or not :)
Not coffee shops per se, but there are venues where you can score in Prague. It's a fantastic city.
No cafes. Been to every one of these locations. There is no other place like Amsterdam.
Thank you for a great story that had nothing to do with weed being criminalized or clubs being raided. Great story!
4/20 on CU Boulder campus is definitely a spectacle. But you need to be comfortable with potentially having your picture show up in the local paper or online in one of the many blogs that cover the event.
Locals with less affinity for public display celebrate at small scale barbecues where the reefer flows freely and clones and seeds are passed around just as freely.
