Job Discussion Forums

[zondervan]

What is the availability of weed in LA and in which countries is it more tolerated?It's not a major concern but after a long drought it would be pleasant to visit or live in a country for a short time where I won't be immediately thrown in jail or departed for partaking.Obviously this isn't a major concern but would have a bearing on my decision.I have no interest in other drugs.

[RyanS]

You will find weed easily just don't get caught.

[Aramas]

It depends on who you believe. There's some information at http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/LIBRARY/southam1.htm but it's dated.

The US, UK and AU foreign affairs websites invariably claim that everything is illegal everywhere, and that even thinking about drugs can land you in a dark, dank dungeon where you will be endlessly cornholed by brown people of questionable personal hygeine for the rest of your life, after which you will of course burn in hell for all eternity. Numerous other sites claim that undercover cops try to sell stuff to gringos so that they can bust them - even in Colombia where it's apparently legal.

The web is more or less useless on the subject. There's so much hysterical puritan spam emanating from the US that it's next to impossible to find any reliable information. Try searching in Spanish. I didn't have much luck with it.

As I understand it, it's legal in Colombia and Peru, decriminalised in Brazil (new law), Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela, and very illegal everywhere else. I wouldn't wager the next decade or two of my life on it though.

I read recently that Indonesia has the most draconian drug laws in the world. One article claimed that all they need is a hair that tests positive for use of a banned substance at some time in the past three months to put you in prison for ten years. Even if that's as exaggerated as it sounds, it's still a somewhat less than optimal situation for your average twisted, evil drug fiend.

Maybe what you need is a bottle of wholesome family whiskey instead. Although if you see the light on in Peru, be sure to pop in for some san pedro cactus juice. I give it five stars and a personal thumbs up

[ls650]

Here on the Oxacan coast it's easy to find and no one really cares - or so I am told.

[Henry_Cowell]

"... and gladly wolde he toke and gladly share." - Marley

[Justin Trullinger]

Another thing to consider is societal prejudices wherever you may happen to be. While I agree with Aramas that it's very hard to get good info, it's true that in many "developing" nations, and most of latin america falls into this category, the attitude of people towards drug use is extremely conservative.

In Ecuador, laws about marijuana are harsh, though the police force is too busy collecting bribes to enforce them very often. But know that there are harsh prison sentences to be had if one does happen to be unlucky.

In a classroom discussion activity I've taken from a book some years ago, students are asked to be the jury and determine appropriate penalties for cases that are described to them. While they tend towards lenient on many issues, such as drunk driving, negligent homicide through reckless driving, and several other serious seeming offenses, there's always somebody who thinks the guy caught with one joint should be executed.

In general, I would advise anybody with much of an interest in drugs to be EXTREMELY discreet in Ecuador.

Regards,
Justin

[matttheboy]

definitely not decriminalised in argentina. latin american countries are very tough on drugs. whereas in europe we make distinctions between 'hard' and 'soft' drugs, people here generally see all drugs as one and the same. as justin says, people are very conservative here. Years of government 'education' has made people believe that weed is as dangerous as shooting up with a dirty needle whilst poking a 10 peso prossie without a johnson. According to a government produced leaflet handed to me the other day in the street here in buenos aires, marijuana is a highly addictive drug that has been known to cause baldness.

that's not to say you can't get it but the fact is that latin american weed is absolutely rubbish and not worth the money. once you've smoked some english super-skunk or dutch red-seal then the crappy bush that's sold in most countries here is simply a waste of time. ecuadorian was the worst. makes decent brownies though. just don't get caught or you'll end up as a south american gangster's b itch for quite some time.

[Blue Jacket]

Since the propaganda is that toking causes hair loss should I assume that I will be perceived as suspicious and likely to be searched because I'm a bit shiny on top? D@mn, had the same problem in the 70's when I had hair. Just can't win.

[Guy Courchesne]

[Blue Jacket]

Do they check for impotence at the border too? ,,,,,,, How?

[Guy Courchesne]

[Guy Courchesne]

Interesting tidbit.

[zondervan]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and advice.I didn't intend to smoke it openly but hoped that I'd be able to get away with a discreet smoke in my apartment. Sadly, this doesn't appear to be an option in most South American countries. I had a friend who spent six years in Colombia who says he often smoked weed there but would have to go to some dingy apartment where it was being sold, smoke it there and then leave.Doesn't sound like much fun to me. Apparently it is far too risky to be caught carrying any drugs there no matter how small the ammount.

[lozwich]

[RyanS]