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Despite the popularity of weed and hash, most governments in the world have deemed it harmful to the individual and society as a whole.

There are only 11 nations in the world where weed and hash have been decriminalized. A handful of countries impose mandatory prison sentences and other harsh punishments for the possession or sale of any form of weed and hash. Another handful look the other way when dealing with cannabis.

Some places that are easy on weed heads can be broken up by region:

Latin America

In Latin America, cannabis is tolerated and/or decriminalized in most countries, with the exception of Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras and Guatemala. Marijuana grows well in Central and South America and is a large part of the economy.

Governments tend to have more to worry about than whether someone is smoking a joint. For travelers, this means that smoking in South America is probably okay, but caution should be used.

Only Peru considers cannabis to be a legal drug, provided you are not in possession of another drug. I get the impression that throughout Latin America, the tolerance doesn’t typically extend to tourists, especially if the police can get a bribe out of it, but you should never travel with pot and risk being searched.

I would highly recommend caution throughout Mexico, Panama, Guatemala and even Costa Rica. Although weed is sold to tourists all the time in quantities up to 1/4 pound, those buyers in turn, are often set up for the policia.

In this particular region, weed may be tolerated, decriminalized or even legal up to small amounts (usually about 20 grams), but as always, keep a low profile.

Photo by martin cleary

Here’s a quick break down:

• ARGENTINA: Decriminalized for personal use in small amounts and for consumption only in private locations. Public consumption is generally accepted among the young adults and overlooked by police in the suburbs.
• BOLIVIA: Possession illegal. No move to decriminalize.
• BRAZIL: Possession illegal.
• CHILE: Personal use of marijuana in small quantities on a private place is not against the law. More than one person using it at the same place is considered as a group and thus is considered illegal.
• COLOMBIA: Possession of small quantities of all drugs legal; permitted “personal dose” for marijuana is 20 grams.
• ECUADOR: Possession illegal. No move to decriminalize.
• PARAGUAY: Possession illegal. No move to decriminalize.
• PERU: Possession of up to 8 grams (0.28 oz) of marijuana is legal as long as one isn’t in possession of another drug. However, I’ve read some first hand accounts about the police being fairly strict. Caution is urged.
• URUGUAY: Possession for personal use not penalized; law does not specify quantity for “personal” amount.
• VENEZUELA: Possession of up to 20 grams not punished.
• BELIZE: Illegal, but use by locals is slightly tolerated.

• GUATEMALA: Highly illegal. Possession by Guatemalans in not normally prosecuted for personal use, but tourists are commonly arrested and jailed for several days before being released.

• HONDURAS: Illegal, but use by locals is slightly tolerated.
• PANAMA: Illegal
• COSTA RICA: Illegal, but tolerated. Watch out for being set up.

Europe

Europe is another region where cannabis is generally tolerated, decriminalized or even legal.

We all know about the Netherlands. It is legal to buy and smoke herb in the Netherlands, in amounts up to five grams per person per day. People regularly smoke in public parks and anywhere else they can find a bench and a view.

In the Netherlands, one notices that tourists (especially American tourists) go a little overboard and smoke their way into oblivion. The only caution I would take here is making sure you don’t get duped at the coffee shops or robbed by opportunistic thugs.

• GERMANY and BELGIUM: decriminalized. This means that possessing a small amount is ok, but puffing in public and selling weed is not.

• SPAIN and FRANCE: smoking at home and the possession of a few grams will get you searched and checked out at worst.

• ITALY: possession of more than a gram could result in a search and seizure.
• GREECE: illegal. Really tough on weed.
• DENMARK: illegal. Very uncool towards cannabis ever since authorities bulldozed the Christiana district in Copenhagen.
• MACEDONIA: decriminalized.
• SERBIA: looks away if it looks at all.
• SLOVENIA: has no police (just kidding, but it is a relaxed place).
• BOSNIA: illegal but tolerated.
• CROATIA: illegal and not tolerated.
• SCANDINVIAN COUNTRIES: laws are quite strict concerning weed and it is not advisable to get caught smoking

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Photo by Shira Golding

North Africa

The other region where weed is ok is North Africa. In Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, locals smoke hash, a fine alternative to alcohol and accepted in society. However, this societal norm does not necessarily apply to tourists.

In other words, locals may be puffing, but if the laws still consider what you are doing as illegal, a cop can still make money off you. I recommend smoking with friends only in this region.

• EGYPT: Illegal, but not strictly enforced, just don’t smoke in public. Also, don’t carry large quantities unless you’d like to see the inside of an Egyptian jail.
• MOROCCO: Illegal. Not recommended to smoke in public or to carry more than a few grams at a time–whatever you can quickly swallow or throw away. Tourists are usually let off with fines, but technically can be jailed for 4-10 years. Even more if you’re suspected of smuggling.

Having said all that, these are the nations in which cannabis is legal for consumption and where you should be able to smoke in peace:

Photo courtesy of author

• BELGIUM: Up to 5 grams.
• CZECH REPUBLIC: Personal use.
• GERMANY: Up to 5 grams.
• INDIA: All good.
• MACEDONIA: Up to 5 grams.
• NETHERLANDS: Coffee shops and parks, personal use.
• PAKISTAN: Ummm… All good, but as a tourist I would watch my back and smoke with Pakistani friends in their homes.
• PERU: Personal use, up to 5 grams.
• RUSSIA: Personal use, up to 5 grams If you are caught, you will have to pay low fines as possession of small amounts is still illegal
• VENEZUELA: Personal use, up to 5 grams.
• AUSTRALIA: Up to 50grams! (Certain states of Australia have decriminalized marijuana possession. In Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland one can be simply ticketed for up to 50 grams. If found in possession with intent to supply, convictions apply)

I use “up to five grams” because I like to err on the side of caution. I have smoked publicly with fishermen in Thailand, tea merchants in Egypt, farmers in SW China and all my homies throughout Europe and the US. I will continue to do so.

People all over the planet understand the need to just relax and do your thing after a long day. Some do it with alcohol, some with tea, some with weed, and some with a book.

Stick to the nations numbered above and if you need to puff elsewhere, be careful.

Community Connection

Headed to Amsterdam? Check out 7 Coffee Shops in Amsterdam that are Good to Go – and, while you’re at it, 10 Things to do in Amsterdam Besides Smoking Pot. Also be sure to give a read to Tim Patterson’s Tripping Out On The Road: Drugs, Alcohol and Travel.

There are many places on earth where this search ends up in some greasy fast food joint with a sleepy chef and sticky tables. The food tastes like last week’s leftovers and your only companions are a pack of mangy mutts eyeing your plate.

This does not have to be the end to a great night. Here are 9 cities where finding late night food can be more fun than the partying, as well as some tips on what constitutes a fine wee hours food joint.

Bangkok

Infamous Khao san Road in Bangkok’s tourist district is a veritable smörgåsbord. After the restaurants close at around 2 AM, the stalls take over and serve fried and roast chicken with sticky rice, fried noodles with veggies and pork, sweet pancakes and spicy omelettes, plus a wide variety of crunchy, deep fried critters.

This is the food that coats your belly before you flop out in some two-bit hostel after the proverbial “one night in Bangkok.”

But Khaosan is just a microcosm of Bangkok’s universe of excellent street food. There are night markets throughout the city–near the train station, around temples, and clinging to the famous river market on the other side of town. The good thing about Bangkok is that tuk-tuks can take you anywhere.

The best strategy is to let yourself get taken on some tour during the day and keep feeding your tuk-tuk driver smokes. At night, find this guy again and let him know you need the special meal that only he knows about. He’ll take you to his buddy’s place and make sure you eat well.

Now obviously, tuk-tuks rip people off now and then, but the rumors are worse than reality. Most problems arise when trashed Westerners try and skip out of a tuk-tuk and not pay the fare.

Hong Kong and Canton

Both of these places have great late night food, but the true treat here is the fresh seafood BBQ that can be had near the docks and around the fish markets.

In China, fish markets close down around 6 or 7 PM and begin to BBQ whatever wasn’t sold that day. Choose from a thousand different types of mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp, calamari and other weird and exciting grill-ables.

Canton is cheaper thanHong Kong, but Canton has the raucous after-market, after-club crowds and the chaotic feel of Mainland China. Depends on what you like: In Hong Kong, Two streets down from Nathan Road in any direction will likely lead to a late night dive or a night market. Follow the clothes racks and CD boxes down until you start smelling hot oil.

Hong Kong / Photo by GluehweinEffects

The same recipe works for Canton: these are cities that thrive off the export business. Pick a product, find its corresponding black market, and wander there during the night to find out where the locals get their midnight snacks. Docks and ferries are always a good spot to check out.

Again, it is best to do your research before you get drunk and lust after beef noodles. Walk around during the day and check out your neighborhood. Visit the fish market and snap some pictures. When the time comes and your vision is too blurry to see the landmarks you noticed during the day, leave trust to autopilot and the gods who watch over wayward travelers.

Asian cities have a different view of time and food than most American cities. In the US, you might be able to find a late night diner or even a hot dog and burrito stand, but there will not be a whole block of them filled with wandering drunkards and couples, gathering around stalls serving up full meals amid an orchestra of hissing woks and screaming cooks.

Similarly, assorted European cities have a clear understanding of the pleasures of the night

Madrid

In Madrid, dinner often starts at 10 PM, and espresso after dinner ensures that people will be up and about all night. Breakfast joints serve fried snacks just before dawn and offer some more espresso for those who have to go to work, and warm milk with honey for the lucky few who can sleep in.

Paris / Photo by balachandar

Hamburg

Hamburg has the Reeperbahn, which employs several waves of revelry — starting at 10 PM, 1 AM, and again around 4 AM– and dumps music, sausages and a lot of beer onto the streets for locals and tourists to gobble up and enjoy.

The late night food here ranges from huge doener kebabs to Thai noodles, pizza and calzones, and, of course, fine German fare of broetchen and sausages. It is drinking food and demands a beer as accompaniment.

But it’s not just Hamburg: in other German cities like Frankfurt, Cologne, Berlin, and Munich, the bars do not close until the clientèle has left. What’s more, the police will not swoop down on a public gathering on the Rhine, Main or Potsdamer Platz.

Paris

Paris is a city that does not sleep and therefore naturally provides the fare for such a lifestyle. Brassieres and cafes are open late into the night and many of them 24 hours to accommodate lovers who slide into booths at all hours of the night, searching for dessert and hot chocolate.

Crepes, the quintessential French snack, do not care what time they are served up. Around the many monuments, along the Seine and down any alleyway or small side street, there will be a nook with a light on waiting for you to sit and shake off the 3 AM doldrums with a shot of brandy and a buttered up croissant. It’s the way all cities should be.

Istanbul

Some people may overlook Istanbul, but it is without question one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world.

Kebabs in Germany pale in comparison to kebabs in Turkey. Coffee in Madrid is shamed by the sweet blackness served up in small cafes in Istanbul, and breakfast takes on new meaning after swallowing soft, hot pastries served before sunrise in plazas overlooking the Bosporus.

“Late night food” is a weak phrase for the life to be had in Istanbul after the sun goes down. Go to a club on the European side then munch candied peanuts on a ferry across to the Asian side and get ready for a crowd of Turks to grab you up and take you to where “the real food” is.

Mexico City / Photo by nathangibbs

Mexico City

Nothing says “after party” like Mexican food. There is no need to search for the late night spot in Mexico; they pop up on every street, wait for you at the end of alleys and light up plazas with white Christmas lights. Follow the music.

There are towns other than Mexico City where the late night food is easier to find and less dangerous to consume, like any place in Oaxaca, Cancun, and Acapulco. Mexico City also holds the secret of Chino-Latino cuisine: a mixture of Chinese street food and Mexican ingredients and methods that are irresistible to the starving night-owl traveler.

New York City

And last but not least, I have to leave you with New York City. The Apple is one of the two or three cities in the USA that has its very own excellent, late night food 24/7 at good prices.

You can’t beat spots like Tom’s, The Carnegie and the Empire Diner. These are the famous diners that serve that greasy luvin’ that Americans like to stuff their bellies with after a night on the town.

There are also mobile hot dog dispensing units and grilled cheese hideouts at the edge of Manhattan and all around Brooklyn. On both sides of the Brooklyn Bridge are fine Chinese joints and there are even a few high-class options like the Mai House. Enjoy.

Community Connection:

Looking for a good party to stoke those late night cravings?

How about the Best Nightlife in Bangkok? Or maybe head to one of the world’s 10 best rooftop bars, check out the top dive bars in Vegas, or hit up one of the top 10 nightlife spots in Mexico City.