5 Countries Where Marijuana is Legal (Almost!)
Author: Robert Kane


Marijuana users have always sought legal loopholes in countries
where it is illegal to own or smoke it. Many people choose to
buy marijuana seeds (which is legal in many places), then grow
and smoke their own (which is not!) But every marijuana smoker
has probably dreamed at one point or another of living in a
country where marijuana is legal – or at least where the "rules"
concerning possession are so lax that it is effectively legal.

Most people know about Holland's famously relaxed laws
regarding marijuana (which is why it doesn't feature on the list
below!) While no other country has achieved such high profile
recognition for making marijuana legal, a number of places
around the world have quietly relaxed their laws concerning
possession for personal use. In most of these countries,
possession still remains technically illegal, but penalties are
not enforced if you are within certain guidelines – this is
known as decriminalisation.

So, if living in a country where marijuana possession isn't
punished by the law sounds like heaven, here are five places you
should consider emigrating!

Argentina

After a recent court debate about whether or not to punish
those who buy and grow marijuana, Argentina has effectively made
marijuana legal if it is in small quantities for personal use. A
leading judge in Argentina even decided that it was
"unconstitutional" to legislate against marijuana possession!
Those who buy marijuana seeds and grow their own are also
leniently treated, so long as they are growing a small number of
plants. The country is also notably supportive of several
medical marijuana programs.

Australia

Before you go booking a one way ticket to Sydney, make sure you
do your research. Different regions have different rules, but
Western Australia, Southern Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and
Queensland have all decriminalised marijuana to a certain
degree. In Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland, police have taken
to "ticketing" those caught with less than 50 grams of marijuana
rather than arresting them, and Western and Southern Australia
have instituted on the spot fines for minor possession rather
than official warnings or arrests.

Belgium

Since 2003, the Belgian government has made the possession and
use of marijuana legal under the following conditions:

•The amount possessed is 5 grams or less
•You are over 18
•You do not smoke in the presence of minors
•You do not smoke in public

You can buy marijuana seeds and grow them in Belgium without
penalty – however, you are only allowed to own one female plant.
The purchase and sale of marijuana is still illegal, but most
Belgians simply get their marijuana in Holland.

Colombia

Colombia, has had relaxed laws concerning drug possession for
over ten years. Possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana,
one gram of cocaine and one gram of heroin is not considered to
be illegal, although things may change – recent conservative
governments have considered repealing this law to combat
Colombia's drug culture.

Nepal

Unlike the other countries on this list, Nepal doesn't have an
actual decriminalisation policy towards marijuana – it's rather
that the laws they have are hardly ever enforced! Marijuana used
to be legal in Nepal, making it a hippy Mecca in the 1960's and
early 70's. It has been illegal since 1973 – not that you'd
notice. Marijuana is widely available and used, especially by
Nepalese holy men. Note that smuggling and growing are punished,
but possession and personal use rarely are – if the police catch
you smoking they will stop you, but only to collect a small
bribe!


About The Author: Robert Kane is the web editor of Sensible
Seeds, (http://www.sensibleseeds.com) where you can buy
marijuana seeds and informational books online. The website
sells its products to customers all over the world.