The government of Canada is gearing up for the official day of recreational marijuana legalization; releasing all kinds of educational media regarding cannabis use. READ ALSO: These 36 Quebec Towns Want To Ban Smoking Marijuana In Public TL;DR Despite impending recreational marijuana legalization in Canada, popular Canadian vacation destinations still have mixed attitudes about the drug. Here's an assessment of marijuana laws in each of those countries. Like this Tweet from the Government of Canada's travel and tourism bureau warning Canadians that cannabis is still "illegal in most countries." When you travel abroad, you are subject to the laws of the country you are visiting. Your Canadian citizenship does not give you immunity or preferential treatment in other countries. https://t.co/4I8ALOx6y4 #CannabisAct #Marijuana pic.twitter.com/PhnQGYd6hp — travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) September 18, 2018 Although this is common sense to most, it's an important reminder to research marijuana laws before you decide to travel if you plan on smoking during vacation. So – where are Canadians travelling? According to newest insights from KAYAK, one of the worlds largest flight aggregator and travel metasearch engine, these are the top trending destinations among Canadian travellers in 2018, and the statuses and penalties for cannabis use for each of them. 1. Colombia Official status: Decriminalized View this post on Instagram Paisagem mais bela não tem. #cartegenacolombia #cartagena A post shared by William Siaço Castro ^ω^ (@willcastrodg) on Mar 21, 2016 at 6:50pm PDT Stereotypically Colombia is associated with cocaine, not marijuana. However, that is slowly changing. In 2016, the country passed a landmark law legalizing medical marijuana for both domestic use and export. Colombia is now looking to become the world's largest supplier of legal marijuana. When it comes to actually smoking in Colombia, possession of small amounts of marijuana are decriminalized, so this is the country with the laxest marijuana policies on this whole list. More info 2. Morocco Official status: illegal View this post on Instagram #travel_captures #travel #travelph #travels #traveller #travelling #travelsgram #travelsgloriouss #travellerslife #travelphotography #travelph #travelpics #travelphotography #marrakesh #africa A post shared by Özlem Dedeş Tanrıverdi (@ozlemdedestanriverdi) on Sep 16, 2018 at 1:52am PDT A few years ago I travelled to Morocco. Barely 20 minutes off our flight and our guide started whispering something about hash, before I know it, we're smoking a joint on a roof. Morocco's climate is ideal for cultivating marijuana. Officially speaking, though, the cultivation, sale, and possession of cannabis for recreational purposes is illegal and can land you up to 10 years in jail. However, officials in Morocco are known to be lax and never bother smoking tourists too much. More info 3. Thailand Official status: illegal View this post on Instagram PODA ISLAND -Crabby Thailand- A post shared by SEVEN TO SEVEN -travel- (@sevensevento) on Aug 31, 2015 at 2:17pm PDT Classified as a Category 5 narcotic, marijuana use is considered a serious crime and penalties can be severe, even for tourists. Even possession of small amounts of marijuana can lead to prison time, between 3 months and 5 years. So unless you want to spend a night in jail, think twice about smoking in Thailand. More info 4. Japan Official status: illegal View this post on Instagram Worry less, travel more 🎈 . . . . . . #shibuya #tokyo #lights #wanderlust #besttime #travellingthroughtheworld #shotoniphone #streetphotography #japantravel #japan #peace #wiw #wiwt #lotd #ootd #prettylittlething #prettylittleiiinspo A post shared by E L V I R A 💕 (@_elviraaa) on Sep 20, 2018 at 6:49am PDT Japan is not a bud-friendly place. Cops are known to be strict, especially when it comes to marijuana. If you are caught smoking weed on the streets, you will go to jail. And unlike places like Morroco where cannabis is illegal, but cops often turn a blind eye, in Japan, police are even harsher on tourists caught smoking. More info 5. Indonesia Official status: illegal View this post on Instagram Hanging out in the jungle and be watching a waterfall looks like the perfect getaway🌴 . Follow @travelingperfection🗺 . Credit to @katezimina📸 A post shared by Travel🌎 Adventure🏄🏼♂️Nature🏞 (@travelingperfection) on Sep 20, 2018 at 4:57am PDT Bali, Indonesia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. However, don't look forward to smoking a joint after a long day at the beach, marijuana is 100% illegal here and any possession of it, even in small amount, carries some hefty penalties, like imprisonment for up to 10 years. More info 6. Portugal Official status: decriminalized View this post on Instagram #throwback @ 2017 and #Rossio #Square which is the popular name of the Pedro IV Square (Portuguese: Praça de D. Pedro IV) in the city of Lisbon, in Portugal. It is located in the Pombaline Downtown of Lisbon and has been one of its main squares since the Middle Ages. It has been the setting of popular revolts and celebrations, bullfights and executions, and is now a preferred meeting place of Lisbon natives and tourists alike #tbt #throwbackthursday A post shared by Duke (@nickduke) on Sep 20, 2018 at 6:30am PDT All drugs have been technically decriminalized in Portugal since 2001, and this includes cannabis. As a result, you can carry small amounts of marijuana for personal use in Portugal, and no one will bother you about it, not even the cops, who are generally not interested in marijuana smokers. More info 7. Aruba Official status: illegal View this post on Instagram a happy life 🥂💝✨• • • • #Lushlifebonaire#bonaire #paradise #aruba #swimwear#tagtobefeatured #Positive #photography #luxurylifestyle #curacao #bonaireisland #bonairetourism#model A post shared by Lushdolls🌹 (@lushlifebonaire) on Sep 19, 2018 at 11:35am PDT The Dutch-Caribbean island and tropical paradise of Aruba is not a premier destination for marijuana smokers. The country’s laws against cannabis are severe and violating any of its rules may result in arrest or imprisonment. More info 8. Hawaii Official status: illegal (medical marijuana is legal) @officialmauijimembedded via Marijuana has been a big part of Hawaii's culture for a long time. As a result, the culture surrounding smoking is quite lax. It's not decriminalized yet, but medical marijuana is legal. Possession and use of small amounts of marijuana, although technically illegal, is common. As long as you use common sense and don't drive under the influence, authorities will likely not bother you. More info Source | Source
