Yo, what’s good? My name’s Dan and today we’re talking about Chile and its dope progress towards legalizing cannabis. So, the real question is – can you blaze up in Chile without getting busted? Keep reading to find out!
Chile is hella cool, man. It’s the southernmost country in the world and the weather there is wild – from blazing hot deserts to icy Antarctica. And you know what else is hot in Chile? Weed. But just like the country’s geography, the laws around cannabis are a mixed bag.
So, let me hit you with some knowledge about weed in Chile.
History of Cannabis in Chile
Chile has been smoking up for a long time, my friend. In fact, it might be one of the highest per capita consumers of weed in the world – no joke.
Back in 1545, hemp production started in Peru, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia to help out the army and shipping industry. But only in Chile did it really take off. Fast forward a few hundred years to the 1940s when American sailors were smoking up in the port towns of Antofagasta and Tocopilla – and soon enough, locals were getting in on the action too.
By the 1960s and 1970s, cannabis was extremely popular among foreigners and hippies who came to Chile from the USA and Latin America. By the early 1970s, more than 60% of high school students had tried weed at least once. And then in 2005, Chile decriminalized personal use and even allowed people to grow their own plants for personal use.
Cannabis Status and Laws in Chile
So what’s the deal with weed in Chile now? Well, it’s pretty chill overall. Personal use and medicinal use are legal but buying and selling recreational cannabis is still not allowed.
Here’s what you need to know:
– Medical marijuana: Legal with a prescription from your doctor.
– Recreational marijuana: Partially legal for personal use only – but definitely don’t smoke up in public places. You can have up to 5-10 grams of weed at home for personal use and even grow up to six plants at home.
– Buying, selling, importing, and smoking weed on the streets is illegal.
– Cultivation is allowed for personal use at home or in the medical marijuana industry.
Getting Medical Marijuana in Chile
Chile has been doing some dank research on medical marijuana since 2014 when trials began. In 2015, Congress passed a law decriminalizing medical marijuana which President Michelle Bachelet signed into effect.
Medical marijuana is widely available across the country and can be obtained from pharmacies with legal marijuana. However, it can be pretty pricey – you’re looking at spending around $310 for a month’s supply, according to Marijuana Doctors.
Doctors can prescribe medical cannabis for a range of conditions including chronic pain, depression, cancer, nausea, PTSD, AIDS/HIV, multiple sclerosis, and more. The largest medical marijuana farm was opened in Santiago in 2015 by Chile’s Agriculture and Livestock Service – it harvested over 7,000 plants in 2016 and can benefit almost 4,000 medical marijuana patients.
Penalties and Punishments
Since personal use of cannabis was decriminalized in 2015, you won’t go to jail unless you’re caught dealing or trafficking drugs. Police are generally pretty chill if they catch you using weed on your private property or cultivating plants at home.
However, smoking weed in public is definitely not cool and could land you with a hefty fine. And if you’re caught buying or selling weed – well amigo, that’s big trouble.
Some Tips for Smoking Up Safely
While Chile is pretty cool when it comes to cannabis laws, there are still some things you should keep in mind if you want to blaze up safely:
– Don’t smoke weed in public places – stick to smoking on your private property like your home or hotel room.
– Always be respectful to police officers – don’t try to bribe them!
– Only buy weed from someone you trust – otherwise you might end up paying too much for crap quality.
– If you grow your own plants at home for personal use – make sure you’re following all the rules.
– If you want some quality weed – head over to Limache, Quillota, Los Vilos or Cabildo – these interior cities have some good stuff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just a few quick FAQs to wrap things up:
– How much weed can I legally have for personal use? Around 10 grams of weed and up to six plants at home.
– What kind of cannabis products can I get from pharmacies? Cannabis-infused products like resin, lotions, sprays, extracts, and colorants.
– Can I get sent to jail for drug trafficking? Absolutely – anywhere from 541 days to five years depending on how much weed you have.
– Is marijuana considered a hard drug? No way man – it’s just illegal for recreational use but legal for personal or medical purposes.
So there you have it folks – everything you need to know about smoking up safely in Chile! Keep it chill and respectful when it comes to cannabis laws – it’ll make everyone’s lives easier!