The Top 6 Cannabis-Friendly Cities in Europe

While Amsterdam has long been synonymous with cannabis culture, recent reforms have brought new European weed hubs to the forefront. Remember, no matter how lax the weed culture is in a city, always be a respectful visitor and avoid provoking any situations with police by never smoking right in front of them. Barcelona First and foremost: Barcelona. It's a beautiful city with an endless list of attractions — beaches, parties, gastronomy, art and vibrant street culture. And just like there are things to do for everyone, there's a multitude of cannabis clubs to suit all tastes as well. But beware — these aren’t the coffeeshops you’ve frequented in Amsterdam. Since the law in Spain states that cannabis must be consumed in private, these weed clubs are more like private associations that require membership. It’s a great way to enjoy world class hash and weed, and meet locals and other travelers, all while being in a safe, worry-free atmosphere. Brussels While THC is still technically illegal, Belgium is very tolerant of marijuana, permitting people to carry up to 5 grams on them. Our best advice for visiting this great European capital (and all cities really) is to keep it subtle, and follow your nose. No clubs or anything like that here. You’ll find that while weed is not out in the open, it is plentiful. It isn’t the only thing that’s readily available but kept hush-hush: you’ll find an incredible multicultural city full of hidden cafés, mixing cool with historic, and endless art galleries. And their three most famous culinary exports are a true stoner’s delight: beer, frites, and waffles. Prague Prague, and the Czech Republic in general, has always taken a look-the-other-way attitude towards marijuana, even more so since medical marijuana was made legal in 2013. Small amounts are considered a misdemeanor, like a parking ticket. But the Czechs have a slightly broader definition of small. You can carry up to 15 grams of flower on your person, or up to 5 grams of hash. Since Czechs can legally grow their own, most of them have local contacts, essentially taking dealing off the streets. This makes it harder for the everyday tourist to find that good-good, but with a bit of sniffing around, you shouldn’t have any trouble scoring. And if you get lucky enough, you might land yourself in one of the few bars where you can still smoke indoors, elbow to elbow with some of the world’s greatest tokers.  Basel Basel city sits on the border of Switzerland, France and Germany. This charming city is home to a fascinating mix of languages, cultures and cuisine. Switzerland has been at the forefront of medicinal cannabis in Europe for a long time. You can find CBD pretty much anywhere, even at supermarkets like Lidl. As a result, Basel's citizens and police officers have a pretty relaxed attitude towards blazing. Take a stroll down the Rhine river — this is where you’ll be able to buy and consume safely. It’ll be pretty obvious who the dealers are. Most will sell you decent outdoor but with a bit of negotiating you might find yourself puffing on some fine skunk. Don’t forget to bring some Swiss chocolate for when the munchies hit. Lisbon If hash is your thing, Lisbon is your place. And if you’re on a budget, you can also find pollen, a lower-potency hash that goes for about half the price. The Portuguese government decriminalized all drugs in 2001, permitting people to carry a “10-day supply.” While this doesn’t mean that weed is legal, it definitely means that the police have shifted their focus elsewhere. If you don’t get in their way, they won’t get in yours. So enjoy the food, the views, the amazing nightlife, and explore the incredible neighborhoods in Lisbon, all while blazing to your heart’s content.  Berlin Berlin is cool. There is a scene for every kind of music you can imagine, the people are nice and they speak English, the grub is cheap, and possession of cannabis is tolerated as long as you’re not carrying more than 15 grams on you. Of all the cities on this list, Berlin in the one we’d most recommend knowing someone in. There’s not as much street-level dealing as there is in other cities. Walking around in public areas like Görlitzer Park might be fruitful, but if it’s not a sunny day (which it’s probably not) then you might have to get more creative.