Beware Of Drug Laws in Other Countries

2009.04.03

It’s easy in North America to assume that because we have a democracy; other people must have something similar. Sure, in the Netherlands, you can get pot in the coffee shop, and the same in other countries, but did you know that in the Philippines, they used to enforce the death penalty between 2002 and 2004? All you needed was to carry over 500 grams of weed or just over 20 grams of cocaine and that was it – literally.
 
In Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, People’s Republic of China, they all have the death penalty for different kinds and amounts of drugs. Thailand waged a war on drugs and in that war, over 2,275 people were killed, and around 500 in China, so let the travelers beware!

In countries like Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Indonesia, they have what they call an occasional death penalty, which is reserved for the offence of trafficking. In Dubai, in particular, they have such sensitive tracking equipment that it can even detect poppy seeds, the kind you get on bread or rolls. Not only would it be ridiculous to bring even a small amount of pot in, for say, personal use, it could be the worst trip from hell you could ever imagine.


Even the U.S. Got into the act when then Speaker of the house Newt Gingrich proposed a death penalty for second offenders bringing in 50 grams or more into the country, and it was proposed that any plants or weight that would be estimated to bring in $20,000,000 per year should be grounds for the death penalty, but it wasn’t put through.

Just be sure that you don’t make the assumption that all countries are just like the U.S., because you’ll be in for the nastiest shock of your life – your life! There are many stories of innocent travelers abroad who didn’t bother to check on the drug policies of other countries. Partially because they idly assumed that all other countries were like home.  They assumed that if they were caught with grass, that they could run to the American embassy or consulate, just like on TV.
 
But drug intolerance isn’t just confined to those countries that are half way across the world, the U.K. has tightened its laws on marijuana.  The reason used is that the marijuana that’s out there now, is much more potent than what it used to be many years ago, and could therefore be a huge health and safety risk, especially in combination with other drugs.

Don’t assume other countries are like the U.S. when it comes to cannabis or any other drug. Some countries are so different that you would get culture shock just reading about it, it would seem so unbelievable. Remember to research the laws as well when it comes to paraphernalia like pipes, roaches, bubble bags, and bongs as well.