Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 3.5
Legislation: Pot is illegal, but enforcement is largely limited to frequent dealers.
Still, it is usually safe if you keep your weed out of sight.
Law Enforcement: When caught with Marijuana, you will be given an infringement notice if it is a small amount for personal use. If it is a trafficable amount you will spend the
night in a police watch-house, and appear in court the next day, unless thats a Saturday, in which case you could be stuck till Monday unless you can get Police bail.
Sale and Supply: Dealers sell openly along the street, and the approach of a police vehicle brings out the cry of “Taxi!” up and down the street as an alert. Of course, you must be careful who you ask or buy from, especially when making a purchase on the street.
There is hydro and bush available,and occasionally hash, local or imported.
Nimbin Australia Marijuana Prices: Floats around AU$10 per gram for hydro, bit less for bush depending on quality.
Brands: Varied
Country: Australia
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +10 hours
Dialing codes: + 61 (Australia) + 2 (New South Wales) + local number
City tale: Site of the annual “First weekend in May” Nimbin MardiGrass, Nimbin is unique. Once a sacred initiation site for the Bundjalung tribe, it was originally “settled” by white Europeans in the very late 19th Century. Basically that means we clear-felled as much of the forest as we possibly could, fenced it off from the local Kooris and proceeded to wipe out any of them that objected to being uprooted, brain-washed and totally cut off from their traditional lands and way of life… It’s a familiar story.
Within a couple of decades the white guys had pretty much run out of trees and so they started looking around for a NEW way to turn a buck. Sticking a whole bunch of heavy-footed European cows on the recently cleared slopes seemed like a good idea at the time, and so within ANOTHER few decades the once pristine forests surrounding this area had been transformed into an expanse of denuded, eroding cow pastures. Meanwhile the arse was busily dropping out of the international market for Australian meat and dairy produce. Ho-hum…
By 1973, Nimbin was almost a ghost town. Luckily for the local real estate agents, a bunch of long haired student radicals from the Australian Union of Students arrived seeking a site for a national student counter culture life style event called the Aquarius Festival. They had taken a left turn at Mullumbimby, chose Nimbin promising the village residents that Aquarius would “recycle the town”.
Cut to 1993 – the same deserted dairy town has been transformed. The building and shop fronts are a garish yet somehow compelling collage of full blown psychedelia and traditional Bundjalung art. There’s more cafes, craft shops and backpackers than you can wave a traveller’s cheque at and the stinky sweet smell of ganja is positively enveloping the street. This definitely AINT Byron Bay.
Down the centre of the main drag of this tiny, tripped out tourist town, there’s a huge throng of people, laughing, drumming, chanting, DANCING towards the local cop shop.
Dozens of them are helping to carry a huge smoking joint with “Let It Grow!” painted in 4 foot high letters on the side. Others are holding banners and placards calling for change – an end to drug prohibition, the legalisation of cannabis, an end to the drug war.
Many are openly smoking pot as they drum, sing and humba their way towards the suddenly vacant-looking police station. One dude is on stilts, wearing a huge cardboard helicopter he’s made in mockery of the annual pot raids that Nimbin has suffered for more than a decade. Paradoxically, not one person looks angry.
What the f*ck is happening here?
Why, it’s the first annual “Let It Grow!” Mardi Grass Fiesta and drug law reform rally.
A thousand local “alternatives” (the politically correct way to say “hippies”) finally spitting the dummy, coming out of the closet and in true 60s in-your-face street theatre style pointing out to the jaded apathetic mainstream that the drug wars just aren’t working.
That night on the national news the Australian general public was faced with the bizarre spectacle of a bunch of aging hippies, their off-spring and an ever-growing army of young and old recruits joyously breaking the cannabis laws en masse and demanding a change to the drug laws. Not only has the war on drugs left a deep and unpleasant impression on our idyllic, lotus-munching existence (the hippies seemed to be saying) but these days it’s seriously f*cking with YOUR way of life as well.
Ever since the ’73 Aquarius Festival, Nimbin has had a strong tradition of civil disobedience of the drug laws. The cops tried to bust someone for pot in the middle of the festival, but were quickly (and peacefully) overpowered by the crowd and the “criminal” disappeared into the seething hairy melee. This was nothing new at the time.
The same kind of spontaneous rebellion had happened at the Sunbury rock festival the year before, and was of course a regular ingredient in the Vietnam protest movement of the sixties and early seventies.
By the late 80s however, people’s willingness to take these kind of measures had markedly diminished… even in a place as supposedly pot-soaked as Nimbin. The U.S.-driven “War On Drugs” was in full swing. In the cities, the psychedelic, sacramental dealing circles of the sixties had long ago been replaced by more commercial, well-oiled interests. Smack was available everywhere in Australia. Hope was extremely unfashionable.
Those in Nimbin still clinging to their hippy ideals were pretty much trying to keep their heads down… at least as far as drugs were concerned.Regular invasive police helicopter raids were just a fact of life. The general wisdom seemed to be that showing an interest in drug law reform was as suicidal as walking into a police station smoking a joint.
Despite this generalised paranoia, a few brave souls were consistently stirring the pot.
Beginning in 1988, a series of public demonstrations, press releases and politically motivated events kept emanating from Nimbin, all of them hammering the same basic point … the drug laws are a miserable, socially destructive failure.
At first, these words of wisdom only seemed to be coming from one person, Bob Hopkins, a nimbinite who conducted a vigorous and extremely effective one-man campaign against the drug laws.
Gradually other folk began to get involved. Michael Balderstone (the owner of the local “hippy” museum) and David Heilpern (a lawyer and activist who later became a magistrate) were among the early ones.
By 1993, a small but dedicated bunch of folk had coalesced around the name “The Nimbin HEMP Embassy”. Their press releases and activities had consistently kept the issue of drug law reform in the spotlight of the local media and more and more people were coming out in support of what they had to say. The time seemed right for a larger display of local public feelings. Hey presto, the first annual Let It Grow! MardiGrass and Drug Law Reform Rally was born.
The first MardiGrass attracted a crowd of about 1000 people and much publicity. The day went off without a hitch. It was a huge success. By the next year, many more local people were openly supportive of the event. That year, the MardiGrass rally was preceded by a conference and seminar which attracted politicians, academics and health professionals from all over Australia. In a tradition that has continued to this day, the crowd doubled over the previous year’s numbers… 2000 people paraded through Nimbin calling for an end to the madness, prejudice and social chaos that masquerades as drug prohibition.
In 1995 the first MardiGrass Cannabis Grower’s Cup was held.
The year 1996 saw the beginnings of many events that have since become intrinsic to the Mardi Grass. The HEMP Olympix had it’s inaugural year, as did the Kombi Konvoy and the Hemp Traders Trade Fair. The now-legendary HEMP Olympix comprised pothead contests around joint rolling, bong throwing and, for the more physically-minded, a Growers Ironperson competition. For this contestants pitted themselves against the odds in outlandish tests of strength such as crawling through lantana tunnels dragging large bags of fertiliser.
The Kombi Konvoy opened the 96 Mardi Grass and has done ever since. A procession of variously decorated Kombi vans winds its way from nearby Lismore, arriving at dusk in the crowded lantern-lit streets of Nimbin. Led by the Olympix torch-bearer, the Kombis eventually park in a circle and the crowd forms for the opening ceremony.
Thus begins a weekend of song, dance, speeches, workshops, poems, pot art exhibitions, hemp trade and fashion shows, drug law and drug health information exchanges, seed swaps, magick, myth and joyous, stoned civil disobedience and political demonstration.
Finally on the last day, a lucky few settle down for the Cannabis Cup.
Based (very loosely) on the Amsterdam event of the same name, the Nimbin Cannabis Cup is a nice mellow wrap-up to the heightened chaos of the previous few days. A rather broad selection of the best local buds is tasted, toked and tested by a smattering of card-carrying “expert” judges, eventually choosing a winner. If you don’t make it as a judge however it doesn’t really matter. Just like in Amsterdam, there’s so much good pot everywhere that anyone that does make it to judge status is usually too stoned to tell anyway.
The Mardi Grass has grown stronger and larger every year and the Nimbin HEMP Embassy has continued to stay at the forefront of drug law reform activism worldwide. Several large scale smoke-ins and demonstrations have been held outside police stations and courthouses, political candidates have been run (and polled quite highly), a television ad campaign was run requesting people to dial-in to a safe number and report any cases of police harassment or corruption. All this plus maintaining a high-profile drug education outlet in Nimbin’s main drag.
One of the more interesting actions was the helicopter blockade in January 1997. Finally sick of the annual hippy-bashing helicopter raids that the police had been mounting every year, the HEMP crew and friends decided to do something about it. With a little ingenuity, they found out where the chopper squad was staying and where they’d parked the chopper for the night. Early the next morning, the cops awoke and opened their motel room door only to be greeted by the rather unnerving sight of one or two hippies chained underneath their wagons, a whole bunch of hippies waving and laughing at ’em from across the carpark and a veritable swathe of camera-toting press all clicking and whirring and taking notes right next to those goddamn hippies.
Needless to say the hippies had a very articulate and convincing press release ready about the waste of public money inherent in sending a bunch of gung-ho cops on double-pay in a very expensive helicopter to circle and swoop above the local communes and come back with a pathetic payload of what could only be described as personal stash.
Meanwhile on the other side of Lismore another couple of Hempsters were slowing things down by chaining themselves to the chopper. The press loved this story, and the cops?
Well, the cops just shook their heads, got in their little, blue wagon and went away. To this day, the helicopter squad has not returned to Nimbin.
All of these events lend colour and strength to the Mardi Grass.
Last year’s was a huge success and this year promises even more. As time goes on and the crowd grows, it’s interesting to watch the demographic changing. These days, the old-school hippies are well and truly out-numbered by the whole array of society’s archetypes. Many of these are just as counter or sub cultural as the hippies (punks, ferals etc). The vast number of them however are just plain, ordinary suburban working people. Many of them are there with their kids. Not all of them smoke pot, but they all know someone who does and they all agree that it’s time for the drug laws to change.
It’s ironic but somehow typical that the drug law reform movement should find it’s most
vocal and public face in a place like Nimbin. The Mardi Grass gives voice to frustrations and problems that are vexing the whole of mainstream society, but most people aren’t quite brave enough to express this to their neighbours. In the anonymity of a “freak-fest” like Mardi Grass, many people are quite prepared to stand up and be counted. This is vitally important as a first step, but it’s only when there’s a Mardi Grass happening in every town and when every pot smoker puts their hand up that the laws will change. It’s too easy for the mainstream to ignore protest when it just happens in Nimbin.
So come this year to Mardi Grass, but remember that it’s a drug law reform rally and not just a pot party. We’re there to make some points not just to get out of it, and remember to take some of the magick, idealism and commitment home with you when you go, there’s enough to spare.
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4
Legislation: First timers or travellers carrying small amounts under 2-3 grams may get off with a caution, possibly a court appearance with a small fine (approx $AU200 =$US130). Same could be said for anyone growing one or two small plants. Anything more than this would be considered criminal and can attract heavy penalties such as large fines, suspended sentences and jail time (but rarely more than a period of 3-4 months for a relatively serious case eg. cultivation and trafficking of a pound to an adult).
Law Enforcement: As of early 2006 police have taken to using sniffer dogs at public events and even on public transport in an effort to catch unwary smokers and dealers (mostly powder drugs I think) and it seems to be fairly effective, but your odds are still good. Other than that the Melbourne police are polite and professional if you treat them as such, corruption and bribery is relatively rare and if you play your cards right you may even land a sympathetic cop. Or judge.
police in melbourne have one vehicle (so far) equipped to test (using saliva test) to test for dope and amphetamines. it’s been maybe one year in operation and not much info released to public re success rates. at the moment vehicle mostly used to nab long distance truck drivers. not at this point testing drivers who are pulled over for random alcohol breath test, but of course, authorities threatening to in the near future….
Where to buy marijuana in Melbourne: Marijuana is probably best sourced from pubs, bars and clubs. You are unlikely to actually find much pot there, but you will find contacts. Most dealing is done in homes across Melbourne, not in the bars, but it is abundant and you can be sure every street has its own dealer. But you need to meet/find a nice friendly local.
Melbourne Marijuana Prices:
Marijuana in Melbourne is generally not cheap. There are two main ranges for pot pricing in Melbourne, and that depends on whether the pot is the more common and expensive hydroponic variety, or the less common and cheaper outdoor or “bush” bud. The bush bud varies greatly in quality and strength, with prices as low as $80 ($US60) for 28grms/1ounce for the worst stuff, to $230 ($US160) per 28grms/1ounce for the best. The powerful “Hydro” tends to meet a basic minimum standard, and that standard is very high. Melbourne growers often buy seeds direct from Holland, so you can run into pure White Widow or the latest strains. Hydro ranges in price from $240-$300 ($US170-$US210) per 28grms/1ounce.
as of October 2008:
regs – 35- half
65- ounce
125- 2 ounces
210- qp
370- half pound
700- pound
kryp 15-gram
25 – 1/16
50 1/8
100 1/4
170 1/2
300 ounce
550 – 2ounces
1000 – qp
2000 – half pound
3,500 – pound
Brands: Only pot is sold in Melbourne (no hash), with different quality. Generally, Australian weed has high potency, still there are quality differences.
Country: Australia
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +10 hours
Dialing codes: + 61 (Australia) Area code: 3
more information: See live bands or go to rave parties. Chat to the friendly people.
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4.5
Legislation: Caution for first three offences under 50 grams. Over 50 grams (Conspiracy to sell or trafficking) you will incur a fined or a court appearance and possibly jail time.
Law enforcement: Marijuana possession is only treated as a minor offense if only small amounts are in possession and is dealt with lightly. In late 2006 Tasmania police introduced random drug testing for marijuana and amphetamines on the road.
Where to buy marijuana: Marijuana is easly sourced in clubs or in the mall just ask around (but be careful) if you know someone that smoke’s they will most likely have a dealer they regularly use.
Marijuana prices: Marijuana prices are not that cheap hydro is more common then bush most hydro is usual very high quality. Panges in price from $240-$300 ($US170-$US210) per 28grms/1ounce for hydro.
Marijuana brands: No hash, mostly high quality hydro sometimes some low quality bush.
More information: Just look around i’m sure you can find it somewhere. Most partys include a bong and some good weed 😀
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4.5
Legislation: Posession of Cannabis is illegal, but the posession of 25 grams of dried Cannabis for personal use has been decriminalised in the ACT, meaning that it will not warrant a criminal conviction. Similarly, anyone can grow up to two Cannabis plants without facing criminal charges – instead, the police have the discretion to issue a “Simple Cannabis Offence Notice”.
Law Enforcement: The AFP generally tend to be pretty realistic, and focus on “real crimes” instead of Marijuana use. Don’t wave your spliff in a cop’s face and you’ll be fine.
Where to buy marijuana in Canberra, Australia : Let me put it like this: If you want to get intoxicated, Civic is the place to be. The report on webehigh.com that I saw suggested Manuka, but as a Canberra resident I’ve never found Manuka to be good for buying weed.
Instead, go to Civic (Thursday and Friday nights are the best time) and find a smallish club called Toast on the far eastern side, sort of near the Canberra Casino. If you know where Electric Shadows used to be (look for a staircase), Toast is located on one side of a funky courtyard at the top of the stairs which is full of Hexagons. If you look down and are reminded of Benzene Rings, you’re in the right place.
Toast is a great place. The first Friday of every month, Toast hosts Lithium, a music event to which Canberra’s Hippies, Goths and Emos are attracted like flies, and all of the people there tend to be either weed users or otherwise sympathetic.
So if you’re looking for weed in Canberra and you’ve got no connections, go find the crazy Hexagon courtyard in Civic (if you can’t find it, just ask anyone where Toast is) and hang around asking everyone you meet. Even if you don’t find any, you’ll meet some beautiful people and have a great night out.
Our most recent report is: “Another good place to find weed is the Pheonix; a small alternative bar in the nightclub strip across from the bus interchange, annotated by a large folding chalkboard with the word PUB written across it. It’s frequented by old hippies, young hippies, uni students, punks and other varieties of alternative culture. People are generally friendly, tolerant and extremely drunk and/or high, so it won’t be hard to find someone who can hook you up.
But seriously, in Canberra, it’s easy to find weed. The city is a boring sh**-hole in the middle of nowhere, freezing cold in the winter, boiling hot in the summer, full of pollies and public servants who are full of shit, and you can be damned sure that every young person (and some old) at least knows someone who can get weed if they’re not selling it to feed their own habits. At night time, if you can’t get to Toast or the Pheonix, just find a bar playing live music and ask some of the trendies. Hell, most of the redneck tradesmen smoke, so they might be able to help you out.
All Canberra is is a place to find weed, and fireworks, because there isn’t a hell of a lot else here.”
Canberra, Australia marijuana prices:
For very chronic hydro, 1 gram = $20,
3.5grams(1/8th) = $50, 1/4 oz. = $90
for average organic bud, 1 gram = $10,
3.5grams(1/8th) = $30
More information: It is worth noting that the weed available in Canberra is generally pretty potent. In general, you never really get ripped off – even if you pay seemingly exorbitant sums for a small amount of pot that doesn’t last very long, that small amount will get you seriously stoned.
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4.5
Legislation: It is Illegal in Queensland and all drug use is taken as a serious breach of law.
Law enforcement: Law is enforced, and some of my friends have been in trouble. just be discreet and you’ll do fine.
Where to buy marijuana: It’s not easy to find in the city (CBD) as normally you’d need to know people to be able to get a hookup. try to be low-profile and cool about it if you ask around. Most will point you to the fortitude valley, and you might get lucky there, I never did though, but then again I didn’t try too hard in that area, just a couple of times. but the punks or other similarly outstanding people usually gathered in the queen street mall central area (up from Albert street) may be able to help, also anybody who looks stoned or looks the type may be cool enough to help. That’s all I remember about finding hookups, it’s been almost a year since I’ve had to do it, good luck..
Marijuana prices: 25 $ for a stick or “25” – usually about a gram and a half if you find a good dealer.
50 $ for a fifty – usually about 2.8 to 3.5 grams, again varying according to dealer and prices.
90 – 100 $ for a quarter – 7 grams, but at times you may get slightly less or more.
160 – 180 $ for a half ounce – 14 grams, I can’t usually get the 160 $ price range these days anymore though, you’ll be lucky to find one.
Marijuana brands: Various Australian and imported varieties from everywhere else, all Buds, hash and oil non-existent so far. quality and high for hydro varies from good to mind-blowing, as for bush, well i guess so far the range would be from barely adequate to very good (I did have great bush once but it was all the way from new Caledonia thanks to a good friend of mine, oi, ice cubes do make smoking smoother, thanks mate!)
More information: that’s about it, i hope someone i know puts up new Caledonia for us, you know who you are…… peace everyone. overgrow the government.
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4.5
Legislation: Small fine/possible court appearance. Heavier penalties for dealing. In nearby Canberra (2 hour drive) it is legal to grow 2 plants for personal use.
Law enforcement: Marijuana/Cannabis use is of the lowest priority for cops in Batemans Bay. At RBT’s (Random Breath Testing) whilst driving, only alcohol is checked for, and not any other drugs.
Where to buy marijuana in Batemans Bay: Look for skater kids and emo/gothics. Most young people (15-18) will have an idea of where to get some weed. Also, you may be approached at house parties, and be asked if you either have some or want some.
Marijuana prices in Batemans Bay:
$20- Stick (1 Bud)
$50- 3 Sticks (3 Buds)
$70 to $90- Quater Ounce.
Types of Marijuana in Batemans Bay: Any thing from homegrown, to Hydro, to White Rhino (very potent for medical use).Most strains are quite potent, and will get you reasonably high.
More information: Make sure that if you are buying off someone who you dont know, and looks a bit shifty, check the weed for any sign of it being sprayed, or particles from something being sprinkled. This happens very, very rarely though.
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4.5
Legislation: Under the Cannabis Expiation Notice scheme possessing less than 100 grams of cannabis, 20 grams of hash, use of cannabis in private and cultivating one plant are not criminal offenses. A fine is paid and the matter is forgotten. Using cannabis in public places is not covered by this system, nor is dealing.
Law Enforcement: Police will issue you with a Cannabis Expiation Notice for minor cannabis offences, resulting in a fine that is to be paid within a specified time. If paid, the matter is resolved and no criminal record will be kept. It is illegal to smoke in public and could be followed up with charges being made. The sale of cannabis is also illegal.
Where to buy marijuana in Adelaide : Cannabis is very easy to obtain, ask around near Hindley Street. If you ask someone who is not a stoner they will politely tell you that they don’t have any. Cannabis is socially accepted, you should have no trouble finding any.
Types of Marijuana in Adelaide: Marijuana is the main form sold, hash is available but rare and usually more expensive. Due to the large number of growers the potency and qualify of the cannabis is high.
Adelaide Marijuana Prices:
1 gram = $10
1/4 = $65
1/2 = $120
Oz. = $220
Country: South Australia, Australia
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +9:30 hours
Dialing codes: + 61 (Australia) Area code: 8
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4
Legislation: Cannabis is illegal in Aruba.
Law enforcement: Police in Aruba are scarce. Do not walk down the street with a joint in your mouth and no one will bother you. Security guards will not bother you, nor do they care.
Where to buy marijuana in Aruba: Beaches and main streets. Look for the stoner types sitting around.
Oranjestad Marijuana prices: 20 a gram 50 for 1/8 and 100 for 1/4
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4.5 in Winter, 3.0 in Summer
Legislation: Possession is decriminalized. Sale, transport, and cultivation remains illegal. Smoking in public is frowned upon. Medicinal use is accepted but no regulated or protected by law. Around 5 grams or less is considered legal for personal use. The police may stop you for smoking and carrying marijuana. People still openly consume in streets or parks.
Bribing officials has been reported to work.
Law enforcement: The city is empty in the winter and police are hard to come by. Keep your eyes out when smoking in beaches or parks. In the summer you will see a lot of police officers in the streets, some acting undercover as civilians. The south beaches are a good place to smoke and chill without worrying about the law.
Where to buy marijuana: Your best bet is to go to Reggae Concerts, Parks, Beaches and follow the smell. Ask in the beaches and look for stoner friendly people to ask. Most people are friendly to tourists.
Marijuana prices: The cheap marijuana is not going to be high quality. Cannabis is cultivated in the jungles of Paraguay and compressed into big bricks for transportation. Quality varies from brick-to-brick but is not to American and European standards. However it is still cheap, at 20 dolars for 40 grams of pot.
Types of Marijuana: Brick Pressed Paraguayan weed includes a mixture of Sativa and Indica plants seeds and stems in a brick , if you are VERY lucky you will find a grower and you can buy top stuff and possible indoor grown dank.
More information: Be careful where you go. Don’t go to “Villas”. Enjoy the parties but don’t get too intoxicated.
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 3
Legislation: Marijuana is illegal in Albania. This includes possession, sale, transport and cultivation.
Law enforcement: Police do not seek smokers – especially if you’re a tourist. However – if caught – a small bribe will free you.
Where to buy marijuana: In the streets of the city you’ll find someone. Look for young people.
Marijuana prices: Very cheap, $5. Use your judgement depending on quality and quantity.
Types of Marijuana: Being in southern Europe means access to the best buds from the North, as well as the best hash from Morocco and the Middle East. Keep your eyes open.