Manchester, United Kingdom

Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 4.5

Legislation: Cannabis is illegal and is now a Class C drug in the UK, putting it in the same category as tranquilizers and steroids. It’s against the law to possess it, sell it or give it away, grow it or let your place be used for smoking it.

Law Enforcement: For people over 18 yrs, when caught with small amounts for personal use, the pot will be compounded, and you will be released.

Although the cops here aren’t too bothered about possession (you get an on-the-spot warning & they nick your stash, bastards. If you’ve got a lot of previous warnings for possession, or they think you might be dealing then it can get more serious), if the cops think you’ve been smoking weed before driving you’ll be in a lot of trouble. Might be worth catching the tube instead.

Where to buy Marijuana in Manchester: Manchester is known for its numerous supplies of hash.

Those looking to buy bud on Manchester”s street should just hang out downtown where the city”s many university students gather. Don”t be to concerned, chances are someone will approach you with an offer — just check the goods carefully and don”t buy any oregano.

a local reporter added: “The easiest place to pick up in Manchester as an outsider is probably Picadilly Gardens – just a 2min walk or single tram stop from the main Picadilly Station. There is a large statue next to some benches and phone boxes, and there are normally 2 or 3 groups of dealers hanging around there most of the day and night. Just make eye contact, and they will usually ask the question “How Much?”. They typically sell by the 8th, and getting more is difficult unless you are a regular visitor. Just check the merchendise and don’t buy off kids in baseball caps and shell suits – they are notorious for selling oregano to unsuspecting customers.”

Manchester Marijuana Prices: 18 to 20 pounds for an eighth of an ounce for medium quality bud or up to 30 pounds for high end skunk.

Hash is slightly cheaper, priced at around 15 pounds for an eighth.

another reporter added: “Typically 20GBP for a “street 8th” of good quality skunk, which is about 2g.

Soapbar hash is cheaper (15GBP for 3g) but there is a reason :)”

Brands: Usually high potency hydro weed can be found, but there is also some low potency marijuana and hashish.

Country: United Kingdom

Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1 hours

Dialing codes: + 44 (U.K.) + 161

City tale:

With a thriving club scene — arguably the best in Britain — Manchester is a student-driven city that turns a blind eye to tokers and smokers.

“I”m a student from Manchester and ever since I”ve come here I”ve been smoking a lot,” said a young man who called himself “Bob”. “Every day I get very stoned!”

The best news for pot smokers headed to Manchester is that British drug laws are on the edge of being reduced in the face of widespread marijuana and hash smoking.

As of October, cannabis product have been reduced to a class C drug, putting it in the same category as tranquilizers and steroids.

“Police will no longer be able to arrest anyone caught smoking [marijuana],” said a governmental official. “Cannabis possession is regarded by many senior police officers to be a trivial offense. The proposals are intended to free up police time to concentrate on more serious crimes and harder drugs.”

And more lenient marijuana laws translate directly into a thriving British drug scene, especially in Manchester.

“Thousands of skunk plants are budding across the land, from underground bunkers in the Home Counties to disused warehouses in central Manchester,” said a man who calls himself Dr. Hemp.

“Connoisseurs are even beginning to talk about home-grown versions of legendary smokes like Northern Lights, Durban Poison and Purple haze as serious rivals to the Dutch originals.”

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Little Amsterdam?

Already a lone Amsterdam-style coffee shop sprung up during September 2001 to service pot smokers in Manchester.

Located in Stockport Village on Hooper Street, The Dutch Experience was initially busted by cops when its doors first opened but is already back in business and going strong.

“I traveled up from Suffolk and was amazed by “The Experience” and its friendly atmosphere, said Steve Wallace.

Another visitor from the Netherlands called the coffeshop a perfect blend of Amsterdam and Manchester — the perfect option for people looking for a place to toke but without a ticket to Amsterdam.

“Everybody was just sitting back and smoking, just like in Holland,” he said. “The place is overloaded with people. More coffeeshops need to open soon!”

Visitors looking for another possible site to score — or some equipment to grow your own at home — might consider swinging by Holland Hydroponics and Hydrotops in the basement of Manchester”s Coliseum shopping center.

Prices run about 18 to 20 pounds for an eighth of an ounce for medium quality bud or up to 30 pounds for high end skunk.

Hash is slightly cheaper, priced at around 15 pounds for an eighth.

If you”d rather hunt for a connection with a beer in hand and a band in the background, Manchester is packed with clubs, bars and cafes.

The best venues for live bands are the Manchester Academy, the Manchester Boardwalk, the Apollo and G-Mex, all in the heart of the city.

But if pub life is more your style, head to Revolution, Barca or Swingin” Sporran before ducking into the Frog and Bucket to laugh at the comedy shows after smoking a bowl or two.

Stoned Grub

Once again, the munchies strike.

But between Manchester”s “curry mile” and the largest China Town outside London, hungry pot and hash smokers have nothing to worry about.

On the “mile”, located in Rusholme, over 30 restaurants and takeaways — the best being Tandoori Kitchen, Nasib, Al Noor, Shahenshah and Sangam — sport everything from flaming hot curries to honey-filled nan bread. Weaker stomachs will find no shortage of English-style chicken, sandwiches or fish-n-chips either.

While China Town grub is significantly pricier, it is also high quality munchies for the smoker with a full wallet.

If you are short on change, however, try Eastern Delight, Yang Sing and Win Wah.