Viang Vient, Laos

Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 3

Legislation: Marijuana is illegal in Laos, but is widely sold and used by locals and tourists.

Law enforcement: If you get caught, expect to pay a steep fine ($500). Don’t smoke in public. The locals, however, are very tolerant of smoking and many do so themselves.

Where to buy marijuana: There are a bunch of traveller cafes on the main drag, offering non stop showings of “Friends” (cant think of anything worse myself but…) and Happy Pizza (probably explains why the tourists can’t tear themselves away from Friends). Ask in the kitchen of these places selling Happy Pizza. They’ll sort you out.

Marijuana prices: Being 100% a tourist town, don’t expect to get kilos for a few bucks. Best to offer $10 and see what you get, then ask for more!

Brands: Buds – pretty good quality for outdoor grown local bush. Dont expect skunk but the stuff we bought was fresh, tasty and in good shape.