5 Worst places to get caught with weed!
It seems like every time you turn on the news these days, another country is considering legalising or decriminalising cannabis, like Germany did recently. Although this is largely good news, it is important to bear in mind that not everywhere on Earth is so friendly towards this beautiful plant. With that in mind, lets take a look at the top five worst places to get caught with weed.
Indonesia
The Republic of Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia. It lies between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is famous for it’s Beaches, Ancient Temples, and some of the strictest drug laws on the planet.
In Indonesia, cannabis is listed as a Type 1 Narcotic (Their equivalent of class A) alongside other drugs like methamphetamine and crack cocaine. There is no distinction between medical and recreational cannabis in Indonesia.
There have been calls for cannabis to be delisted as a Type 1 Narcotic so that it can be classified as a medicine
Simply being caught in possession of Cannabis can land you with a 12 year prison sentence, and a £380,000 fine! Even if you have a prescription. Growing, Importing, exporting, or selling cannabis is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and a fine of £479,000 fine.
Malaysia
Malaysia is another country in Southeast asia. It occupies parts of the Malay peninsula and the island of Borneo. It’s known for its beaches, rainforests and diverse cultural influences from Malay, China, India and Europe.
Cannabis is strictly illegal in Malayasia. As in Indonesia, no distinction is currently made between recreational and medical cannabis. Being caught in possession of small amounts will result in five years in prison, a fine of £3,300, or both.
Growing cannabis can result in a life sentence. Possession of more than 200g (7oz) will be presumed as trafficking in narcotics. Until July of last year (2023), being convicted of trafficking resulted in a mandatory death sentence. Even now you will still get 30 to 40 years and a caning, and there is still the possibility of the death penalty depending on the Judge who passes the sentence. Defintely one of the worst places to get caught with weed.
Malaysian law makers have promised to reassess the laws regarding medical cannabis. This has been prompted by public outcry after a Muhammad Lukman was sentenced to death for selling cannabis oils as medicine to sick people.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia and the Middle East. It covers the majority of the Arabian Peninsular, and is the largest country in the Middle East. It is famous for its impressive and ancient mosques, as well as it it’s impressive modern architecture, like the Kingdom Centre Tower.
The laws in Saudi Arabia regarding drugs are very strict. The use and possession of cannabis is strictly illegal.
First time offenders usually only get from one to six months in prison, with the chance of being flogged. Selling cannabis could earn you ten years in prison, again, with floggings.
Serial offenders and traffickers face death by beheading.
Singapore
The Republic of Singapore , is a country in Southeast Asia. It is known for its low levels of crime and spotlessly clean streats. It is also one of only 34 countries in the world which still practices the death penalty for drug related offences (including cannabis).
Cannabis is classified as a Class A drug under Singapore’s Misuse of drugs act. Being caught in possession or using cannabis can result in 10 years in prison, a fine of £11,500, or both. In some cases, a caning may also be ordered.
Being convicted of trafficking more than half a kilo of cannabis can earn you the death penalty. Tangaraju Suppiah was recently executed after he was found guilty of abetting the trafficking of around 1kg of cannabis.
China
The Peoples Republic of China is a country in East Asia. It is the second most populous country in the world, after India, with a population of 1.4 billion.
It’s actually one of the world’s largest producers of industrial hemp. This is from low THC cannabis plants which are traditionally grown to make clothes, ropes, paper and fishing nets, amongst other things.
Despite being used in some medicines, Cannabis is illegal in China and is treated the same as other drugs, like heroin, and cocaine. Possession, Using, and distributing cannabis will get you a prison sentence. The length of which varies depending on the amount.
China’s government is quite secretive regarding the goings on in the country. As a result much about China’s approach to drug control is unknown.
Some reports show travellers have been deported and blacklisted for re-entry, for testing positive for cannabis on entry to China.
China is also know to pass death sentences for some drug offenses.
Conclusion
You should be very careful to check the laws regarding cannabis if you are planning on going abroad. The punishment for being caught with weed can be very severe.
Many places do not distinguish between medical and recreational cannabis, even if you have a prescription from the Doctor for it. So be careful if you use cannabis as a medicine.
If you are planning on having a smoke while on holiday, it’s much safer to book your break somewhere in Europe or the US, where Cannabis is descriminalised or Legal.