Thread: Marijuana legality?

Is using marijuana legal in Panama? In US marijuana is being used in cookies as appetizer, but if you use it over it only becomes illegal. How about in Panama? Is it totally illegal?

Totally illegal. And you do *not* want to visit a Panama prison.
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A small amount and a $20 bribe you are probably ok. I heard of a person getting caught with an oz of coke, paid the cops $150, police gave the coke back. I will stress I would not want to get caught and have to deal with that type of situation. The police and government realize that many people coming here are doing drugs and there have been many instances police get caught dealing.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

A small amount and a $20 bribe you are probably ok. I heard of a person getting caught with an oz of coke, paid the cops $150, police gave the coke back. I will stress I would not want to get caught and have to deal with that type of situation. The police and government realize that many people coming here are doing drugs and there have been many instances police get caught dealing.

Crazy situation... Anyway why should anyone want to smoke Marijuana? The cops are too corrupt in Panama.. else those who smoke it would be in jail for many many years.. Especially if they are arrogant enough to use a banned substance in a foreign country.

Woohoo's story may be true, but I hope to god it is not taken as advice. I've got nothing against drugs -- to me, it's a personal choice -- but to exercise that choice in Panama could cost you bribe money, or it could cost you months (or years) in one of the worst prisons this side of Africa. Even if you are innocent, it doesn't matter; guilt is presumed in this legal system. And, that system moves verrrrrrrrrrry slowly: you will sit in prison for at least 3 months waiting for your case to come to trial.

Btw, I have a drug story of my own: That "friendly" surfer selling you herb turns around and tells the police. He's now got your money, plus a reward from the cops, plus his pot back. Happens all the time. Yeah, you might get out of the situation with a bribe -- but if that cop has had a bad day, or found out his wife just cheated on him with a gringo like you, or is under pressure from his boss -- off to jail you go.

Finally: Crime has been on the upswing in Panama in the past year, and we can expect that the government will react with increased severity in punishing all crimes; this has already been seen with random passport checks of tourists. In this atmosphere, giving them *any* additional excuse to haul your butt off to jail is, imho, very, very, very stupid. If you want to get a buzz on, stick to booze; it's cheap here. :-)
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To all that read this thread, please note I don't condone the use of drugs here and if you get caught you can wind up in a major heap of trouble. Do the police really want to arrest a foreigner for smoking a joint, probably not. Can they, yes they can.

Originally Posted by Kian

Is using marijuana legal in Panama? In US marijuana is being used in cookies as appetizer, but if you use it over it only becomes illegal. How about in Panama? Is it totally illegal?

Is it legal to use marijuana in cookies in USA?? never knew that.
Here in Holland marijuana is (kind of) legal and if i see the problems we get with stoned tourists in Amsterdam I can understand Panama want to stay out keep of that kind of problems.

I saw a lot of backpackers in Bocas using marijuana, but also a Panamanian selling it who got caught: not funny!

Kian is wrong; Marijuana is illegal in the US, in any form. However, some states permit the cultivation, sale, and use of marijuana for medical purposes, with a doctor's prescription.
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Originally Posted by exilio

Kian is wrong; Marijuana is illegal in the US, in any form. However, some states permit the cultivation, sale, and use of marijuana for medical purposes, with a doctor's prescription.
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The use of marijuana has been decriminalized in a couple of states in the USA.

Yes, but "decriminalized" does not mean "legal"; it means that, in 12 states, the penalty for possession of a limited amount is now a "misdemeanor," "civil violation," or "petty offense."

But you are right about one state: Alaska. There, the possession of less than an ounce in your home *is* legal. See Marijuana Laws for all 50 states - Pass Your Drug Test .com

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Thanks for the info on the status of marijuana use in the USA. I think everyone knows the difference between decriminalized and legal.

It seems as though since there has been "somewhat" of a change in DC that the US maybe lightening up on enforcement http://www.nytimes.com/.
With the current economic woes and constant exploding prison population that costs a fortune, the US just may slow down on the arresting everybody for minor marijuana infractions. If that is the case you may see a ripple effect south of the US border? I have heard many people say that if things were totally legalized the trade would end because of a lack of profit?

Thank you guys for the info!

According to many sites I read, there are some very serous talks about legalizing all drugs in a few Central and south American countries this year.

The LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, wants to legalize drugs to.... They are made up of over 12,000 police officers in the united States..

LEAP: US FL: Column: Begin Discussion On Legalizing Drugs


LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Cops Say Legalize Drugs

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


I don't do drugs ever in my life, but this would clearly be a step in the right direction, with drugs legalized, all the drug profits would be gone...

Here is a video...

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition



YouTube - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Originally Posted by BEL-AIR

According to many sites I read, there are some very serous talks about legalizing all drugs in a few Central and south American countries this year.

The LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, wants to legalize drugs to.... They are made up of over 12,000 police officers in the united States..

LEAP: US FL: Column: Begin Discussion On Legalizing Drugs


LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Cops Say Legalize Drugs

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


I don't do drugs ever in my life, but this would clearly be a step in the right direction, with drugs legalized, all the drug profits would be gone...

Here is a video...

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition



YouTube - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Oh thanks for these links!.....

Panamaforum.com is a very, very, very conservative web site. For real information, surf the web. Panama can be a great tourist destination for all.

Mexico legalized small quantities of drugs. Don't care for them myself.

I had heard about Mexico legalizing small quantities. Let's face it, somebody lighting up a joint is probably the least of their problems.

Ha. yes, Mexico does not have the time to worry about MJ. But it seems to be working out for them. Maybe more people, since they don't have to be scared of the police, will be honest about who their dealers are and lead the gov toward catching the cartels/big dealers.

Mexico has turned into a really bad place to be and much of the problem is the police. Stories are coming out the police are responsible for murder, rape, kidnapping, drug dealing, etc. Bodies are continuing to pile up and I really don't see the big "Win" in the situation.

Didn't mean to imply that Mexico was "winning" by legalizing joints/small amounts of pot, but from my perspective it shouldn't be a crime to possess these quantities in the first place. The police cannot take bribes for something that is not illegal, or take people in jail and extort their families or other such crimes. Plus, the jails really don't need to be filled with people who aren't actually criminals. The country is in a bad state but I think this helps.

All good, I agree with you.

When's the last time pot killed anyone? When's the last time alcohol killed anyone (cancer, drunk driving)? Then why the F* is alcohol legal and pot isn't? Because it's all a B.S. sham. The biggest drug dealers in the world are the governments and by making it illegal their profits go up. And they control the laws... GET IT? I don't use pot because I don't like it. But people who use pot for recreation and fun should be allowed to without going to jail. The only bad drug out there is ignorance and there's a lot of it going around these days.

P.S.> The more sheep like you act, the more sheep like you will be treated.... BAAAHHHH!

I guess it's easier to make moonshine than it is to grow cheap pot. Everybody has a basement. Not everybody has a coffee field, if you know what I mean.

I've been asking around on this subject and so far the information I'm getting is that the police don't seem to care much about casual use unless there is the possibility of getting a small bribe. Both my wife and I use marijuana for medical issues, her for migraine headaches, myself for insomnia. In both our cases it works far better than any prescription drug, is cheaper and very easy to cultivate, indoors or out. Our use would strictly be confined to our home. No walking around smoking, no driving while stoned, no carrying any with us while we are out and about. The sense I'm getting is that this type of usage shouldn't be a problem for us. Any additional information on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

IMO, the war on drugs is hopeless and just creates a dangerous criminal class and massive corruption. The less harmful drugs need to be legalized.

Originally Posted by theblues

I've been asking around on this subject and so far the information I'm getting is that the police don't seem to care much about casual use unless there is the possibility of getting a small bribe. Both my wife and I use marijuana for medical issues, her for migraine headaches, myself for insomnia. In both our cases it works far better than any prescription drug, is cheaper and very easy to cultivate, indoors or out. Our use would strictly be confined to our home. No walking around smoking, no driving while stoned, no carrying any with us while we are out and about. The sense I'm getting is that this type of usage shouldn't be a problem for us. Any additional information on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

If you are going to do it here be VERY careful. Police do not need a search warrant and since the US has given $155 million to build new prisons not to mention whatever other funds necessary to fight the war on drugs getting caught could lead to major problems. The Colombian and Mexican cartels are starting to go around Panama due to the amount of enforcement.

Thanks, I appreciate your input.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

If you are going to do it here be VERY careful. Police do not need a search warrant and since the US has given $155 million to build new prisons not to mention whatever other funds necessary to fight the war on drugs getting caught could lead to major problems. The Colombian and Mexican cartels are starting to go around Panama due to the amount of enforcement.

It is stupid to even consider it. Time in a panama prison just doesn't make sense. I don't want anyone with drugs in my vehicle or on my property. If you have drugs you have a target on your back. Maybe Amsterdam would be a better choice.