Marijuana in Jamaica

Hotels in this story

Price Dates

Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica

Sandals Ochi Beach Resort

Moxons Beach Club

Sandals Royal Plantation

Jamaica Inn

Marijuana in Jamaica is as ubiquitous as braids on the beach, or hats with fake dreadlocks. We’ve been offered it by cab drivers, lifeguards, dudes on jet skis, and numerous musicians. We’ve seen hotel guests smoke it on tennis courts, on their balconies, and on the beach.

Though ganja in Jamaica is easy to find, be prepared for a wide range of quality and prices. You can buy large quantities at cheap prices, but dealers will try to gouge you for a couple of joints or a dime bag. Also note that although weed in Jamaica is generally tolerated, it is technically illegal, so it’s awfully easy for policemen to bust tourists for a quick fine.

During a day trip to Bob Marley’s birthplace, about an hour outside Ocho Rios, we were inundated with marijuana sales pitches. Men pushed joints into our taxi’s windows the moment we pulled into the parking lot, insisting the only proper way to pay our respects would be to spark up at Bob’s grave site. Later, they took us on a tour of their nearby “plantation.”

Some of our favorite hotels within driving distance of the Marley Museum and all its smoky fun are Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica, Sandals Grande Beach, Moxons Beach Club, Royal Plantation and Jamaica Inn.

Also know that herb-free visitors can easily avoid marijuana if they so choose. Jamaica is, after all, one of the most family-friendly islands in the Caribbean.

On the street in Negril. Surrounding Westmoreland Parish is the most fertile spot on the island.

The Nine Mile parking lot, where they try to give you marijuana before you make it out of the car.

One of many, many varieties of marijuana in Jamaica.

A marijuana plantation in Nine Mile, Jamaica.

Our plantation

Marijuana plantation in Nine Mile, Jamaica.

For a small plot of land this plantation had an impressively wide variety of marijuana plants.

Now those are some gold teeth

Marijuana in Jamaica. Some folks call it ganja.

Marijuana in Jamaica.

Weed in Jamaica. It’s good for the flu.

Marijuana in Jamaica.

Local at a marijuana plantation in Nine Mile, Jamaica. Get this man some Visine, stat!

Hanging out and playing Dominoes near Bob Marley’s birthplace in Nine Mile, Jamaica.

In Jamaica weed is measured in height, not weight.