I recently arrived in Phnom Penh and was surprised to enter a coffee shop openly selling cannabis like Amsterdam. This is my first trip to the Kingdom of Cambodia and I was previously unaware of their tolerant attitude to cannabis. For those of you Steemians who are planning a holiday in Asia and enjoy cannabis I will provide some details! 😉
I do not use cannabis myself but I have no problem with people who do and believe the plant has major medicinal benefits which warrant legalisation. However it is important to remember that cannabis is extremely illegal in some parts of the world and using it can result in severe legal penalties. This is the case in most of the rest of Asia. I do not suggest that you use cannabis in Cambodia - but my recent experiences were very interesting and worth sharing!
Cambodia's History With Drugs
Cambodia has a long history with narcotics. Snuggled between Laos, Vietnam and Thailand has always meant that Cambodia played a role in narcotic smuggling and distribution. Traditionally there was a lot of cannabis and opium from the golden triangle in the Kingdom but today there appears to be an abundant supply of many cheap narcotics in Cambodia. A cursory look at some of the expats who inhabit Phnom Penh tells the story of addiction. 😞
Cannabis was always a traditional medicine in Asia and other parts of the world. Used for a variety of reasons cannabis was openly sold in markets and represented a part of the culture. I am unsure if they still sell cannabis as a medicine in the Cambodia's markets - perhaps out in the countryside!
This cultural use of cannabis was not unique to Cambodia and extended through South East Asia down into the islands of Indonesia. I have friends throughout the region whose grandparents grew it traditionally in their gardens. This historic situation changed dramatically with America's war on drugs. Obviously it would be hard to maintain the farce of a war on cannabis when large parts of the world were using it peacefully. Grant money was offered in exchange for changing laws. Perhaps Cambodia's recent tragic history meant that it missed a lot of the war on drugs.
The current relationship with cannabis in Cambodia is complicated. Officially it is illegal but an attitude of extreme tolerance seems to prevail. A lot of cannabis is produced in the country making it a significant cash crop. It is considered a medicine and is tolerated for recreational use. Cambodia has coffee shops openly selling high quality cannabis across the country. Experienced international growers have relocated to Cambodia and the quality of cannabis now produced here now is very high.
Phnom Penh's Coffee Shops
Normally I would not find myself in a cannabis coffee shop but my trip there was an adventure instigated by a random meeting. I was eating in a restaurant and as usual talking to the stranger sitting next to me. He was a man his 70s who had lived a very interesting life. I was enjoying our conversation very much and when we finished eating he suggested that I join him for a coffee. Delighted I agreed and we jumped in a tuk tuk to ride across the Phnom Penh in the humid night.
We arrived at the coffee shop and entered. As soon as I was inside my nose began twitching at the strong smell of cannabis. The place looked very like a coffee shop in Amsterdam. Tables with groups of people smoking cannabis, red walls, two stoned dogs and a bar selling beer and cannabis set the scene.
My new friend and I squeezed into a table next to an old ladyboy and I went to the bar to order a beer and look at the menu. Like any coffee shop a printed menu described what cannabis was for sale.
Types Of Cannabis For Sale In Phnom Penh Coffee Shops
There was a range of hashish and cannabis flower. The hashish was black and had been imported mostly from India and Nepal. The cannabis flower seemed to be either locally grown with imported seeds and know-how or imported medicinal grade product. Prices seemed to range from a few dollars a gram to $20+ for imported product.
Cambodia obviously has an interesting history and present relationship with cannabis. With the prevailing change in attitudes towards cannabis around the world perhaps this underprivileged country can capitalise on the growing world cannabis industry.
Although I am not a cannabis user I find the subject fascinating so if you would like me to find out some more and write about this interesting aspect of Cambodian culture please ask! 😃
Jockey loves you All! 😉