Weed in San Jose, Costa Rica: my experience

Hi, smokers! You probably know that cannabis laws and regulations vary from one county to another, so let’s go deeper and try to understand what is going on with weed in San Jose. My post covers information about weed laws, regulations, general attitude of locals and cops, hash VS weed availability and pricing, failures and success in finding weed in San Jose.

My trip to San Jose is over, these 10 days were perfect, so while memory is fresh I decided to write this post, who knows may be useful to someone. Being a regular cannabis smoker I could not imagine my stay in San Jose without some daily joints. So from the very first day of my stay I started looking for weed…

So where do smokers purchase weed in San Jose?

Despite the fact that I did not have any problems with weed in San Jose because of Simon, he told me how everything works (and not only with cannabis).

Usually high-level dealers purchase stuff on wholesale darknet websites. Theoretically you may also go through all the nightmare of using darknet websites to get your stuff delivered in several days or even weeks. Website thehiddenwiki.com has all the links you may need to order stuff in the darknet using Tor browser and crypto, but this method usually works if you need a lot of stuff and have time (several days) to wait for the delivery.

If you're on a short vacation or a trip to San Jose, obtaining cannabis through wholesale darknet websites isn't a viable option. Searching for street or park dealers remains a possibility for acquiring weed in San Jose, but an increasing number of dealers are transitioning to online transactions through messaging apps and Bitcoin payments instead of cash. This approach serves as a protective measure against potential encounters with law enforcement. Crypto payments offer anonymity, and deliveries are made to specified locations without the need for in-person meetings, ensuring both you and the dealer are shielded from potential consequences.

This revelation surprised me, as I lean toward a more traditional approach and had only heard about cryptocurrencies in passing. However, these days, most young individuals, who are often the target audience for cannabis dealers, possess crypto wallets, so dealers are simply adapting to this trend. While I believe that some dealers might lose business because not all clients are familiar with cryptocurrencies, Simon pointed out that nowadays, if you don't use crypto yourself, you likely have a friend who does. In such cases, you can simply transfer money from your card to your crypto-savvy friend, and they can conduct the cryptocurrency transaction on your behalf. This advice from Simon got me thinking, and I realized I also have such a friend, so I followed his suggestion.

Perception of Cannabis Among Residents of San Jose

It's worth noting that high-THC non-medical cannabis isn't officially available for purchase in licensed cannabis stores in San Jose, but that doesn't mean the locals are strongly opposed to it 😃. It's primarily the younger crowd and students who openly enjoy cannabis and are open to welcoming new enthusiasts into their social circles. They consider a couple of joints an essential part of a good party, although it might be a bit challenging to fit in if you happen to be over 25.

In general, indulging in the random joint after a long workweek is a cherished tradition among many residents of San Jose. People tend to be tolerant, so there's no need to worry about judgment when it comes to your cannabis consumption. However, it's advisable to avoid doing so in public to avoid unnecessary attention.

We were a little drunk already when Simon offered a joint of some noname sativa strain, of course I agreed. We were smoking not far from my hotel and it seems I saw other guys doing the same near another cornet 🙂So may say locals are not against weed, I saw this myself.

I liked the weed Simon shared, not the best one I’ve ever tried, but good enough. So I asked Simon to share contacts of his dealer, while he refused telling me his dealer works only with an old trusted set of clients. So I simply asked Simon if he could be my dealer during the nearest days - he agreed. I wish everyone to find his own Simon in San Jose🙂

Cannabis laws in San Jose, Costa Rica

It is important to note that cannabis, weed, and hash are prohibited in San Jose. You can not officially purchase marijuana strains with high THC concentration in some coffee shops like in Amsterdam. Medical CBD cannabis may be available for purchase at dispensaries, but a prescription from a doctor is required, and you will never get high with CBD.

In one sports bar I got acquainted with Simon who moved to San Jose 3 years ago, so he knows the local drug scene. According to Simon - despite cannabis being banned according to laws, cops are generally relaxed about weed, sometimes being smokers themselves.

How not to be arrested with marijuana in San Jose?

As Simon told me - for not to be arrested you can carry less than 10g of cannabis or 5g of hash. For the same purpose you should be sane and not use drugs in public places. Cops can just check if you are going to sell marijuana or not and confiscate it.

There are some possibilities that cops could try to get money from you if they catch you with weed in San Jose. It is not a frequent story, but you should keep in mind that some cops prefer to force you to pay some money for your calmness. But not to propose money first because it can be regarded as a separate crime. So the easiest way is not to be caught with weed in San Jose 😉.

Can I smoke cannabis on the streets in San Jose ?

In some places, smoking marijuana in public, on the streets, or in parks may be illegal and subject to administrative sanctions. My advice is to try to avoid smoking marijuana in public places.

What will happen if I get caught with cannabis in San Jose ?

Usually, law enforcement tends to be lenient with tourists, and if they don't suspect you of dealing, they will most likely let you go.

Can you recommend a place to buy weed in San Jose ?

As I mentioned before, I was fortunate to meet Simon. If I were you, I would look for Telegram channels and avoid interacting with street dealers.

Can I find high quality weed or hash in San Jose?

Yes, while quality varies from dealer to dealer.

Can I find hash in San Jose?

Yes, a lot of dealers sell both weed and hash, so hash is also popular and can be found in San Jose. Not all dealers have it, but it is still rather popular.

What is the price for weed and hash in San Jose?

Prices vary from dealer to dealer and usually depend on stuff quality and dealer’s greediness 😂From what I saw - super high quality weed may go up to $20 - $25 per 1 gram (while the more you buy - the lower price you get), and high quality hash was around $30-$35 per 1 gram. Have not purchased low quality weed in San Jose so do not know the prices, but should be lower.

Interesting facts about weed

1 - Cannabis Goes Back At Least 12,000 Years
This means that cannabis is one of mankind’s oldest crops, according to the book Marihuana: The First Twelve Thousand Years by E. L. Abel.

2 - Not All Weed Gets You High
You read that right. THC is not the same as CBD, which means that the type you choose to consume will have different effects on your body. One will provide all the relaxing and medicinal benefits, while the other will provide the psychoactive effects of the high.

3 - Bob Marley Was Buried With Grass
The musical star was buried with his red Gibson guitar, a cannabis bud, and a Bible open on the 23rd Psalm, which reads: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures”. Way to go, Marley.

4 - Weed Is Beer’s Cousin!
Beer hops are in the same family of flowering plants as cannabis. We thought the plants looked similar… and now we know why.

5 - Uruguay Was The Future
In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize growing, selling, and consuming cannabis.