Tourists flock to the Caribbean island of Aruba because of its lovely beaches and pleasant weather all year long. It is owned by the Netherlands. However, Aruba has much less tolerant laws regarding the sale and use of marijuana than does Amsterdam.
But in 2017, Aruba welcomed a new liberal administration, whose fundamental principles included a more tolerant approach to the plant. Recent reports claim that a major international corporation by the name of Affinor Growers signed a contract with the government of Aruba to use the numerous vertical rotating towers for hemp and food production.
Therefore, while the nation gradually transitions into a marijuana-friendly location, we advise you to keep your marijuana use a secret.
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What’s Up With The Marijuana Laws In Aruba?
Recreational use of weed in Aruba is illegal, which includes the following:
- smoking
- buying
- selling
As one irresponsible tourist discovered, those found breaking the law face harsh penalties, including hefty fines and potential imprisonment. However, it is up to law enforcement to decide whether to carry out a conviction, which one Reddit user noted and many others agreed isn’t very common. To quote, “just don’t smoke in front of the cops and they won’t care.”
Does Aruba Allow The Use Of Medical Marijuana?
Similar to Thailand and the Bahamas, Aruba’s parliament started making efforts to legalize marijuana cultivation a number of years ago in an effort to boost the local economy. Remedi – Aruba’s First Annual Medical Cannabis Conference was held there in December 2018. A ministerial regulation excluding CBD-based products from its statutory definition of drug use was later added by Aruba’s parliament a year after that. Over-the-counter CBD products must contain less than.2% THC, in accordance with EU regulations.
In Nov 2020, the government made a statement that they have been “working for a while on the legislation of medical cannabis. This is to meet the demand for cannabis-derived creams, oils, and other products with beneficial effects. The benefits that these oils have for cancer patients should be the primary justification for legalizing medical cannabis.” However, laws governing its distribution and regulation have not yet been established.
Is It Legal To Buy Marijuana In Aruba?
Yes, you can legally purchase marijuana in Aruba, but not there. If you absolutely must have medicine, be aware that it might not be as effective as your favorite flower from home due to differences in quality of the herb you are purchasing. Additionally, dealers may offer absurdly high prices, so be sure to inquire and perhaps bargain.
The majority of discreet marijuana sales take place by the beach and in the vicinity of neighborhood bars, but you can always find a friendly face willing to do so. We want to point out that purchasing cannabis from an illegal dealer can be risky, so use caution.
Local Sentiment Towards Weed In Aruba
The local population of Aruba has a history of dealing with addiction, so attitudes toward cannabis use for recreational purposes are generally neutral. Despite this, it is essential to the economy, both for its unauthorized tourist sales and for the government’s long-term plans to support the economy. Aruba has been embracing cannabis use more openly since the election of a new, liberal government in 2017.
In 2018 Aruba’s government put out an official statement at the Remedi conference proclaiming “Aruba is an island with a diverse range of cultural traditions and is known for its friendliness and willingness to welcome new people and ideas.” Using the nation’s patented rotating vertical towers for hemp and food crop production, Affinor Growers, a significant international company, and the government of Aruba in May 2021 signed a deal that will fundamentally alter the economic landscape of the island nation.
Where Can You Buy Marijuana In Aruba?
2020 will see the legalization of CBD-based goods with a THC content of less than 0.2%. It is not advised to bring marijuana to Aruba, though. It is against the law, and you risk getting locked up. If you want to buy it locally, you can find it in many of the popular tourist areas, including seaports, where it’s sold by jetski guys, on the beach, and in neighborhood bars. However, keep in mind that compared to purchasing marijuana in the United States, many tourists have complained about the poor quality and high cost of cannabis in Aruba.
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