Blazin' in Bitola, North Macedonia - My Story

Yo, what's good? Today, I’m gonna spill the tea on my trip to the wild streets of Bitola, North Macedonia. Spoiler alert — if you’re lookin' for that fire weed, it ain't as easy as rollin' up to a spot like in Amsterdam. But trust, you can still catch a vibe. Here's how I got down with the herb in Bitola.

I just got back from Bitola a week ago, now smoking a big joint of pineapple weed strain, reminding me of that cool time I had in Bitola — thanks in part to the weed that accompanied me on my adventures.

Marijuana laws in North Macedonia

It is important to outline that high % THC cannabis, weed, and hash are forbidden in Bitola. You can not officially purchase marijuana strains with high at least some reasonable THC % concentration in some coffee shops like in the Netherlands. Medical cannabis may be available for purchase at dispensaries, but you will never get high with CBD buds you may find.

In the bar of my hotel I met John who has lived here in Bitola for a while, so knows a lot about 4:20 movements😁. He said that strict official regulations are not so tough in practice.

How the Cannabis Law Is Enforced in Bitola

Technically, any cannabis product with more than 1% THC is illegal in Bitola. However, John explained that the police tend to be relatively relaxed when it comes to cannabis in Bitola, especially with tourists.

If you’re caught with a small amount — less than 10 grams of weed or 5 grams of hash — you’re unlikely to face serious consequences. The police might confiscate your weed, but it’s unlikely you’ll get into much trouble as long as you’re discreet.

Where to buy weed in Bitola

John shared his experience on the weed purchase process in Bitola. As he said - big dealers purchase everything via darknet - there are services or “onion sites” like DrChronic or Bitpharma where they purchase big portions (via Tor browser and crypto) or cooperate with local cannabis growers.

After that they simply resell weed to tourists and locals in Bitola. In fact you may also go this way, while for tourists this is usually not acceptable - you need to know how do onion sites and Tor browsers work, have corresponding accounts on darknet websites, too long to wait for your package (2 - 7 days), high risks at all steps of this chain, etc etc.

Usually, locals already buy weed by talking to dealers they trust through messages like Telegram or Signal with payment via cryptocurrency. Then, the weed is left in a secret spot where they can pick it up without meeting the seller in person. This is new secured way of cannabis delivery used in Bitola.

Bitola’s Weed Vibe: What Locals Say

Just ‘cause the government’s trippin' on cannabis laws in Bitola doesn’t mean the locals are too pressed. Most of 'em are just livin' their lives, not sweatin' what you do. But don’t get it twisted — keep it respectful. Smoking weed in public in Bitola ain't the move, but if someone peeps you tokin’, it’s not the end of the world.

The overall attitude of locals to weed is rather relaxed, so you may even feel yourself home in Bitola after one good joint, telling this from my own experience. John shared with me a joint of simply perfect sativa (while he did not know the exact strain). We were smoking outside the bar, and saw other guys doing the same on the other side of the street 😁 So I can definitely say that smoking weed is rather popular in Bitola.

I’ve asked John if he may share contacts of his dealer, cause stuff was out of this world. He told me that his exact dealer does not work with new people, so he will be my dealer during my vacation, which was simply perfect. I wish everyone to find your own John in some bar of Bitola.

Weed in Bitola: Your Questions Answered

Is high-THC weed illegal in Bitola?

Yup, you won’t find high-THC bud legally unless it’s medical, but the cops aren’t usually trippin' if you’re packin' less than 10 grams.

What happens if you get caught with weed in Bitola?

Depends. If you’re lookin' like you’re movin' weight, you could catch some heat. But most tourists with a small stash aren’t bothered much.

Can you still find weed the old-school way in Bitola?

For sure! While the darknet and encrypted messengers are where it’s at now, you can still hustle around parks or chat up the right taxi driver and might get lucky.

Is top-shelf weed and hash a myth in Bitola?

Nah, it’s out there, but you gotta know the right people. Quality varies, so do your homework.

How about hash? Can you find it in Bitola?

Yep, plenty of dealers got both weed and hash. It’s not always on deck, but it’s out there.

What’s the price of weed and hash in Bitola?

Prices swing depending on the plug and the quality. Top-tier bud can run you about €20 - €25 a gram, and hash could hit €30 - €35 a gram. The more you buy, the better the deal.

And that’s the lowdown on gettin' lifted in Bitola. Stay safe, stay chill, and keep that stash tight.

Five random facts about cannabis

1. Modern-Day Cannabis Is A Lot Stronger

We talked about this on the cannabis flower and its influence in the 60s. For one, it’s purer than the illegal “hippie weed” that was imported into the United States. And it’s also been cultivated to increase its THC content, so the high you get from marijuana today is a lot stronger than what your parents or grandparents consumed.

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. Cannabis Can Be Used In Construction

And clothing. And plastic. And the best part is that all of these options are eco-friendly. Learn more about hemp and its benefits here.

4. Uruguay Was The Future

In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize growing, selling, and consuming cannabis.

5. Cannabis in the U.S.

Cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug in the U.S. in 1970, making it illegal at the federal level despite its growing medical acceptance.