Blazin' in Dakar, Senegal - My Story

Yo, what's good? Today, I’m gonna spill the tea on my trip to the wild streets of Dakar, Senegal. 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 Dakar.

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

Dakar’s Weed Vibe: What Locals Say

Just ‘cause the government’s trippin' on cannabis laws in Dakar 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 Dakar 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 Dakar after one good joint, telling this from my own experience. Alex 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 Dakar.

I’ve asked Alex 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 Alex in some bar of Dakar.

Where to Buy Cannabis in Dakar

So, how do you actually buy cannabis in Dakar? Alex shared some insights. Big dealers in Dakar often source their products through the darknet — using services like DrChronic or Bitpharma. They then resell the cannabis to locals and tourists. While this method is possible, it’s not really practical for short-term visitors. Navigating the darknet and waiting for a package can be complicated and time-consuming.

But if you are just visiting Dakar for several days (or up to 2 weeks) and need some weed - dealing with wholesale darknet websites looks like not the best way to spend your time. This is the point where local dealers rush into this game. But if you think you can easily find street dealers with good stuff nowadays - do not hurry so much, the situation with weed in Dakar has changed already.

Now dealers switched to another approach - you simply find their messenger contacts from someone who purchased weed in Dakar already or on some forum comments, choose stuff from menu, discuss drop off area (this may be some hotel or approximate area), after you pay in crypto (yes, now this is #1 payment option for all “dark” payments) - and stuff gets delivered and dropped where you agree. Package with weed is usually masked, you get a photo and coordinates where to pick up your stuff. As a result - no official payments and no meetings in person (you choose just the approximate package drop area, not the exact place where you meet) - so both you and the dealer stay secure and anonymous. This was a little surprise for me, at home I simply buy directly from my trusted dealer via cache, but we have what we have. How happy I was that I met Alex so I do not need to go through all this 🙂

Weed Laws in Senegal: The Real Deal

Alright, let’s break it down — Senegal ain’t playin' with their weed laws. If you’re thinkin' you can just stroll into a shop and cop some high-THC weed in Dakar like you do in the Netherlands, nah fam, think again. You won’t find any legit spots sellin' anything with enough THC to get you lifted. You might see some medical stuff, but that CBD ain't gon' do nothin'.

Met this dude Alex in the hotel bar. He’s been around the Dakar block, knows what’s up with the ganja scene out here. Turns out, while the rules are strict on paper, the cops ain't always on it like that.

What Happens If You Get Caught with Weed?

In Dakar, if you have a little bit of weed with you (less than 10 grams), you probably won’t get into big trouble. The police might take it away, but they usually won’t arrest you. It’s still a good idea to be careful and not smoke cannabis in public in Dakar.

Frequently asked questions about Cannabis in Dakar

Is cannabis legal in Dakar?

No, non-medical cannabis is not legal in Dakar, while cops are relaxed towards weed and having less than 20 grams in your pocket should not result in arrest.

What if I get caught with weed in Dakar?

If cops think you are a real dealer who delivers stuff - you will have problems. But usually tourists with small amounts of hash or weed are not touched at all, only dealers should worry.

Can I buy weed on the streets of Dakar?

Yes you still can. This is an outdated approach already so more and more dealers are switching to online sales, but hustling parks and central streets may still give you successful results. While much easier would be finding dealer’s contacts and order online with further delivery.

Can I find high quality weed or hash in Dakar?

Yes, while quality varies from dealer to dealer.

Can I find hash in Dakar?

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

What is the price for weed and hash in Dakar?

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 Dakar so do not know the prices, but should be lower.

Five random facts about cannabis

1. Weed Was The First Online Sale

Of course, it was illegal back then. In the early 1970s, Stanford students bought a bag of weed from MIT students. This means that the first product ever sold online was cannabis!

2. Cannabis Has Medicinal Benefits

Including being a natural analgesic. If you want to learn more, we have a full course on medical cannabis applications you can take!

3. CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is another significant compound in cannabis, known for its therapeutic effects without causing a high.

4. Environmental Benefits

Hemp can be used to make biodegradable plastics, helping to reduce the reliance on fossil fuel-based products.

5. Oldest Record of Use

The oldest written record of cannabis use comes from a Chinese medical text dating back to around 2700 BC, where it was recommended for treating gout, rheumatism, and malaria.