Blazin' in Funchal, Portugal - My Story

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

Just finished my vacation, stayed 2 weeks in Funchal, and as a heavy weed smoker I can't imagine a vacation without some sativa joint during the day and indica buds with some beer before heading to sleep. Below you will find info on what I found out while searching for tasty non-medical weed in Funchal.

Cannabis Laws in Portugal: What You Need to Know

First things first, it’s important to understand that high-THC cannabis is illegal in Funchal. Unlike in Amsterdam, you won’t find any coffee shops selling potent marijuana strains. While medical cannabis is available, it’s typically low in THC and won’t give you the high you might be looking for.

During my stay, I met a local named Olaf in the hotel bar. He’s lived in Funchal for a while and knows a lot about the cannabis scene. According to him, while the official regulations are strict, enforcement isn’t always so rigid in practice.

Laws and regulations of weed in Funchal

All products with high THC (substance in cannabis that makes you high) above 1% are strictly forbidden for distribution. But in fact according to Olaf cops are rather relaxed about weed in Funchal and rarely touch tourists, but this always depends on the exact cop and whether he likes your face or not.

So theoretically if you do not smoke in public and get caught with not more than 10g of weed or 5g of hash in Funchal - you should not get arrested. Cops 👮may take your stuff and after some conversation should get you free, but better to avoid all this stress anyway.

How Do People Get Weed in Funchal?

Finding weed in Funchal isn’t as easy as just asking someone on the street. Wholesale dealers in Funchal buy weed through special darknet websites, but that’s a bit tricky for regular cannabis users who want to smoke, but not re-sell weed.

For the average tourist, the game has changed. You ain’t gon' find street dealers in Funchal as easy anymore. Now, it’s all about those encrypted messengers. You get the plug’s contact, check out the menu, and decide on a drop-off spot. No face-to-face meetups, just a masked package and some GPS coordinates. Pay with crypto, pick up your stash, and dip. Safe and sound. Was I glad I had Olaf as my connect? Hell yeah. Didn’t have to mess with all that drama.

What do locals think about ganja in Funchal

The fact that cannabis is strictly regulated by f*cking officials the government does not mean that local inhabitants of Funchal are too much against weed. Mostly - they simply do not care. Of course it is better to preserve some common rules and not to smoke weed in public in Funchal, but even if someone notices you - this will not be treated as some crime or inappropriate behavior.

The overall attitude of locals to weed is rather relaxed, so you may even feel yourself home in Funchal after one good joint, telling this from my own experience. Olaf 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 Funchal.

I’ve asked Olaf 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 Olaf in some bar of Funchal.

Frequently asked questions about Cannabis in Funchal

Is cannabis legal in Funchal?

No, non-medical cannabis is not legal in Funchal, 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 Funchal?

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 Funchal?

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.

Is There Good-Quality Weed in Funchal?

Yes, but you might have to look a bit harder to find it. The quality can be different depending on the exact weed dealer.

Is Hash Available in Funchal?

Yes, hash, which is another kind of cannabis, is also available in Funchal. It’s a bit like weed but prepared differently.

How Much Does Weed Cost in Funchal?

The price can change depending on how good the weed is. High-quality weed can cost about €20 to €25 per gram, and hash can be even more expensive.

Five random facts about cannabis

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. California Banned First

A century ago, California was the first state in the United States to ban cannabis. This is a bit ironic when we look at the fun fact above. But it looks like Cali learned its lesson!

3. USA Grows The Most

According to Civilized Life, the United States is the top marijuana-producing nation in the entire world. Behind it are Morocco, Afghanistan, Mexico, and Colombia. Who would have thought?

4. Psychoactive Compound

The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), responsible for the "high" sensation

5. Different Strains

There are thousands of cannabis strains, each with unique combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in different effects and flavors.