Blazin' in Shymkent, Kazakhstan - My Story

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

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

Cannabis Laws in Kazakhstan: What You Need to Know

First things first, it’s important to understand that high-THC cannabis is illegal in Shymkent. 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 Joe in the hotel bar. He’s lived in Shymkent 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.

What if I get caught with weed in Shymkent?

In practice, as Joe said - if you are 18+ and carry less than 20 grams of weed or 10 grams of hash and do not smoke in public - you should not expect any arrest. As a maximum, cops will confiscate your stuff after they ensure you are not a dealer who delivers stuff.

There are some stories about occasional cops forcing people to give them a bribe after catching someone with weed, but such cases are rare. Usually cops do not touch foreign tourists who are spending their vacation or business trip in Shymkent and bring money to Kazakhstan.

Where to buy weed in Shymkent

Joe shared his experience on the weed purchase process in Shymkent. 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 Shymkent. 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.

For the average tourist, the game has changed. You ain’t gon' find street dealers in Shymkent 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 Joe as my connect? Hell yeah. Didn’t have to mess with all that drama.

Local Attitudes Toward Cannabis in Shymkent

Just because cannabis is strictly regulated in Shymkent doesn’t mean the locals are strongly opposed to it. In fact, most people in Shymkent don’t seem to care too much about marijuana use. Of course, it’s wise to follow some basic rules, like not smoking in public. But even if someone notices you, it’s unlikely they’ll see it as a big deal.

Joe was cool enough to invite me to a low-key sesh at his spot — just some homies, beer, weed, and the PS5. Straight up, I felt like I hit the jackpot. Dude even became my plug in Shymkent while I was in town, so I was never dry and had my weed handy. He told me as long as you keep it cool, the locals are down with the herb. But like he said — don’t be stupid, and don’t carry more than 10g unless you’re lookin’ to have a bad day.

Weed in Shymkent: Your Questions Answered

Is high-THC weed illegal in Shymkent?

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 Shymkent?

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 Shymkent?

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 Shymkent?

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 Shymkent?

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 Shymkent?

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 Shymkent. Stay safe, stay chill, and keep that stash tight.

Five random facts about cannabis

1. 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.

2. LA Is Weed Wonderland

Los Angeles, aside from being the city of stars, has more marijuana dispensaries than Starbucks. Welcome to LaLa Land.

3. 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!

4. 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.

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.