Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. India law
Cannabis laws in Jalsalmer follow India’s national law. The rules here are set by the broader jurisdiction, and city-level differences are uncommon.
Under the law, recreational and medical cannabis are illegal. In practice, bhang preparations are often tolerated in certain religious contexts. Possession of other cannabis products can lead to penalties.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Not available
- Possession: Illegal (limited traditional exceptions)
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Subject to enforcement risk
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
Jaisalmer was an air force town. Local police could get jumpy when tensions with Pakistan rose. People kept a smoke to the hotel or the desert. There was also talk of police demanding money from users.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Next to the entrance of Jaisalmer Fort was the big “Bhang Shop” sign. The menu included cookies, lassis, candy and apple juice. Loose weed was generally off the menu; anything slipped under the counter could be a bad deal.
In 1994, hash sellers sometimes gathered near the Jain temple within the fort. There was talk of occasional arrests. The backpacker hotels and hostels were another lead. Somebody on a rooftop watching the sunset, or a younger hotel worker away from the older members of the family, might know what was around.
Marijuana Prices
- Bhang cookies: ₹60 each.
- Lassi or apple juice: ₹70–80, depending on strength.
- Better hash: about $1 for 1 g, with cheaper stuff for less.
Types of Marijuana
The old Thar Desert trade was said to send alcohol into Pakistan and bring hash and opiates back. Imported hash once seemed easier to find than Indian hash in Jaisalmer. Travellers also carried charas from Kullu, Parvati and Kashmir. Parvati was considered the best. The Kashmiri hash tasted good but was often old and mild.
More Information
There was a soft spot for a bhang cookie and a walk around the fort ramparts. A three- to five-day camel trek had its own appeal: sleeping on the dunes under the stars with the camels and the campfire crackling. Opium also figures in that account.