Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Cambodia law
Cannabis laws in Phnom Penh follow Cambodia’s national law. Municipal rules rarely change cannabis legality; jurisdiction law is what matters for travelers.
Recreational and medical cannabis are illegal under the law. In practice, small amounts are sometimes tolerated in tourist areas. However, enforcement can be inconsistent, and legal risk may still exist.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Illegal
- Possession: Illegal; small amounts sometimes overlooked
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Informal tolerance possible but no protection
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
Around the lakeside backpacker district, it felt like a “Green Light District.” People said bars and guesthouses paid police to leave them alone. That was hearsay. Elsewhere we barely saw any police, but I wouldn’t smoke out in public away from the tourist areas.
Where to Buy Marijuana
“You want joint?” On the way to the restaurants by the water, two or three men might ask at once. By “joint” they meant a bag of weed, sometimes around $2 for a decent one. Give them a bit more and they might remember you and deliver to a party or an address in town.
When I lived there, the happy pizza places by the lake had better weed than most street, tuk-tuk or moto sellers. You could ask outright or start by asking for papers. On the lakeside main road people offered everything from weed to opium. They were more discreet before sunset and out in the open after.
At the Magic Sponge the man behind the bar might roll a joint or hand you one already made. Big joints, a bit heavy on the baccy, but hey, the guy has to make a living. When it was quiet, he might join you on his PS2. Great guy :)
Watch what happens when people crowd in. I took out my wallet to pay and somebody else went to grab it. I learned that the hard way.
Marijuana Prices
A street, tuk-tuk or moto bag looked like a quarter-ounce and went for US$2–5 if you bargained. Pizza shops charged US$10 or US$15 for bags that looked about the same size but held better weed. I never weighed them. The Magic Sponge charged US$1 a joint.
Types of Marijuana
“Four months, and I never saw a different strain.” I thought the street weed was probably Thai, but didn’t know what kind. It looked worse than it was. Good head high, and enough could leave you feeling like you couldn’t walk.
More Information
If a deal spooks you, pull out. There was always somebody else. I felt more comfortable at night, when other tourists were about and offers were out in the open. In the daytime, being led down back alleys “scared me shitless.”
Papers were everywhere by the lake, though cigarettes were all I found for tobacco. For rolling tobacco or a pipe, I’d go to the Russian Market and look for a stall with lots of cigarette brands. I’d also walk out of the lakeside area before getting a moto or tuk-tuk. I worried the drivers waiting there would rip me off or were high on ketamine or “Yama-yama.” Even then, get ready for a wild ride. Check if your driver’s high, haha :)