Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Ecuador law
Cannabis laws in Quito follow Ecuador’s national law. Local cities generally do not set separate marijuana rules, so penalties are determined at the jurisdiction level.
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical cannabis is legal with appropriate authorization. Unauthorized possession or use can lead to legal penalties.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Legal
- Possession: Illegal without medical authorization
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Subject to the same laws as residents
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
Ecuador's 2008 Constitution includes provisions that have been interpreted to decriminalize possession of small amounts for personal use (up to 10 grams), distinguishing it from trafficking. Medical cannabis has been regulated since 2019, allowing access for approved therapeutic uses through authorized channels.
Law Enforcement
When I lived in Ecuador, weed was treated like a serious drug. I heard about both foreigners and Ecuadorians getting several years in jail for possession.
Some people swore cash could get you out of a stop. Others had dealt with rude, strict officers and warned that paying probably wouldn’t help. I’d take a police encounter seriously.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Weed in Quito wasn’t easy to find. People often put it in the same category as hard drugs. La Mariscal, the modern centre, was the area I heard about at night, though fakes and police were both something to watch for.
In five years living in Ecuador, I never saw a local smoking outside. Even at a hotel or rented room I worried that open windows would let the smell out and a neighbour or the owner would call the police.
Out on the coast, Montañita had a reputation as a place for surfers and smokers. Otavalo was tougher. At the market I remember younger vendors selling pipes and bongs. They were the people I could talk to about what went in them.
Marijuana Prices
Prices depended a lot on the weed. Cheap Colombian could be US$30 for 20 grams, while Ecuadorian weed was closer to US$40 for 15 grams.