Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Brazil law
Cannabis laws in Sao Paulo follow Brazil’s national law. Local variations are uncommon—jurisdiction law sets the baseline for legality and penalties.
Recreational cannabis is illegal, though personal possession and home cultivation are decriminalized. Medical cannabis is available under regulation. Sale and distribution remain prohibited outside approved channels.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal (personal use decriminalized)
- Medical: Available
- Possession: Personal amounts decriminalized
- Buying/Selling: Illegal except medical
- Tourists: Same laws apply as residents
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
Brazil's Supreme Court has decriminalized personal possession and private home cultivation, treating them as non-criminal acts distinct from trafficking. Medical cannabis products are regulated and available via prescription or authorized imports for patients with approved conditions, while commercial sales outside this framework remain prohibited.
Law Enforcement
Keep an eye out for the police in São Paulo. “They’ll want to find you doing something to get some money out of you,” was the warning I heard. There was talk that a few American dollars could settle things, but facing an arrest is a different matter.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Weed seemed easy to find in São Paulo, especially along the streets and narrow vielas in some favelas. Seeing plenty of people buy or smoke there gave a false sense of safety.
I felt more at ease talking with tourists who had already spent some time in Brazil. Brazil’s treatment of personal possession has since changed. See the newer Marijuana Laws section.
Marijuana Prices
- Hash: R$10–30 per gram.
- Skunk: R$20–50 per gram.
- Ordinary weed: roughly R$1–3.50 per gram.
These were prices in Brazilian reais.
Types of Marijuana
Black hash was generally the cheapest grade, dark brown sat in the middle, and lighter hash sold as Moroccan or charas fetched the most. Homegrown skunk was the middle grade and imported skunk got top billing.
Ordinary weed was roughly R$1 a gram for the low grade, R$2 for the middle and around R$3 for the better stuff. Those grades were whoever was selling it’s call.