Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. China law
Cannabis laws in Shanghai follow China’s national law. Cannabis enforcement and penalties are governed by jurisdiction law, not city-specific rules in most cases.
Recreational and medical cannabis are strictly illegal. Possession or use can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment. Enforcement is rigorous with no tolerance.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Illegal
- Possession: Severe penalties apply
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: High legal risk
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
Lonely Planet Shanghai was unsure how police would treat a foreigner caught using marijuana. Some travelers expected less attention behind closed doors, especially without a Chinese national involved.
Other claims swung from officers not knowing the smell to execution for more than 20 grams. Those were unsourced and don’t establish what will happen. People still warned about the PSB.
Where to Buy Marijuana
On East Nanjing Road, a “sexy lady massage” offer sometimes turned into a conversation about hashish. A phone call and you might see a bag within ten minutes. On West Nanjing Road by the Portman, I heard “hashish, hashish” as I walked past.
People from Xinjiang were among the sellers. Around Zhejiang Middle Road near East Nanjing Road, I remember the smell of lamb kebabs from Xinjiang restaurants. Other encounters were near Jiu Guang department store and Windows at night, or behind Zapata’s Mexican restaurant on Yongjia Road.
Expats who already smoked were another way to meet people. I felt better about the deal and the weight that way.
Marijuana Prices
Prices at the time:
- About 500 yuan for an estimated 1.8 ounces, with the product not clearly identified in that line.
- Roughly 200–700 yuan for a piece or ball of hash, without a consistent weight.
- 3,000 yuan for 40 grams of golden, dusty hash in one account.
- 3,000 yuan for 20 grams of weed in the same account.
- About 300 yuan for a bag estimated at half an ounce of weed in another report.
One quote simply read “$60/yuan,” with the amount and currency unclear. Quality varied and it was easy to get ripped off.
Types of Marijuana
Golden polm was pungent and crumbly without heating it. To me it was more potent than most hash I’d smoked around Ketama and Chefchaouen in the Rif.
It was sold as coming from Yarkand. Other bags contained blond dusty hash or light-green bud. Some hash made me sleepy and hungry without being too strong to go out. The skinny flower tasted great and made me want to stay home.
More Information
Enjoy Shanghai, but watch for strict policing. One cryptic line says they “bring you to Kazakhstan people.” Its meaning is unclear.