Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Laos law
Cannabis laws in Vientiane follow Laos’s national law. Legal status and penalties are set at the country/state level, not by the city.
Recreational and medical cannabis are illegal. Possession or use can result in fines or imprisonment. Legal risk remains for any cannabis activity.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Not available
- Possession: Illegal; penalties include fines and imprisonment
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Subject to the same penalties
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products.
Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
I saw few police. People said they were more interested in slowing the opium trade and stopping opium smoking.
In Vang Vieng in 2003, people smoked openly and left it on the table. On my return visit it was much more discreet. Hotels posted warnings about getting high, though the focus still seemed to be opium.
Where to Buy Marijuana
In Vientiane and Luang Prabang, rickshaw and taxi drivers might approach you. I bought from a tuk-tuk driver. Offers weren’t unusual.
In Vang Vieng there was a pizza place on the north side of the road, next to Xangyou, with an outdoor patio and what I knew as the only pool table in town. The place made marijuana shakes too. Way too strong for me.
Marijuana Prices
Here’s what people paid at the time:
- US$5 for about 5 grams, although the buyer suspected they had overpaid.
- About US$10, or 80,000 kip at the time, for roughly 20 grams.
- US$10 for a packet estimated at 10 grams, after offers as high as US$30.
I probably overpaid. I didn’t ask about hash. Opening quotes reached US$30, so bargaining mattered.
Types of Marijuana
Reasonably good ganja, said to come from northern Thailand across the border.
More Information
Have a cold Beer Lao and enjoy the scenery. I didn’t see anybody smoking openly. In Vientiane and Luang Prabang the riverbank was quieter, but I’d still be careful.