Recreational marijuana use in Berlin isn’t legal, but it happens. So for your next trip to Germany, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when on the hunt for cannabis and how to stay safe when smoking it.

Berliners do adore their weed; if you’re walking the streets, you’ll often stumble upon the earthy aroma of cannabis that’ll make you wonder where you can get your hands on some of that fine European green.

It’s relatively easy to find a dealer around town, but your safest option is having a solid and reliable connection with someone who won’t screw you over with low-quality weed, high prices, or put you in danger. In addition, Berlin holds a yearly Hemp Parade, so maybe head over when the parade is in full swing and join in as if you’re a local.

Back in 2015, Berlin legalized medical marijuana, which is why the city doesn’t have crazy weed laws that keep locals from smoking it recreationally. Even the cops are pretty tolerant of it, but we’ll get to that later. First, however, we can’t stress enough the importance of smoking in a discreet and empty place, especially for tourists. The last thing you want to do is attract the attention of locals who might be anti-weed. 

If you don’t have any friends in Berlin to help you find some green, head over to Görlitzer Park; it’s known for smelling like cannabis and has a lot of dealers. But like we mentioned, make sure the dealer won’t rip you off; we encourage you to put your negotiating cap on and ask questions about the bud you’ll be smoking. For a more relaxed environment, the dealers in Hasenheide are known to approach you before you contact them.

For your safety, under 11 grams of cannabis is considered a “small amount” and won’t get you in trouble with the cops unless you’re being loud, obnoxious, or causing a disturbance. If you get caught smoking weed and making a scene, there’s a risk of being fined. This truly isn’t worth it and might ruin your vacation, so like we said above, smoking discreetly and privately is your best bet.

We want to stress that we’re not condoning the use of illegal cannabis in other countries, but if you choose to do it and break the law at your own risk, keep these helpful tips in mind.