420 China (restaurants, centers, estimates)

[terrasurf]

Do young people smoke weed in China? If not, is there something else? Hopefully it won't involve killing some snake or something. Sorry couldn't resist.

[bluebeard]

I wouldn't mess around with drugs in China. In general, drugs are strongly associated with criminality, so its best to stay away.

[rah]

according to wikipedia:

Death penalty is exercised regularly for drug offenses under Chinese law, often in an annual frenzy corresponding to the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug trafficking[61] The government does not make precise records public, however Amnesty International estimates that around 500 people are executed there each year for drug offenses. Those executed have typically been convicted of smuggling or trafficking in anything from cannabis to methamphetamine.

I'm sure that applies more to dealers/smugglers more than someone with a small amount of whatever drug for personal use...but it's still the death penalty just for drug possession. I'd be very careful with illegal drugs in China. I'm pretty sure that due to laws like this drugs aren't really that prevalent in China anyways.

[bluebeard]

Originally Posted by bluebeard

I wouldn't mess around with drugs in China. In general, drugs are strongly associated with criminality, so its best to stay away.

I meant in China drugs are especially associated with criminality. Unlike in , say, the US where many non-criminals take some drugs.

[bluebeard]

Originally Posted by rah

according to wikipedia:



I'm sure that applies more to dealers/smugglers more than someone with a small amount of whatever drug for personal use...but it's still the death penalty just for drug possession. I'd be very careful with illegal drugs in China. I'm pretty sure that due to laws like this drugs aren't really that prevalent in China anyways.

They actually have some problems with drugs such as heroine, particularly in Yunnan province (the poor soil grows opium well, like in Afghanistan). This is one of the primary ways HIV is spread there. There are numerous treatment centers in this province. I'd imagine there are a number in places like Beijing as well, but I can't be sure.
On the other hand, your average Chinese person won't even recognize a pot plant if they walked past a field of them. Thus as I was saying before, there's a big divide between "users" and the rest of the population. Thus, drug use can be stigmatized among some (but definitely not alcohol use).

[KarynO]

Originally Posted by terrasurf

Do young people smoke weed in China? If not, is there something else? Hopefully it won't involve killing some snake or something. Sorry couldn't resist.

Are you out of your mind?

[Xiaomao]

This doesn't just apply to China. I know Korea and Japan look down severely on drug users.

[JakeinChina]

There's a lot of drugs in China, esp in the big cities like Shanghai, but they are mainly in the expat community.......Weed, hash, coke.......Mostly smuggled into China by Africans.(sad to say)...........Chinese do have heroin, but its not very popular.......Most young Chinese don't take drugs or have even never smokes a joint....its just not part of the culture..........And the cops are very relaxed when it comes to catching people with drugs.......unless you have large amounts or are selling it...............I've been to bowling alleys in Shanghai and a bunch of Americans/Euro's are smoking pot while they bowl.........or at outdoor restaurants....

[decafdave]

Originally Posted by terrasurf

Do young people smoke weed in China? If not, is there something else? Hopefully it won't involve killing some snake or something. Sorry couldn't resist.

Yes there is a drug extracted from the killing of dogs and cats before they are served at the restaurants.

Not quite-The drugs here are pretty much the same as in the states but used by a much smaller proportion of young people. I agree with others that most of the drug use is done by foreigners and most Chinese have absolutely no desire to try them.

Oh, if Beijing officials are reading this thread then by answer is no! There are no drugs in China and expats would never violate the laws of our gracious hosts.

[sponger42]

Agree on the foreigner useage. Agree that Chinese don't.

Agree on lax enforcement--UNTIL you say or do something to **** off a party official or their kids. Then you'd better get the f--- out of china ASAP and never look back. Doesn't matter if your guilty of anything or not. Yay "communism"