Marseilles, France
Last updated on February 13th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Cannabis Travel Guide
Tolerance for smokers
Table of Contents
Marijuana laws and legislation for Marseille
Strict cannabis laws will come into effect in France in 2025. Recreational use will remain illegal and will be punishable by a €200 fine. The government continues to firmly oppose legalization. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau emphasized the link between drug use and gang violence. Despite calls for reform, such as a national referendum proposed by the mayor of Grenoble, the French government prioritizes drug control and law enforcement over legalization.
Medical cannabis is currently undergoing a trial phase in France, which began in 2021 and has been extended until July 31, 2025. The program, involving approximately 1.800 patients, aims to evaluate cannabis-based treatments for conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and the side effects of chemotherapy. The results of this study could influence future legislation on medical marijuana in France. However, cannabis remains strictly regulated at present, and there are no plans for broader legalization.
Criminal prosecution
The police officers you should be afraid of are the "Douaniers," the border patrol, who operate wherever they please in France. However, they have their own rules. Instead of jail, they threaten you with a fine for 20 grams or less. The "gendarmes" and local police don't have the right to search you without cause like the Douaniers, but they can issue a warning or, if you're unlucky, even arrest you. Judges will give you the opportunity to speak with an addiction specialist, and in 95% of cases, they determine that you're just a normal, occasional user, and that's the end of it.
If you have a small amount, they'll most likely just confiscate it. I've smoked hashish on the streets all over town and people don't care (as long as there aren't any cops around).
Where can you buy marijuana?
In the ghettos. Personally, I never had a problem being robbed in Marseille. I was once swindled and threatened with a beating in Fréjus (a smaller town an hour and a half away), but everything runs smoothly in Marseille. The organizations don't want their clients robbed, and all in all, you're very safe (the organizations usually have security personnel and guards stationed there). Deals are usually made in stairwells (people outside tell you which stairwell to go to).
There's usually a line of people of all ages and backgrounds waiting there. Don't hesitate to enter the building. They make so much money selling hashish that they have no interest in robbing you, and they have so much security that they won't be afraid to take thousands of euros if you ask for change for a 50-euro note.
Look out for people from the Middle East; they usually just stand around, and you might be able to get something. I think if you don't speak French, you're out of luck.
Comments
During a restaurant visit, this guy recommended some amazing cannabis that enhanced my entire vacation. Since then, I contact him before every trip at dopefast420@gmail.com. Highly recommended for anyone visiting France.
Marijuana prices
"Commercial" (also called "shit" in both French and English) costs 20 euros for 10 to 15 grams. It's cut with something, but usually not with the worst soapbar. Mostly hard, brittle hashish.
"Moroccan" hashish costs 50 euros for 5 to 6 grams of good, slightly pliable hashish that can be crumbled with the warmth of your fingers. I've never tried it if it's cut with anything.
It seems to be second-shake hashish, no chemical taste, a little smoking and you're high. (But it doesn't stick to the ground like top-quality hashish from North Africa).
Marijuana brands
You can easily find Afghan hashish and Moroccan hashish.
Further information
Smoking is common in the streets throughout France, in small towns as well as large cities. This is increasingly the case in southern France, where the weather is nicer and people spend more time outdoors.
In the south, the outdoor cannabis is as good as that from California, but is only available for two months of the year.
Indoor growing is becoming increasingly popular in the north.
Hashish is still the easiest drug to obtain in most places.
And don't take drugs.