Mexico City is currently building its reputation as a hub for travelers and expats alike. Whether its to see beautiful sights, enjoy the spicy cuisine, or escape America (I say that broadly as people ‘escape’ from all parts), it currently stands as a desired destination. And what of the marijuana situation? Mexico is in a strange legal limbo when it comes to weed at the moment; however despite this, its now possible to buy weed from dispensaries in Mexico City. Just beware, it’s expensive.
A little about Mexico City
Mexico City, often referred to CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico), is the capital city of Mexico. It is both Mexico’s largest city, and the largest city of North America, beating out New York City. In reality, the cities are close in population; each have in the neighborhood of 9 million in their respective city proper areas (CDMX slightly over, NYC slightly under), and massive metropolitan areas. NYC beats out CDMX for larger metropolitan area, though they both top 20 million. CDMX covers more land overall, while NYC is more densely populated. On the streets, they often look pretty similar.
Mexico City has the distinguishing factor of being one of the highest cities in terms of altitude. The city sits at 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) above sea level; meaning if you have asthma or other breathing problems, you’re likely to feel it more here, than in other, lower-down places. I have yet to see a runner on the streets.
It’s a huge city and cultural center, filled with all kinds of history and natural beauty. It also has a lot of crime, and in the past was considered rather dangerous. In reality, many parts still are, but much of the city underwent major cleaning-up. Particularly the areas most known to the tourist populations, like Condessa, Roma, Centro, and Polanco, among others. Huge swaths of the city are filled with trendy bars, high-end cuisine, and rather pricey hotels and housing. It’s one of the most expensive parts of Mexico, much like other tourist areas including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or San Miguel de Allende.
It also has a well-developed subway and metrobus system for transportation, which includes cable cars; cops nearly everywhere, but not in an aggressive way (at least in the areas I frequent); a lot of parks and green spaces; and a ton of air pollution. It’s a place to find all kinds of music from metal to salsa to jazz, hear different languages spoken, and to immerse oneself in culture. If you like history, you’ve got castles and palaces (right in the city); pyramids and Aztec ruins in Teotihuacan; and a variety of historical monuments and museums, in the historical center, and beyond. While much of Mexico has that 3rd world feel, Mexico City does not in many parts.
Finding weed in Mexico City
When you’re planning to spend some time in a place, it’s important to be able to find the things you need. In this case, while I don’t necessarily need weed in Mexico City, I certainly wanted it. I came to the city with a small amount, and a plan to stay for possibly a few months. I needed a local connection. My first thought was of the menus I came across in Guadalajara. A bit pricey, but also geared toward the tourism market. As of yet, I have not come across one.
I figured it would take no time to find some info if I went to a few Meetup events; but to my surprise, weed didn’t come up at the first. I even forgot to ask, as there wasn’t a hint of smoke in the air. Finally I singled out a couple of American guys at a party and asked if they smoked weed. One didn’t use at all, the other said he bought gummies from a store in the Polanco area. I was intrigued. I asked if they sold flower there as well. He said he didn’t think so. I checked out the Polanco High Club online, and found it was just a head shop, though they do advertise gummies and other THC edibles.
I haven’t checked yet to see if those locations also sell flower; I’ll check it out later. My new friend didn’t think so. Instead, I decided to see what happened if I put ‘dispensary’ into Google Maps. And voila, several options came up. More than one featured pictures on Google Maps of stores with flower for sale. And just my luck, the one that looked the best, was within 15 minutes from where I was staying in Roma Norte. I decided to check it out.
The dispensary doesn’t advertise online, they have no official site. Instead they have an Instagram account, and a listing on Google Maps. Mexico, it should be remembered, is in the middle of a huge mess. Since 2018 recreational weed has been legal via Supreme Court ruling; but the government has continually failed to establish rules to regulate an industry. So is it legal to run a dispensary that sells weed? Hard to say; not exactly, but not exactly not. There is certainly no established sales market, and a lot of gray area.
Here’s my experience
This might sound weird, but I’m not going to print the establishment’s name. I appreciate the service, and in this tenuous environment, don’t want to ruin anything for anyone. However, I attached a link to their Instagram, and if you put ‘dispensary’ into Maps, you’ll find an entry on Colima Avenue, number 220, in Roma Norte. That’s the spot.
I walked to the area, and when I got there, I realized it wasn’t an obvious storefront. I didn’t see a sign anywhere, but found the correct address. As there was new information on Maps, I knew the place wasn’t closed, and the lack of official signage makes sense. I went back to Maps and found there was a picture posted of the entrance; which looks like the entrance to an apartment building, complete with doorman.
After looking back and forth from my phone to the entrance a few times, I finally went in and asked the doorman if the store was in the building. He immediately confirmed I was in the right place. He asked for my name, first and last; but did not ask for an ID. He just said my name into a phone at his side, and then told me to go to the 5th floor and turn right. I took the elevator up.
Once off, it indeed looked like apartments or small offices. Perhaps none of it was residential, it was hard to tell. I turned right and found myself in front of an open door, and what looked like a low-key salon. I quickly glanced around to see if there was anything weed-like, but there was not. A worker saw me and said I was probably looking for the place next door. Indeed the next door down was closed and locked; with a buzzer, and a badly drawn picture of a weed nugget.
I rang the buzzer, and was buzzed in. I entered a room that smelled like herb with apparel on the far end. I walked around a wall to get to the counter. Three guys stood at the counter speaking English. In the counter were different edible products, and paraphernalia. Behind the counter, on the wall, were big glass canisters full of flower. The American guy who served me, said it was his dispensary. He said he’d ran it for seven months already. I asked if he had any issues, and he said no knocks on the door yet. He said he had deals worked out, I didn’t ask anything further. I confirmed that I found the place through Google Maps.
I asked him if he had any good indicas, and he indicated two different options in the high end realm. He was going to go on about lower priced options, but I told him it wasn’t necessary; I wanted something good. The two options both smelled delicious; one Purple Flavonoid, and one Bubba Kush. I bought a gram of each, which were put in smell proof bags, emblazoned with print information unrelated to the store. That was it. I had a brief conversation with the guys about living in Mexico, said my ‘thank you’s, and went out the same way I came in.
A little on pricing
I expect several of the dispensaries that come up on Google Maps have a similar setup. I’ll check out more in the future. It’s nice to know that a good product can be found, without finding a dealer, and without a functional market in the country. It definitely wasn’t cheap, though! Not by either American or Mexican standards. Although having said that, I don’t discount that those operating such establishments shoulder all the danger; both from law enforcement, as well as other entities.
I paid 400 pesos per gram. That’s approximately $23 a gram in the US. When was the last time you paid $23 for a gram in America? These days, you can sometimes buy an 8th for that amount. There are few dispensaries that charge that much for a gram, unless it’s stuff so good, that the likes of Snoop Dog might buy it. Usually a gram is $10-15 dollars. In some states, less than $3, what with all the overproduction and competition issues. And this doesn’t account for independent dealers. Overall, this Mexico City dispensary charged far higher prices for weed, than in America.
But we’re not in America, we’re in Mexico. And the reality here is that most people smoke cheaper outdoor grown stuff. And when I say cheap, I really mean it. When I first got to the country in 2020, I bought my first ounce for 400 pesos. At that time, the dollar was stronger against the peso, and this equaled about $21-22. As an ounce is 28 grams, that means each gram went for about 14 pesos, or less than $1. It’s mostly sativa in Mexico, and most of the weed is low grade and has a lot of seeds.
From there I found a guy selling higher quality, but still outdoor grown, sativa. The price went up to 1,000 pesos per ounce, which now is about $58. That means almost 36 pesos per gram in Mexico, and a little over $2, in America. From there I found connections, first for imported American weed, and then for indoor grown in Mexico (the holy grail); and the price – and options – increased. I began paying as much as 3,500 pesos for an ounce of really nice indica. That means 125 pesos per gram, which is a little over $7. Now in American price territory, but for the highest grade stuff.
In comparison to that, 400 pesos per gram of weed in Mexico City is wildly expensive, and literally the same as what I paid for an ounce of the cheap stuff in Guadalajara. I’m sure if I hook up with a regular dealer, I can drop the price back down to standard prices. On the other hand, the dispensary provided me an easy way to get flower in a pinch, without knowing anyone; and included plenty of options, and friendly and knowledgeable personnel.
It will be interesting to see where the price point goes, when rules are established for this industry. Or at the very least, as more of these open, to bring in more competition. The reality, is that the prices are too high, and they will drop. For now, you can most certainly buy weed in Mexico City without a dealer. You just have to know how to do it, and be willing to pay a high price. For those happy enough with gummies, vapes, and other edibles; these are easier to find in regular head shops. Although much like in US black market dispensaries, it’s impossible to say what’s in them.
Conclusion
Finding a dispensary with high end weed in Mexico City, really improved my day. If you’re in Mexico City and on a similar mission for weed, or just curious what’s around; go ahead and check out that address on Google Maps. It’s pricey, but definitely worth it for a tourist in a tight spot, who isn’t buying big quantities, or doesn’t mind paying exorbitant prices. I fully admit though, I’d much prefer to find a better deal for the future.
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