The Best Spots To Smoke Weed In Mexico City (CDMX), According To Local Celebrities

By Hernán Panessi via El Planteo

Órale! Mexico City's hustle and bustle is renowned for being fierce: crowded, noisy, eclectic, spicy, fun, extreme, rock 'n' roll, versatile, bizarre, quintessentially Latin American, and simply fantastic. The scent of marijuana smoke can be detected around every corner.

Thus, the 420 vibe permeates the most diverse landscapes of the Federal District, places unlike any other in Latin America. In CDMX, time flies and so much happens all the time. Hence, taking a moment to light up is truly valuable.

But, is it legal to smoke weed in Mexico City? Well, no. Or maybe, yes - but with nuances.

Here's a tidbit: the Ministry of Health has established a series of permits for recreational marijuana use and possession.

However, this consumption is authorized under specific conditions. Conversely, planting, cultivating, harvesting, preparing, possessing, or transporting more than five grams of cannabis remains punishable by criminal and administrative laws.

In this context, El Planteo has compiled a guide to the best “trouble-free” spots for smoking weed. A group of experts shares invaluable information for enjoying a smoke in the streets, squares, and historical sites where no one interferes or watches.

Polita Pepper, superstar activist: the trajineras in Xochimilco

The best neighborhood in Mexico City to smoke a joint is on the Trajineras in Xochimilco, which features super picturesque boats where you can cruise through this part of the city that still maintains its network of navigational canals.

The Trajineras are folklorically decorated boats. The journey takes you along the canals of Xochimilco, which also feature the chinampa system of cultivation.

You can choose to tour around the chinampas or visit the "House of Dolls," which is super creepy. These tours are available both by day and by night.

You can also visit the axolotl sanctuary, home to this endemic Mexican "Pikachu," which is rather unique. It's a trip through time and history, and the only place in Mexico City where you can imagine the grandeur of ancient Tenochtitlán.

On your Trajinera journey, you'll encounter neighbors selling food, singing norteño songs or mariachi, and even hosting weddings or quinceañeras.

You can bring your own picnic, beers, and well-rolled joints for a lovely outing. It’s a tourist spot, yet also deeply emblematic of Mexico City. The police won’t bother you here, although sometimes you might see them on their own Trajineras. Overall, it’s a beautiful, peaceful, and super interesting place to smoke a joint in Mexico City.

JL Martínez, journalist and researcher at Jelly Genetics: UNAM Sculptural Space

I live in the south side of the city. So, for me, the best places to smoke a joint here in CDMX are the Sculptural Space of the National University, because it's an open area with large sculptures.

It's also a natural area, so you can walk around. You can admire the sculptures while also appreciating the local vegetation, right? Volcanic rocks, a semi-arid landscape – it’s a great vibe.

Next door is the University Museum of Contemporary Art, so it’s a nice little trip to smoke a joint in the “sculptural zone” and then visit the museum.

Also nearby is the Tlalpan Forest. It's a forest here in the city, a natural reserve where people go for runs, walks, and various activities. So, if you’re more into nature walks, that’s a great place.

Rosa Pistola, DJ: Avenida de los Insurgentes & Paseo de la Reforma

Honestly, it’s quite difficult to smoke on the streets in Mexico City because marijuana is still illegal. But when there was a sit-in at the Senate on Reforma and Insurgents, it was an incredible place to relax and smoke.

Now, the sit-in at Metro Guerrero is a bit more ghetto. It's a “tolerance zone” that's central and worth taking advantage of.

Elsewhere, it's tricky to smoke in the district, but in more remote areas, like the suburbs near where I live in Tecámac, where there's no police, it's much more relaxed.

Ali Gua Gua, singer, songwriter, and producer: Los Pinos

I recommend the whole of Mexico City for smoking marijuana. For example, you can pass through Chapultepec Park, maybe spot the panda bear. Also, Los Pinos, which was once the residence of our presidents and is now a cultural center. As it's a cultural center, you can also “light up the devil's feet.”

You can do it in Xochimilco, aboard a floating Trajinera on the beautiful canals, or on the islands of the University City.

The city is full of small, large, pretty, and beautiful neighborhoods for smoking and letting your imagination soar. Of course, my neighborhood, La Colonia de Doctores, is where I feel comfortable living and smoking. You can smoke anywhere in Mexico, with caution.

Ivanna Queen Mama, Mexican twerk star: La Estela de Luz

I find it very interesting and fun that we can have 420-friendly spaces in Mexico City, like La Estela de Luz, an iconic building.

Located on one of Mexico City's most important avenues, Reforma, it's fascinating to see the variety of cannabis consumers.

In these spaces, you see people of all ages and characteristics. From the super hippie to the more upscale, the serious-looking ones… it shows how cannabis is present in all circles, environments, and personalities.

In terms of justice, the police respect these types of spaces. However, if they find you smoking outside these areas, they might take you to the station.

Places to eat, well, obviously there are a lot of places to satisfy the munchies and enjoy. It's also interesting that in these now officially permitted places, like Plaza Hidalgo and La Estela de Luz, people are already doing business there.

They sell hot dogs, hamburgers, quesadillas, and a variety of cannabis-infused and regular foods.

Disclaimer: this article is for entertainment purposes and does not intend to incentivize illegal activities. Please make sure you comply with all local laws before lighting up.

More content from El Planteo:

• Cómo Hacer Aceite de Cannabis

• Fumar Manzanilla o Lavanda y Otras Hierbas ¿Se Puede?

• Cumbia 420: Todo Sobre el Fenómeno L-Gante, Perro Primo y DT.Bilardo

• Cómo Secar Hongos Psicodélicos

Cover photo by Clinker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons // Edited in Canva by El Planteo