Weed in Cajamarca: The Cannabis Scene in the Highlands
Cajamarca, a beautiful city in northern Peru, is known for its rich history, Andean landscapes, and cultural traditions. While the region is famous for its agriculture, dairy production, and Inca heritage, it also has a small but growing underground cannabis scene.
Weed use in Cajamarca is not as widespread as in Lima or Cusco, but it does exist, mainly among young people, artists, and travelers. However, since Peru has strict cannabis laws, finding and using marijuana in Cajamarca comes with risks.
Legal Status of Weed in Cajamarca
Peru has strict laws regarding marijuana, though some gray areas exist.
What the Law Says About Weed in Peru:
✔ Personal use – Possession of up to 8 grams of weed is decriminalized but not legal.
✔ Medical marijuana – Legal since 2017, but difficult to access in Cajamarca.
❌ Selling, buying, or growing weed – Completely illegal and can lead to jail time.
Even though personal use is not a crime, police in Cajamarca often target and harass those suspected of possessing or using weed. This makes public consumption very risky.
Who Uses Weed in Cajamarca?
Unlike Lima, where cannabis culture is more open, Cajamarca has a conservative society, and marijuana use is more discreet. However, certain groups in the city still enjoy cannabis.
Common Cannabis Users in Cajamarca:
- University students – Some young people experiment with cannabis, often in private spaces.
- Artists and musicians – A small creative community enjoys weed as part of their inspiration and relaxation.
- Backpackers and travelers – Some tourists look for cannabis, though it’s not as easy to find as in Cusco.
- Alternative health enthusiasts – A few people use cannabis medicinally, despite the difficulty in obtaining legal medical marijuana.
Most cannabis consumption in Cajamarca happens in private homes, hostels, or rural areas where people can avoid law enforcement.
Where to Find Weed in Cajamarca & Its Risks
Since there are no legal dispensaries in Cajamarca, people rely on word-of-mouth networks or street dealers. However, buying weed in Cajamarca can be risky due to police enforcement and scams.
Ways People Get Weed in Cajamarca:
- Friends or trusted connections – This is the safest way, but only if you know someone.
- Street dealers – Risky, as some sell low-quality or laced weed.
- Online groups – Some people try to connect via social media or WhatsApp, but scams are common.
Risks of Buying or Using Weed in Cajamarca:
- Police presence – Law enforcement officers often target people suspected of using drugs.
- Poor-quality cannabis – Much of the weed sold is low-grade, overpriced, or even mixed with other substances.
- Cultural stigma – Cajamarca is a traditional city, and being seen as a cannabis user can lead to negative social judgment.
Final Thoughts: Is Cajamarca a Good Place for Weed?
Cajamarca is not the best city for cannabis users due to strict laws, social conservatism, and police enforcement. Unlike places like Cusco or Lima, where the weed culture is more developed, finding and using marijuana in Cajamarca is much more difficult and risky.
For those in the city, private consumption is the safest approach, but getting high-quality weed can be a challenge. If Peru’s cannabis laws become more relaxed in the future, access to legal marijuana may improve, but for now, Cajamarca remains a difficult place for cannabis users.