Weed in Yangsan: Strict Laws and Zero Tolerance
Yangsan, a growing city in South Korea’s Gyeongsangnam-do province, is known for its peaceful suburban life, educational institutions, and proximity to Busan. Despite being a modern and developing city, South Korea’s laws on cannabis remain some of the strictest in the world.
Unlike countries where attitudes toward weed have relaxed, cannabis is illegal in all forms in Yangsan and across South Korea. The government enforces harsh penalties, and even discussing cannabis use can lead to suspicion from authorities.
Is Weed Legal in Yangsan?
No. Cannabis is completely illegal in South Korea, including in Yangsan.
Under the Narcotics Control Act, cannabis is classified as a dangerous drug, the same as methamphetamine and cocaine. This means that possession, use, sale, or cultivation of marijuana can lead to severe legal consequences.
What makes South Korea unique is that even consuming weed in a country where it’s legal (like Canada or Thailand) can still result in punishment upon returning home. The South Korean government has a “no-drugs-anywhere” policy, meaning citizens are expected to follow South Korean drug laws no matter where they are in the world.
Penalties for Cannabis in Yangsan
- Possession or Use → Up to five years in prison or a fine of 50 million KRW (~$38,000 USD).
- Selling or Trafficking → Life imprisonment or, in severe cases, the death penalty.
- Growing Cannabis → Strictly prohibited, even for personal or medical use.
- Foreigners Caught with Weed → Immediate deportation and a permanent ban from South Korea.
South Korean authorities regularly conduct drug tests on students, government workers, and even celebrities. In a city like Yangsan, which is home to many university students and young professionals, police closely monitor online activities to catch any drug-related activity.
Foreigners, Expats, and Weed in Yangsan
Yangsan has a growing population of international students and expats, thanks to its educational institutions and proximity to Busan. However, South Korean drug laws apply to everyone, including foreigners.
Some common misconceptions include:
- “Weed is legal in my country, so I can use it in Korea.” → False. Korean law applies to everyone in the country, regardless of nationality.
- “If I use cannabis abroad, I won’t be punished in Korea.” → False. The government monitors citizens traveling to weed-legal countries and conducts random drug tests at airports.
- “Buying from another foreigner is safer.” → False. Anyone caught selling or possessing cannabis can be arrested and deported.
Medical Marijuana in Yangsan
In 2018, South Korea made a small exception for medical cannabis, allowing the use of a few cannabis-derived medications, like:
- Epidiolex (used for epilepsy)
- Sativex (used for multiple sclerosis)
However, getting approval for medical cannabis is extremely difficult, and recreational use remains illegal.
How Do People Access Weed in Yangsan?
Despite the severe legal risks, some individuals still attempt to access weed through:
- The Black Market – Extremely dangerous, as authorities conduct undercover stings to catch sellers.
- The Dark Web – Many people try to buy drugs online, but customs officials regularly seize drug packages.
- Social Media & Expat Groups – Some foreigners assume buying from other foreigners is safer, but police monitor online discussions to catch drug-related activity.
South Korea has one of the highest drug arrest rates in Asia, and the government is actively working to eliminate cannabis use completely.
Who Uses Weed in Yangsan?
Although cannabis use is rare due to strict laws and social stigma, the following groups have been caught using it in South Korea:
- University students experimenting with drugs.
- Expats who don’t fully understand Korea’s drug laws.
- K-pop stars and actors, some of whom have had their careers destroyed after being caught with weed.
In a smaller city like Yangsan, where police have fewer cases to investigate, drug enforcement is even stricter than in big cities.
Future of Cannabis Laws in Yangsan
Unlike other countries that are moving toward legalization or decriminalization, South Korea remains firmly against cannabis. The government considers drug use a national security issue and shows no sign of relaxing its drug laws anytime soon.
For now, anyone in Yangsan should completely avoid weed. The risks of arrest, imprisonment, and deportation are simply too high, and South Korea’s zero-tolerance policy is unlikely to change in the near future.