Your visit to the D.R. spent in a D.R. jail is not a pleasant thought. Of course this is a "sock puppet" post.

Yes plenty of weed about. Buying it will most likely earn you an all expense paid (you will need to supply your own food) vaction at one of the several minus 5 star government resorts for 10-30 years. Oh and don't worry about excursions as you will not be able to leave the resort at all. A tip here and there will also earn you a small favor from time to time from the staff at the resort.

BObK

Direct from the US embassy:

INTRODUCTION

Drug offenses are serious crimes in the Dominican Republic. If you are caught buying, selling, carrying or using drugs in the Dominican Republic, you could be subject to a mandatory term in a Dominican prison. The police and customs officials have a right to search your belongings for drugs. If they find drugs in your belongings, you will suffer the consequences.

As in any case when someone is charged with a crime, obtaining competent legal representation is indispensable. Although the Consular Section can provide a list of local attorneys to arrested Americans, the Consular Section cannot recommend a particular attorney. Accordingly, a defendant should exercise great care in the selection of one's attorney.

LAW IN EFFECT (GENERAL)

On May 30, 1988, the Dominican Congress approved Law 50-88 dealing with Narcotic Drugs. It has been diligently enforced since its passage. Under this law, the possession of any quantity of marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, barbiturates, amphetamines or other narcotic drugs is a punishable offense. Each offender is categorized according to the quantity of the drugs found in his/her possession and must stand trial in a "Court of First Instance." The judicial process may last up to several years. During this pre-trial period, a defendant would remain incarcerated in most cases.

The severity of this law was intended to keep the country safe from criminal activities commonly associated with the trafficking, cultivation and manufacture of narcotic drugs. Due to its strategic location between South America and the United States, the Dominican Republic has empowered the police and military forces to undertake vigorous efforts to combat the threat from narcotic drugs. The law was enacted to prevent the Dominican Republic from becoming a major transit point in the criminal trade of drugs. Anyone entering the Dominican Republic, regardless of nationality, is subject to the provisions of Law 50-88. Accordingly, U.S. citizens in the Dominican Republic are subject to punishment under the strict anti-drug measures.

PENALTIES

A person apprehended in Santo Domingo for a drug-related offense is generally detained at the Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD). The prisoner is entitled to legal counsel and a phone call. The An American citizen prisoner may also request access to an American consular officer. The anti-drug law includes a provision for release on bond, bail or parole. Suspects may not be detained longer than the 48-hour period for investigation without being presented before a judge (Juez de Instrucción). The DNCD and the prosecutors assigned to the DNCD determine preliminary charges based upon the quantity of drugs.

Offenders are grouped into one of four legal categories depending on the amount of drugs allegedly found in their possession. Penalties correspond to each of the four categories and are currently fixed as follows:

CATEGORIES AND PENALTIES

CATEGORIES

MARIJUANA:

CATEGORY ONE: Simple Possession. Defined as possession of 20 grams or less.

CATEGORY TWO: Distributor, Vendor. Defined as possession of more than 20 grams and less than 1 (one) pound.

CATEGORY THREE: Trafficker. Defined as possession of 1 (one) pound or more.

HASHISH:

CATEGORY ONE: Simple Possession. Defined as possession of 5 grams or less.

CATEGORY TWO: Distributor, Vendor. Defined as possession of more than 5 grams and less than ¼ pound.

CATEGORY THREE: Trafficker. Defined as possession of ¼ pound or more.

COCAINE:

CATEGORY ONE: Simple Possession. Defined as possession of 1 gram or less.

CATEGORY TWO: Distributor, Vendor. Defined as possession of more than 1 gram and less than 5 grams.

CATEGORY THREE: Trafficker. Defined as possession of 5 grams or more.

ECSTASY*:

CATEGORY ONE: Simple Possession. Defined as possession of 1 gram or less.

CATEGORY TWO: Distributor, Vendor. Defined as possession of more than 1 gram and less than 5 grams.

CATEGORY THREE: Trafficker. Defined as possession of 5 grams or more.

* Even though Ecstasy is not mentioned in the law, Dominican authorities are placing it in the same category as Cocaine.

When LSD, Opium and its derivatives, or any other hallucinogenic substance is involved, in any quantity, the person or persons processed will be classified as TRAFFICKERS.

SUPPLIERS, PATRONIZERS OR FINANCIERS (CATEGORY FOUR): Applicable to persons who finance illegal trafficking operations, intellectually directs these operations, and/or supplies the transportation equipment or disposes of any method which facilitates the illegal operation.

PENALTIES

CATEGORY ONE: Simple Possession.

Minimum: 6 months in prison and a fine of RD$1,500.

Maximum: 2 years in prison and a fine of RD$2,500.

CATEGORY TWO: Distributor, Vender.

Minimum: 3 years in prison and a fine of RD$10,000.

Maximum: 10 years in prison and RD$50,000 fine.

CATEGORY THREE: Trafficker.

Minimum: 5 years in prison and a fine of more than RD$50,000.

Maximum: 20 years in prison and a fine of more than RD$50,000.

Traffickers must pay a fine of no lesser value than the value of the seized controlled drugs or involvement in the operation, but in no instance less than RD$50,000.

CATEGORY FOUR: Suppliers, Patronizers and Financiers.

Suppliers, patronizers and financiers will be sanctioned with imprisonment of thirty (30) years and a fine of no lesser value than the value of the seized controlled drugs or involvement in the operation, but in no instance less than RD$1,000,000.

Within the parameters of each category of penalty, the judge that presides at the trial and questions the defendant determines the exact sentence.

ACCOMPLICES:

In the case of Simple Possession, persons who are deemed accomplices will be sanctioned with the same penalties imposed on the principal offender. In all other cases, accomplices will be sanctioned with the category of penalty immediately inferior to that of the principal person(s)charged.

OK, I'm going to bite even if it is a sock puppet type of post as it has raised a question in my mind.

In Canada (as well as some US states) an individual can legally possess, grow and use Marihauna under the Marihauna Medical Access Regulations.

As this is a medical prescription, issued by a physician for certain diseases and symptom management, and the individual who has this must carry specific ID to identify them my question is about travelling with said prescription. Much like we travel with other controlled substances to other countries . . . I can't seem to find the answer in the regulations (specific to travel outside the country) but wonder if anyone has.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/index-eng.php

There, I've met my goal of "learn something new everyday"

Happy Friday

Bugs

Does not matter here,

Medical or recreational is it no allowed.

BObK

On two seperate occations I have had locals ask me if I would like to buy some weed.Once while walking down the street in Sosua and the other while walking the beach in Punta Cana

Thanks Bob for the clarification.

I really dislike self-righteous sheep who post irrelevant quotes from the worst sources imaginable (you think the US gov will ever say otherwise?). Get off your high horse and welcome to the 21st century: weed is as common (and acceptable) as alcohol is the civilized world (Canada + California). If it is as illegal and draconian as you say it is in the DR, this should be said in a disapproving tone - not allowing marijuana use is as backward and barbaric as not having civil rights.

When in Rome guys!

Even though it is acceptable in your home town/countries...this does not mean you can continue using it when in another country. Would you walk around a highly religious city in a bikini? Keep the drugs at home.

I highly disagree with any marijuana use as I saw one of my best friends develop a serious psychiatric illness following heavy use. Thankfully after being downgraded in class in the UK, they have now put it back to where it belongs.

As you've answered your own question, I'm sure this is just an attention seeking post.