Cruises have rebounded from Covid in a HUGE way with some cruises sold out for upcoming years. Also popular are smaller, charters with 15-30 friends. This all inclusive bounty of food and fun has a great appeal. And now they have alcohol packages that make imbibing easier and more cost efficient. But what do if you want marijuana on a cruise?
The cruise industry is expected to have over 31 million people board their ships this year. This is larger than the 2019 numbers showing people are craving to board a boat and let loose. The demand is so great, a new ship the Icon of the Seas, can carry 5,600 passagers and has built the largest waterpark on water.
All you can eat buffets, relaxing in the sun, music, multiple opportunities to chill, it would seem to be the perfect place to kick back and consume some marijuana. But you need to be mindful of the rules.
Marijuana products are simply illegal by federal law, so they’re banned across the entire fleets of pretty much every cruise line and river cruise company. Included in the prohibition are delta-8 and cannabinoid hemp products. It also includes CBD and medical marijuana.
What if you bring them onboard?
Norwegian Cruise Line says in their policies that “items will be confiscated and not transported aboard. When an item is determined to be illegal the appropriate authorities will be informed.”
Carnival has a similar notice on its website. It says that the cruise line “reserves the right to confiscate any item” and that “items will be removed and disposed of and no compensation will be provided.”
Some ports of call have legal weed, like Seattle and Canada, so there is another opportunity for you to relax or restock.
Knowing the rules, you can figure out your game plan. Many seniors use medical marijuana for pain and inflammation, in general, people use it for anxiety. And, some just use it for fun. If you can drink on board, perhaps you can have a gummy?
If you want to take it, remember the two giveaways. Don’t use anything that produces a smell. It is a dead giveaway and very easy to trace back to you. And you don’t want a staff member to have to confront you in front of your fellow passengers. The second is don’t be overly high. While being a bit tight on alcohol is legal, but messy, onboard. Being fully stoned is not.
Consider how you are going to consume. Tintures, oils and edibles are the easiest for boarding and produce the least smell. They are also better in managing your high.
Don’t use a cruise as your first time experiment. You may not have the reaction you want and it is tough to respond in an unknown and unfamiliar environment.
The immune system plays a vital role in defending the body against infections, including viruses like COVID-19. When the body is exposed to a pathogen, the immune system activates defense mechanisms to fight it off. COVID-19 specifically targets the respiratory system, but it can also affect other parts of the body, leading to a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. In some cases, COVID-19 can trigger an overactive immune response, leading to inflammation, organ damage, and even severe complications.
The cannabis industry shouldn’t be a fan of TikTok considering their double standard with alcohol.
While it seems the administration is a fan China and their most famous tech company, the cannabis industry is not. Alcohol use disorder is a public health concern in China, especially among men. Culturally they are know for hard drinking, heavy smoking and occasionally illicit opium use. But the government is very anti marijuana lead to TikTok’s double standard on marijuana and alcohol. Despite a significant number of medical institutions recognizing the medical benefits, China and TikTok still hate on the green plant.
TikTok has established distinct policies regarding content related to cannabis and alcohol. TikTok strictly prohibits any content that depicts or promotes cannabis. This includes not only direct advertisements for cannabis products but also any visual or verbal references to cannabis use, sales, or trade. The platform’s community guidelines explicitly state that users should not post or share content that glorifies or encourages the use of drugs, including cannabis, regardless of its legal status in various regions.
While cannabis brands can create educational content about cannabis culture and personal experiences, they must avoid showing any actual product usage or making promotional claims. For instance:
Allowed Content:
Educational videos about cannabis culture
Discussions on the benefits of cannabis
Personal stories relating to cannabis experiences
Not Allowed Content:
Videos showing cannabis use
Product promotions or sales pitches
Tutorials on making cannabis-infused products
This strict enforcement means that many users find their content removed if it even indirectly suggests cannabis use, such as showing smoke without clear context.
But, in contrast to its stance on cannabis, TikTok has updated its policies to allow advertising for alcoholic beverages under specific conditions. As of August 2024, TikTok permits alcohol ads but requires that they target users who are 25 years or older. The rules around Alcohol ads are they must not feature individuals under the legal drinking age and promotions cannot depict excessive drinking or irresponsible behavior.
In the news today regarding the famous canal – but what about Panama and marijuana?
Panama is the only place in the world where the sun rises in the Pacific Ocean and sets in the Atlantic Ocean. It is slightly smaller than South Carolina but has more bird species than the continental United States. It’s also home to many natural attractions, including whitewater rafting, snorkeling, and birding. Long a friend, it was the first Latin American country to use the US dollar as its currency. Now it is the news with the new administration. Considering the talk here, what about Panama and cannabis?
The economy of Panama is based mainly on the tourism and services sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of its GDP and accounts for most of its foreign income. Services include banking, commerce, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry, medical and health. Enjoy a significant number of travelers who enjoy adventure, outdoor activities and chilling, the country’s stance on marijuana is evolving.
Panama has made significant strides in the realm of cannabis, particularly regarding its medical use. In 2021, Panama became the first Central American nation to legalize medical cannabis when President Laurentino Cortizo signed Law 242, allowing for the medicinal and therapeutic use of cannabis and its derivatives. This law was a response to growing demands from patients suffering from various medical conditions, including epilepsy and chronic pain, who had previously resorted to smuggling cannabis products due to a lack of legal options
In September 2022, the Panamanian government established regulations to support the implementation of Law 242. These regulations created a National Directorate for the Monitoring of Activities Related to Medical Cannabis, which operates under the Ministry of Public Security. This body is responsible for overseeing the cultivation, production, and distribution of medical cannabis products, ensuring patient data protection and product traceability from cultivation to sale. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is tasked with issuing licenses for manufacturing and commercializing cannabis products, with an initial cap on manufacturing licenses set at seven for the first five years. Regulations aim to ensure that all medical cannabis produced in Panama adheres to strict quality standards.
The government envisions creating a robust local industry that not only meets domestic needs but also positions Panama as a potential hub for international medical cannabis trade. While they are making advancements in medical cannabis regulation, recreational use remains illegal in Panama. The law against recreational cannabis is often unenforced, leading to a culture where its use is tolerated among the youth. Both the public and tourist find it an easy atmosphere.
Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and has as stable government. Like the United States, it is a republic and engages the public. They have evaluated cannabis as a benefits and have moved to integrating into their healthcare.