Mexico City is currently building its reputation as a hub for travelers and expats alike. Whether its to see beautiful sights, enjoy the spicy cuisine, or escape America (I say that broadly as people ‘escape’ from all parts), it currently stands as a desired destination. And what of the marijuana situation? Mexico is in a strange legal limbo when it comes to weed at the moment; however despite this, its now possible to buy weed from dispensaries in Mexico City. It’s just a matter of finding the right place.

A little about Mexico City

Mexico City, often referred to CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico), is the capital city of Mexico. It is both Mexico’s largest city, and the largest city of North America, beating out New York City. In reality, the cities are close in population; each have in the neighborhood of 9 million in their respective city proper areas (CDMX slightly over, NYC slightly under), and massive metropolitan areas. NYC beats out CDMX for larger metropolitan area, though they both top 20 million. CDMX covers more land overall, while NYC is more densely populated. On the streets, they often look pretty similar.

Mexico City has the distinguishing factor of being one of the highest cities in terms of altitude. The city sits at 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) above sea level; meaning if you have asthma or other breathing problems, you’re likely to feel it more here, than in other, lower-down places. I have yet to see a runner on the streets.

It’s a huge city and cultural center, filled with all kinds of history and natural beauty. It also has a lot of crime, and in the past was considered rather dangerous. In reality, many parts still are, but much of the city underwent major cleaning-up. Particularly the areas most known to the tourist populations, like Condessa, Roma, Centro, and Polanco, among others. Huge swaths of the city are filled with trendy bars, high-end cuisine, and rather pricey hotels and housing. It’s one of the most expensive parts of Mexico, much like other tourist areas including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or Playa del Carmen.

It also has a well-developed metro system for transportation, cops nearly everywhere, a lot of parks and green spaces, and a ton of air pollution. It’s a place to find all kinds of music from metal to salsa to jazz, hear different languages spoken, and to immerse oneself in culture. If you like history, you’ve got castles and palaces (right in the city); pyramids and Aztec ruins in Teotihuacan; and a variety of historical monuments and museums, in the historical center, and beyond. While much of Mexico has that 3^rd world feel, Mexico City often does not.

Finding weed in Mexico City

When you’re planning to spend some time in a place, it’s important to be able to find the things you need. In this case, while I don’t necessarily need weed in Mexico City, I certainly wanted it. I came to the city with a small amount, and a plan to stay for possibly a few months. I needed a local connection. My first thought was of the menus I came across in Guadalajara. A bit pricey, but also geared toward the tourism market. As of yet, I have not come across one.

I figured it would take no time to find some info at a Meetup event; but to my surprise, weed didn’t come up at the first. I even forgot to ask, as there wasn’t a hint of smoke in the air. So I singled out a couple of American guys at a party and asked if they smoked weed. One didn’t, the other said he bought gummies from a store in Polanco. I was intrigued. I asked if they sold flower as well. He said he didn’t think so. I checked out the Polanco High Club chain online, and found it was just head shops, though they do offer gummies and other THC edibles.

Next, I decided to see what happened if I put ‘dispensary’ into Google Maps. And voila, several options came up. Only one featured pictures on Google Maps of a store with flower for sale. And just my luck, that particular store was within 15 minutes from where I was staying in Roma Norte. I decided to check it out.

I found the store’s Instagram account, as well as the listing on Google Maps. Mexico, it should be remembered, is in the middle of a huge mess. Since 2018 recreational weed has been legal via Supreme Court ruling; but the government has continually failed to establish rules to regulate an industry. So is it legal to run a dispensary that sells weed? Hard to say; not exactly, but not exactly not. There is certainly no established sales market, and a lot of gray area. And I’m not the expect to give a definitive answer.

Here’s my experience

This might sound weird, but I’m not going to print the establishment’s name. I appreciate the service, and in this tenuous environment, don’t want to ruin anything for anyone. However, I attached a link to their Instagram, and if you put ‘dispensary’ into Maps, you’ll find an entry on Colima Avenue, number 220, in Roma Norte. That’s the spot.

I walked to the area, and when I got there, I realized it wasn’t an obvious storefront. I didn’t see a sign anywhere, but found the correct address. As there was new information on Maps, I knew the place wasn’t closed, and the lack of official signage makes sense. I went back to Maps and found there was a picture posted of the entrance; which looks like the entrance to an apartment building, complete with doorman.

After looking back and forth from my phone to the entrance a few times, I finally went in and asked the doorman if the store was in the building. He immediately confirmed I was in the right place. He asked for my name, first and last; but did not ask for an ID. He told me to go to the 5^th floor and turn right. I took the elevator up.

Once off, it looked like apartments or small offices. I turned right and found myself in front of an open door, and what looked like a low-key salon. I quickly glanced around to see if there was anything weed-like, but there was not. A worker saw me and said I was probably looking for the place next door. Indeed the next door down was closed and locked; with a buzzer, and a badly drawn picture of a weed nugget.

I rang the buzzer, and was buzzed in. I entered a room that smelled like herb with apparel on the far end. I walked around a wall to get to the counter, where three guys stood speaking English. In the counter were different edible products, and paraphernalia. Behind the counter, on the wall, were big glass canisters full of flower. The Canadian guy who served me, said it was his dispensary. He said he’d ran it for seven months already. I asked if he had any issues, and he said none as of yet. I didn’t ask anything further about that…sometimes you don’t. I confirmed that I found the place through Google Maps.

I asked him if he had any good indicas, and he indicated two different options in the high end realm. He was going to go on about lower priced options, but I told him it wasn’t necessary; I wanted something good. The two options both smelled delicious; one Purple Flavonoid, and one Bubba Kush. I bought a gram of each, which were put in smell proof bags, emblazoned with print information unrelated to the store. That was it. I had a brief conversation with the guys about living in Mexico, said my ‘thank you’s, and went out the same way I came in.

A little on pricing

I expect some of the other dispensaries that come up on Google Maps might have a similar setup. I’ll check out more in the future. It’s nice to know that a good product exists, without finding a dealer, and without a functional market in the country. It definitely wasn’t cheap, though. Not by either American or Mexican standards. Although having said that, I understand this isn’t a normal market, and that means normal cannot be expected.

I paid 400 pesos per gram. That’s approximately $23 a gram in the US. These days, you can sometimes buy an 8^th for not much more than that amount; although maybe not the best stuff. There aren’t many dispensaries that charge that much for a gram, at least in terms of what I’ve encountered. Usually a gram is $10-15 dollars. In some states, more like $7, what with all the overproduction and competition issues. Overall, this Mexico City dispensary charged higher prices than I’ve encountered in America.

But we’re not in America, we’re in Mexico. And the reality here is that most people smoke cheaper outdoor grown stuff, meaning less market for high grade. And when I say cheap, I really mean it. When I first got to the country in 2020, I bought my first ounce for 400 pesos. At that time, the dollar was stronger against the peso, and this equaled about $21-22. As an ounce is 28 grams, that means each gram went for about 14 pesos, or less than $1. It’s mostly sativa in Mexico, and most of the weed is low grade and has a lot of seeds.

From there I found a guy selling higher quality, but still outdoor grown, sativa. The price went up to 1,000 pesos per ounce, which now is about $58. That means almost 36 pesos per gram in Mexico, and a little over $2, in America. From there I found connections, first for imported American weed, and then for indoor grown in Mexico (the holy grail); and the price – and options – increased. I began paying as much as 3,500 pesos for an ounce of really nice indica. That means 125 pesos per gram, which is a little over $7. Now I was paying in American price territory (low end), but for high grade stuff.

In comparison to that, 400 pesos per gram of weed in Mexico City is a bit pricey, and literally the same as what I paid for an ounce of the cheap stuff in Guadalajara a few years ago. I’m sure if I hook up with a regular dealer, I can drop the price back down to standard prices, though that could still be more than what I paid in Guadalajara, as Mexico City is slightly more expensive. On the other hand, the dispensary provided me an easy way to get high end flower in a pinch, without knowing anyone; and included plenty of options, friendly and knowledgeable personnel, and really awesome product.

It’ll be interesting to see where the price point goes, when rules are established for this industry. Or at the very least, as more of these open, to bring in more competition. The reality, is that the prices are a bit high, but it’s not a standard market, so a direct comparison doesn’t exist. For now, you can most certainly buy weed in Mexico City without a dealer. You just have to know how to do it. For those happy enough with gummies, vapes, and other edibles; these are easier to find in regular head shops. Although much like in US black market dispensaries, it’s impossible to say what’s in them.

Conclusion

Finding a dispensary with high end weed in Mexico City, really improved my day. If you’re in Mexico City and on a similar mission for weed, or just curious what’s around; go ahead and check out that address on Google Maps. It’s a bit pricey, but definitely worth it for a tourist in a tight spot, or anyone looking for high grade stuff to smoke. I fully admit, for a longer term stay, I’d put the effort into finding a regular dealer; but for what I’m here for…this place was the answer to my prayers.