Romania

Romania is a country where decriminalization has been proposed, but it remains a proposal only. Nevertheless, despite the legislation against cannabis, people grow it for themselves and enjoy what nature has to offer, having in mind the mild climate (in some parts of the country) which is well suited for growing cannabis plants. 

Romania is a country where decriminalization has been proposed, but it remains a proposal only. Nevertheless, despite the legislation against cannabis, people grow it for themselves and enjoy what nature has to offer, having in mind the mild climate (in some parts of the country) which is well suited for growing cannabis plants. Decriminalization is the first step and it’s a must, considering both Romania is part of the European Union and considering the laws regarding cannabis all over Europe. Because information regarding cannabis culture is everywhere available online, the number of online Romanian specialized shops has increased and people have easy access; as a result, the number of seasonal outdoor growers as well as indoor growers has greatly increased in the last 5 years. Soft Secrets then interviewed three Romanian growers and activists.

Soft Secrets: How’s it growing? Please introduce yourselves to our Readers.
B.I.L: I’m 39 years old, I’m from Romania and I’ve been a cannabis activist and grower for 6 years.
E.N.D: I’m 34 years old, from Romania and have been a grower, user, and cannabis activist since 2004.
Flow: I’m 35 years old and I come from the center of Romania, up in the mountains. All goes well and I’m anxious to see the harvest of buds from this year.

How’s life in general, and for a grower and a smoker in particular, in Romania?
B.I.L: It’s definitely not an easy life but it’s better to grow for yourself than rely on neighborhood dealers.
E.N.D: ....with pretty much a lot of paranoia flowing around.
Flow: Life is not heavy, it´s fucking heavy, but if you are doing a good job, the weather and the climate will help a lot. Legally speaking it is messy for a grower, but a black market for weed in Romania exists and brings back good remuneration. A lot of bio-grown weed can be found on Romanian black market. I’ve seen plants weighing up to 1 kg of bud, grown in Romania.

How old were you when you smoked your first joint?
B.I.L: I was 19 years old back then.
E.N.D: As far as I can remember, around 18 - 19 years old at the time.
Flow: I was 17.

How was the experience, did you enjoy it? 

B.I.L: I had been working for a year already in a music Club, in the city where I spent most of my childhood. I was the right hand man of the owner of the club and one night he smoked the lungs out of me and I was blasted for a couple of hours laying on the couch and enjoying the bliss. It was confusing in the beginning, but I liked it more after I completely relaxed.

E.N.D: I enjoyed it but I did not understand too much. My second experience was more intense and I felt a connection with Mother Nature.

Flow: My first experience was crazy heavy, but still with a lot of energy and not like a couch potato; the feeling was incredible. Ruderalis, grown in mother Russia, provided the delight for my first moments with Mary Jane. 

You grow indoors or outdoors?
B.I.L: I started outdoors, but now I’ve been growing indoors as well for 4 years.
E.N.D: I do both; sometimes nature is friendly and rewards you plenty.
Flow: Indoors & outdoors.

What strains have you been growing outdoors and indoors?
B.I.L: My first grow was in 2005. It was a bag seed grow. The seeds were seeds that I’d put aside from the buds I enjoyed the most. From 2006 on I’ve ordered from an online shop based in England. Outdoor I’ve grown Ice, White Rhino, White Widow and Hollands Hope, and indoor Ladyburn’74, Hawaiian Snow, Critical Mass and Super Skunk, amongst others.
E.N.D: Outdoor I’m growing mostly auto-flowering strains, mostly because of the climate. I live in a submontane region and only the really early strains finish properly, due to the cold weather that sets in fast in the autumn. Until now I’ve grown outdoor Auto Blueberry, Auto Bubblegum, Auto Wappa, Super Critical Auto and non autos like Chemdog and Sacra Frasca. This year I will go with Hindu Kush Auto, Big Devil Auto and Auto Mazar. Indoor I’ve grown Red Cherry Berry, Mazar, Wild Rose and sometimes bag seeds.
Flow: Outdoor I’m always going with hybrids that have skunk genes infused and also strong indicas, if you have a greenhouse. Indoor....I grow pretty much everything.

What problems can you encounter and what do you watch out for when growing Outdoors in Romania?
B.I.L: If you are growing guerilla style, you should choose a good, safe spot with plenty of sun, and watch for animals and pests of all kinds. I used to bring dog shit and spread it all over the place surrounding the plants and that solved the problems most of the times. Indoors, temperature is a big problem.
E.N.D: The main concern when growing outdoors is the security of the chosen place. Secondly animals are a big concern, but also the weather in the summer: especially in August when it tends to be very dry and later on in autumn, September and October, when heavy rains can ruin your crop.
Flow: The main ingredient is to choose the best spot, considering the number of people that are around the grow spot, and to be as invisible as it gets. Other concerns are animals, mold, and pests, but you can choose wisely some strains that are pest and mold resistant.

Are there any specialized shops in Romania where do you buy the seeds and supplies from?
B.I.L: Nowadays the number of online shops in Romania has increased and also a specialized shop has opened in Bucharest. Besides 2006, when I ordered my seeds online, for safety reasons mostly and because of the proximity (being closer to Vienna), I prefer to make all my purchases – seeds and indoor growing equipment – in Austria.

Do you smoke cannabis for Medical, religious or recreational reasons?
B.I.L: I smoke for all these reasons.
E.N.D: Medical and recreational purposes are my main incentives to smoke it.
Flow: Big time recreational reasons and sometimes, when needed, for medical reasons as well.

What are your views on legalization?
B.I.L: Regulate is the word! It’s better to smoke a ‘fatty’ and lie on a bench in the park, than drink alcohol and go home and beat up your wife and kids, like so often happens in Romania.
E.N.D: I do not believe in legalization, but I do believe in decriminalization and tolerance.
Flow: Haaah. It’s a child dream.

How do you see the future of cannabis in Romania and world-wide?
B.I.L: It should be a brighter future for the cannabis movement worldwide. I stay positive. In Romania we have to first change the mentality and let people feel that sticking together for a cause is the key to regulation of cannabis as well. A unified citizenry can fight better, regardless of the cause you are fighting for.
E.N.D: In Romania is hard to see a big change suddenly, because of the mentality. Worldwide I hope that cannabis will not become controlled by governments, like alcohol and tobacco.

Will Amsterdam stay the capital of the marijuana movement?
B.I.L: Amsterdam still is the capital, but in the future, maybe 10 years, Spain could be the country to offer a new capital of the marijuana movement. Reasons are the big pro-cannabis community and the climate.
E.N.D: In Europe Amsterdam will definitely remain the capital of freedom.
Flow: I am not sure if it will remain the capital, but at least will be the first one.

Have you ever had any legal problems because you were growing weed?
B.I.L: I’ve never had any legal problems; for me, it’s just a magic weed.
E.N.D: Not until now and hopefully the future will remain the same.
Flow: I´ve never had any problem legally speaking, but I know a few persons, even amongst my friends, who have had problems. Some of them have been incarcerated as well. 

Are Romanian laws strict when it comes to drugs?
B.I.L: They are strict enough! Half the time, a rape sentence is equal to cannabis related felonies. That´s crazy!
E.N.D: Yes, they are.
Flow: They are strict nowadays, but we hope for a better future, at least for our children.

What is your advice for tourists that want to burn a ‘fatty’ and stay out of trouble while visiting or staying in Romania?
B.I.L: The best advice is to have a have a friend in Romania and ask for his help. Wandering around the streets and buying weed is not the best idea.
E.N.D: Be selective. Do not smoke with any person you meet for the first time and choose your place of smoking carefully.
Flow: Smoke privately at home or if you smoke outside, be prepared to act like a rabbit.

Is cannabis popular in Romania? What are the prices for weed, hash?
B.I.L: It’s very popular. There are many people who smoke privately in the intimacy of their home, due to the strict laws, even lawyers, teachers, students. The price is between 10-12 Euro per gram.

How would you promote your country?
B.I.L: We have a beautiful country with amazing natural landscapes and beautiful women, but we have a handicap: the country’s leadership and half-hearted people.
E.N.D: A country where virgin nature can be encountered easily.
Flow: It’s wild in a good way, cool people and beautiful women, and last but not least with a perfect climate for weed.

Please share your motto with us, your final words of wisdom.
B.I.L: Don’t show a lack of interest or spirit! Romanians, you should stand up for your rights.
E.N.D: Plant a Seed.
Flow: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst!

Stay blessed.