# Can you use pot legally on the Moon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 8, 2001, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288 "2001-04-08T23:34:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2001, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/1 "2001-04-08T23:34:17Z")
And if so, when you get high do you come down? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/2 "2001-04-08T23:53:36Z")
Handy, just what are you smoking? I’d definitely recommend laying off of it, whatever it is, for at least a few 24 hours! ---
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/3 "2001-04-09T00:34:28Z")
Sure, but I dare you to find a way to light the joint. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/4 "2001-04-09T00:38:57Z")
Hmmm dunno, but it’d be a good place to have the munchies. Just think of all that cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/5 "2001-04-09T00:43:55Z")
Seriously now, the Moon isn’t under anyone’s jurisdiction, so you can’t be criminally prosecuted if you do decide to light up some of the chronic there. And, **handy** , I’m going to assume your text was a joke. If you wake up and don’t remember posting this, lay off the weed and/or booze. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/6 "2001-04-09T00:45:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arken \* > \*\*Sure, but I dare you to find a way to light the joint. \*\* No, no. Brownies, dude. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![headshok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@headshok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/headshok)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/7 "2001-04-09T00:46:21Z")
So would a gravity bong be made differently on the moon than the earth? I’m kidding, I’m just kidding!!! ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/8 "2001-04-09T01:19:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Derleth \* > \*\*Seriously now, the Moon isn’t under anyone’s jurisdiction, so you can’t be criminally prosecuted if you do decide to light up some of the chronic there. > \*\* A little off-topic, but this subject’s shot to hell anyway. 😉 What about **real** crimes? If a private company does manage to get into space, are they subject to the laws of the country they come from? Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/9 "2001-04-09T02:32:11Z")
Why do you think they called him “Buzz” Aldrin? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/10 "2001-04-09T02:44:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lance Turbo \* > \*\*Why do you think they called him “Buzz” Aldrin? \*\* 🙂 😃 😃 😉 😃 😃 😃 Ah, sheesh. snicker, snort, Whew. Peace, mangeorge (chuckle) ---
**Author:** ![SpinneZiege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@SpinneZiege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpinneZiege)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/11 "2001-04-09T04:06:48Z")
Thing is, you’d have to consider the logistics of the whole thing. On spaceships, the atmosphere is pure oxygen, so any flame would kill everyone onboard (see Apollo 1, Challenger, etc.). Then there’s the ventilation. Why do you think they banned smoking on airplanes, for cryin’ out loud? Finally, why the hell would you smoke pot on the moon anyway? I guess if you get _that_ high, the sky’s the limit, right? ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/12 "2001-04-09T05:37:51Z")
[Can you smoke dope on the high seas](http://www.asi.org/adb/03/05/ocean-law.html)? Then you can do it on the moon, too. ---
**Author:** ![RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RocknRoll_Killing_Machine)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/13 "2001-04-09T07:00:41Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t it be legal to have a meth lab operating on the high seas? ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/14 "2001-04-09T07:24:28Z")
Can you diss moderators on the high seas, and not get banned? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/848f3c/32.png) [@Ned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ned)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/15 "2001-04-09T07:42:41Z")
You have to be a bit careful about assuming you can do things on the high seas without criminal liability. You run into laws like this canadian example: > [@](#): > > 1. (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or any other Act, every one who > > (a) on or in respect of an aircraft > > (i) registered in Canada under regulations made under the Aeronautics Act, or > > (ii) leased without crew and operated by a person who is qualified under regulations made under the Aeronautics Act to be registered as owner of an aircraft registered in Canada under those regulations, > > while the aircraft is in flight, or > > (b) on any aircraft, while the aircraft is in flight if the flight terminated in Canada, > > commits an act or omission in or outside Canada that if committed in Canada would be an offence punishable by indictment shall be deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada. There are similar laws regarding ships. Though I am unaware of any with space craft it wouldn’t surprise me to find the US has such codes or will when it becomes an issue. Its also worth noting that there is nothing to prevent a country from asserting universal jurisdiction over its citizens. I believe mexico does this and other countries have recently enacted laws regarding sexual abuse of children. I doubt your meth lab could get away unmolested. Its pretty hard to get away from the law. ---
**Author:** ![Major\_Feelgud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@Major\_Feelgud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Major_Feelgud)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/16 "2001-04-09T07:44:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Derleth \* > \*\*Seriously now, the Moon isn’t under anyone’s jurisdiction, so you can’t be criminally prosecuted if you do decide to light up some of the chronic there. > \*\* So does that mean if I murdered someone on the moon and came back I wouldn’t be prosecuted? ---
**Author:** ![Major\_Feelgud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@Major\_Feelgud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Major_Feelgud)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/17 "2001-04-09T07:48:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ned \* > \*\*You have to be a bit careful about assuming you can do things on the high seas without criminal liability. You run into laws like this canadian example: > > > [@](#): > > > > 1. (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or any other Act, every one who > > > > (a) on or in respect of an aircraft > > > > (i) registered in Canada under regulations made under the Aeronautics Act, or > > > > (ii) leased without crew and operated by a person who is qualified under regulations made under the Aeronautics Act to be registered as owner of an aircraft registered in Canada under those regulations, > > > > while the aircraft is in flight, or > > > > (b) on any aircraft, while the aircraft is in flight if the flight terminated in Canada, > > > > commits an act or omission in or outside Canada that if committed in Canada would be an offence punishable by indictment shall be deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada. > > There are similar laws regarding ships. Though I am unaware of any with space craft it wouldn’t surprise me to find the US has such codes or will when it becomes an issue. Its also worth noting that there is nothing to prevent a country from asserting universal jurisdiction over its citizens. I believe mexico does this and other countries have recently enacted laws regarding sexual abuse of children. > > I doubt your meth lab could get away unmolested. Its pretty hard to get away from the law. \*\* OK, so theorecically speaking, if I renounced citizenship of any country, built a canoe without registering it anywhere, sailed out to international waters and built a meth lab on the boat would I be safe? ---
**Author:** ![Ned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/848f3c/32.png) [@Ned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ned)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/18 "2001-04-09T09:38:34Z")
Well, unregistered vessels on the high seas are pretty much open season under the old piracy conventions and you still have to ship your product somewhere. Manuel Noriega had a whole country as you might recall and it didn’t protect him from US law. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/19 "2001-04-09T11:56:39Z")
Jesus Christ! Haven’t you clowns ever heard of **Amsterdam**? Sure, a flight will cost you about $500, but I dare you to charter a Space Shuttle for that kind of money. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2001, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288/20 "2001-04-09T18:11:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\*Jesus Christ! Haven’t you clowns ever heard of **Amsterdam**? > > \*\* Is THAT why the airport caught fire? Jeez…on the news they tried to tell us it was a restaurant fire. Talk about a coverup! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-pot-legally-on-the-moon/61288.md?page=2)