In recent years, the number of cannabis clubs in Spain has skyrocketed . There are an estimated 800 to 1,000 clubs across the country, with new ones popping up all the time.
This growth has been driven by a combination of factors, including a more relaxed attitude towards cannabis use in Spanish society, and legal changes that have made it easier to create and operate this type of business.
How a cannabis club works
The first thing to know is how a coffeeshop in Barcelona works. You can check such info, at the special website, where you can learn more about clubs and even get an invite. To become a member, you must be of legal age – in many cases, this means being over 21 years of age. You must also use cannabis regularly, for medicinal or recreational purposes. In some cases, you must also be a resident of the city or community in which the association is located.
Usually, you will have to be introduced by a member of the association who can vouch for your good character and intentions. You can’t just pick up and go to the club. In order for you to have free access, you will need to receive an invitation from the club or from one of their members. If you do not have an invitation, you will be denied entry. Also, do not forget that cannabis clubs are hidden from your eyes. It is forbidden to advertise them on the streets and hang signs.
Catalonia and cannabis clubs
The vast majority of cannabis clubs in Spain are located in the Catalonia region, which has been at the forefront of efforts to liberalize drug laws in the country.
In 2012, the Catalan government passed a law regulating cannabis clubs, becoming one of the first jurisdictions in Europe to do so. This regulatory framework has contributed to creating a The cannabis club industry in Catalonia is booming, and some of the biggest and most well-known clubs are located in Barcelona, the capital of the region.
Best known cannabis clubs in Barcelona
Choko Cannabis Association
The club is said to have a very luxurious and artistic atmosphere, with beautiful decorations and an excellent location near the Plaza de Catalunya.
It is also known for being one of the trendiest clubs in Barcelona, and is said to be very popular with celebrities and the rich and famous. The club has a long list of VIP members, and its guests are said to include international supermodels, actors, musicians, and business moguls. If you are looking for a night of glitz and glamour, this is the place to be.
G13 Club Cannabico
G13 specializes in high-quality marijuana. The company was founded in 2006 by two friends, who had the idea to create a safe and relaxed environment where people could enjoy their favorite weed.
Today, G13 has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The shop is located in a basement near the Sagrada Familia , and is known for its wide variety of flowers and knowledgeable staff.
In addition to their selection of marijuana strains, G13 also offers a variety of other products, including pipes, bongs, and rolling papers. Whether you’re an experienced or first-time smoker, G13 is the perfect place to explore the world of marijuana. So if you’re ever in Barcelona, make sure you visit this hidden gem.
Regulation of cannabis clubs
Although the cannabis club model has been successful in Catalonia, it has run into some problems in other parts of Spain. In particular, there has been resistance from the national government to the proliferation of these businesses . The Spanish government has taken a more restrictive stance on cannabis use and has cracked down on clubs that operate outside the legal framework.
This has led to a situation where cannabis clubs are largely concentrated in Catalonia , with only a handful of them present in other regions of Spain.
Despite the difficulties, it is clear that cannabis clubs are here to stay in Spain . They have become an integral part of the country’s cannabis culture and their popularity is likely to continue to grow in the coming years.
Spain’s Cannabis Law and the Legality of Clubs
The creation of marijuana clubs in Barcelona came about because of a loophole in the law. In Spain, each autonomous community has the right to decide on legislation regarding weed, and Catalonia is the most liberal.
Here, smoking marijuana in private spaces, such as your home, is not illegal. You are also allowed to grow weed for your own consumption, but you are not allowed to sell it, smoke in public spaces or carry marijuana in the streets.
In 2011, an anti-smoking law established that smoking would only be allowed in closed places with public access, such as bars or restaurants, if these places were specific clubs for smokers. Although the law was created with tobacco in mind, the associations took advantage of this failure to argue that the same would apply to marijuana and hashish. It was then that the first clubs appeared.
Anyone who signs up is not considered a customer. It’s an associate. In this way, they pay a quarterly or annual fee that varies between 5 and 15 euros to cover the costs of producing their own marijuana and can withdraw monthly quotas whenever they want.
Did you understand what they did? They took advantage of permission to grow crops for their own consumption and permission to smoke in private places and created a model that works like a cooperative. The partners only withdraw what is already theirs, they are not buying anything. To walk within the rules, clubs cannot be for profit: all money generated must be reinvested in the association itself. Nor can they advertise or actively try to attract new members.
Who can join marijuana clubs?
You must be over 18 years old (some clubs require over 21), be a resident of the city, and have a friend previously joined the club. This means that you only enter by invitation and that, if you come to the city hoping to find a new Amsterdam, you can take the horse out of the rain. There was a club in El Raval that took tourists off the street and joined them right there, without asking for a Spanish document or a certificate of empadronamiento (proof of residence in the city), but it ended up being closed by the court in 2014.
After getting a friend to validate your entry, you need to fill out an extensive registration, which will be evaluated by the club administration. Sometimes, you have to prove that you were already a regular consumer of weed and that you are not being induced by *bad company* (I bet your mother already asked you to stop hanging out with that friend, huh?) or by the club itself.
Other times, you need to say how much marijuana you usually consume each month and that will be your monthly allotment. Attention, steamers, there is a maximum limit of 150 grams per month, which is a hell of a lot, according to what I investigated. This is because, if the clubs passed more than 5 grams per day to users, they could be classified as distributors, according to local jurisprudence.
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