The Associations (Cannabis Social Club) are at risk of closure
The hundreds of Cannabis Social Clubs in Barcelona are at risk of closure, after the supreme court’s decision to alter the legal loophole that has allowed the city to become the symbol of marijuana in Spain. The latter has always stood out for its permissive attitude towards to cannabis. So much so that one of the symbols of the Catalan city, Christopher Columbus, in his statue representation is flanked by two hemp plants. Within Cannabis Clubs, from the roots of Spanish culture, hemp and its applications are deeply integrated into the very fabric of society. Furthermore, part of Barcelona’s tourism is inextricably linked to Cannabis Clubs, making the city a perfect and cheaper alternative to Amsterdam. Now that the associations are at risk of closure, the country’s economy itself could be the one to lose out.
The importance of cannabis associations in Barcelona
Most of the cannabis clubs in Catalonia are located in Barcelona, ​​where marijuana can be consumed legally according to a regulation approved by the local administration. However, the situation risks changing irreversibly. The judges ruled that city authorities were not responsible for legislating on matters affecting public health. This compromised the loophole that supported the entire association system. The city bodies have taken steps to inform that the latest ruling on the matter prohibits: promotion, sale and consumption of cannabis.
Possible measures by the authorities
Carpet checks are expected by local authorities, with the specific intention of countering the promotion of hemp within clubs that should be private. There are 2 conflicting factions on the topic of associations:
- On the one hand, the representatives of the social club take sides, underlining that their “closed circuit” model allows consenting adults to consume marijuana that comes from controlled and known producers.
- On the other hand, the municipality of Barcelona is standing firm and is actually considering them as places suitable for the sale and promotion of cannabis.
The Catalan federation and the local police must admit that their presence has reduced street dealing and consumption. The situation began to become thorny when many of the associations moved away from the purpose with which they were created, orienting themselves towards mass sales and tourists.
The associations at risk of closure are clamoring to participate in a joint working table with the city council. They thus hope to be able to find a common solution in a city that has always stood out as a pioneering approach to the application of new drug policies aimed at people and health.