Barcelona Authorities Aim to Close Legal Cannabis Clubs
The government of Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous Spanish region of Catalonia, is seeking to shut down legal cannabis clubs, which officials believe promote marijuana smoking.
About 20 Cannabis Growers’ Associations Targeted
In 2017, Catalan authorities decided to legalize cannabis clubs, which had been operating underground since 1991, allowing these organizations to grow and distribute cannabis to their members aged 18 and older. Each club was permitted to produce up to 150 kilograms of marijuana per year. Following this drug policy reform, more than 400 cannabis growers’ associations opened in Barcelona, making the city a rival to Amsterdam for the title of Europe’s cannabis capital.
In response to the clubs’ growing popularity, officials tightened regulations. For example, associations were banned from selling marijuana to new members within the first 15 days of joining, aiming to deter tourists. However, members of the Municipal Council have gone further, announcing plans to close around 20 associations accused of promoting marijuana smoking. Police have been ordered to conduct inspections and shut down organizations that violate rules designed to prevent increased cannabis consumption.
The campaign against cannabis clubs is being led by Barcelona’s Deputy Mayor, Albert Batlle, who is known for his negative stance on marijuana and his efforts to eliminate cannabis growers’ associations. To achieve this, Batlle is expected to lobby for legislative amendments that would give officials the legal grounds to close these establishments.
Up to 16.4 Million People Use Cannabis Club Services
According to research firm New Frontier Data, there are about 1,000 cannabis clubs operating in Spain, with 80% located in Barcelona and other major cities. These organizations have around 4 million registered Spanish members. Additionally, between 6.6 million and 12.4 million foreign tourists use the clubs’ services each year. The annual marijuana trade volume is estimated at $3.6 billion to $5 billion. The largest clubs have up to 50,000 members, though 66% of clubs have between 3,000 and 10,000 members.
The Spanish Cannabis Club Model Inspires Other Countries
The success of Spain’s cannabis club model has encouraged authorities in other European countries to reform their cannabis laws. For example, in 2021, Malta became the first European Union country to legalize marijuana sales through a network of cannabis growers’ associations. Germany is expected to adopt a similar law this year.