By Oliver Bennett, Special Contributor to New Frontier Data
Once welcomed as a progressive venue forward for adult-use legalization, Barcelona’s cannabis clubs suddenly find themselves in legal limbo, and possible jeopardy of elimination. A recent court ruling from the regional Catalan High Court has asserted an uncertain future for the clubs, or asociaciones, the majority of which are centred in Barcelona and ostensibly no longer allowed to “promote the consumption, sale or cultivation” of cannabis, for penalty of which they could be shut down at short notice.
With approximately 225 cannabis social clubs in Barcelona and another 500 clubs across the rest of Spain, the clubs are considered a model of decriminalised practise. They have attracted tourism, leading to Barcelona’s being dubbed “the new Amsterdam”; with a lounge bar aesthetic, they offer a more hospitable ambience than the iconic coffeeshops of the Netherlands, with a social element missing from the typical retail dispensaries of the U.S. or Canada.
As a result of the ruling, come September inspectors are due to visit the clubs to assess any negative impact, says Barcelona-based consultant Alex Aller of Legal Weed, and Cannabis Barcelona, a site promoting Barcelona’s cannabis clubs.
“The only thing that we all know for sure is that in September, City Hall will begin inspections,” says Aller, adding that the warning itself raises a legal issue. “These inspections are not within their jurisdiction, so clubs are not obliged to allow the inspection. Some clubs won’t let the inspectors inside until they explain what their intentions are.”
It is a highly confusing scenario, says Aller. “Everything is open to interpretation, and therefore no one truly knows what is going to happen,” he explained. “Even the City Hall doesn’t know exactly what is going to happen.
