In this article, we discuss the boom the Catalan capital is experiencing following the significant rise of numerous cannabis associations since 2013, better known as “ cannabis social clubs .” These clubs believed they had paved the way for a stable and viable form of regulation, but a court ruling ordering their closure came as a bolt from the blue last July in the Mediterranean metropolis.
Barcelona is a highly attractive tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. It is true that it is a very pleasant city to visit, thanks to the beauty of its historic center, featuring Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Familia, the colorful market on La Rambla, a well-developed port area, its numerous and luxurious shops of all kinds, the diversity and exoticism of its delicious restaurants, hotels, and the vibrant nightlife it has to offer—all set against the backdrop of an ideal Mediterranean climate.
It must also be acknowledged that in recent years it has become a top destination for all passionate cannabis enthusiasts. With more than 200 cannabis social clubs in the heart of the Catalan capital, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The variety of products on offer is so vast that you’re sure to find something that suits your taste.
It is entirely possible to find products that meet quality standards comparable to those found in California today. The Spanish now have extensive experience in cannabis cultivation, so their level of knowledge and standards are naturally high. You no longer need to travel to Los Angeles to enjoy top-shelf Californian products; Barcelona is sure to satisfy all your desires.
One could even say that Barcelona’s cannabis scene has far surpassed the charm of beautiful Amsterdam in this regard. During the Spannabis, Europe’s leading cannabis fair, Barcelona’s many cannabis social clubs (CSCs) organize numerous “pop-up” events (short-term activities) throughout the city. This generates significant momentum within the city’s cannabis community.
Most of these cannabis associations were founded starting in 2013, and their numbers have grown rapidly ever since. Their success and reputation are such that many of them have forged close ties with well-known players in the U.S. cannabis industry. The highly renowned Cookies brand, owned by San Francisco-based rapper Berner, has also set up shop in Barcelona. Cookies recently decided to open a clothing store there, as well as a “cannabis social club” bearing the brand’s name. This is anything but a coincidence, as it is a strategic move in a European city where—a rare occurrence—tolerance for cannabis is high. It is therefore an interesting move for this major Californian group within the European cannabis industry.
A glimmer of hope that brought them a sense of relief emerged in 2016, as the Barcelona City Council had succeeded in enacting a zoning ordinance that incorporated regulations for the various CSCs in the city. This regulation contained certain legal requirements regarding the establishment and proper operation of these venues.
Unfortunately, there was a dramatic turn of events last July, as the Supreme Court of Catalonia simply decided to overturn that court ruling, explaining that no municipality has the authority to grant itself the right to enact regulations of this nature.
They argue that such a decision can be adopted only if it comes directly from the central government in Madrid. The Barcelona City Council had filed an appeal with the Spanish Supreme Court, which rejected it last April. This zoning regulation was the only legal protection available to cannabis clubs in that municipality.
This sad news has therefore forced the city of Barcelona to send a registered letter to each association, informing them of the changes to their operating rules. It came as a shock to the leaders of the various Barcelona-based organizations when they read the new regulations. The language is clear: they will no longer be able to promote, cultivate, facilitate, or supply cannabis to their members. From now on, these types of establishments are limited to organizing seminars and meetings to provide information to their members. But nothing more is on the agenda; in short, this is a mechanism to neutralize these organizations. To top it all off, they’ve been told that numerous inspections will be carried out to ensure that every association is complying with the law.
For now, CatFac (the Federation of Cannabis Social Clubs of Catalonia) has already scheduled a meeting with the City of Barcelona in September to discuss this issue in depth and try to find a solution other than the mass closure of these establishments.
On the other hand, it appears that both Barcelona and its suburbs have seen a sharp rise in crime over the past five years, with the presence of several national and international criminal organizations. Serious crimes such as gang-related killings and violent kidnappings for ransom are becoming increasingly common in the Catalan capital and its suburbs.
Furthermore, a new phenomenon is now emerging in neighborhoods such as Sant Roc in Badalona or La Mina in Sant Adrià de Besós, as certain criminal gangs are increasingly trying to pressure residents by creating a climate of terror in their neighborhoods, in order to drive them out of their homes. All of this is done with the aim of taking over these properties to set up illegal cannabis farms and thereby expand their criminal operations. It seems these organizations know no bounds—where will this criminal rise end?
To be completely objective, what is the solution to this? The return of the black market to the streets and parks of Barcelona, with all the ignorance and widespread crime that entails?
Frankly, this does not seem to be a viable solution in terms of either public health or public safety. Once again, the only pragmatic solution is simply regulation for the common good, accompanied by a comprehensive social program backed by the political sphere, in order to reorganize this aspect of society that is currently failing in this Spanish metropolis.
