If you’re not familiar with how weed clubs in Spain work, or Is weed legal in Spain? then here’s a short history lesson……
In Spain, at present, the only legal cannabis products are the frankly wonderful and exclusive range of home fragrances produced by Spanish luxury brand, Loewe. And, to be totally transparent, their Scent of Marihuana range is an olfactory creation mimicking those soothing woody, herbal aromas. But, hey, at least you’ll be able to get these products through customs 😉
Around 30 years ago in Spain, so we’re talking in the early 1990’s, the first cannabis social clubs – also called associations for cannabis users – were created. Their primary objective was to provide a space for responsible consumption and where, in many cases, the plants were cultivated by the association members in order to avoid dealings with the black market for what was, and is still, considered an illegal substance. These associations with their model based on shared and responsible consumption, have become the blueprint for the German government for what will be Europe’s biggest marijuana regulation and legalization project.
Ironically, in Spain, 30 years after the first cannabis social clubs came into existence, the activity of these associations continues to be unregulated and the association leaders and their members are at the mercy of judicial interpretation which, in the past in many cases, has meant that association founders have been found guilty of drug trafficking, or of offenses contravening public health laws.
You may have heard that things are easier in Catalonia or Navarre, but the regional parliaments which approved laws to regulate cannabis clubs within their regions had those laws repealed by the national Constitutional Court. In addition, the Senate chamber rejected proposed laws last year, 2022. Meanwhile the Health Minister, José Miñones has said that the bill for legalizing medicinal cannabis should be ready by the end of May 2023. When that bill gets set before parliament is as yet not clear.
There is more good news, though. We’re happy to report that one of the most recent sentences handed down in a provincial court (Valencia) dictated that the cultivation of marijuana by a cannabis social club, when the crop is exclusively destined for use by association members, was not considered a criminal offense. Indeed, the Civil Guard agents highlighted the exemplary aims of collaboration of the association members in question, many of whom were using marijuana for medicinal use, and the fact that no cannabis was ever provided to third parties. 
However, this is hardly the same as legalization. And not at all the same as regulating cannabis for recreational use.
According to the organization that unites many of these associations Confac, there may be as many as 2,000 social clubs in Spain with at least 500,000 members. Here at Marijuana Games it really seems unacceptable that the legal limbo in which cannabis social clubs in Spain find themselves continues. Especially when governments from around the world are taking the model as their blueprint for legalizing cannabis.
We’ve already mentioned Uruguay here on Marijuana Games, but just to repeat ….. It incorporated the model of cannabis social clubs in Spain into its legislation. Malta did the exact same thing and now Germany is on the verge of incorporating the Spanish cannabis club model into legislation.
Indeed, earlier this year, various top-ranking government officials from a range of countries – Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, Hungary, Portugal and Switzerland to name just a few, were in Barcelona, the city with the largest number of associations, in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of the Spanish model.
Of course, all this is very interesting. Here is where we can advise on the big question. How to find weed in Spain? And how do you find a private members’ cannabis social club in Madrid, or a cannabis club in Barcelona, or a cannabis club in Marbella or a cannabis club in Mojácar ?
Firstly, as you have read above, it’s important to understand how clubs work in Spain so you’ll need to agree to maintain the closed circle doctrine. In other words, agree that you will not transfer or sell any of the cannabis products you acquire to any third party.
Secondly, you’ll need to certify that you’re an experienced user of cannabis. Most clubs have a plus 21 years of age rule.
Thirdly, you’ll need to be able to provide an address in Spain.
Marijuana Games does not sell cannabis, nor does it own any cannabis clubs. We offer our sponsorship to potential, responsible, members we vet. We do not promote the use of cannabis. However, we passionately believe that all adults should have safe access to unadulterated cannabis products.
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